MUSIC IN THE HOME

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1928, Page 8

MUSIC IN THE HOME

GRAMOPHONE NOTES. DVORAK'S “NIGGER” QUARTET. “Quartet in F” (Dvorak, Op. 96). Parts I—o, played by the London String Quartet. Col. 04131-33. Hero is real chamber music that is understandable to all sections of the public, and which will add fresh laurels to the. .: already held by this masterly string quartet. This melodious and attractive music is played witli delightful charm and finish, and the players have cleverly caught the negro folk song atmosphere that was so cunningly evolved by Dvorak himself. The recording is very rich, and tlie tone of tho strings is perfectly reproduced. Another three closely packed records that will find their way into many collections. FAMOUS CLOCK SYMPHONY. “The clock Symphony in D Major” (Haydn). Sir Hamilton Harty and the Hallo Orchestra. Col. 04122-25. This symphony, perhaps best loved of all Haydn’s works, was written for Salomon’s London Concerts in 1794. Its appeal is universal, full of happy melodies, always to a bewitching accompaniment. Tho opening Adagio is played with full regard for the stately impressiveness of the measure. The following presto, a happy movement, will delight every ear over and over again with its delicately introduced tripping motif on the strings. Particularly well played is the andante, from which movement's ticktocking of the bass strings tbe symphony derives its name. The minueto and trio, full of a lively Mozartian daintiness, and the . finale, bring a fine recording to a pleasurable and spirit id close. The odd side records the lilting and colourful measures of Weber’s “Abu Hassan” overture. Altogether a splendid example of concert hall recording with both atmosphere and brilliance. NEW INTERPRETER OF CHOPIN. “Polonaise, Op. 40, No. 1”; “Prelude, Op. 28, No. 15” (Chopin). Played by Ethel Leginska (pianoforte). Col. 02623. This talented artiste was recently appointed conductress of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and is one of America’s most noted exponents of the pianoforte. The time-honoured Polonaise in A is treated with an alternate firmness and delicacy of touch that 1s most refreshing. 'Die prelude is also convincingly interpreted and confirms one’s opinion that Ethel Leginska is indeed a musician of exceptional talent. MORE JOHANN'STRAUSS MUSIC. (1) “The Spirit of Fire,” Polka. (2) “The Singer’s. Joy.” Polka (Strauss). Played by Johann Strauss and Symphony Orchestra. Col. 02665. It has taken Johann Strauss the younger, with his talented orchestra, to remind the world that the original Johann wrote oilier dance numbers than waltzes. The two French polkas recorded on this disc ar© full of animation, and in view of the prophesied revival of this dance in the ball-room, they should come as a welcome addition to all dancemusic lovers. The rendering is really brilliant and no liberties are taken with tempo. The actual recording itself is very fine. SYMPHONY OF HEAVENLY LENGTH. “Symphony No. 7 in C Major” (Schubert), by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by D. Leo Blech. H.M.V. D 1390—1395. Schubert’s great “C Major Symphony” is a monumental work. It was written in 1828 during the last few months of Schubert’s life. After Schubert had completed the “Symphony” he submitted it to tho Vienna Music Society (Musik-Verein), but when it camo to be rehearsed it was found to be “too long and difficult.” Ten years after Schubert died the manuscript of the symphony was discovered by Robert Schumann (the composer). He immediately had it copied out and sent tho copy to Mendelssohn, who was at that time conducting the Gewandhaus Concerts. Mendelssohn introduced it at one of the last concerts of the season, wth great success. In the next season (1839-40) he had it performed with great success no less than three times. The symphony is admittedly a long one, but as Schumann said it is of "Heavenly length” and it would be a strange listener indeed who found it hang heavily on him. Its length is entirely discounted by the intense feeling of spontaneity, and the never-failing beauty and novelty. Schubert’s melodies are strewn through the work as lavishly as they are in any of his works. MAGNIFICENT RUSSIAN SINGERS. (1) “Serenade —Nocturne” (Abt); (2) “Contredance —Russian Songs.” Sung by the Kedroff Male Quartette. Col. 02595. The taste for male voice part singing is easily come by, and not easily lost. It is a grand art. The singing of the Kedroff Quartette makes one regret tiiat this art is now almost dead in its original home, England. Composed of singers with great individual reputations, the Kedroff four produce a continuous delight in harmony and counterpoint, controlling their tempo with astonishing verve and ranging from sparkling staccato to opulent sonority. A real artistic joy. (1) “Ka Mate”; (2) “Hine E Hine.” Col. 01067. (1) "Whaka Ariki” (Hill); (2) E Pari Ra. Col. 01058. (1) “He Waiata Aroha” (Hill); (2) “Titi Torea” (Hill). Col. 01059. Sung in English and Maori by Ernest McKinley, tenor.