MUSIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 18

MUSIC

NOTES AND RECORDS By Alleged. At last New Zealand has a musical publication of its own in which to discuss ideas and generally further the cause of the art. The first edition of Music in New Zealand is a credit to those who have brought it into existence. In a letter by Mr T. B. Strong, Director of Education, more choir work, more interest in the singing lesson, and even more care in the music of the schools are urged. In the child the seed of music is sown most easily, and therefore it is with the children that most care should be taken. Mr Douglas Tayler also stresses the point in an article, “ The Education Department and School Music.” The kiddies should be given ample opportunities to use their voices, and this leads up to the use of instruments. Teachers have now to be qualified, to a certain extent as musicians. A special song book having been compiled for school use, the suggestion that schools should be equipped with wireless, and that good concerts should be provided for children, is put forth. The journal includes a unison song for massed voices, _ composed by Mr Tayler. The “ Leading New Zealand Musician ” honoured in this first issue is Dr J. C. Bradwho is known all over our country for his_ musicianship. In “The Genius of Frederick Delius,” John Dene gives a delightful account of the Yorkshire composer and his work, and renders a service m bringing before our notice a musician who to many of us has been but a muchneglected name. A fine article, “ BroadA Retrospect,’* is written by John Bishop, in which he pleads for more artistic and “ better-music ” programmes, larger orchestral bodies or gramophone records to cope with the big works broadcast and an educational policy for the listeners. He points out to the radio stations what an enormous power they have to do good for music. Mr Ernest Jenner’s contribution deals with the rhythm of Gregorian music and is most interesting. In the death of Mr A. J. Merton, Christchurch has lost a loved and hard-working musician. An “In Memoriam ” has been written by Robert Parker. Various notices, reviews of records, a correspondence column, and notes from the centres, fill the spare corner of “Music in New Zealand.” It should be a help to all people interested in music. Norman Allin is an artist well known to gramophonists. One of his best offerings is from “ Queen of Sheba,” by Gounod. The extract is “She Alone Charmeth My Sadness,” from an opera that has been forgotten for many years, owing, doubtless, to the popularity of “ Faust,” which completely eclipsed it. “ Honour and Arms,” the famous Handel aria from “ Samson,” is on the second side. The two make up a brilliant recording. Sanderson’s “ Until ” and GeehFs “ For You Alone ” are recorded by Aroldo Lindi. The top notes are given with delightful clarity. These two sentimental ballads, as sung by the Italian singer, are truly given with feeling, but the sincerity of Lindi pervades the disc.

The Regimental Band of the Grenadiers has now made a splendid record of the “March of the Knights of the Holy Grail,” from Wagner’s “Parsifal." Captain George -Miller conducts as usual, and no email credit is due to him. “Parsifal ” was Wagner's last music drama, and in spite of all discussion, it stands as an extraordinary work. This march is an exhilarating piece of music, and the Grenadier Guards Band has put some of ita best playing into it. Special mention should be made of one of Debussy’s choicest orchestral works, a suite that is the second of this famous Frenchman's "Pictures for Orchestra.” An English record critic sums it up thus: “ Most fascinating it is to contrast with the indigenous music of Falla and Turina the music of Spain seen through a Frenchman’s eyes. The opportunity for doing so is in Debussy's well-known ‘ Iberia' suite, delightfully recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Paul Klenau.”

