MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20130, 15 December 1928, Page 8 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

Two now records hftvo been marlo l>v tlio great Scotch comedian, Sir Hurry Laudor, " The Piruto'' is in quite a new vein, und " Just Off tlio, Cliuin" is ridiculously funny. Doth, of couiso, arc from his own fertile iinagiuatiou.

John Drownlce s record of Iho " Pagliucci" Prologu*. is superb. He, is a singer of n quality far and away above tho average. It is of a satisfying full quality; of exceptional ian,;K and, when required, extraordinary volume. In every way this record is one to be highly recommended.

It is about six years sinco Alonty started meandering. Sitting now on his 21st milestone, ho delivers himself on his latest record of a soliloquy that is certiiinlv entortnining. " Steeplejack, tailor, soldier, sailor"—what will Monty's boy be? To disclose any moro on this subject would spoil the fun.

Sydney Coltham has such a host of admirers that any now record of his is sure to bo welcomed. Tboro is no denying tho attractive quality of his voice and in this record of two delicate little ballads, " Little Lady 01 tho Morn" and " Bird Songs at Eventide," it is given every opportunity for tho fullest display.

Russian crioirs are getting quito a nainc for themsolves nowadays. Now comes a choir that should prove to bo tho sovoreign of them all It is tho choir which was, boforo tho revolution, tho Tsar's own choir Its first record, " Storm on the Volga," is therefore an entire novelty and an " echo" of tho old regimo.

With his ludicrous bowler hat, and rapid, confidential patter, Mr. Dick Hcndcrsonj tho Yorkshire cornodiaiij hos 10turned to London and for a season has been convulsing audiences at the Palladium. Mr. Henderson provided the star turu on the last bill of Celebrity Vaudeville sent through New Zealand by the Williamson management.

Marcel Dupre, tho famous organist, has recorded Bach's chorales, " Sleepers, Awake," and "Christ Came to Jordan. These two chorales aro beautifully enshrined in tho pattern of sound which is woven round them. 'lho tones of tho organ aro magnificently reproduced, with a breadth and grandeur that are truly inspiring. Marcel Dupre is unquestionably ono of the greatest living organists.

Tho gaiety of two Chopin waltzes is matched by tho fiery brillianco of the Polonaise in B Flat Major on a recent pianoforte recording by Mark Hambouig. He is really r. celebrity pianist, although many will bo thankful that his rcconls are not issued in the celebrity class. Nowhero in pianoforto recordings is there offered such exceptional value. Hambourg is a trup artist and combines a masterly technique with sympathetic interpretation. Tho recording of his latest offering is excellent.

Ttie overture to Mozart's "Magic Flute" always impresses as a fine piece of spontaneous composition. Indeed, it is said that Mozart, composed it as an afterthought, having forgotten to write an .overture tr his work. This probably accounts for its melodic freshness. Recorded by the Berlin State Opera Orchestra, under Dr. Leo Blcch, it is as delightful as ever, and the contrast between the slow-moving introduction and tho scintillating passages which follow is brought, out under the hand of a master.

Stanford *ra3 one of tho finest Font; writers of the last fifty years. Of all bis songs, ' Songs of tho Sea " are probably the best known. They are a magnificent essay in tho patriotic st\io. The choice of Peter Dawson to sing these splendid songs was inevitable: few singers - could approach him in department of song, and tho clear, incisi\o diction for which ho is so justly renowned is an asset of great value. The songs are recorded in their original form, with solo-voice, male chorus, and orchestra. '

Maria Kurenku sings two beautiful Tchaikovsky songs, the " Cracllo Song ' (Weingenlied) being an early work ot tho composer. Its soothing melody is enhanced by a beautiful accompaniment. " Nur wer die Sehnsucht Ivennt" ("ie who have earned Alone), usually translated into English as " None put The Wcurv■ Heart," is ono of Jchaikovskys best "known songs, pervaded by a deep sorrow and yearning, typical of most of his works. The Russian soprano sings both songs with feeling, and is assisted in " None But Tho Weary Heart' by a 'cello obbligato.

r Sophie Braslau is one of the threo finest contraltos in tho world, and her voice is magnificent both in richness of timbre and in flexibility. Her most recent record embraces * Schubert's "The Erl King" and " Death and the Maiden.' Tlioy are what might be called " solo duets " —ballad dialogues—a ad Sophie Braslau manages to produce two widely contrasted voices in each of these songs. " Tho Erl King," with its rattling presto accompaniment, is a thrilling piece of work, and the " Death and the Maiden holds all its familiar beauty—in addition to the most remarkable terminal uoto of depth and timbre that is almost baritone.

Apollo Granfortn and Hilda Morito, with members of La Scala Orchestra have recorded " Bivcdrai le foreste imbalsamatc," and " Su dutiquo!" from Verdi's " Aida." The great' Nile ficeno from the third act of " Aida" is one of tho most remarkablo pages in the opera. Aida s father, Amonasio, has sought out his daughter. He knows of the fascination and lovo she has for Rhadames ami bids her obtain from him certain militaiy secrets. Aida is torn between patriotic lovo of her native land and her ovo for Rhadames. She knows that if she does not obtain (lie information reomred her countrymen will perish miserably be.ore Rhadames' Egyptian armies and she will remain a slave. Tho artists excel themselves in a superb recording.