MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 28 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

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Rare, indeed, in New Zealand are the j opportunities for hearing the great sym- , phonies of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendels- I sohn, Tschaikowski, aud other great masters. Orchestras arc like bands, of whom the Duchess of Plaza Tore remarked, "They want to be paid.'' Of course they J do; but when the cities of Now Zealand i assume tho size and importance that is' ' their destiny, then regular orchestral con- j certs will be possible, as in Iho largo cities of Groat Britain and America. In j the meantime, the masterpieces of (lie j truly great composers arc to be heard in i the home, through the gramophone; Mozart's exceedingly melodious 39ih j Symphony (with never a sad note in it) is as classical a work as any learned musician can ask for, and in its sheer tunefulness it is satisfying and delight fid to the average lover of music for itself alone. J It lias been perfectly recorded under the baton of that great conductor, Felix Wcingartner.

The true note of profound sorrow is 1 touched in the "Elegic" of Xandor Zsolt, played as a 'cello solo by that.'master of the instrument. W. Jl. Squire, and now just out, in tho latest series of gramophone records. If tho violin is the female of the stringed family, the "olio ; , the male, | and that. is apparent by the virility anil j power with which Mr. Squire renders the I sad, but beautiful melody by Zsolt. In ; the anguish of a, man there is something ! more moving than in that of a, woman, • because men arc expected to keep a firm rein on their emotions. As a. rule, when they do not, then their grief must, be crushing indeed, that i.-, in normal man. It is a relief, however, to turn this record over and put on the definitely dreamy piece, "Aprcs tin Rove" (by Fame, as arranged by the eminent 'cellist, Casals) played also by Mr. Squire. The richness I of his tone, the depth of his expression, ! are well-known', but, they were never more apparent, than in these two numbers.

There is nothing more delightful or i more refining than chamber music, but the opportunities for hearing if. in Now | Zealand arc all too few and far between. I Yet it. should he within the compass of any community, especially in the smaller towns where, visits of passing stars an; very rare. It is probable that, a better acquaintance with this delightful form of I musical entertainment is possible through ' the medium of the gramophone. .As an exj periment, there is a new record made of the- scherzo Two in 1) minor of Arensky —a, bright and cheerful work—by .Messrs. Arthur Catlerall (violin), W. H. Squire ('cello) and Win. Murdoch (pianoforte). By the way of contrast, the scherzo from Schubert's lovely Trio in .13 flat, is given on the other side. These two pieces will give to those who are genuinely fond of music a. clear, idea of how popular classical music becomes when it' is known, especially when played by famous artists.

Boili, son of an Italian painter, was born in 1842. but he died so recently as 1918. His best known Work is "Mcfistofele," based on the story of "Faustii," but not at all like Gounod's popular opera Of that name. "Mefistofelo" was not a success at first, but it is now among the immortal works of composers of our era. Its composer was his own and most merciless critic, and it was many year:; before his opera "Nero" was given to the world. It is a gre-.t and tragic work, and may now to ii heard in parts on the gramophone. The selections at the moment available are the-, beautiful "Vivetc In Pace" sung by Badini (baritone) "Come c Buona," by Lina Lanza (mezzo-soprano J, and the duets "Scnto che Ascende" by Badini and Lanza, and "Guarda Quaggiu" by Badini and Aiitori (tenor). They arc all sung in Italian, but so expressively, so sympathetically, that their purport can be easily understood, and especially so in the pathetic passage allotted to Lanza in "Sento che Ascende."

"The Lady of the Rose." one of the greatest of successes at Daly's Theatre, London, may or may not be heard in the coming New Zealand musical comedy season, bu% it is remarkable for the attractive character of its lyrics, and those are to be heard by the Columbia, Light Opera Company, in their "Vocal Gems." These include "Mariana," "I Love You So," "Land o' Mine," and the smart millitary airs and chorus incidental to the work. The "Lady of the Rose" theme is used with pleasing effect on both sides of the record.

Diffidence is usually the reason for the confession of not liking classical music. All popular music is not classical, but most classical music is popular—when it is ably rendered, though some requires to be heard more than once to become so. All depends upon the hearer. There are strictly classical pices that make an instant appeal, firstly by the beauties of their melodies. The elegant Adagio' movement from the quartet in A major of Schumann, as played by the Lener String Quartet, is a case in point. Taste in music is curious and elusive, but this selection from the classics has in it all the elements that make for popularity with discriminating, yet not too musically advanced, possessors of a gramophone. The student of music will find it full of beauties that will be more readily perceived by the trained car than the listener wit hoi' such equipment. For him it will perhaps suffice to sit back and just enjoy the work.

A perfect imitation of the old musical box rich in such tone colour as the musical box was capable of, is to be heard on the gramophone through Lcff Pouishnoff, the eminent Russian pianist. Tt is preceded by a. dainty little waltz, boll) pieces being composed by the artist.

Dame Clara Butt's opulent contralto is heard at its best in her latest songs for the gramophones, "Just a Kay of Sunlight," and the striking contrast to it, on the oilier side of the "record, "A Pace's Love Sons;." The first will win popularity anywhere. Not only is the. air attractive, but every word is uttered with astonishing distinctness, considering the medium, for the wonder of, all who have not heard her sing in person. The "Page" song is a quaint, unusual melody, suggestive of a traveller of the mi.ldle apes twanging his lute as he journeys singing along the highway.

Essentially English is the music of Arthur Wood, the Yorkshire composer. In a strife of four movements, played by the Court Orchestra, and just made available for (lie, gramophone, the. spirit of pure English music is revived, and the reproach that the English are not, a musical people is removed. Thru: are exceedingly pretty dames and a singularly beautiful .slow movement descriptive of impressions made bv stately l!,,l----ton Abbev.

A very acceptable Christmas box- if you are feeling generously disposed towards'a particular person who is also a gramophonistwould he a set of Gilbert and Sullivan light opera. These sets have been recorded under the special direction of the Savoy management, and the. work has been exceedingly veil done. The recorded sets include " lolanthe" " Tim Gondoliers," " The Mikado," " Pntience," "Pinafore," The Yoeinan of the Guard," and " Ituddigorc." Hie last mentioned has only recently been recorded, and may not have arrived yet. From personal experience of the others I can vouch for they excellence. There is grand opera, too, of course. " You pays your money rend takes, your choice," a's ihi. showman . said.