MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18861, 8 November 1924, Page 8 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

Modern science has brought the reforming influence of music to the million by inventing, developing, and perfecting two wonderful weapons of sound transmission —tho gramophone and wireless. The greatest musician is no longer the exclusive delight of a privileged few able to pay for admission. His art is not restricted to one place or only for a lifetime. Thanks to the gramophone we can purchase a record of any great artist we desire to hear., even if he is past and gono —for his art lives on. The gramophone and wireless have brought music to the millions, and undoubtedly £vt the present day these twin sister 3 of sound transmission aro the means of raising the moral and spiritual standard of the nation. The pursuits of peace are greater than tho pursuits of war.

A writer dogmatically asserts that "mica is the best," and warns tho public against compositions for diaphragms. Now (remarks one who differs), there has been much controversy on this point, and it is a very open question which is tho better medium of the two. There is no doubt that mica more readily lends itself to blasting, but it might be urged that this only shows that it is ultra-sensitive, although I am not suggesting that blasting is confined to mica. Again, composition diaphragms, more particularly wood and silk, aro unequalled for reproducing piano tone and robbing it of the clankiness which mica more than emphasises. While mica is admirable in reproducing brass, I am inclined to think that composition is more suitable for voice and strings. It is, of course, all more or less a matter of opinion and taste.

Lalo is probably best known by his "Symphonie Espagnole." He was a master of bright and rather fascinating music, brimming over with melody, and of a richly-tinted harmonious texture. The "Norwegian Rhapsodie" (coming shortly) is a fine example of his powers, and the band of the Coldstreams gives a brilliant recording of it. It is essentially the kind of music which makes "good listening." *

The painter of the picture which has become the most famous trade-mark in the world —"His Master's Voice' —hdied on August 29. The fact that he sold his painting of the now immortal Nipper to the British Gramophone Company over 20 years ago serves to remind us (says a London writer) that the gramophone is no longer in the first flush of youth. A comparison of, this little picture of the crude and immature gramophone of, roughly, a quarter of a century ago, with the ornate instrument of to-day, also reminds one, however, that the science of sound reproduction, via the gramophone, is fundamentally identical in its methods with the procedure of those early days. The only difference consists in certain refinements of production and reproduction.

Welcoming the Fronzaley Quartet s recording of the Scherzo from the Tchaikovsky "Quartet in E Flat Minor. Op. 13" a writer says:—"A splendid example of perfection of ensemble and artistic finish. The Fronzaley Quartet more than enhances its reputation as the finest chamber music quartet in the world. Tchaikovsky's third and last string quartet appeared in 1876, and belongs to the period of the 'Third Symphony' and the symphonic poem. 'Francesca da Rimini." It is dedicated to the memory of Ferdinand Laub, a distinguished violinist, who, as leader of the Russian Musical Society's Quartet, had been associated with the production of the composer's two previous works in this form. While it is less inspired than the 'Quartet in F,' which is the most striking of the three, it is, on the other hand, more free from certain defects of construction which lay the earlier work open to reproach."

"I know of no singer whose personality comes so strongly to us as the late Gervase Elwes, through the medium of the gramophone" (runs a London appreciation of that charming singer). A soldier at the front wrote to him. and said that his only solace "in this Hell" were bis records which he played on a portable gramophone wherever he went. Afterwards, his father wrote to Gervase Elwes and said that his son had been killed. On him was found an old letter from Gervase Elwes, which had obviously been read and reread, treasured and saved. An Australian- wrote from some remote spot in tho bush saying that of all the records he had, he loved those of Gervase Elwes the best. Such tributes show the curious fascination that his voice and personality had for all hearers in all parts of the world.

It was just previous to his American tour that most of the Gervase Elwes recordings for the gramophone were made. There are thus thirty-seven of his songs which can bo obtained, and all of them are worthy of acquisition. As has already been said, he never sang a bad song, and this is very apparent in tho selection he has recorded. First and foremost I would place "On Wcnlock Edge," one of the few English works which has been performed at Salzburg. I have heard it many times rendered by many singers, but (for me) 110 one sings it as Gervase Elwes does. The interpretation is nothing short of marvellous, and it is to these records that I turn again and again. It is difficult to select the best of this set, but ".'ls My Team Ploughing ?" is certainly my favourite. Then comes a string of songs by that delightful composer, Roger Quilter, and here again any choice is very hard. "0 Mistress Mine," "Fair House of Joy" (very noteworthy for a wonderful closing note). "Now Sloeps the Crimson PetaT," "To Daisies," are all worthy of special note. Particularly exquisite is the record of "Sigh No More Ladies" and "Phyllis Has Such Charming Graces." But all the records are good, the recording having been very happily done, and all of them should find place in any /discriminating collection.

A London critic waxes enthusiastic over Isolde Mengcs' unaccompanied violin record ol Bach's "Chaconne" (in four parts), just recently issued: "A chaconno is a Spanish dance usually in three-four time, moderately slow in movement and consisting of a set of variations, as in this case. This example is taken from Bach's fourth sonata for violin solo and has always been regarded as a fiery ordeal for the soloist. Isolde Menges emerges unscathed and consolidates tho high reputation she gained by her performance in the Beethoven violm concerto. The violin tone is excellent throughout."

It is some little time since much was heard of tho Negro Spirituals. New records in this relation just to hand are "I Got Shoes" (Heab'n! Heab'n!), " Way Down Upon the Swanoe River," " I'se Been ' fluked' 'Gwina Lay Down My Life," and many others, all sung by Edna Thomas. Writing on tho subject of the living charm of the Negro Spiritual the Liverpool Post says^- 1 came across the other day a gramophone rocord which has given mo exquisite pleasure and pain. It is that of a negro " spiritual," " Carry Me Back to Old virginio," 1 sung by Miss Edna Thomas, whose interpretation of tho darky nature in song is singularly interesting. This particular " spiritual" is the expression of a passionate home-long-ing, and Miss Thomas' singing of it seems to bring one near the simple, sad heart of tho darky. And if ono turns over the same gramonhone disc and listens 1o "I Wanna Be Ready" and " Tone do Bell," one s sympathy and understanding aro deepened. The naivete, the homely directness, and the simple elemental passion of these songs are, to mo at any rate, very moving.