DISC MUSIC

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 91, 13 July 1928, Page 2

DISC MUSIC

GRAMOPHONE NOTES. SOMETHING ABOUT RECORDS

1 No! gramophone jhas, been mora /popular than that of the untnem, ]"Oh,-for the Wings of a Dove." Those who hiave heard the purity {and beauty of the Temple choir boy who takes the soprano part will not be surprised to learn of the remirk|able sale of the record. Three hundred and thirty-eight thousand have ibeeu sold since in 1927 the anthem | was recorded as -sung by the Temple (Choir. A previous record of it in I which a lady took the soprano part (sold only to the extent of 335 in (twelve months. * * * ] John M'Gormack lifts been raised by the Pope t 0 the Papal peerage, with the title of Count. The honour wa\s conferred in recognition of [the great singer's eminent position in the world of art, together with his devotion and his generosity to the Church. By the way, it is to be hoped that his recently-published record of Rachmaninoff's two songs, "To the Children" (Op. 26, No. 7), and "How Fair Thi s Spot" (Op. 21, No. 7), 'have not been overlooked by collectors of really artistic songs, well sung by an accomplished bid- j iladist.

* * * The heads of gramophone companies are not philanthropists. What the public demands i s that which they propose to supply. True, some intensely musical member of such a firm might shudder delicately as the raucous sounds of a band of ultra jazzaness stabbed its wtay through the walls of his private office, but' there; is little doubt he would reflect that healthy dividends make an excellent anaesthetic for.a too sensitive ear, audi that if the public is of a mind of jazz .... jazz it will be given. Yet month by month in the ilists of records issued by the various gramophone companies, the ! proportion of jj'azz in relation to high-class music steadily grows less. Dance records are always sure of popularity, as the gramophone is so largely used for the small-and-early, informal dances, but the d'emand is ever growing for what is known as /'classical music." In the last few months alone, one company has issued records of Bach, both on the organ and the piano, Beethoven, excerpts from "Die Walkure,"- Schubert, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Schumann, Tschaikowsky, and, contrary to the popular fallacy, it is amongst these records thlat the "bes t sellers" of the gramophone world! are to be found, "■ '■) I'

* # * j It is announced that one of : the most important "first appearances" on records will be that of Mine- Elisabeth Rethberg. Her first records are shortly to be issued. Mine. Rethberg is one qf the most splendid of that brilliant group of Central European • singers which burst upon 'us a few years ago. She shares, with Austrial and Frid'a Leider, an 'unequalled reputation as a dramatic soprano.. Her voice is singularly , round in tone.

Amongst the famous stars with the jj. C. Williamson Grand Opera Comjpany now in , Australia, is Apollo jGranforto, that fine bass, who visited New Zealand some time ago. Amongst his finest recording achievements is in the duet series with Joseph Hislop (tenor), "0 Mimi tu Pui" (from "La Boheme"), and "Solenne in Quest 'Ora" (from "La Forza del Destino"). * * * In the following list, just released, jare some excellent dance hits from [the musical comedy success "Rio jßita," now being presented in Australia by the Fullers. These include [the fox-trot s "Hie Rita," and "The jKinkajou," with vocal refrain by Nat Slulkret's Orchestra, and "Following the Sun Around" by the iWolfe Kahn Orchestra., and the enticing waltz number, "If You're in ■ Love, "You'll Waltz" (Penard's Orchestra). ** * , In a recent competition a list of preferred records was given in the following order: Elizabeth Schumann, Coi che sapete and Batti, Batti; Wagner, Siegrried's Funeral Marchj Wagner, Siegfrie'd's Journey to the'Rhine; Kipnis, Wotan's Farewell); Bach, Italian Concerto —Mrs Gordon Woodhouse; Beethoven, Pathetisue Sonata —Lamond ; Weber, Oberon Overture; Franck, Piece Heroique—Dupro; Elgar, Second Symphony; J. Strauss, Fledermaus Overture;' Martinelli,, Celeste Aicbv and Che gelida manina; WUgner, Meistersinger Prelude, Act lit.; Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1.