MUSIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21667, 10 June 1932, Page 4

MUSIC

NOTES AND RECORDS , By Allegro, There are not, when one comes to consider it. so many pianoforte quintets by the “ bigger ” composers in the everyday repertoire. There are those by Schumann, Brahms, Elgar, and Dvorak, but the list is short. The presentation of records of the Cesar Franck Quintet (recorded for the first time in its entirety), is therefore a musical event of importance. The performers are Alfred Cortot, the eminent French pianist, and the International String Quartet. Cesar Franck (1822-1890) was one of the most important composers of the French school of the nineteenth century. (He was not, strictly speaking, “French,” for he was Belgian by birth.) His works were comparatively few. and the majority of those which are to-day the most popular were writtgp after the Franco-Prussian War. The quintet recorded here was written in 1879, and is one of the earliest of the big works. It is a beautiful work. The “ cyclic ” method of treating the leading themes, which Franck used with such effect in later works (the Symphony for example) is here in evidence. By it Franck has contrived to give an impression of binding unity and consequently of great strength. It entails the use of the principal themes of preceding movements in those that follow, thus a curious and sometimes dramatic “ echo ” effect. The first movement is in a characteristic self-questioning spirit and the transition to the mood of quiet joy in small things that comes with the second movement is very effective. The tremendous energy of the finale is in distinct contrast. It contains a beautiful melody. Alfred Cortot is an ideal interpreter of the work, for he is one of the important authorities upon the works of Cesar Franck. He has found excellent fellow-workers in the International String Quartet. “None but the Weary Heart,” by Tchaikovsky—arranged by Willoughby, and “ Serenade in C—Blegie,” by Tchiakovsky—arranged by Sear, played by the J. H. Squire Celeste Octet, make up a disc. Specially augmented for the occasion, the Celeste Octet has chosen a transcription of a Tchaikovsky song and a serenade movement by the same composer. The artistic treatment accorded these compositions represents a high standard of musicianship. It should prove a popular recording.

“Tales from the Vienna Woods,” by Johann Strauss, is a vocal waltz song and played by the British Broadcasting Wireless Chorus and Orchestra under Stanford Robinson. First the chorus gave us the “ Beautiful Blue Danube then “Wine, Women, and Song” and “Morgenblatter,” and now another Johann Strauss favourite. In this vocal-orches-tral form it is a novelty, well rendered and splendidly recorded. A leaflet of the words is given with each record. The London Symphony Orchestra’s rendering of “ Night On the Bare Mountain,” by Moussorgsky, is effective and musical. The imagination of the composer is seen in this woi-k, and together with its dramatic manner of composition and orchestral colouring, it makes a striking recording.

Beethoven’s “ Sonata in A Major,” opus 69, has been put on three discs by P. Casals and 0. Schulhof. This is a beautiful work of the composer’s second period. The first movement, with its fine coda, is excellently played, and the other movements are also given an authoritative interpretation. The last side of the final disc holds Beethoven’s “ Minuet in G,” a well-known and well-played work. “Hearts and Flowers” and “The Wedding of the Rose,” played by the J. H. Squire Celeste Octet, are additions to the long list of successes this body has recorded. Few salon combinations have reduced the playing of airy trifles to such a fine art.

“Maid of Athens,” the words by Lord Byron and the music by H. R. Allen, and “0 Mistress Mine,” the words by Shakespeare and the music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, have been sung by Francis Gleeson. Here is a new tenor who is likely to become popular by reason of his fine singing of these ballads. “The Lincolnshire Poacher ” and "Wrap Me Up In My Tarpaulin Jacket” have been sung by Harold Williams, baritone, and the British Broadcasting Male Chorus, under Stanford Robinson. On this disc we have two more traditional ditties sung by the above now famous vocal ensemble. These songs are worthy successors to the “Clementine,” “Poor Ned,” and “There is a Tavern in the Town” records.

“ Where is My Wandering Boy Tonight? ” by the Rev. R. Lowry, and “Rock of Ages” (Toplady and Redhead), sung by Dame Clara Butt, will give pleasure to listeners. Both of the hymns on this disc are well known, and Dame Clara sings them in the inimitable style and with the voice that has' endeared her to millions wherever herself or her records have been heard. An organ accompaniment adds richness to the hymns.

“A Thousand and One Nights,” waltz by Johann Strauss, played by the British Symphony Orchestra under Felix Weingartner, has been recorded. Among the most famous of Johann Strauss’s waltzes (he wrote nearly 400 in all) are the “Blue Danube,” “Weiner Bluf,” and “ Thousand and One Nights.” The lastnamed has just been issued from a concert hall recording, and the result is an artistic success. The slow passages of the introduction, with their parts for woodwind, are particularly lovely, while the waltz itself is full of delightful melodies that lend themselves to the brilliant orchestration. “Rustle of Spring,” by Binding, and “Funeral March of Marionette,” by Gounod, played by the British Broadcasting Wireless Military Band, form a disc. There are many who declare that the “Mill on the Rock” record issued recently by the Wireless Military Bandwas one of the finest band records ever produced, It certainly created a big sensation, but this latest record will surpass it. “ Bendemeer’s Stream,” by Gatty and Moore, and “Would God I Were the Tender Apple Blossom,” arranged by W. Fisher, have been sung by Anna Case, who is one of the loveliest sopranos in America, and has made several successful records. This new disc can hold its own with any; a pairing of, Gatty and -Moore’s “ Bendemeer’s Stream ’ and “Would God I Wore the Tender Apple Blossom ” is an attractive offering. _ n A record of “Drury Lane Memories, in which is incorporated the .best-known songs from the five greatest Drury Lane musical plays, has been made. The players are the London Regal Cinema Orchestra, conducted by Emanuel Starkey. From “ The Desert Song ” we have “ Riff Song, " One Alone,” and “ Desert Song ” ; from “ New Moon ” there are “ Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise.” and “ Lover, Come Back to Me”; “Show Boat” has 01 Man River"; “Rose Mane” includes the "Indian Love Call ”; and “The Three Musketeers ’ has “Ma Belle and March of the Musketeers.”