The Band of the Royal Air Force, conducted by Flight-lieutenant Amere, has, with a vocal quartet, given us a fine medley of British tunes under the general title of “ Songs of Britain.” These are songs known by everyone—played and sung in a praiseworthy fashion. The artistry of Alexander Kipnis is well shown in Schumann’s “Mondnacht” and “ Traum Durch Die Dammerung,” by Richard Strauss. He makes of this first song the perfect little gem that it is, and it would delight the composer’s heart to hear the vocalist’s interpretation. The soft singing is sustained in a masterly manner, and it is astonishing to think that this singer, who gives such heroic tone in his Wagner numbers, can be so gentle also. The Strauss song is also perfectly sung. , The Cordova Philharmonic Orchestra is a recent addition to the list of recording celebrity orchestras. They play two of Lucena’s light Spanish melodies—‘ La Habanera ” and “ Carnival.” The Habanera is a slow, tango-like melody. There is a solo 'cello section for the principal theme played by Jose Pablos, the orchestra being conducted by Cantero. In the gay frivolity on the reverse Pablos himself takesup the baton. One of a prominent English critic’s recommendations is a disc by Arbos and the Madrid_ Symphony Orchestra. “Turina is no negligible musician as one or two remarkable recorded works testify ‘La Procession del Rocio ’ craves a place in the library of every lover of the best in Spanish music. The scene is that of civic revels on a fete day, in the midst of which a religious procession in honour of Our Lady traverses the animated scene. The music of the revels, piquant snatches of_ dance tunes and rhythms, gradually yields to the music of ‘ scarlet ceremonies’ a professional theme, and then returns and mingles with it until a big climax is attained after which the music dies away. The instrumentation is vivid. The record is one to be proud to possess. and there is some brilliant recording. “ Der Rosenkavalier,” is again brought before our minds with Bruno Walter's record of its “Waltzes.” The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra has caught all the humour as well ns the dramatic moments of the opera. Throughout?, the work is a triumph of waltz rhythm and this the orchestra has kept strictly in mind. The result is most pleasing to the listener. Bruno Walter takes the baton also for the recording to Schubert’s “ D Minor Symphony,” No. 4. The Mozart Festival Orchestra shows in this its fine ensemble work as well as solo work. “Butterfly,” by Sir Hamilton Harty, has made its appearance on a disc, under the capable bow of the ’cellist Jasper Cassado. It contains light, attractive music. The second side holds Sgambati’s “ Serenata Napoletana,” which gives the artist opportunities to show his easy technique. A recorded number by Dame Clara Butt truly examplifies her policy of singing “the songs of the people.” The songs are Barrow and Forster’s “Rose in the Bud ” and “ The Rooks,” by B. Waterford. The full low notes come easily through and are enhanced by clear diction. The fifth and sixth discs of a series of military march medleys have been released this month. Although these are advertised as being primarily for school use, both are sure of a warm welcome elsewhere as well. The playing is crisp and full of brilliance. Vigorous in rhythm and rich in recording, they will appeal not only to teachers and to those familiar with the tunes, but also to the great public that loves military band records. The first (both are played by the National Military Band under Stanford Robinson) is devoted to Scottish regimental marches. These are: Black Watch, Royal Highlanders— “ Blue Bonnets Over the Border”; Gordon Highlanders—- “ Cock o’ the North Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders—“ Pibroch o’ Donel Dhu Argyll and Sutherland High landers, Princess Louise’s—“ The Campbells are Coming’”; the Royal Regiment—“Dumbarton’s Drums”; 2nd Battalion of the Cameronians, Scottish Rifles—" The Gathering of the Grahams”; and Highland Light Infantry, City of Glasgow. Regiment—“ Whistle o’er the lave o’ it.” The second of the new records gives usBorder Regiment—“ John Peel”; York and Lancaster Regiment—“ The York and Lancaster ”; West Yorkshire Regiment—“Ca Ira South Wales Borderers—“ Men of Hai’leeh”: Welsh Regiment—“Ap Shenkins”; Cheshire Regiment—“Wlia wadna fecht for Charlie ”; and King’s Shropshire Light Infantry —“ Old Towler,” The speech of H.M. the King Emperor opening the Indian Round Table Conference has been recorded. This is a most important utterance, and it took place in the House of Lords in November 12, 1930. The profits from the sale of this disc will he given to Lady Minto’s Indian Nursing Association, nominated for this purpose by the Kin».