DISC MUSIC

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 February 1929, Page 3

DISC MUSIC

GRAMOPHONE NOTES SOMETHING ABOUT RECORDS. (I) "Ko'Jio; of thei tocust''-(A, Mill); (2) "Waiata Maori'' (A. Hill) Bung by Ernest McK'inlay, Tenor. Columbia 01091. Two New Zealand! songs sung by New Zealand's finest tenor.' Dimedin niay indeed be proud of introducing:. JKrnestj JMoKiJllaJy to tho world- His voice is fresh and resonant, cultured and yet unforced. His rendering of Maori songs— both traditional aii's and those by Alfred. HUI have now made him, world-famous. A keen student of Hill's music, his interpretations are easily the fi/nestf yet beard, and in both the numbers listed above bis splendid voice and Iris keen insight into the spirit of Hill's music may be. fully npprccia,ted. Recording on both sides is magnificent. XXX Essie Ackland (contralto), in "Caller Herrin"' (Traditional), and "Five Little PiocanLnnics" (Anthony). H .M. V. 82760. Essie Ackland is probably one- of tbo most popular nfitists making record's toLday. With this, her latest record, her admirers -will have Boi canse) to feel disappointed. Tui ,two charming ballads are sung in a most sympathetic manner. XXX

CD "To-morrow"; (X) "Thanks be 'to God." Sung by Harold Williams, baritone. Col.' 01290. Dickson;, 'Thanks .be, to God" is a fine type of song, and MasefiekPs dramatic poem "To-moiTow" 'has been set, to very effective music by Frederick Keel. These! songs have fcseri exceptionally well rendered by Harold Williams, ricli anci stirring baritone vo>cc bus seldom been' heard to greater: ■advantage. Tiro recording is perfectdon, ' (1) II Trovatoro (Verdi) "II Balen" ; CI) l>a Gideonda (Ponehielli) "BarcarChorus. (Riocardo Strae. cW>), 001. 08602. In th;ia brilliant, ' record Stiraccfiari taafces dr V s i; '( Jblio famous "Tempest of the Heart," 'and the "Gioconda" Boat Bom& two ' : iew delights.. "H Balen" is, sung with splendid feeling.. and the •'Barcarolle," an entrancing air, is spiritedly iendured. Tlie choruu work m the latter number deserves real praise, a. s: x The ~scnßation TnfU,e b ? tlie Rovel " ' tors ; Male Qcartct is stilt fresh in the minds of all. Their Ursfc records, '"Diana''' and. "Miss Hannah." were almost the best sellers. Again they have produced a locord that should maintain their successful run. It is characteristic numbc,- entitled "Was it a Dream : J " Tiro blending of the yjOices is admirable. Another male quartet, the Rounders, is just as pleasing. On the other side of the <Ksc they give "Ciilo-e" a song_ cfl the swamp. This unusujil song with a beautiful melody. (H.M.V., E.A. 402. ) XXX (1) (a) "Sheep and! Goat Walkin' to. the Pasture" (Gu.ionj, (b) Giguej from First Partita" (Bach); (2) "Liebes. ti-aum" (Dream of Love) (Liszt).' Pianoforte solos by Percy Grainger. Col. 04097. Percy Grainger, who was married recently in San Francisco, is undoubtedly tte finest pianist AusitraJlasia hja.s produced. On the first side of his latest disc are two, bracketed numbers. The "Sheep and Goat?' is a most intriguing air—simple, and smelling of clover, Tint of a tilting loveliness that every person who hears it will enjoy. Liebestraum is a rich interpretation, and the Bach "Gigue" is delightfully played Recording— fine. „ xxx •Those who have heard the stirring "Garibaldi March" sung will be in'terestefl) in another martial piece that Has swept Italy—the Fascist!, hymn "Giovinezza," which' is sung by "Apollo Graarforte. One can imagine tlrifrson<.i exciting the "Black 'Shirts'' to the wildest enthusiasm. It has a strident 'rhythm, and Granforte sings ll it like one who believes, that Mussolini has been the deliverer of his country. One can understand why this song has been called the '"Marsei.!iadsa ,y ' «f Italy. Another' .number on $ similar theme., "La Leggenda del Piavc," is also fdrteibly sung, and in this Granfbrto is assisted! by a rousing chorus. (H.M.'V. DA734\)'