MUSIC IN THE HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20768, 10 January 1931, Page 10 (Supplement)

MUSIC IN THE HOME.

GRAMOPHONE RECORDS.

HINTS FOR THE WEEK. The records in this column are of a varied and general nature, nnd ftre not necessarily confined to the most'recent releases. The purpose of the column is to draw the attention of the general publio to the more desirable forms of recorded music, and the choice is in no sense to he regarded as academic.

Plenty of melody and a fine range of instrumental music are the chief features of this week's suggestions for the homo gramophone collection. Notable among the latter is a bright selection from Strauss' lovely operotta, " Dio Flederniaus," which has been revived with groat. success in England during the past year. '

The vocal section is headed by two songs from Peter Dawson. Future generations will marvel at the versatility of this baritone, who has made a contribution to recorded music which is unrivalled in quantity and lias maintained*a consistently high quality throughout. The titles are " So I Left," a familiar tunc, even if the words are new to some listeners, and the rollicking and ever-popular "Chip of the Old Block." The other record in this section is a selection of tunes from the bright and melodious light opera, " The Belle of New, York." These num. bers are sung by the Columbia Light Opera Company, which makes a specialty of this style of record. " The Belle" is full of dainty and fascinating tunes, and this record contains all the best. The orchestral section 13 noticeable for the inclusion of the lovely waltz, " Du L T nd Du," from " Die Fledermaus." This is played by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Erich Kloiber. All the rhythm of the Waltz is here and added to this is a splendid rendering of the melodies in which the opera abounds. Kleiber handles his orchestra wonderfully well and makes this a delightful record. Another fine orchestral piece consists of two of Johann Strauss' waltzes, " Wiener Bint," and " Fruhlingsstimmen," which are better known perhaps under their English titles of " Vienna Blood" and "Voices of Spring." l These beautiful numbers are brilliantly played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A medley of Christmas carol tunes is played on the organ of the church of St.-Mary-le-Bow, London, by Clarence Raybould. These old favourites are rendered with exquisite feeling and are sure to find many old and new admirers. The lighter section is represented by two very excellent songs by Frank Crumit, the whispering baritone, and, at the same time one of the greatest humorists in the gramophone catalogues. The first, " The Return of Abdul Abulbul Amir," relates in a delightfully whimsical way the miraculous reappearance of the two legendary characters, Abdul, and his sworn enemy, Ivan Skavinsky Skivar. " I'm Bettin' the Roll on Roamer," which occupies the other side, is an amusing song of the race track. " Chip of the 01d rt Block."—Pater Dawson. (H.M.V.-8.3378J " The Belle of New York" (vocal selection). Columbia Light Opera Company. (Columbia.—oso72.) "Du "CJnd Du" (" Die Fledermaus").— Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. (H.M.V. — C.1676.) " Wiener Blut" (Strauss). —Boston Symphony Orchestra. (H.M.V. —ED.11.) Organ Medley of Christmas Carols.— Clarence Raybould. (Columbia.—9l39.) " The Return of Abdul Abulbul Amir"— Frank Crumit. (H.M.V.—EA.795.) This week's records were supplied by Caddell's Ltd., Queen's Arcade.