MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 8 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

Florence Oldham, an attractive artist, is quite good in " It Takes a Good Man to Do That" and "It Takes a Good Woman to Keep a Good Man at Home. These two little songs are sung in quite a unique manner, in fact, in parts they aro " talked." It is an interesting record.

A new gramophone disc introduces an Attractive soprano in Vaughn de Leath, who sings JSieil JMoret's " Song of the Wanderer." On the reverse side is Lewis James (tenor) with orchestra, in " Charmaine." Vaughn do Leath is the possessor of a very line voice, while " Charmaine," despite its French title, is in the popular style.

Buddy Doyle (tenor) and A 1 Scigei (at tho piano), have recorded "How Could l?ed Riding Hood ?" and "Could I—l certainly Could." This is a delightful record of tho intimate type, and extremely humorous, sung in the unique style of this exclusive comedian. On no account should this record be missed, as it is.a certain entertainer. A special point of recommendation is that the famous A 1 Seigel accompanies the singer with brilliant piano work.

"Simple Aveu" (Thome), and "Serenade" (Piern), two universally popular numbers, are played in exceptionally sympathetic style by Alfred Wallenstein, one of the most popular 'cello soloists in America. To lovers of the 'cello these records can be highly commended. Ho is first 'cellist under Frederick Stock, with the Chicago Orchestra, and lias been soloist before concert audiences in Europe and the two Americas. His records exhibit a phenomenon not heard plainly with the old recording—the "body-res-onance" of the violoncello, as distinguished from its simple string-quality of tone.

Alexander Kipnis (baritone) and the State Opera Orchestra, Berlin, have recorded " Wotan's Farewell" from " The Valkyrie" (Wagner). This record will be welcomed as peculiarly opportune, for Kipnis, who has already become quite famous with the Chicago Civic Opera, has this year scored a great success at Covent Garden. This fine record was recorded in the Singakademie, Berlin. Kipnis lias a magnificent voice, and the orchestral accompaniment provided by the Berlin State Opera Orchestra under Dr. Leo Blech is given full prominence. The result is one of the greatest vocal records ever issued. Kipnis' magnificent voice and the enormous volume of the orchestra being astounding in clearness and extraordinary richness.

Wilhelm Backhaus met with extraordinary success in Australia and New Zealand during his memorable tour of 1925. The famous pianist's magnificent pmying and exceptional' technical brilliancy stirred his audiences to remarkable enthusiasm. Among the favourite encore numbers which Backhaus frequently played, none was more popular, or excited more enthusiasm, than his truly magnificent interpretation of Liszt's " Second Rhapsody." Playing the slow section (" lassan") with impressive grandeur, Backhaus reached in the fiery " friska" a stupendous brilliancy, ending in a wonderful climax, which completely thrilled his audiences. A superb reproduction will ensure the marvellous record a popularity second to none.

Rosa Ponselle's meteoric career, which commenced with her debut at the age of eighteen, at the New York Metropolitan Opera House, with Caruso, in Verdi's " La Forza del Destino," has created a great interest everywhere, and her popularity in America is second to none. Combining a voice of wonderful beauty, expressive, warm, and responsive to every shade of human emotion, with a keen intelligence and a superb histrionic gift, Rosa Ponselle possesses everything in her favour Her first records, from " Otello," " Gioconda;" and " Aida," met with universal appreciation, and now the great dramatic soprano gives us a superbly poignant and expressive rendering of Massenet's beautiful " Elegy," which is enhanced by the deep notes of the 'cello accompaniment On the reverse side her wonderful voice is heard in all its matchless richness in Gounod's " Ave Maria," with violin obbligato, supported by a harp and an orchestra.

/rhe H.M.V. November list has a plentiful feast of the latest dance hits. Paul Whiteman's Orchestra presents the current waltz rage "So Blue," bracketed to Neil Moxct's "Song of the Wanderer" ("Where Shall I Go?".) There is also a good W T hiteman fox-trot number, "Me, too" (" 110-ho, ha-ha "), on the reverse side of which is a "Silver Song Bird" foxtrot by the Goodrich Silvertown Orchestra. Nat Shilkret's Victor Orchestra present two fox-trot successes, "The Doll Dance" and "Flapperette" and the widely popular Frothblowers' Anthem, "The More We Are Together," as a fox-trot with vocal refrain, accompanied by "There's Something Nice About Everyone," also with vocal effects, occupies another good record. From the Savoy Havana Band we have the fox-trots "Lonely Eyes" and "Honolulu Song Bird," two captivating numbers, while George Olsen's very fine orchestra and Kahn's dance orchestra are bracketed on the same j disc with " For You and Me " (fox-trot with vocal refrain and "Russian Lullaby" (waltz with vocal refrain). These vocal refrains seem to be nn increasingly popular feature of the latest dance discs, and are rather attractive in picking up the melodies.