RECORDED MUSIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

RECORDED MUSIC

THE WEEK’S NEW KOCORDS COLUMBIA ‘ K Madanw Butterfly ’ ’—Complete Recording Riches upon riches! To the Columbia list of complete opera recordings, already including “Tristan,” “Aida,” “La Traviata,” “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci,” is now added Puccini’s ever-popular masterpiece. In many ways this recording is the most successful of the lot. Barring “Tristan,” it shows principals, orchestra and chorus in more complete harmony with each other, and though Pampa--nini in the title role is not so dominr tingly magnificent ns Arangi-Lom-bardi in “Aida,” the supporting caste is stronger.

That remark, however, must be taken as no disparagement oi Rosetta Pampanini. 8h»? has practically recreatea the role of Madame Butterfly, modelling it, if we may accept the word of English critics, on her Covent Garden performance, -which was hailed as the greatest operatic success of post-war days. Her glorious soprano is wonderfully expressive. Alessandro Granaa reveals, as Pinkerton, a thrillingly lyrical tenor. But perhaps the greatest thrill of the whole recording is in the marvellous unison work of the La Scala Chorus of Molan. Csv Lorenzo Molapoli, oi the Milan Symphony Orchestra, conducts with sy i pathy and fire, ano the recording is oynamic beyond reproach. (Columbia C 784-97). Re-recording by Clara Butt

(1) “The Lost Chord” (2) “The Holy City.” Sung by Dame Clara Butt, contralto. (Columbia 09507). Dame Clara Butt, the doyen of English singers, Degins her programme of electric recordings oi her old favourites with perhaps the two most popular of all. A famous English critic recently said that he knew only foiir artists who could fill the Albert Hall, and one of them was Clara Butt. Certainly, this lifelike reproduction shows all thjse marvellous powers of expressive interpretation, the wonderful range and the gloriously vibrant chestnotes tha u the public wants and so rarely gets. This is a record to appeal to the multitude. Chopin—On the Organ

“Funeral March” (Chopin). Organ solo by Edouard Commette. (Columbia 05046).

Lyons Cathedral is famous for its wonderful and historic organ, and in this record 1 one hardly knows which to admire most —the music, the soloist, or tbc instrument. Tncugh written as a piano solo—it is a movement from one of Chopin’s sonatas—its broad pbiasing, solemn chords, and deeply felt significance suit admirably to the organ. Edouaru Cc.mroette gives it a majestic and moving solemnity. Ic is rot a private grief he paints, but whole nations in inonrurng and when the light of hope breaks through, the music he seems to rearn heaven itself for his inspiration. Eruno Walter Playing Straaiss The Gipsy Baron —Overture (Johann Strauss). Bruno Walter conducting the Symphony Orchestra. (Columbia 04369). This jolly and attractive overture, which is the introduction to one of Strauss’ most popular operas, is typical of the pleasure-loving Viennese, for whom it was written. Impudent little runes flourish and fade, and live out a brief life in the glittering tonal structures that Strauss was so deft to create. Bruno Walter, the famous German conductor, unoends from his Wagnerian altitudes and, like a genial uncle, expresses his fund of good humour in this delightful work. The orchestra’s tone is irreproachably neat and suave, and records excellently.

A New Vocal Quartet (1) “Because”; (2) “Maire, My Girl.” Sung by the Maestro Singers. (Columbia 01811). No vocal combination is more popular than a men’s four, and the Maestro Singers are worthy exponents of their art. Exceptionally good are they in the lovely Irish song, “Maire, My Girl. ’ Their gift of harmonising is highly original, and those who are attracted by this kind of singing will be interested to follow the methods of the bass. More English Folk Dances (1) The Flamborough Sword Dance (2) Kirkby Malzeard Sword Dance. Played by the 8.8. C. Wireless Military Band. (Columbia 05051). Cecil Sharp, who spends his time breathing life into the buried bones of old English folk music, has unearthed and revitalised a pair of real gems in these Sword Dances. Bold and vigorous, they have racy tunes and the irresistible rhythm that sets our feet dancing in sympathy. Excellent recording. A New Scots Humourist (1) “In the Morning” (2) “Where the Heather Bells are Blooming.” Sung by Sandy MacFarlane. (Columbia 01881 y. Readers with a taste for Scots humour will have a good laugh in the company of Sandy MacFarlane. Sandy is well in the Harry Lauder tradition. His infectious chuckle makes you friends with him right away. “In the Morning” has a jolly catchy tune that everybody will be whistling. Two Clever Duettists

(1) “My Blue Ridge Mountain Home” (2) “I Know There is Somebody Waiting.” Duets by Vernon Dalhart and Charlie Wells. (Columbia 01893). Some exceedingly clever harmonising in a catchy style. The two voices blend astonishingly werl together, and the accompaniments witn violin, guitar and Jew’s harp are full of quaint surprises.

