MUSIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22053, 8 September 1933, Page 3

MUSIC

NOTES AND RECORDS By Allegro. An interesting and instructive programme of French music was giveu at the September meeting of the Women Musicians of Otago. Miss Ida White spoke chiefly on Cesar Francis, Debussy, and Saint-Saens, mentioning other minor composers more briefly. Miss Meda Paine sang "La Cloche," by Saint-Saens, " Lia's Air," from " L'enfant Prodigue," " Romance," and "Mandolin," by Debussy. Mrs Ewart's group consisted of " Chanson Triste," by Duparc, "A des Oiseaux," by Georges Hue," " Chanson Norcegievne," by Pourdroin," and Massenet's Ouvre tea yeux bleux." Mrs Neeu played Debussy's charming " Suite pour piano," the movements being; "Prelude," "Sarabande," and "Toccata." "Padoges' was also played. Gigli's recording of " Cuius Animam " continues to be popular. Rossini, "one of the pioneers of the star system, did not care how much the celebrated singers of his day interlarded his works with their alterations and embellishments for their own aggrandisement, though he was caustic enough to twit them for it. He wrote operas until 1829, when he was 37 years of age, and then stopped suddenly. He wrote 46 operas, nine cantatas, a mass, some fugal vocal pieces s and a Stabat Mater, perhaps his most popular writing of its kind. Six string quartets are among his instrumental works. "Pieta Signore," by Stradella, is a contrasting second number. The Royal Choral Society and London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dr Malcolm Sargent, have recorded "Achieved is the Glorious Work" and "The Heavens are Telling." These famous choruses are reproduced with realistic effect. . , Lawrence Tibbett's latesl; disc is of Loewe's " Edward," a descriptive song requiring careful and artistic singing to make it effective. "De Glory Road,' on the second side, is fervently sung. Altogether the record is one of Tibbett's best. ' After a somewhat lengthy absence from the monthly lists, Paderewski makes a reappearance in the August catalogue with a recording of Liszt's transcription of the " Spinning Chorus," from Wagner's opera, "The Flying Dutchman." It is a memorable piece of playing, and bears the unmistakable mark of Paderewski s genius. "The Spinning Chorus occurs in the second act of the opera. The scene opens in Daland's home. The merry whirring of the wheels provides a pleasing rhythmic background. The sinister .motive, which later typifies the tragedy 'of the Dutchman, seems to indicate that Senta already has felt the force of his fate and longs to be his redeemer. Liszt lias translated for the piano the essence of W a ß ner ' B music, and Paderewski shows a poetic sensitiveness to every mood of this wonderful scene. The record is a wonderful demonstration of the playing of a master. Another Lawrence Tibbett disc holds "The Song is You " and "And Love Was Born." The latter, a waltz song, is rhythmically rendered. Raie da Costa has played a medley from "Music in the Air" holding "We Belong Together," "I'm So Eager," "I'm Alone," "I've Told Every Little Star," "The Song is You." and "When the Spring- is in the Air." The Light Opera Company has recorded melodies from "Music in the Air," and the New Mayfoir Orchestra 'has also provided a selection from "Music in the Air." Modern rhythmic music given as a pianoforte solo has been played _ by Thomas Waller. His own compositions, "Handful of Keys" and "Numb Fumblin'," are well played and interesting because of that. The band of the Coldstream Guards hag recorded selections from " Ruddigore." As is usual with this band the playing is good and the tunes chosen attractive. An amusing record on the subject of Empire relays is "Pancake Tuesday Throuuhout the Empire," by Max Kester and John De Grey. "Crazy Commentaries," "Red Riding Hood and the Wolf," by Max Kester, is. the companion number. Raie da Costa's cleverness in jazz playing is shown in "The Girl in the Little Green Hat" and " Can't We Meet Again," a clearly reproduced recording.