RECORDED MUSIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18203, 2 March 1929, Page 13

RECORDED MUSIC.

• Pagliacci”—Prologue, in 2 parts (Leoncavallo) (Ricardo Stracciari). Columbia 03603. This number now occupies two sides of a ten-inch disc instead of the previous single twelve. It is another thrilling re-recording, and Stracciari manages to work in another chuckle this time. Altogether these electric replacements are easily the most important contribution to operatic music this month.

(1) "Grand March”—from Tannhauser (Wagner); (2) “Coronation March”—from The Prophet (Meyerbeer). Played by the Royal Guards Band. Columbia 02719. Band recording continues to improve, the brass especially coming through with pulsing “life” and the tone being thrown out straight in front -of the machine with plenty of sparkle. The Royal Guards Band handle these two marches in dashing military style. Wagner's “Grand March” is made as stirring as it can possibly • be, the familiar theme being given out with stateliness and grandeur and the background vibrating with colour. If the strings have a hard row to hoe in the “Coronation March,” this is the only small complaint one can raise about a really fine record.

“Hence, Away, Begone!" “A Birthday” (W. B. Manson). H.M.V. E 398. These (from “Three Songs of Love and Youth”), are the work of one of the many promising young composers whose career was cut short by the war almost before it had begun. Besides sound craftsmanship and a gift for melody Manson had the virtue of linking his music to poems that have a genuine literary value, as we can see for ourselves by the aid of the excellent diction of Walter Widdop, whose golden voice is matched by rare musicianly qualities.

(1) “To A Miniature”; (2) “Boat Song.” Sung by Alfred O’Shea, tenor. Columbia 03616. Alfred O’Shea’s recent song recital In the Wellington Town Hall shows that this famous Irish singer has lost none of his charm, and none of his hold ovfer the public. Columbia’s latest issues include an attractive 10-inch record that pairs two very popular numbers. Especially delightful is the lovely “To A Miniature”—a universal favourite which O'Shea sings with rare feeling and tenderness. There is something caressing about his voice that falls very gratefully on the ear after the colder correctness of some of his rivals. Capital recording.

“Love’s Old Sweet Song” <Molloy), “Poor Man’s Garden” (Russell). H.M.V. Cl4lO. Essie Ackland has a magnificent contralto voice, and the rich background provided by the organ accompaniment it at once an asset and a splendid setting. Essie Ackland is a very promising young Australian contralto who studied at the Sydney Stato Conservatorium of Music and supported Jean Gerardy, the ’cellist, on his tour of Australia and New Zealand. She subsequently left for England, where she has become a popular concert singer.

(1) “Impromptu” (Aulin); (2) “Ave Maria” (Schubert). Violin Solos by Efrem Zimbalist. Columbia 04220. Well in the front rank of living violinists stands Zimbalist, whose tour of New Zealand about a year ago made him such a host of admirers here. Zimbalist’s chief concern on his latest record, which pairs the familiar Schubert “Avn Maria” with an engaging “Impromptu” by Aulin, is with emotional content. He is an artist who feels deeply, though he is never maudlin, and he takes an artist’s joy in the sheer beauty of melody. His tone always suits his purpose, being warm and colourful, and flowing with a smoothness that conceals the great technical difficulties he has overcome.