DISC MUSIC

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 56, 13 February 1931, Page 2

DISC MUSIC

GRAMOPHONE NOTES SOMETHING ABOUT RECORDS Greatest Leider Singer The palm for sheer artistry and understanding must, go to Sir George Henschel. This famous singer-cou-ductor-composer accompanies himself in two of the .loveliest songs in Schubert's wnole repertoire, and sings them at 79 with a subtlety that his younger rivals hardly approach, 'iney are "Das Wandern" and "Dor Leiormann" (Tthe Hurdy-Gurdy Man), on Columbia 03594.

Fine Old Songs Essie Ackland (contralto) in "Darby and Joan" (Molloy) and "My Treasure" (Trevalsa). H.M.V., 83460. This Australian contralto has a great voice and knows how to use it, so that gramophone enthusiasts rightly look to her for the best records of their favourite ballads. In this latest example of her art, Essie Ackland is up to the high standard she set herself with her record of "Love's Old Sweet Song."

Great Orchestra, Great Conductor Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, of New ¥ork (conducted by Arturo Toscauini), in "The Barber of Seville," overture (Rossini), H.M.V., idS35. Although there were many people offering £25 and £3O for a seat when Toscauini conducted at the Bayreuth Festival, there were "no sellers." Toscauini conducts all music With a unique understanding of its composer's intentions. The, perfection Of his interpretation of "Tho Barber of Seville" overture rs worldfamous.

Lovely Requiem Music Choir of Temple Church, London, in requiem, "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" (Brahms). H.M.V., 83453. Brahms' "Deutches Requiem" is filled with moments of exquisite beauty, now nobly triumphant, now deeply reflec&ve. But always there is the pellucid vocal line which is so familiar to those who know the lieder of Brahms. The portion of the work here recorded has just that calm radiance, perfectly revealed by the superb singing of the Temple Church Choir.

Two Good Dawson Numbers Peter Dawson (bass-baritone), in "Midnight Review" (Glinka) and "rhe Sword Song" ("Caractacus") (Elgar). H.M.V., CI9BB. "The Midnight RevieAv" is founded on an old legend that at midnight, on certain nights of the year, the ghost of Napoleon reviews his dead armies, who rise from their tombs at the summons of a .ghostly drummer and trumpeter. The cold, eerie power of this dramatic song finds in Dawson the right artist. In contrast the broad, noble lyricism of the "Sword Song," from Elgar's early cantata, "Caractacus," stands out in its true dignity.

A Wonderful Concerto Mischa Elman and the London Symphony Orchestra in "Violin Concerto in U Major, Op. 35" (Tschaikowsky). t-I.M.V. D1405-OS. In 1877 Tschaikowsky wrote this, his only concerto for the violin, 4 which has taken its place iu the select, company of violin concertos by Beethoven. Brahms and Mendelssohn. This " recording performance by Mischa Elman and the London Symphony Orchestra is in every way ideal. Elman obviously loves the music. His performance of it is so characteristic of his art, and gives us not only superb fiddling and ravishing tone, but a magnificent interpretation. There is indeed no work in the whole of the violin and orchestra repertoire so calculated to appeal to the ordinary music-lover.

A Marvellous Choral Record That practice makes perfect, is an axiom abundantly proved by a La Scala Chorus recording of two oL' Verdi's most overwhelming choruses, "La Tempesta" and "Fuoco di gioia," from "Otello." It used to he regarded as impossible to do lull justice to these, but here they are executed with the utmost ease and vigour. The grand body of tone surges with pulsating life and rhythmic energy. Like .a disciplined arm the singers sweep to their breathless climaxes, and on their side the record never flags for a moment.' The truth and sincerity of the tone, even at its very loudest, amazes one. Tin; solo bits and the orchestration come out with unfailing clearness and accuracy. (Columbia 02723).

Schubert Song Recordings When Schubert died, only 30 years old, he left behind him nearly 700

songs—an immerifo number lor so short a. life —and many have passed into the treasury of immortal masterpieces. His mind was lull of melody, and he lias given ot the world some ol! the most beautiful tunes ever written. lie seems to have possessed an intuitive perception of the words of any poem he desired to set (o music as a song, (o have been able to conjure up at will (he melody and accompaniment which would aptly express that spirit. In every shade of emotion he was equally at home, equally a master. Alsen and Hackett Sing Peerless among love sours is the favourite, "Du Hist die Jtuh" (Thou Art My Peace), which Elsa Alscn, the American soprano who captivated the Chicago Opera season last year, couples with "Gretchen Am Spinnrade" on Columbia 01191. The universally popular "Serenade" is also recorded, of course. Charles Hackett sings it with deep feeling, with "Who is Sylvia?" on the reverse. (Columbia 01113). Schubert in Sombre Vein Almost as dramatic is Roy Henderson's singing of "Tartarus," with its fateful accompaniment and its sense of foreboding. He pairs it. with "The Signpost." on Columbia 02710, a magnificent sour grandly suhr. This latter song is also given by Hie great; German basso, Alexander Kipnis (as "Dcr Wegweiser"), coupled with the weird and thrilling "Her Doppelganger" (The Phantom Double), on Columbia 04195. FREE Q-TOL. SHAVES Free samples of .New Zealand's own Shaving Cream for men who want ten of the best, shaves free. Q-tol Shaving Cream is only Is lid for a Riant tube. Toilet cream base makes face feel fine. Write Q-tol, Box 1018, Wellington, enclosing 2d for packing and postage.