MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18843, 18 October 1924, Page 8 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

People sometimes write to me and as. if I can diagnose—and remedysome trouble in their gramophones. Diagnosing the case of a sick gramophone is fairly easy if one is versed in the anatomy and general principles upon which ail such instruments must be based. The remedy is a matter for the mechanical expert. Unless you sire a mechanic, and understand screw tensions, winning gears, and so forth, you had better not fiddle about the inside of your gramophone. As well may you expect a butcher to make a success of an operation for appendicitis. An occasional cause of trouble is ' flaking" of the mica disc in the sound-box, due to wear and ill-treatment (perhaps more of the latter than the former). The usual symptom of trouble is a diminution of the strength of the tone, and when this occurs it is fairly safe to conclude that the mica disc has flaked. On examination, if this is the case, you will find one or two, perhaps more, things that look , like water-blisters, only they are not raised like blisters. It is as if a globule of water had got in between two pieces of glass, and spread into thin "blobs." The remedy is a new mica plate. As this means the dismantling of the sound-box, and subsequent retensioning, the man to do it is a gramophone expert. It should not be an expensive job, but, unfortunately, the consciences of some gramophone experts are like some plumbers', and the bill may stagger you, as it did mo once. On a subsequent occasion I did it myself, but it is a long job for an amateur, and, if yon ara cursed with the artistic temperament, an exasperating job.

Comparisons are odious, but are sometimes in season. Last week a correspondent wrote submitting a list of thirteen records which, he said, represented, in his opinion, the best recordings achieved by the artists he named. It is quite possible, quite probable, in fact, that no two persons would ever find themselves in complete agreement on a question of musical appreciation, for appreciation is wholly a matter for individual receptivity, temperament and liking. Gramophone music, further, is distinctly different from the original, for recording _ is done under vastly different conditions from those- which obtain in the concert hall. It follows, then, that one's , appreciation of recorded music has a different basis. The impressions received are different. Some of the overtures are lost, and so on.

The foregoing must not be taken as a disparagement of the gramophone. Within the realm of gramophone music is an abundance of material for musical appreciation, and comparison. One may like McCormack's "Mio Tesero" better than Gigli's, or vice-versa. One may prefer the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra, and vice versa. The former's recording of Beethoven's "Coriolan" is the finest achievement in recorded orchestral music I have ever heard. The Royal Albert Hall Orchestra's recording of Handel's "Overture in D minor" is splendid, for the piece was edited by Elgar, and the rich tone colours are unmistakably due to Elgar, whose knowledge of modern orchestration enabled him to improve on Handel, in whose day the instruments of the orchestra were fewer.

See that the brass disc of the governor of your gramophone has a 'little oil occasionally. The governor regulates the pace of the motor, ensuring ' regular revolutions, but if the governor itself is irregular the result will be irregular revolutions of the turn-table, and some great diva like Galli Curci may horrify your sensitive ear by singing out of tune.

With the continuing improvement and efficiency in the art of recording it might not be a bad idea if the big gramophone companies were to make fresh editions of their earlier work, a good deal of which has by this time gone out of stock. The other day I was extremely anxious to obtain, for replacement of worn-out records, two very excellent recordings by the Westminster Cathedral Choir on the old single-sided 12-inch block records, of the numbers from Mozart's "Twelfth Mass." " Lord, Bow Dawn Thine Ear," and He is Blessed." There were none to be had in town, and X was informed that it was extremely doubtful whether they could now be imported. Why not let us have a season of revivals, as they do on the stage occasionally ?

A record of high distinction just to hand contains renderings with string quartette by Charles Hackett, of Schubert's " Serenade," and " Who Is Sylvia?" Opportunity has been taken of the new doublesided series of Purple Label Celebrity Records to include this masterly record by Charles Hackett, the famous tenor of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. These two songs of Schubert form a particularly happy medium for the display of Mr. Hackett's individuality. For, although the artist is gifted with a voice of amazing power, these (tongs are graced by a treatment that impresses the hearer as of a great singer intend upon the expression of his themes. The personality of the singer is merged into his song. You realise that here is an" artist whose soul is in his voice.

• Probably Britain's greatest basso,. Mr. Norman Allin, is heara to distinct advantage in these items by Verdi: " I Vespri Siciliana," " 0 Fair Palermo," and "Simon Boccanegra," " The Broken Spirit," both sung in English. Mr. Norman Allin believes that the great airs of grand opera in record form will play an important part in bringing about the renaissance of opera in English. - Hear his sinking of the beautiful air, " O Fair Palermo;" it is a thing of joy, only matched in its expressive charm by the dramatic change represented by the despair in the famous air, "II Lacerato Spirito." It is a magnificent recording of a great bas3 voice.

A remarkably impressive recording by symphony orchestra under Mr. Hamilton Harty of the " Good Friday Music" from " Parsifal," is music that one can hardly hear unmoved, so devotional, so exquisitely plaintive are its strains. The theme of the dove, a lovely passage that threads its way through the music of the play,' is an elusive phrase that none can forget. There is no recording of the " Good Friday Music" so completely satisfying as this beautiful performance.

Abe Lyman and his band have created a riot on the Gay White Way, New York, and it has been many seasons since a dance orchestra ha's been so favourably received on the Street of Streets. Lyman to-day takes equal stand with the famous Isham Jones and other famous orchestras. His first record since he left California, is his own composition of " Mandalav." This little tune has all the melody that made such type of songs so popular a few years ago. Added to this is Lyman's irresistible rythm, which makes one of the most interesting dance records issued for some time. Charles Kaley sings the vocal chorus, and this young artist was one of tho big hits in Lyman's act.

Sigrid Onegin's glorious voico was never more appealing than" in her now record " The Swedish Lullaby." This number is a classic in the land where it was born. The gentle tones of the mother carry a wealth of'love for her baby. Although Sweden is of the North, there is no hint of coldness in these lulling measures. And how well do they fit the smooth voice of Mme. Onegin. Her interpretation is one of unforgettable simplicity. Berg's " Herdman's Song," made famous by Jenny Lind, is on the reverse side of this new record. It also is sung by Mme. ( Onegin. Her lovely contralto and fluent ! style, have resulted in creating a perfect I record. The two selections make an ideal