RECORDED MUSIC

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2316, 27 March 1930, Page 3

RECORDED MUSIC

(By "Phono.")

Two Pretty Duets. "Love's Old Sweet Song," and "Moon Enchanted,"- duets by Dora Labbette and Hubert Eisdell, are by the Columbia Company (No. 05027). Dora Labbette, soprano, and Hubert Eisdell, tenor, have proved in many a record their individual excellences. Now they show how well they can combine. In two fetching and tuneful songs they show delightful understanding of their parts and blend to perfection. The famous J. H. Squire Celeste Octet provides a beautifully played accompaniment. Mozart's Finest Symphony. "Symphony in C Major" (Jupiter) (Mozart). Sir Dan Godfrey conducting the Symphony Orchestra. This is recorded by Columbia (02962-65). Not without reason has this symphony been surnamed the "Jupiter." For calm majesty, for the power of shedding all trivial thought and soaring unimpeded to the Jovean heights, it stands alone in music. Even the fetching Mcnuctto trips along as though the gods, and not mere mortals, were footing it in Olpmpia. Sir Dan. Godfrey, the greatest name in military music, clothes his .gods in Greek armour. A warlike clang rings through his music ,as though he were stirring the embattled seraphim to war. His attack is bold, and though he loses a trifle of subtlety—his strings are not those of a Harty or a Beecham —he atones for this in the breath and solidity of all the other sections, and particularly in the triumphant ring in his brass. "Pirates of Penzance." There is a full evening's entertainment in the eleven records that make up the new complete recording of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance." (H.M.V.). The brilliance of the orchestral playing, beauty of the singing, and clarity of diction set a standard as high as has ever been achieved in gramophone music. The performances recorded arc absolutely authoritative in interpretation and maintain the strictest Savoyard traditions. Not only has Mr Rupert D'Oyly Carte personally supervised the recordings, but Dr Malcolm Sargent, probably the greatest living authority on Sullivan's music, has conducted and been musically responsible for every note. Mr Rupert D'Oyly Carte and the members of the Sullivan family have given Dr Sargent every facility by allowing him access to those priceless treasures, the Sullivan manuscript full scores. The principal vocalists are the Misses Elsie Griffin, Nellie Briercliffe, Nellie Walker, Dorothy Bill, Messrs Derek Oldham, George Baker, Peter Dawson, Leo Sheffield, and. Stuart Robertson, and each member of the full symphony orchestra is an artist player individually chosen. The singing of the chorus is particularly beautiful. This will make a fine collection. "Innocents of Paris." Most of us have very pleasant recollections of MauTice Chevalier in one of the best talkies shown locally,

"Innocents of Paris." Columbia record 0177 S features his singing of "Dites-Mio, Ma Mere." Being sung in French won't be much barrier to the popularity of this record, for the idol of the talkies puts so much character into it that the meaning is no mystery. The reverse side, "Ca M'est Egal," is also sung by Maurice Chevalier. Both are sung with such fine diction that anyone with a smattering of French will soon pick them up. They are ehockful of Gallic sauciness and wit, and the rollicking tunes are more • important than the words. A New Comedian.

"Get Up Nice and Early in the Morning" and "That's My Fascination," sung by Leslie Marony (Columbia 01753). Most of us will fall victims to the bright cheeriness of Leslie Sarony, a new comedian who has bounced to the front of the English stage in the last year or two. Leslie wrotes his own "dope," and it is good. The songs are full of sly little digs that will find .a chuckle somewhere inside you. The tunes are happy and catchy. These two songs will be very popular, but they will never be better sung than by this comedian. Eetelbey Conducts His O-wn Works.

"By the Blue Hawaiian "Waters." Albert W. Ketelbey's Concert Orchestra, conducted by the composer. This is a Columbia record (05035). Following his recent successes, Ketelbey gives us a delightful tone-picture whose suggestive title aptly indicates the pleasures that follow. The poem starts with an "Introduction," and introduces the. "Hula" dance; the "Kanaka" lover appears, and we hear the song of the Hula girl and the Dance of the Betrothal Ceremony. The descriptive playing is enhanced by some brilliant solo work for the Hawaiian guitar by the famous Len Fillis. The whole work has a bright touch of imagination, and Ketelbey has evidently gone to infinite trouble to authentiate his melodious excerpts.

ALL Alfred O'Shea Selections, new electrical recordings, now obtainable at LITCHWARK'S Music Shop. Phone 437 D.