RECORDED MUSIC

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2313, 20 March 1930, Page 2

RECORDED MUSIC

(By “PliOilO.”)

Dazzling Singing. Toti Dal Monte’s singing of Benedict’s “Carnival of Venice’’ is the singing of a human nightingale. She is musicianly as well as incredibly precise and tonally flawless. It is a long time since there has been a record with such a cascade of brilliant melody. The passages with the flute touch the highwater mark of coloratura singing. It is an H.M.V. recording. Brunswick Orchestra. “Play Gypsies, Dance Gypsies (from “Countess of Maritz”) and “Amoureuse” (Berger). This is a splendid recording (No. 47012) of two of the most delightful small orchestra selections. The first number from the operetta, “Countess of Maritza,’’ by Kalman, is a typical Gypsy air, alternating between the slow and languorous and the quick whirling dance movements. The glorious blending of strings and the Cembalom-likc accompaniment are especially noteworthy. “Amoureuse’’ is a Viennese type waltz and features a beautiful violin solo. On the Wurlitzer. The wide range of tone colours of the Wurlitzer organ are given full play in Edward O’Henry’s'lively melody, “Ca e’est Madrid” (This is Madrid), which is played by the composer on the “Madame Tussaud’s” cinema instrument, which is one of the biggest in the world. On' the reverse side of the record O’Henry gives Tchaikovsky’s “Song Without Words,” a number peculiarly suited to the Wurlitzer The playing is always artistic, and the recording is without a flaw. (H.M.V. 83094). An Accomplished Violinist. Two delightful melodies played with beauty of tone by that popular violinist, Fredric Fradkin, are “Frasquita” (Lehar— arranged by Kreisler), and “The Swan” (Saint-Saens), violin with harp and organ (Bruntwick 4528). This is a record for every music lover, and in “The Swan” the lovely effect with harp and organ is very pronounced. “Footnotes.” A novelty Brunswick record, which has a special appeal all of its own, is No. 4525 (Novelty Tap Dance and on the Other Side Novelty Tap Routine), featuring Bill Robinson’s “footnotes.” Picture a 'smiling faced nigger, smartly dressed, cane, spats and all, who expresses his genial personality through the medium of his blunt-nosed patent leather encased toes, clicking in harmony with the blue notes of a hot jazz orchestra. There you have it! ‘ ‘ Sunny Side Up. ’ ’ Judging by the big'houses recorded at the local theatre this week during .the screening of “Sunny Side Up,” most of us will be familiar with the theme songs and novelty items of this poppy musical comedy. The recording of all the hits in this talkie are to be heard locally, and we arc assured by local dealers that they are selling like the proverbial “hot cakes.” Of course, everyone w r ants to be up-to-date, don’t they? Tw,o Popular Columbia Artists. Two of the most popular Columbia artists of the present day are Alfred O’Shea (tenor), who has a host of recording to his credit —all well worthy of a place in any collection—and Gladys Moncrieff (soprano), whose renditions of various talkie theme songs has added to her already well established reputation as an artist of outstanding ability. Ask your dealer to play over some of their records —you are sure to enjoy them! A New Brunswick. “Harvey” (Fox-trot with vocal chorus) and “March of the Hoodlums” (the Hotsy Totsy Gang). This Brunswick is No. 4559. “Harvey” is one of the smartest comedy songs of recent months. The vocal chorus is the feature, and is sung by the composer. You will think it is a duet, but it is the same singer all through. The march affords a striking contrast and is a great coupling. H.M.V. Best Sellers. Among the latest list of best sellers compiled from H.M.V. retailers are the following: “Clock’’ Symphony (Havdn); “Mcnuctt” (Paderewski); “Wings of Song’’ (Mendelssohn); “New Moon’’ (vocal gems); “Orange Blossom Time”; “Singin’ in the Rain’’ (fox-trot); “Miserere,” (duet from “II Travatore”), and “Smugglers’ Song’’ (sung by Peter Dawson).