RECORDED MUSIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16780, 24 April 1926, Page 17 (Supplement)

RECORDED MUSIC.

THE WEEK'S RECORDS. The Geiger Viennese Dance Orchestra Is responsible for Iwo among several brilliant waltzes recorded by Columbia. The latest examples are "Moonlight on the Alster" (Fetras). •and "On the Beautiful Green Narenta" (Komzak). The performance is noteworthy for the absence of blateness and skilful orchestration. The Gieger Dance records, exclusive to Columbia, make a place for themselves in any gramophone evening's entertainment by lightening up a programme of mainly classical items. * * * » Two well-played examples of the lighter forms of classical music will be found on the latest of the Cherniavsky's records for Columbia of Dvorak's "Dance Slav" in E minor, and the. "Valse Trisle" of Sibelius. As pieces they form an excellent contrast, and the accomplished trio, Leo (violin), Mlsohel ('cello) and Jan (pianoforte) —handle them with all the musical skill and artistic feelins of which they are capable.

Gustav Hoist, notwithstanding his foreign name, is an out-and-out English composer. Records of his "St Paul's Suite for string orchestra," have just arrived, and are in great request. The work was specially composed for St. Paul's School for Girls, Hammersmith, London, where Hoist was for many years music master, and was as much favourite with tl;c pupils as they were with him. They had a string orehcslro of their own, and that was the limit of their resources, but the performances were thought much of by Hoist and he wrote them the suite bearing the name of their school. The record is in three parts, jig, and ostinate, intermezzo and finale, it is of particular interest to musicians, but most pleasing to others who acknowledge that they arc fond of music. There is a brightness and originality about Hoist's music—" The Planets " is an instance that ensures for it the appreciation of everyone. It engages the attention of the trained musician, and is over the heads or nobody with a spark of musical feeling in his composition. With the "St. Paul's Suite" goes (on the records) Hoist's "Country Song" (No. 1 of "Songs witli words") performed by the Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the composer.

"The Duenna," the Sheridan play flrst produced in 1775, lias been revived in London, with all the success that attended the revival of "The Beggar's Opera." The ballad music is by the elder and younger Linlcy, musicians of Hie lime. irishmen will like Ibis music, for it includes the tunc of "The Harp That Once." Columbia has obtained records of "The Duenna" music from the Lyric Theatre orchestra, th" house where the play has jusl ben revived.

A tong time ago I ventured to prophesy ilia! some day. out of the intensive scientific prospecting by the gramophone companies into the mysteries of sound recording, a new marvel would emerge. it has, as last. The British Gramophone Company has followed up its success in a new process of recording by perfecting an instrument capable o( reproducing sounds never lie fore heard from a gramophone. Progress keeps on. What is marvellous to-day may be on the scrap-heap to-morrow. The new H..M.V. instrument is to-day's marvel. Who knows what it will be to-mor-row ?

I a I tended Ihe other day a private dcmonslraton of flic new instrument. Various types of records were played —vocal (concerted and solo music), instrumental (piano, violin, orchestra, and bands). Eacli was run through on the old type of instrument first, and then on the new. The comparison was almost ridiculous. I had heard a good deal about the new instrument before, and had perused with keen interest the comments of Condon crilics, but 1 can honestly say I was quite unprepared for the revelation of sound reproduction made possible by this improved type of machine. One record in particular, the Handel chorus

"Worthy is the Lamb," from "The Messiah;" came forth with all the swelling grandeur that pulsates the atmosphere of a great hall filled with the voices and instruments of a full choir and orchestra.

A well-charged J 0-inch disc —"False Phyllis" (Lane Wilson) ; (a) "It was a Lover and His Lass" (Morley) ; (b) "To Anthea" (J. Hatton)— George Baker (baritone), with pianoforte accompaniment. Here we have George Baker singing the kind of music that suits him best of all, namely, some line old English songs. All are excellent, but "TO Anthea" is given a particularly impassioned rendering.

One important point: The new instrument develops from records made of the old process hitherto unheard elements —it was like listening lo a new record. You may at first lliink that the new instrument is 100 loud. but. that is a matter you can deal with vourself. It is merely a question of suiling the needle lo your particular degree of sensitiveness. In any case, make a point of hearing the instrument—thai is, if you arc a real enthusiast.

Of "Babeltc" (It. Nicholls), "L'Amour Tou.jours L'Armour" (li. Friml), l, y [he DeOroot Pccadilly Orchestra, anil "You Forgot lo Heniembcr" (Irving Berlin) ; "By the Light of the Stars" (Little, Si/.emorc and Shay), by the Salon Orchestra, if is noted:

"These two light orchestras make a very interesting 'comparison. Superficially they are alike, and Ihe lype of music they play is similar, but there are differences of style, ensemble"! an instrumental colour which are worth noting. The 'Salon' orchestra makes clever use of Celosle and the intriguing instrument culled the Viluaphoue. Both discs are charming."