MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 10 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

Thrrs is ro mcr? irfisiic baritone than Frrilio ce Gcjerc.v, who bss recorded for His Master's Voice wo f*vcarit« Neapolitan soncs, " 0 So!? JIso" and " Santa Lucis," which will please his numerous ndnii.-ers. The sara<» admirable singing which hss distinguished his work its the past is characteristic ot these numbers. His phrasing and ease of vocal techinqae are delightful. Beethoven's " Quartet in B Flat'*- is his .longest quartet, ihoach the usual omission (winch th:s recording follows) of the Grosse Faguo at the end reduces it to digestible lengths, in a Columbia recording by the Lener String Quartet. It ibounds in lovely melodies typical of his third period, ot which it is one of the most glorious examples. The greatest movement of all is the Cavatina, on» of the most nobly expressive and moving things in all music. It would not be a bad idea for anyone wanting an introduction io his work to start off with this one record. H:e most famous movement cf Haydn's '** Clock" Symphony, recorded for Columbia by Sir Hamilton Hariy and the Hails Orchestra, is the Andante from which the Symphony takes its name. Throughoat the movement the irresistibly naive melody with its quaint tick-tock effect captivates the sense. But every movement has equal freshness and charm. No le-s delishtlul is the melodious Quartet in F played by the famous Lener String Quartet. The second movement is particularly pleasing—a fluent melodv given by the first violin throughout, while the other three instruments play an harmonious background.

Margaret Sheridan, the young Irish soprano, who has firmly established herself not only at Covent Garden but at several important Italian opera houses, is responsible for a delightful His Master's Voice record, consisting of two excerpts from Puccini's " Madame Butterfly." The entry* of Butterfly ("An cor a un passo") has been done before, but in the present version Margaitf Sheridan is accompanied by a chorus of women which is well brought out by the electrical recording. The other aria. " Equesto." is sung by Butterfly during her duet with Sharp less. The soprano's fresh and sympathetic voice is heard to excellent advantage.

" Concerto in A Minor for Piano" (Grieg) is piaved for Columbia by Ignaz Friedman with orchestra, conducted by Phillippc Gaubert. From a crescendo roll on the drums there bursts out a crashing chord on the piano—like a flash of lightning. The key is fixed for the whole work. Wild passion plays throughout the first movement, expressed in a terrific theme of utmost power. This is Grieg at his very finest, and Friedman, the famous Polish pianist, who f visited New Zealand a few years ago, plays with masterly grasp of the music's . meaning. Gaubert, the well-known French conductor of the Paris Symphony Orchestra, is a genius at this type of music.

Casals. Cortot, and Thibaud, are three artists who do not require an introduction. Each occupies a very prominent place in the world of music. During the last few years they have met once a year in Paris to give joint recitals, and about two years ago Schubert's Trio in B Flat played by them was recorded for His Master's Voice in a complete form. They have now released a little-known but most delightfully melodious and dainty trio in G Major by Haydn. The work is in three short movements which are notable for their captivating charm and old-world grace. The pooo adagio cantabile is particularly beautiful, and the last movement, rondo, based on a Hungarian folk dance, is irresistibly fascinating. The interpretation is masterful in its lightness and hrillance.

There is no doubt that Jascha Heifetz's playing is growing in warmth of tone. No longer is he just the marvellous technician, and there ii r.o greater evidence of this than in his recording for His Master's Voice of " Hebrew Melody," by Acron, a talented young Russian com poser and violinist, who resides in

America. Acron ! dedicated a modern violin concerto to Heifetz last year, and ha 3 composed several outstanding works for the violin. Heifetz plays the " Hebrew Melody " thoughtfully and with repose, his tone being conspicuous for its roundness arid sonority. On the reverse side Heifetz, the virtuoso, displays his impeccable technique in Sarasate's brilliant and colourful Spanish dance, " Zapateado " (The Cobbler).

There are a number of first-rate dance records coming to hand at present, but there are none finer than those issued through His Master's Voice by Jack Hylton's Orchestra, wheih has just made a most successful tour of Europe. This is perhaps the only orchestra that is so universally popular. There are some orchestras that are all the rage in the United States and failures in England, but Hvltbn is a tremendous draw wherever he goes. His clever orchestration of " I lift up My finger and Say 'Tweet, Tweet,' " is one of the best things in jazz music. Other " hits " from the some source include: "The Heart of the Sunset" (fox-trot.), "The Wedding of the Painted Doll " (fox-trot), and " Bogey Wail."

Mozart is host remembered, in spite of his marvellous output of orchestral music; for his matchless operas, of which the three most famous are " The Magic Flute," " The Marriage of Figaro" and " Don Giovanni." All of thorn provide a fund of arias for opera singers. Miriam Licctto and Ernest Noble sing in English the lovely duet, " r l he Manly Heart," fiom " The Magic Flute," in bold and attractive sfyle for Columbia. Ouglielmetti, of the impeccable coloratura, ten ders " Cli Angeli o'lnferno," revealing all the glorious purity of her Voice. From " The Marriage of Figaro," Panipanini. a brilliant soprano of the Melba-Williarn-son Company, gives" " Voi che snpete" From "Don Giovanni," Licette and Noble choose the " ( rue Thy Hand" aria lo pair with their "Magic Flute" recording.

Antonio fort is is a new tenor to the gramophone, but a brilliant one. Tin's artist, who possesses a very beautiful voice of considerable power and resonance. is well-known in Europe and America, lie is a Spaniard who studied singing without the help of a teacher, and made his debut, in Madrid in 1915. Following several important engagements with the leading opera houses of Italy, f'ortis appeared with great success at the Colon in Buenos Aires, repeating his triumphs in Chicago about three years ago. His artistic and expressive singing for His Master's Voice of " .Mimi e una civetta " front " IJoheme," in which Rudolph tells Marcel of Mimi's illness and their separation and of " Una vergine nn angiol " from the first act of Donizetti's " Favorita," denotes a refinement as well as a voice of remarkably fine quality.

Descended from tlireo generations of band conductors trained in the famous Kneller Hall, the Army School of tll i 1 itary music, Sir Dan Godfrey is one of the few conductors who can get the real martial thrill from an orchestra. For Columbia ho conducts the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra, where his labours have mado this (own the musical centre of the English South Coast. His version of Her old's lively " Zampa Overture" is surprisingly rich and bold; ho handles the impetuous brass passages like an orderly charge of the Guards. Among h)3 soloists he numbers the famous Gennin Brothers, famous for their flute and piccolo solo. Their record of " Fluttering Birds," paired with " Idylle Bratonne/' 15 a revelation in delicate woodwind playing. In more serious vein, and revealing his high musiciansliip, is Godfrey's recording with the London Symphony Orchestra of Mozart's majestic Jupiter Symphony.'--