MUSIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21033, 23 May 1930, Page 14

MUSIC.

NOTES AND RECORDS. By Alleoro. Mboil recording i s rapidly progressing, ihe hist records were obtained of Ana xiftto Dean Waratini and 'were inline* diatcly popular here, as well as in. America also. A Sydney man interested in Maori music and recognising the possibilities latent i,, Maori voices, helped to organise an extort. A perfectly-equipped plant was sent to Rotorua. -Lhe iepioduction of voices calls for not only mechanical skill but a great knowledge ot the quality, timbre, and balance ot the singers. Purity 'of tone, and clear diction are needed far more than actual volume, lhe dramatic quality of voices is a telling factor and the reproduction in some cases reveals that which is unnoted in the actual artists. With excellent material, the conductors have worked 1 towards a high standard, iunohopn meeting house at Ohinemutu is admirably suited for recording work. The acoustics of the hall are good, and, with damping; much of the noise which u disc has been done away with. While a recording is taking place, an uncanny stillness is over everything. The Maoris are so much in earnest that not a word is spoken. In their strange garinents the choir sit on benches at . the end oi the hall, while the soloist stands in the centre. In front of him is the microphone. When a bell rings on the piano, the conductor warns the singers, and when a coloured light is flashed on the pianist P.lays the opening chord and the choir sings.

lhe discipline is strict, and the choir excellently trained.. Their pleasure when they hear their efforts sung back at them alter a few minutes is delightful. They applaud the record heartily. With willing pupils and . sympathetic managers, and three sessions a day, much lias been accomplished. Already, many typical Maori melodies have been reproduced, and efforts are being made to capture as many more as possible for the gramophone. „ wV^?y an f h £ hi^ a '" , by Moussorgsky. and Flight of the Bumble Bee,” by Rimsky Korsahov, form a record by Sir Hamilton Harty, conducting the Halle Orchestra, ihis is one of the sparkling recordings of the month. In “The Bumble Beethe woodwind playing is especially interesting.

The Lever String Quartet has made a happy recording of “Quartet in B Flat,” by Brahms. The “ Allegretto " is a most movement, and under the capable hands of the artists it is even more charming. The piquant “ Mignon V overture by .Thomas does not fail to be popular, and tlie recording of' it by Milan Symphony Orchestra under Lorenzo Malajoli is bright and full of tpne colour. The neat, little phrases of the'music are given with a precision which is refreshing. Friedman has been said to produce “ a too maesiye tone” for a Chopin recording, but his latest “Polonaise in B Flat” is easily managed by the gramophone, and Hie piece certainly_ calls for big’playing. The stately Polonaise is given in a wonderful manner. Two Mozart airs by Miriam Licette are / Batti, Batti,” and_ “Mi Tradi Quell Alma Ingrata,” from “Don Giovanni.” These have been mentioned before, but the clear disc is recommended. Mr Ramsay MacDonald has a love for the Scotch poet, Robert Burns. His talk on Burns is interesting and comes clearly through the disc. Beethoven’s gigantic _ “Choral Symphony" needs a gigantic orchestra and i choir to do it full justice. ( To record ' it , the utmost efforts of modern science were needed. The London Symphony Orchestra, under Felix WeingartUer, is swept away with the majestic feeling of the I music they are playing. The weight . (without,harshness) of the last “Choral Finale ” is a triumph of recording. A complete set of “ Madam Butterfly ” records should bring joy to the heart of hsteners. Rosetta Pampanini is Madam Butterfly, and she is assisted by Alessandro Granda, and La Scala Chorus. Under Molajoli, . the Milan Symphony ■ Orchestra provides an effective backi ground. With the passing of Battistini, the recording baritones have had smaller ranks. Many are growing old and record only oc-. casionally, Benvenuto France, however, a. young Italian singer, is well known. His latest efforts are two arias from Poncluelli’s “ Gioconda.” The first, from the first act is of mysterious import, but the second, with choral accompaniment,* is a happy barcarolle. „ A new version of Tchaikowsky’e Capricco Ttalien ” may be heard. It is that of the Berlin State Opera Orchestra, under Dr Leo Blech, and the bright spirit of the music is ever present. Among Delius records are. “In a Sum•ner Azurden,” under the conduetorship of Mr Geoffrey Toye, the Loudon Symphony Orchestra furnishing a very pleasing and enjoyable reqording occupying three sides, find A Song Before Sunrise,” played i i - Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mr John Barbirolli. This is not the first recording of the Song, but one with all the advantages of modern methods, and one to be preferred so far as reproduction is concerned, The violin was the first instrument to be studied by Delius. His violin sonata No. 2, a single-movement work, lias been reorded previously, and now ( we have the sonata No. 1 for violin | (May Harrison) and piano (Arnold Bax), sympathetically played and reproduced with realism. Romberg’s “Toy Symphony” i s a gay little piece and sparkles from the disc. I This should be, popular with the children, ns well as with the grown-ups. It is played by the Symphony Orchestra. The choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, unaccompanied, has given a beautiful interpretation of Tchaikowsky’s “Angels Ever Loving,” followed by “ Hail Gladsome Light, by Wood.* The hymns were actually recorded in the cathedral. A good record is that of the Salon Orchestra (with orgah) tin “Eili, Eili.” Sandler, and “Kol Nidrei.” The combination of the Salon Orchestra and organ is effective,, and is shown to the best these two solemn melodies. Kol Nidrei” is one of the most beauiiful of traditional Hebrew songs, and this setting throws into high relief its plaintive melody, n A talking record of dramatic import is The Safe,” by Angela Baddeley and company. It is realistic, arid the artist’s words can be plainly heard. This is not always the case with the male, voices of the company. Schubert’s " Sonata in G minor,” played by Isolde Mengcs and Arthur de Greef, is a joyous thing to listen to. This work belongs to opus 137, and is in four movements, a bright “Allegro, ’’ brightly played. ,nn Andante, which gives the artists ample opportunity for beautiful tone, a dainty “Minuet,” and the final “Allegro Moderate.” Brahms’s “ Double Concerto in A minor, with the famous trio, Cortot, liband, and Casals, forms a grand recording, The Barcelona Orchestra, under Casals, is perfectly in sympathy with the artists, who make light of the technical difficulties of the big work. The charm of English folk dances is for over fresh and the British Broadcast ing Wireless Military Band has made a stirring thing of “ Haste to the Wedding ” and “ Bonnets so Blue.” “ Classical Memories ” by Debroj Somers Band is a “ modernised medley *’ according to one critic. The tunes included arc “ Anvil Chorus,” the “ Habanera” from “Carmen,” Copellia Ballet Tanuhausor ’! Overture, “ Hungarian I March,” “ Invitation to the Waltz, “Light Cavalry Overture,” and two Hungarian Rhapsody themes. Two tangos, with fascinating rhythm, are ‘ That Tiny Teashop ” and “ Crepuscle,” played by the Elite Dance Orchestra. The latter is a Spanish-like composition of cello, strings, and accordeon, Avthm than the sprightly Tiny Teashop.” .