HIS MASTER’S VOICE “Honky Tonk” Apropos of the Wellington season of “Honky Tonk,” the following H.M.V. selections are of interest:—EAs97, “I’m the Last of the Red Hot Mammas’and “He’s a Good Man to Have Around.” EA575, “I Don’t Want to get Thin.” They are all recorded by Sophie Tucker, which fact ought to be sufficient introduction to them. “Rio Rita” “Rio Rita,” the big hit of the current talkie season in Wanganui, has been recorded variously for H.M.V., as follows: EA3IS “Rio Rita” (fox trot) and “The Kinkajou” (f Ox trot); Shilkret and his orchestra. EA64o—“lf You’re in Love You’ll Waltz’’ and “You’re Always in My Arms”; Bebe Daniels. .EB22—“Rio Rita—Gems,” Light Opera Company. EA646—“Sweetheart, we need each other” and “You’re Always in Mv Arms,’’ Ben Pollack’s orchestra. Backhaus Coming

The eagerly-anticipated return oi Wilhelm Backhaus, the world-famous pianist, revives interest in his records. Backhaus is a remarkable interpreter of the classic and romantic composers. Here are his recorded numbers for H.M.V.:—

1D8926 “Liebestraum, No. 3” (Dream of Love), (Liszt) and “Naila Waltz” (Delibes-Donhnanyi). D 8928 —(a) Prelude in C Major, (b) Study in C Major, (c) Chromatic Study in A Major (Chopin) and (a) Revolutionary Study, (b) Study in F Major (Chopin). , DB929—Waltz in D Flat, Op. 64; C Major Etude, Op. 10, No. 7 (Chopin) and “Waldesrauschen” (Liszt). DBlol3—“Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2,” in two parts (Liszt). DBlo3l—“Sonata Pathetique” (Beethoven) ; Grade, Molto Allegro, Parts 1 and 2. D 81032 “Sonata Pathetique” (Beethoven); Adagio Cantabile, Rondo (Allegro). D 81033 ‘‘Berceuse” (Chopin), “Moment Musical’’ (Schubert) and “Traumeswirren” (Schumann). DBll2s—“Military March in E flat” (Schubert) and “Triana,” from “Iberia” (Albeniz). DBll26—“lmpromptu in B flat,” Op. 142, No. 3 (Schubert), and “Moment Musical in F Minor” (Schubert). DBll3o—“Bohemian Dance” (Smetana) and “Caprice Espagnole/’ Op. 37 (Moszkowski). DBll3l—“Berceuse” (Chopin) and “Waltz in E Flat” (Chopin). DBll32—Twelve Etudes, Op. 10 (Chopin). DBll7B—Etudes, Op. 25 (Chopin). Twelve studies. Backhaus and Royal Albert Hall Orchestra—“ Emperor Concerto” (Beethoven). Old English Music for Easter William Byrd was one or the greatest English composers of his time. He lived in the Elizabethan period, when England was a very musical and artistic land. Byrd wa» contemporary with Shakespeare. Ixe wrote a vast amount of music, which was highly regarded in his own time, but all his compositions suffered neglect until recent times. His H.M.V. list Includes:— E3os—“Ave Verum Corpus ’ ’ (unacc.). D7ll—“Come to me, grief for ever.” Edited by E. H. Fellowes. (Unacc.). Cl67B—“Ex surge Demine.” D7lo—“Ex surge Domine.” Edited by E. H. Fellowes. (Unacc.). E 305—‘ ‘ This Day Christ was Born.’’{ Edited by E. H. Fellowes. (Unacc.). D7ll—“Turn our Captivity.” Edited by E. H. Fellowes. (Unacc.). D7ll—“Why Do I Use My Paper, Ink, and Pen?” (Unacc.). The first two, fourth and last four recordings arc by the English Singers, the third by the Westminster Abbey Choir, and the sextet by the Byrd String Sextet.

A Pankhurst Memory The recent death of Mrs Pankhurst, leader of the suffrage movement, reminds one that there is available a record by her daughter Christabel, also one of the leading figures in the militant movement organised to gain suffrage for women. Miss Pankhurst was a joint founder and leader with her mother (Mrs Pankhurst) of the

Women’s Social and Political Union, which from 1910 to 1914 carried out a series of violent demonstrations of various kinds, which included the destruction of property, and even assaults upon persons. This record was made a few hours after her release from Holloway prison, after one of her many terms of imprisonment. The- record is numbered 01016, a speech on “Suffrage for Women” (H.M.V.).

Polar Exploits In the midst of the celebrations over the return of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, it may be interesting to recall that two explorers of an earlier day have recorded impressions. Commander Peary, the discoverer of the North Pole in 1909, retired from the U.S. Navy as Adrftiral, receiving honours from all the geographical societies ofi Europe and America in recognition of his great achievement. His record is on the “Discovery of the North Pole.” On the same disc is a description by Sir Ernest Shackleton of a “Dash for the South Pole.” H.M.V., D 377. “Opera at Home” | The latest library edition of “Opera at Home” is indispensable to the opera lover, and is an authoritative book of reference regarding opera and the gramophone. The edition is printed on the finest art paper, whole bound in brown grained cloth, handsomely tooled in gold. The preface is contributed by Sir Hugh Allen. The type is clear and comfortably read. “Opera at Home” is unique, and abounds in ttbsorbingly interesting and little known information regarding the, operas, composers and singers. No such fascinating book on the subject has hitherto appeared, and, when used in conjunction with tne operatic records, an entirely new phase in home entertainment. Price 7/6 net.