RECORDED MUSIC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 28 June 1924, Page 3

RECORDED MUSIC.

The minuet first camo into being about the middle of the seventeenth century. It was not only popular as a dance, but became one of the most important musical forms used by composers. Hadyn and Mozart composed minuets in great nuriiber.

The Flonzaley Quartet has recorded Mozart’s “Minuet” in the composer’s “Quartet in D Major." There are also two very good minuets by Kreisler (from Boccherini and Paderewski), while the Coldstream Guards have also given us a delightfully played record of Paderewski’s “Minuet in G.”

The singer’s device on dwelling on a long note, and increasing and diminishing its power, commonly (and not always correctly) known as the “mcst’a di voce,” was carefully taught as early ,as the sixteenth century—and probably far ealier, though books of this period seem the first to describe it. The recent records of Michele Fleta, some of them at least, exhibit this “messa di voce” with very great clearness.

The Doyal Albert Hall Orchestra’s recording of the Delius rhapsody “Brigg Fair,” referred to in these notes recently, has now reached New Zealand. “Brigg Fat*” is founded upon an old English Lincolnshire, folksong, and th c atmosphere of the music reflects the season of sunshine. The recording has been w r ell done, but the listener must not be disappointed if he —or she—fails immediately to grasp thc motif and thc inherent charm of the music. The result would be the same if judged upon a first hearing in .the concert room. The rhapsody must be played many times in order that the composer’s idea may stand revealed, and his treatment of the theme appreciated at its true worth. “Brigg Fair” is in three parts, thc reverse side of the second double disc being given to the same composer’s very pretty lyric “On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring.”

Chopin’s brilliant “Scherzo in B Minor” (Op. 31), the most popular of

thc four scherzos written by him. has been recorded by the Countess Helena Morzstyn, whose debut in thc gramophone world was recorded recently. This fine record, in two parts, is amongst the new budget just arrived, and is well worth while. Schumann said of this scherzo: “It is so overflowing with tenderness, boldness, love and contempt that it may be compared, not Inappropriately, to a Bvron poem.”

Another good piano recording in thfe new arrivals is the Moiseivitsch bracket presenting a charming Russian folk-song, or “Gopak.” from Moussorgsky and Chopin’s “Mazurka in A Minor” (No. 51). This is the celebrated pianist’s first recording since his return from his world lour, which included a well-remembered visit to Now Zealand.

A young Englsh violinist who is rapidly coming to the front is William Primrose, whose recording of SaintSaens’s “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” (Op. 28), has just arrived here. The record is in two parts. The music is a severe, tost of the performer’s technique, and interpretative quality, and it has to be admitted that he has done well. A record worth hearing.

Miss Florence Austral, always welcome at gramophone nights, presents this month “Virgin Mother. Hear Me,” from Verdi’s “La Forza Del Dost i no.” to which is bracketed Halevy’s “He Will be Here,” from “La Juive.” The former number is an impassioned appeal for aid, and the singer has caught the note of supplication with convincing artistry The latter is the love song ot Rachel in the story of the opera.

Good contraltoes, do not grow on blackberry bushes, which is the more reason why every gramophone enthusiast ought to be on the loTsk out for records from these rarities. This is apropos of an excellent recording by Leila Meganc of Massenet’s “.lour de Juin” from the composer’s “Thcrese,” to which is added on the reverse side Brogi’s melodious love-song “Visionc Vencziana.” It is interesting to note that this singer made her debut in the title role of Massenet’s orpera when first produced at Covent Garden In 1919.

Two concerted arrangements by Dr. Vaughan Williams of the old Engl Mi folk-songs, “The Turtle Dove” and “The Spring-time of the Pear.” have been recorded by the English Singers, an accomplished madrigal quartet which has already given us some very pleasing records. These arc now’ here. * * • • Harry Dearth has a great many admirers in New' Zealand an appreciation based on the unvarying excellence of his records added to a sentimental remembrance of his visit here some years ago. Amongst new' arrivals this month he gives us David Richards’ “Rhythms,” and a “Tavern Song,” by Howard Fisher.

One of the little known instruments of the orchestra is the bassoon, chiefly because it is very seldom heard as in solo work. Its role in the orchestra, however, is highly important. It was therefore with some interest that the writer listened the other evening to some excellently-played variations on two popular old airs, “Lucy Long” and “Ri-too-ral-i-tay”—by E. H. Hindiff, of the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra. This is really a unique record, and if the collector wishes to have a truly representative album he might well add this one.

It will be of interest to our readers to know that all the above records are stocked by Messrs E. Ellery Gilbert and Co., H.M.V. Gramophone Agents, and may be heard at their stores.