DISC MUSIC

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 81, 9 August 1929, Page 7

DISC MUSIC

gramophone notes SOMETHING ABOUT (RECORDS. Lauder on Zonophone. Sir Harry Lauder with orchestra, in “It’s Just Like Being at Hatme”' and “Tobermony.” Zonophone G.O. 85.' Ko record collection, is jcomplcto without some Lauder records. There are none better and none cheaper than this one. Get it before you torget it! xxx Elizabeth Schumann in Bach. Elizabeth Schumann sings in her in-imitabl© stylo “For Love My Saviour jSuffe'red,” fflrom Sjb. Matthew Passion, with a flute obbligato by John Annulio and orchestral accompaniment (H.M.V. D. 1410), and on the reverse “The End is Come”, from the 159th Orurch Cantata, with an oboe Obbligato by Leon Goossens. These records are valuable as studies in phrasing and diction, apart from their charm as examples of a vocalist who sings all the time, in the true sense of the word, avoiding all meretricious tricks of mere vocal display. The consummate ease with which Mme Schumann sings distinguishes Her as one of the few great exponents of the art of bel canto. This disc may not be available locally, but it is worth ordering. xxx Favouriite Ballet Music. National Military Band, in “Ballet Egpgtian” (Luigini). Zonophone A. 354. An intriguing performance of this voluptuously Oriental music. Splendid recording. xxx A Fine IBach Aria. An aria from the St. Matthew ( Passion, “Have Mercy Lord on Me”, sung by Maartjo offers (H.M.V. D.B. 907), isa good example of this flu© contralto’s voice ;and method. (Jffie long phrases in this difficult solo, with its awkward medolio intervals and restless rytti.n, Have no terrors for this accomplished artist, ■ who maintains the control and a high level throughout. x x x Two Old Romantic songs. Barrington Hooper -(tenolr), with piano, in “Dear Heart” (Matter) and “I’ll Sing Tre Songs of. Araby” (Clay). Zonophone A. 355. Two of the old romantic favourities, sung with beautiful emotional shading. ' •x x x A Charles Hackett Record. Charles Hackett, the principal tenor of the Chicago Opera Company, is well known in this country by reason of his recitals here, and his records are always agreeable reminders of the quality of bis voice. His voice is always resonant and well in j tune, and bis diction excellent, and his tone now seems rounder and broader than ever*. He pairs two such old favourities as “I Hear a Thrush at Eve”, and “The World is Waiting for Sunrise”, and sings them with .sincerity and fervour. xxx The Garde Republicaine Band. Those who like a thrill should certainly get any record by tbo famous Garde Republicaine Band, France’s world-famous military baud, conducted by the veteran, Gabriel Pares. In “Marche Tndienne” and “Le Bombardier” they give us two invigorating examples of, the French style m military music, played with dash and spirit. The breatli-press©ro control of some of the instrumentalists is little short of ‘ marvellous, and the size of the hand, together with its composition, wider includes a large family of saxophones, results in a tone that is very solid and firm throughout, without losing any finesse or delicacy. The recording is, splendidly clean and crisp. (Columbia 01504). xxx Miscellaneous. 'Gil Dech, alias Gilbert Descbelettes, has a brilliant reputation as a pianist, which he fully lives up to in a couple of piano solos, “The Wedding of the Painted Poll” and “I Kiss Your Hand, Madame”', two of the theme songs from “Broadway Melody” (Col. 01549). Gil Dech is now leading a highly popular dance band, so bis rhythm is O.lv. An old favourite, Art Gilliam, the Whispering Pianist, regales us with another pair of popular song bits, “Some Sweet Day”, and “I Love You —I Lovfc You —I Love You”, treated in bis’ own, inimitable it’s-you-I’m-talking-to style. Columbia (01515). Two good vocalists who give us a further supply of soug hits ore James Melton, with q capital voice and any amount of power, in “Sally of My Dreams” and “I Loved You Then as I Love you now” (Columbia 01368), and Frank Munn, in “My Castle in Spain in a Shack in the Lane” and “My Angelin©”. Columbia 01519)..