MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20454, 4 January 1930, Page 9 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

Forsaking, for the iimo being, at any rale, his old Irish ballads and songs of sentiment, John McCormack has made a Scottish record for His Master's Voice, coupling " Annio Laurie" with " The Old Scotch Sange." The numbers themselves, combined with tho popularity of tho singer, arc sufficient to ensuro tho record a wido scale.

During tho last few years Doris Yano has become an established fixture of the London concert season. Her recordings havo won her a still wider circle of warm admirers. The " Thanksgiving " song recorded for Columbia is clear and eloquent with its swinging rhythm and delightful piano accompaniment. By contrast, tho light merriment of German's well-known " Love tho Pcdlcr." shows her in happier mood.

Excellently arranged and admirably played, a collection of Mozart's German dances makes a charming His Master's Voice record. Tho disc has been contributed by the orchestra' of tho Berlin State Opora House, under Dr. Leo Blech. The conductor is a skilled interpreter of Mozart and he has invested tho music with sufficient sparklo and grace to make it appear Viennese rather than German. Tho recording is excellent.

Gems from- Wallace's " Maritana" are excellently recorded by the His Master's Voice Light Opera Company. Both soloists and chorus have thrown themselves into their wftrk with commendable enthusiasm and have captured tho very spirit of tho old ballad opera Such numbers as " 4 Lct Mo Like a Soldier Fall" and " Scenes that are Brightest" cannot fail to please and tho record should be assured of a considerable measure of popularity.

Another record of Negro spirituals is contributed by Paul Eubeson in tlie latest His Master's Voice list. He has chosen "Oh, Kock Me, Julie," "Oh. Didn't it Pain," "Get on Board, 'Li I Cliillun" and " Dere's No Hiding Place," and in every one of I lie wonderfully simple airs, his marvellous bass voice rings through with a note of natural reverenco and sympathy. In his spiritual recordings Kobesou is doing tho gramophone a great and lasting service.

The His Master's Voice Grand Opera Company has made a delightful record of selections from Offenbach's " Tales, of Hoffman" and Thomas' " Mignon." The music is far removed from the modern spirit and is full of serenity and liquid beauty. The famous " Barcarolle" from " Tales of Hoffman" and " Knowest Thou the Land" from " Mignon" are cases in point, songs which have not suffered from years of popularity. These and others almost as popular havo received adequate treatment in the recording.

" Just For a While," and " Just to be Near You," are the two latest numbers recorded for Columbia by Gladys Moncrieff. This record is a gem of the ballad singing art. Gladys Moncrieff, the brilliant Australian, does more than sing them; she breathes pulsating life into them by sheer force of personality. Her voice has a sort of silken sheen of smooth purity. Thore are exquisitely taken notes near the end of " Just for a While," and her voice suavely floats from forte to mezzo. This record will appeal strongly to her enormous public.

Most of us .carry happy memories of the last visit of Fraser Gange, the magnificent ballad singer. It may- be some years before he comes hero again, for his American tour promises to bo prolonged almost indefinitely. However, we have his records, and his latest for Columbia will probably be one of the most popular. He sings " Abide With Me " with a fine sense of its grandeur and repose. The setting is Liddle's, and the record owes much of its beauty to a magnificent orchestral accompaniment. On tho reverse side is " The Promise of Life."

Wcingartner, the great German conductor, has now taken control of the Basle Symphony Orchestra. The first fruits of his new appointment is a splendidly energetic and moving record for Columbia. In° convincing style he has captured the eerie glamour proper to Weber's " Der Frieschutz" Overture—some passages, indeed, are among the most "other-worldly" in feeling that music has to offer. The playing is impulsive and spirited, and the richly fabricated tono speaks volumes for the grasp of instrumental makeup by this genius of the baton, "lhe lovely Schubert Entre-acto from " Rosamunde " is given with fine understanding and sympathy.

The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra welcomes the new year with two selections from Bizet's " Carmen," played with all tho fire and precision which distinguishes every disc recorded under the baton of the brilliant Stokowski. Tho Prelude to Act 1 and tho Entr acto to Act 4 are the two pieces selected, and the Prelude r should make tho record one x'jf the most popular offerings from tho orchestra. It contains a resume of all the best known pieces in the opera and under Stokowski's guidance the musicians achieve what is practically the mpossble by making the hackneyed Toreador Song something of fresh and vital beauty.