MUSIC IN THE HOME

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1929, Page 10

MUSIC IN THE HOME

THE ART OF DELIUS. “Summer Night on the River” (Delius). Sir Thomas Beecham conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Columbia 03632. A short while ago Sir Thomas Beecham gave us “On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring.” Now they offer another Delius masterpiece so much in the same vein that it might be called a companion piece. It has an even more “other-worldly” quality, and it is to be doubted if any other work of music has the same evocative power. Sir Thomas Beccjiam gets effects of ravishing beauty. His wood wind is meltingly ethereal, and the whole orchestration has the rich softness of deep velvet. The beauty of the work hinges on such delicate nuances of tone and phrasing that it might well be marred in the hands of any conductor less sensitive and poetic than Beecham, but Sir Thomas is in his native element here, and that spiritual beauty which it is the peculiar genius of Delius to create is most tenderly rendered.

A SCHUMANN CONCERTO.

“Piano Concerto in A Minor” (Schumann). Fanny Davies (pianoforte) and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbia 02826-29.

Fanny Davies is a happy choice for this work, for she has the right Schumann tradition, having studied under the composer’s wife, herself a brilliant pianist. For many years now she has built a solid reputation as a fine chamber-music player and soloist. Her chief qualities are crispness, masculinity and rhythmic propulsion. The recording is bright, gay aiid crisp, showing the conductor, Ernest Ansermet, at his best. This is an ideal performance of the concerto, will. authority and mature wisdom in the soloist and a competent and suave accompaniment by the orchestra. Such a performance adds fresh proof to the reputation of Schumann as the first great literary musician, and the first musician to see anything like the full possibilities of the piano. On dark blue labels at a standard price these records make a wonderful bargain.

MORE CHOPIN NOCTURNES.

“Chopin Nocturnes, Second Series.” Pianoforte Solos by Leopold Godowsky, with introductory remarks by Ernest Newman. Columbia 04263-66.

The first series of Chopin Nocturnes played .by Leopold Godowsky and issued a month or two ago was so enthusiastically received by critics that instant popularity can safely be predicted for the second batch. Godowsky plays these lovely romantic works with deep insight. His tone L rich and his phrasing large and musicianly. He plays them as an artist and not as a music-hall virtuosi intent upon impressing us with his cleverness. Immensely valuable are the printed and verbal notes by the leading English critic, Ernest Newman, who in a few words instantly classifies the meaning of Chopin for us, and makes the music doubly precious and significant.

A GRAMOPHONE HUMORIST.

“Levinsky at the Wedding.” Humorous monologue by Julian Rose. Columbia 01477.

This is an old favourite on the gramophone —Levinsky’s priceless burlesque account of a Jewish wedding, in which some of the chief traits of the Hebrew race are affectionately. “taken off” by one of their own number. Now re-re-corded electrically, it should enjoy a fresh lease of popularity, since its humour is always fresh and happy without being spiteful.

A POPULAR SELECTION.

“A Princess of Kensington” —Selection (Edward German). Played by the