MUSIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21265, 20 February 1931, Page 5

MUSIC.

NOTES AND RECORDS.

By Allkoro.

A favourite of the gramophone is Lauritz Melchior, whose clear tenor voice records most pleasingly. The Berlin State Orchestra supplies a stirring background. The numbers chosen are from “ Lohengrin ”•—“ 0 Elsa, til] a Single Year has Passed,” and “ Nay, Elsa, Nay, All Confidence Thou Ow’st Me,” both from Act 111. Melchior is at his best in “ Lohengrin.”

For beautiful string quality listen to the playing of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The conductor, Felix Weingartner, must have drilled the players with considerable patience and care. The piece chosen is Mendelssohn’s “ Symphony Number 3,” a happy work in the composer’s best style. An American soprano, Elsa Alsen, has appeared on a disc in Schubert’s numbers “ Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel ” and “ Thou Art My Peace,” The latter lovely song is rendered with great sweetness by the artist. Sir George Henschel has added additional Schubert numbers to the gramophone, The songs chosen are ‘ Der Leiermann ” and “Das Wandern.” Another coupling is “Der Wegweiser ” and “Der Doppelganger.” Four Kipnis interpretations have been recorded. They are “Der Lindenbaum,” “Am Meer,” “Der Wegweiser,” and “ Der Doppelganger.” Sophie Braslau’s Schubert contributions need no introduction. “ The Erl King ” and “Death and the Maiden ’’ are magnificently sung. The accompaniments in both show sympathy. Not only educational bodies, but the thoughtful private ■ collector, should make a point of exploring the wonderful list of International Lecture Records. There are now well over 100 of these discs. They range over an extraordinary wide field of subjects, and in every case the speaker is a pre-eminent authority on his topic. Music lovers will be particularly interested in “How to Listen, to Music,” by Dr Percy Buck, the examiner for New Zealand Mus. Bac. candidates, and a series of six great composers byauthorities Ike Sir Henry Hadow and Dr Markham Lee. Sir Oliver Lodge gives a fascinating lecture on Time and Space.” Literature is handsomely covered -by such men as John Drinkwater (“The Speaking of Verse”), and Professor Ivor Evans (“ Twentieth Century Poetry”). Sir John Forbes-Robertson, the famous elocutionist gives a “ Shakespearian- Recital.” Among the subjects treated are history, physics, chemistry, economics, Greek and Latin literature. The Black Diamonds Band has made a re-recording of “ Distant Greetings ’ and “ Entrv of the Gladiators. These are given with military precision, and have improved on re-recording. The spirit of “Requiem, by Brahms, is fully shown in “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place,” sung by the choir of the Temple Church, London, with G. lhalben Ball conducting. The pure tone of the boys’ voices is a triumph of recording. The “ Blue Danube ” waltz and * Wine, Women, and Song ” are on hand at a moderate price. The London Orchestra has recorded them, and they are, recommended for rhythm and clean bowing. Sir Harry Lauder’s latest gramophone contributions include “ Dear Old Cronies and “W e All Go Hame.” Two other songs which will cause a laugh arc He Was Very Kind to Me” and “The Message Boy.” The rapid patter of this artist comes through remarkably well. A record full of vitality is that of Easthope Martin’s “ Four Songs of the Fair.” The well-known “Come to the Fair is the best number. The singers, H. Thorpe and F. Richardson, are skilled in duet Sin <fhaminade’s “The Little Silver Ring” needs to be artistically sung to be made a successful number. A lightness of voice is required, and Esther Coleman has controlled her singing in a very creditable way. The second song is the ever-recorded Dvorak one, “Songs My Mother Taught Me.” ; , , Dvorak’s “ Carneval ” Overture has been put on a disc by Sir Hamilton Harty and the Halle Orchestra. The happy melodies of this overture grow on the listener and seem even more delightful at each hearing. The orchestra has worked excellently and the rhythm of its work is a credit to the conductor. The cor Anglais passage is beautifully given. The popular French band, that of the Garde Republicaine, may be heard to advantage in “Le Bombardier,” by 0. Pares, and “Marche Indienno,” by Sellenick. The performaince is stirring and vivid, and the heavy drum passages are not blurred. The Indian march has some clever fife passages, “ Pilgrims’ Chorus ” and “ Grand March, from “ Tannhauser,” is another offering by the British Broadcasting Choir, conducted by Percy Pitt. The blending of the instruments gives complete satisfaction.

The New Symphony Orchestra has come forward this month with Bach’s “ Air for the G string.” The control of the long melody notes could be a little more steady. In “ Londonderry Air ” the easy phrases have been delightfully kept clear Ijy the players. Toti dal Monte has the advantage of sounding thoroughly natural in a record. This is shown in the “Polonaise,” from “ Mignon,” and “ Oluce di quest Anima,” from “Luida di Chamonix,” by Donizetti. Both the airs have been given a fresh interpretation—cheerful after a song has become too well known.

A Savoy Christmas Medley, fox-trot, contains “Landlord, Fill the Flowing Bowl,” “Little Brown Jug,” “God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen,” “.Good King Wenceslas,” “Joyfully Carol,” “Christmas Bells,” “ The Vicar of Bray,” “ The Moon Shines Bright,” “ Here We Come a-Wassailing,” “ The First Nowel,” “ Auld Lang Syne.” What will be put into dance music next? This is, however, excellently given. A rousing record has been provided by the National Military Band in “ Marching Song ” from the “ Three Musketeers ” and “ Marche Lorraine." Those are two good marches, and the first had a popular vocal refrain. The “ Coppelia ” Ballet by Delibes, played by the Classic Symphony Orchestra under Clarence Raybould. has been recorded. The music of Delibes’ ballet has always been a favourite with the public, and this discreetly abridged edition should ensure the disc’s wide popularity. It is pleasant to hear Reginald Foort in a composition that is not a theme song from some talking picture. “ Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes ” is one selection, and he renders it sensibly. “ Saint d’Amour,” by Edward Elgar, the second piece, gives the opportunity for the use of some of the best stops. A record of the National Anthem was much needed, and when a band is the medium used the disc should be a useful one. It finishes with Sousa’s march, “ Stars and Stripes.” A Peter Dawson disc holds “So .5 Left” and “Chip of the Old Block.” Dawson will delight his admirers with his fine rendering of Squire’s popular ballad and the companion song. “ Beethoven's Quartet in F (opus 18, No. 1) is a scarcely neglected treasure. The work was electrically recorded by the Lener Quartet at the times of the Centenary issues; but it was recently recorded by the same players, the new records being issued under the same numbers and slipped unostentatiously into the catalogue. They are in every respect a great advance on the Centenary issue, having the advantage of electrical recording. “La Cimarosiana,” played by the Classic Symphony Orchestra, is a sparkling work. Cimarosa was a prolific Italian opera composer whose creative effort was mostly exercised between the years 1770 and 1800. The bulk of his work is now forgotten, and as a tribute to his memory Francesco Malipiero, a modern Italian, has collected and reorchestrated five of Cimarosa’s best melodies and included them in this suite.