Recorded Music: Notes and Reviews

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12352, 23 January 1926, Page 14

Recorded Music: Notes and Reviews

fflS MASTER’S VOICE

When we were all youngsters (writes Robin H. Legge in the London “Dailv Telegraph**), wo all knew the virtues of the bottom of a tin bath or a comb covered by a piece of thin paper as musical instruments. But had anyone ever heard that an. ordinary hand-saw cotild be converted into an undoubted musical instrument until he heard the two saw-artists who are members of the Varaldi Tango Band? It sounds all wrong, this, but you will be convinced even as I when you hear the tone these unconventional instruments produce. In point of fact it was only after playing the H.M.V. • records of this band, excellent records, excellent band, that I heard that tho peculiar and rather soothing tone of an instrument noticeable in the tangoes which I could not identify emanated from a common or garden hand-snw! It seemß that the handle end of the saw is gripped by the knees and the other end held by the left hands at pretty well arm's length. You*saw away then with what uppe&rs to be a double-bass bow. What the "hair,** as it were, of the bow is manufactured from I have no idea, nor do I know how sharp are the teeth of the saw. But, I do know that the tone is very pleasant. lam told that the variations of tone produced are obtained by bending the saw blade at the right moment. Who invents these things, and how does one start to practise with? out off one's fingers?

In appreciation of his services to the British Legion, Paderewski has been appropriately honoured. It will be recalled that some months ago Paderewski not only gave a recital in tho Albert Hall and elsewhere for the benefit of the British Legion fund, which produced several thousands of pounds sterling, but that a series of gramophone records of the music • played by Paderswski was autographed by the player and sold at auction. For this Paderewski was mado an honorary member of tho legion, and was presented with a pair of links and a tie-pin in gold, with a brooch for Mme. Paderewski, all bearing the badge of the legion. Now Paderewski has sent a characteristically charming autograph letter, in which he says he feels deeply touched by the thoughtful kindness and generosity of tho council, and adds: "I am almost humiliated to receive so much, having done so little. My modest tribute to the British Legion was but a feeble token of that intense gratitude which many from among my people would have been so glad to express. To be allowed to offer it was a great privilege indeed, and it is my sincere hope that some day I may be permitted to enjoy that privilege again."

e * % On the way are several excellent humorous records from the Gramophone Company. Tho Co-optimists provide some entertaining numbers. Stanley Holloway gives us “Till the Wheel Comes Off" and "Roundabouts and Swings”: "-o have Melville Gideon in “You Forgot to Remember" and "I’ve Fallen in Love with a Voice." as well ns "Texas Love” and “Love them all a little Bit.” The Stanton Brothers provide a humorous “potpourri,” "English aB she in hot. Spoken." a duet with ukulele accompaniment. The lamous John Henry is ns funny as ever with "Joe Murgatrovd Says” and (with the help of "Blossom"), "A Curtain Lecture.” Joe Miller and Charlie Farrell contribute humorous duets, "Hay, Hay, Farmer Gray" and "By the light of the Stars,” with mandola and guitar. Brook Johns is amusing with "Everything is Hotsy-Totsy Now” and "Love ’em and leave ’em, Joe," with piano and banjo accompaniment. Other-good records are provided by Frank Crmnit and the Happiness Boys, Billy Jones, and Ernest Hare.

It is a much greater pleasure to heal* Paul Robeson in “Were you There?** or, better still, Robeson and Lawrence Brown in “By and Bye." Theee (says a; reviewer) are first-rate negro and Robeson's is an excellent bass voice.’ * * * • Jeanne Gordon, an American celebrity Contralto, makes an interesting debut for H.M.V. listeners. Miss Gordon; (eays a reviewer) has personality and! has a sure grasp of the "Card Song** and “Seguidille" from "Carmen/* Sh® accomplishes a fine mnsical laugh in the “Seguidille." « » . • • - • H.M.V. enthusiasts will welcome three sparkling records by the Varaldi Tango Band now playing at the Savoy, London. “Madre-Tango" and “Pajaros De Fuexa Tango" complete one record, “Hasta la Ruelto-Tango" and “El Panuelito-Tango" a second, and “Julian-Tango" the third, all are played with the peculiar but fascinating rhythm so characteristic of the dance. These are on the way. • • e e Gramophonists will be pleased to hear the Roval Cremona Orchestra's recording for Zononhone of Tschaikovsky'a famous “Nutcracker" Suite is now complete. • • * • Browning Mummery, with chorus and orchestra, in "The Legend of Kleinsack," and “When Love is but Tender and Sweet** (Drinking song, "Tale© of Hoffmann"), Offenbach, should be a good buy. On one side is recorded the prologue. The scene of the prologue is a students* taven in Nuremberg. Hoffman and his student friends are making merry, and in response to their calls for a song, Hoffman sings the “Legend of Ivleinsack." On the reverse side is recorded the famous driking song from Act 11., “Tho love that is but tender and sweet is false." sings Hoffmann, already under the spell of the beautiful Guilietta. * * * * Another good record should be tho Black Diamonds Band's "'“Songs of Long Ago,** introducing *nSlap! bang! here wo are Again," “Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen." “Little Brown Jug," “Our hands have met but not our hearts,” “Drink, Puppy. Drink.’* dat a-calling?" “Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching," “When Johnny comes marching home again," "Little sweetheart, come and kiss me," "Camptown Races." William .Henghan, the Scottish basso, who toured New Zealand last year, is now giving a series of concerts in Western Canada. Miss Kathleen Baskettt of Heretaunga, won the mezzo-soprano solo (open class) at the Dunedin competitions. She competed at the Wellington competitions last year in the under 16 clnasea, so her success against all Comers is no mean achievement. Lessons will Tie resuming shortlv in the various musical studios in Wel’lineton. Most Of the teichere are now back >n the city enrolling new pupils. • * . • Miss Gladys MOttcriefl will make her farewell appearances on the Australia* stage at Melbourne Theatre Roval i* * The Marry Widow," which will h# Staged for six nights only, commencing Saturday, January 2nd. An interesting feature of the production will be the appearance of Andrew Higginson as Prince Danilo, a role In which he made his first appearance in Australia some years ago. On Friday night, January Stli, Miss Moncriefl will say good-bye. A few days later she snils for England.

Augusta Lenska, South African contralto, made a deep impression as AlUetna iB "II Travatore.'i