MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

R Io swell Columbia's gay procession of Aubcr overtures conies the popular " Fra Di.avolo," played by the polished Milan Symphony Orchestra under ('ay. Lorenzo Molajoli—an ideal combination for these gay and gallant strains. Thu brilliance of the playing is just what one would expect from this famous Italian orchestra, and the recording is one of the finest efforts Columbia have yet managed. One of the greatest Bach recordings ever made is an aria from Barb's 159 th church ean'ata, beginning with the. words Comfort Sweet. My Jesus' Comes." Dora Lahbctte, England's most beautiful soprano voice, combines in this Columbia disc with a flute obligato played by the famous Hubert Murchie. accompanied by a string orchestra. N<> lover of fine singing can afford to miss this disc, while. Bach enthusiasts will be enraptured with it. Ihe Road to the Isles" (M. Kennedy I*raser) and " The Star of Robbie Burns " are sung by Sandy Mac! 1 arlane on a recent Columbia disc. MacFarlane's expressive baritone voice lias been heard more often in his " comic " songs, ami this transition to a richer vein it is hoped will not lie the last. There are. in factj too few recordings from Mrs. Kennedy I' laser's collection of Hebridean songs, and this version of the lovely " Road to the Isles " is indeed welcome. One of the finest airs from Albion's far north it receives sympathetic treatment from Mac--I'arlane. and should prove a treasured gem in many collections. The " Robbie Burns " song, on the reverse, should also appeal to many, and' is really well sung. A recent Columbia disc provides one of file most, marvellous records of children's singing that the world has yet had a chance to enjoy. It is a recording of the Manchester School Children's Choir, accompaniend by the Halle Orchestra, under Sir Hamilton Harty. singing Purcell's " Nvmpbs and Shepherd's " and the " Dance Duet " from Hnmperdinck's fairy opera, " Hansel and Gretel." The 250 children's voices have a erispness and precision that must make many choral societies blush with envy. Never once does tlie vitality flag or the rhythm falter. 1 lie kiddies seem to take a vivid delight in these two floridly tuneful pieces, and i the Halle Orchestra never for a moment j shows tiie slightest likelihood drowni ing ihem in its refreshing cataract of [ sound.

'1 ho Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Serge Koussevitzkv, gives a most enjoyable performance of Haydn's ; " Surprise Symphony " to His Master's • Voice recording. After ;i short int.ro- i dnction (andante eantabile), the famous j Russian conductor imparts tremendous ' vitality into the bright and vivacious ! allegro vivace. The andante, with its j dreamy and melodious theine. is charm- : inglv.played, and the repetition of the i principal theme fortissimo is done with ' splendid effect. Charming and delightful j as die minuet is. it certainly does not lack ; animation and spontaneity. The allegro • di molto bubbles with the joy of life and boundless brightness. The recording ; of the symphony is complete. The tone ; of the orchestra has reproduced beauti- j fullv.

An attractive orchestral fantasia on well-known carols. ".A Noel Fantasy " from Hutchinson's " ('aroi Symphony," is played to His Master's A'oice recording by the Royal Opera Orchestra, Covent Garden. under the baton of the composer himself. Hutchinson has woven the d:fferen| melodies, so dear to the hearts of all British people, into a close and delightful musical fabric. The. orchestration is particularly ingenious and the Royal Opera Orchestra gives a distinguished performance of a most engaging work. It is not. an uncommon thing nowadays to find English composers turning to the simple melodjes of the people for material for their big works. iluch has been done in this way with folk songs and dances, and here is a successful effort with perhaps the best-known songs of all.

Liszt s daughter, Cosinia. was married to Hans von Bulnw. the great pianist and conductor. Soon afterwards, coming into contact- with Richard Wagner, this masterful woman transferred her affections to the composer, and later bore him a son. .About a year afterwards a divorce was obtained from Bulow, and C'osima and Wanner were married. To celebrate the birth r>f " Siegfried," as Wagner boldly called his son, be wrote a serenade, which was afterwards called tlm " Siegfried Idyll." Siegfried himself, it will bo remembered, died last year at the age of 61, a month or two after the death of his mother, Cosima, This " Idyll ' is one of the loveliest of all occasional pieces, and this magnificent recording for Columbia by Walter and the Symphony Orchestra does it rich justice. Those who remember John McCormack's old recordings of " Molly Brannigan " and " The Low-backed Car " will bft eager to hear the great Irish tenor in another sample of delicious Irish-humour, " The Garden Where the Praties Grow," released by His Master's Voice. McCorniack's delightful brogue, Jjis wonderful phrasing and artistic use of light and shade all play their part in the telling «f the quaint wooing of an Irish colleeu in the garden where the praties grow." The companion number is " The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls " (Balfe). which McGormack sings with feeling and expression. There can bo no doubting his sincerity here, and he uses his glorious voice to give dramatic emphasis to the song. As a ballad singer McGormack lias few peers, and as an interpreter of the songs of his native land, whether they be grave or gay, he stands alone. His accompanist, Edwin Schneider, lollows every mood of the singer.

Leoncavallo's short opera, "II Pagliacci," will always hold a wide circle of the public Ivy its swift action and the beauty of its lyrical moments. One of the outstanding numbers in the opera is the " Love Duet " for baritone and soprano, which has been recorded for His Master's Voice by Apollo Granforte and Hina. Sp'ani. The duet is between Nedda, wife of Canio, a strolling player, and her lover, Silvio. Silvio, who has come to Nedda under considerable risk of discovery, urges Nedda to fly with him. As they convorse together they* are overheard by the hideous hunchback, Tonio. Tonio has been amorous of Nedda himself, and still smarts under her scathing repulse; he takes his revenge and brings Canio to witness proof of his wife's infidelity.- But Nedda has sharp ears; before Canio can discover Silvio's identity Silvio is far awny. The performance given by Granforte and Spani on this record is magnificent. Both artists throw themselves wholeheartedly into their parts with such completeness that Ihe listener realises that they act their roles as well as sing them. Tho dramatic situation is brilliantly realised, yet such realisation is, paradoxically, emphasised by the fine restraint, and delicacy of the recording.