MUSICAL RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21165, 23 April 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

MUSICAL RECORDS.

dramatic Scottish ballad. " Edw.'id, j s powoi fully sung by Norman -A 11 in on a recently released Columbia rec<"d. "Edward" was a Scottish ballad discovered by Loovo in Percy's " Relinqnes of English Poetry," and'its musical •setting realises admirably the grim little drama that the verges tell. On the reverse ot this disc is ar. English version of Uinka's " The Midnight Review," a ghostly tale, translated fiom the Russian by Rosa Xewniarcu. Allin's singing is, of course, superb. No finer basso exists in England to-day, and this is easilv his finest record. Two eharacteristi; pieces, the " Parado of Hie Elephants and "The Old Frog 1 ond,' are this j..u;ah's choice of Captain George Miller and the Regimental Rand of H.M Grenadier Guards. Both of these are delieiously hunorous items and aro welcome novelties io add to the already magnificent list of Columbia military band recordings. Some really comic effects are introduced in " Parade of the Elephants," wilb its slow, measured tempo and quaint brass effects, giving the impression of a pompous piocessoi oi (be majestic beasts, and in lhe Old I'iog Pond," played in ragtime style and introducing the frog's cioak in novel fashion. The following records are all from Columbia s extensive Continental repertoire; each is splendidly representative of the best in European cance music:—"Cupid's Army," one step, and " Call Me, Darling." wait/, (both with vocal choruses in German) ; " yhe's :3o Sweet " (tango) and "'Always Happy' (foxtrot) are paired; "Kiss -Me!'" (foxtrot) and "Last Night 1 dreamed of Yo i " (tango); "Moonlight Trip" (walz) and "My Little 1 Monde Greta " (fc xtrot) ; " O Cara Mia" (tango) and "Song of My Love " (waltz) —both with Germ in vocal choruses. All of the above discs; aro by the Columbia Dance Orchestra, rplendily recorded. Lawrence Tibbet; gives a wonderful interpretation of Risnato's Cavalina " Eri tu," from Verdi's " Ballo in Masehera," and he sings with excellent Italian enunciation. That the American baritone is not merely capable of singing moving picture theme songs, is amply demonstrated by the legato and phrasing of " () doleezze perdute " towards the end. Figaro's Cavalina " Largo al factotum," from Rossini's Barber of Seville," is also capitally sung, with plenty of vigour and humour. 'The speed at which he takes some of the phrases is astonishing. Irrespective of nationality, Tibbelt gives as good an interpretation of hot l arias as had over been recorded, and the record calls to mind the singer's now fame us disc of " The Prologue " from " I Pagliacci." Recording is by His Master's Wee.

A Columbia recording of " Deeper and Deeper Still" (recitative) and " Waft Her Angels" (aria), from Handel's ''Jephtha" and sung by Hetkl'e Nash, with orchestra, is one of the finest recordings we have from Handel's moving oratorio. The story concerns a Jewish chieftain who, about to engage his scattered forces with the enemy, vows that if Jehovah gives him the victory he will sacrifice the first ram, gont, ox, or livin; creature he meets on his return. But i; is his daughter whom he first meets on liis triumphal homecoming, and, reme libeling with tragic suddenness his vow, ie sings in his agony of mind the recitative that is recorded on this disc. Hedrlle Nash has never before sung with such great ;:i tistry: this is a record that no-one on any account should miss.

The lighter side of gramophone entertainment is splendidly catered for in the His Master's Voice, April list. The laughter makers contribute two records of hilarious dialogues with orchestral accompaniment. On th 3 first record they give " Laughter on tlm Line " and " Diner a Deux," and 011 the second " Laughs or Love a la Mode." The records are characterised by brightness and originality. Two pleasing duels, " Me " and " Ain't That tbe Way It Goes?" are attractively sung by Eddie ari l Itex, who arc assisted by piano, guitar and viola accompaniment. Derickson and Brown, another pair of first-rate, vocalists, are at their best in When the Moon Comes Over Ihe Mountain " and " You'll be Mine in AppleBlossom Time," two tuneful numbers and " Just One More Chance " and " Oh. Rosalita,'' in which the blend of voices is excellent.

An exceptionally interesting record of bird songs has been received from the Ilis Master's Voice Company. Entitled " Woodbirds' Morning Greeting " and " Hawaiian Memories," the record reproduces tho rcmarkablo singing of canaries trained by Prolessor Karl Reich, of Bremen, to imitate the nightingales' song. He separated the canary cocks from tbe hens, leaving the jringing-up of tho young ones entirely to tho hens. During tliu whole of the tine bo kept tame nightingales at hand to sing to the fledglings who consequently heard only the nightingales' song, Tie result is a song of unusual beauty and power which is reproduced perfectly. " Woodbirds' Morning Greeting " is a direct recording of bird song; in "Hawaiian Memories." the birds si::g to the accompaniment of a softly-played string instalment melody, tho whole making: a very attractive combination

Dvorak's Fifth Symphony—best known as the " New World Symphony " from the inscription a', the head of llie score — has been recorded by tbe Royal Albert Hall Orchestra under Sir Lriudon Ronald for Ilis Master's Voice. This work was written during the composer's stay in the United States as director of the National Conservatory of New York. It ;s believed to show the considerable influence exerted upon Dvorak by the very beautiful iolk melodies of the North American Indians and of the "S'piituals" of the negro population. For the. general music-loving public the intrins e beauty of tbe work is sufficient, and it lias in a comparatively short time achieved a 'popularity shared by very few symphonic works. Melody, and beautiful melody a; that, plays a very prominent part, and it is a feature of Sir Landon Ronald's fine interpretation that the melodic line is brought out m full beauty, though, I'. the same time, the hemic nature is never suppressed. The reproduction is superb.