DISC MUSIC

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 37, 15 February 1929, Page 3

DISC MUSIC

GRAMOPHONE NOTES SOMETHING ABOUT (RECORDS. A recent excellent Zonophonc oporatio disc gives the “Gypsies’ Chorus” and the “Soldiers’ l Chorus” from “11 Trovatore,” with the little bit of in the latter sung by Foster Richardson. Both nnnibers are well sung in good style and well recorded. xxx “Rjgoletto,' quartet, and “Lucia (U Lanunernioor, v sexcet.-^-H.M.V. J).Q. 102 (white label)-. A white label disc on an H.M.V. list denotes something very special. It is a long while since one of these was sent for review. This is a 12-inch record with the famous “Higoletto” quartet, “Bella liglia dell Amore,” on one (side, sung by Madame CalliCurei, Miss Louise Homer, Mr. Beniamino Oilgi, and Mr. Giuseppe do Luca. On tjhe other side the sextet, “Chi me frena,’’ from “Lucia di Lammermoor, ■’ with Messrs. Bad a and Pinza added to the four mentioned. Needless to say, the recording of the stars of opera, done 11 o doubt in America where there is money enough to kvep such galaxy together, is beyond cavil. Tho singing, however, quite deserves it. xxx Otcllo (Verdi); (1) “La Tompesta” ; (2) “Fuoco di gioia.''’ Sung hy La Scala Chorus of Milan. Col. 02723. Here is an amazing record hy the La Scala Chorus of Milon. The thrillingma.gnificencei of the voices, the dramatic intensity of the innso and tse spirited playing of the orchestra, have made this a gloriously outstanding record achievement. Some of the most stnkangof Ferdi’s “Otello” music was written for the chorus at the commencement of the opera, and “La Tempesta” and “Fuoco de gioia j (tempest and fire) choruses are wonderful examples of his genius. Tho raging of the storm is marvellously pictured in choral and orchestral colours, and tho singing is of an ex-

traorcVnary fine character. An astonishingly! realistic record. XXX “Andantino in, I> Flat” (Lcmaro) ami o'lVaivmeref” (Schujmann), organ solo hy Lein a re. H.M.V. Cl tod. This record is particularly interesting to all who like melody and for all who admire the grand organ. Afr. Edwin Lemare is one of the world’s greatest organ recitalists. He was for some years at a famous church in London and his recitals there were, amongst the musical events of the season. His first ‘‘His Master's Voice” record contains a superb rendering of one of bis own compositions —a melody famous throughout the world either under its own name or as “Moonlight and Hoses.” xxx Sonata in G Major—Parts -, 2 find 3. Played by Joseph Szigetb Columbia 1)3621-22. In Tartini’s “Sonatft in G Major” perhaps the greatest and most exquisite of his many sdnatas. Szgcru >again demonstrates what a great master-artist of the violin lie is. The remarkably clever teerniquo and the sweetly pure'tone which deminate the records show Szigeti, who ranks high in the elect few of the world’s greatest violinists at his host. XXX (1) “Elegie” Massenet); (2) “Thais” —Meditation (Massenet). Played by Albert Sammons. Columbia. 02687. These; two extremely charming Massenet solos make an unusually delightful record. The “Meditation” from the opera “Thais” is played with glorious tone, bringing

nut all, seductive beauties. An. excellent contrast is made with the “Elegio” in its own sombre but passionate phrases. The electric recording doe.s full justice to Sammons very impressive playing. xxx Mine. Suggia, undoubtedly the finest woman ’cellist in the world, has made a superb record of Max Bruch’s arrangement of the old “debrew melody, “Kol Nidrei.” Accompanies by an orchestra, Mine. Suggia,’s playing is warm, flexible and full of poe.tic tenderness the tone being delicately shaded and the phrases beautifully modelled. (H.M.Y. D.B. 103.) XXX The ideal use for the ‘‘H.M.Y.” records the tunes played on the Loughborough War Memorial Cardlon by Mr. W. E. Jordain (B 2687 and 1> 2683) would be to play them on a portable gramophone by lake or river. The effect of the heirs heard across water on a summer’s evening should be magical* and haunting. The record, of Ghamges rung on York Minister bells (B 2691) also might have its* best effect under those conditions. XXX (1) “JustA-Wcaryin’ For Ton” (Jaeob-Bond and Stanton); (2) “1 Ldvc You TruflyjT' (from “Seven Songs) (Jacob-Bond). Sung by Sophie Braslau, Contralto. OoTfiinTTa. 03618. Sophie Braslau’s superb interpetation of these songs is one of the finest records of deservedly pop-*

(ular 'ballad;* yob issueu. Hof low! notes are wonderfully rich and mel;l.oW, in fact it is very dilFcult to discover now superlatives with which to describe ,dicr glorious art. A record to be tieasucd. ' xx x x On His Master’s Voice records, the Victor Olof Sextet play “Cherry Ripe”, and in musical contrast the famous “Bocchanini Minuet.” Both are gracefully performed (82G97). They should also bo heard in “HuugariiVn Dance”-“Serenato” (B 2151), /Rip Autumn” —(la) “To a •M>tf*Lily 1 /’ (b) “To a Wild Rose” (13259). XX X X (1) “A Russian Barcarolle”; (2) “Round the Hay Wain.” Sung by the Clliauve Sourks Company. Col. 021325. The Chauve Souris Company arc a brilliant Russian theatrical group who are darlings of a dozen capitals, and the pet of them all m Nitka Balieffm, whose quaint introdilatory remarks iprefaco every record. this is their best. “Round tho Hay Wahi’’ develops into a rollicking rondo with some breathless partsinging is sheer loveliness. This is distinctly a record to acquire-.