Recorded Music

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 18 (Supplement)

Recorded Music

LATEST RELEASES.

Best Sellers. The following list of best sellers has been compiled from the returns of leading retailers: — “ All By Yourself In the Moonlight,’ sung by Johnny Marvin. “Marche Militaire ” (Schubert), played by Mark Harbourg (pianist).

“ The Man In the Moon ’ ’ (fox trot). “ Sally of My Dreams," sung by Franklyn Baur (tenor). “ Musical Switch," played by Coldstream Guards Military Band,

“ La Paloma," sung by Galli-Curci (soprano).

“ Valse Bluette,” played by Heifetz (violinist). “ Aloha O’ee,” played by Koolomuku’s Honoluluans. “ Gondoliers," vocal gems.

“ Rio Rita," vocal gems. “ Santa’s Ballad," from Wagner’s “ Flying Dutchman," sung by Florence Austral (soprano).

More from Alfred O’Shea.

(1) “Eileen Oge”; ',2) “Two Irish Eyes.’ Sung by Alfred O’Shea, tenor. Alfred O'Shea, whose visits to New Zealand have established him a Arm favourite with the music-loving public, contributes this month a record that is typical of his best manner. "Eileen Oge’ is racy with Irish, wit and good humour, and Is sung In rollicking style. By way of contrast, “Two Irish Eyes’ is tinged with the wistful sadness that flavours so much of the best Irish music. O’Shea sings with ease and certainty. His voice is beautifully shaded and used with great artistry. The Famous La Soala Chorus.

Grand March from "Aida” (Verdi). In Two Parts. Sung by the La Scala Chorus, with the Milan Symphony Orchestra. For the first time this grand and moving muslo has been recorded in full, with complete vocal and orchestral parts. Few operatic recordings will be more welcome. This is Verdi at his best. Vividly as a pageant the majestio musio unfolds, and no one can fail to be stirred to the depths by such an impressive and inspiring version of the great triumphal march. The chorus work is particularly grand, coming through with splendidly rich volume and tone. The famous* La Scala Chorus and the Milan Symphony Orchestra make a magnificent combination, and it is to be hoped that the gramophone will hear more of them in the near future.

The young American soprano, who Is now "one of the brightest stars in the operatic firmament, Dusolina Giannini, passed through Auckland recently on her way to Australia for a concert tour. She has just issued two numbers by Jacobs-Bond, “Just a-Wearin’ for You” and the popular “I Love You Truly." Here is a charming voice. Glannlni’s art, so effortless and finely directed, ennobles these two ballads. Jaokle Coogan Records. Jackie Coogan has made his first gramophone record with excellent results. This young actor, a son of a famous vaudeville performer, Is well known by his association with Charlie Chaplin and others on the cinematograph, but it is not known that he is a popular performer on the music halls. The record, which Is a crosstalk between Jackie and his father, is as celar as a bell in every detail. The humour is subtle and clever.

A Great Favourite on the Organ.

“ Merchant of Venice" Suite (Rosse). Compton Organ Solo by Quentin Maclean. A powerful organ recording of an old favourite. Quentin Maclean achieves a voluptuous richness of tone easily comparable to that of a full orohestra, and makes his magnificent instrument "speak" with a resonant sonority. Particularly exhiliaratlng are the pedal passages in the "Doges" March, and the "Oriental March, both of which have a grand swing. The whole suite Is overflowing with stiring and appealing melodios. The organ arrangement imparts a sparkling Oriental colourfulness to the rendering, whloh is finely recorded.

A Delightful Humourist.

(1) “Casey Selling Patent Medicines"; (2) “Casey’s Address to his Comrades in Arms." Humorous Sketches by Michael Casey and Co. Real comedians on the gramophone are few and far between, so this rollicking Irish patter will be all the more welcome. Casey is in great vein, and his typical Irish wit should prove a laughter-providing tonic of enormous popularity.

Lovely Irish Songs.

(1) "Oft in the Stilly Night”; (2) Molly Bawn." Sung by W. F. Watt, tenor.

Another Irish singer of perennial delight is W. F. Watt, whose appealing tenor has a captivating suggestion of the brogue about it. On his latest record he sings a pair of real old favourites with great feeling. His enunciation is particularly clear, and besides their own charm these songs have his pure open tone to recommend them. A record that should not be missed.

Dobussey Nocturne. Debussey's Three Nocturnes belong to the greatest period of this composer’s activities. In them he discloses in quiet charm and many refinements previously unexploited. The reveries are painted with the subtlest colours at his command. Nocturne No. 2 Fetes—has been recorded by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski. The beautiful filigree passages are played with the utmost delicacy. The gossamerlike notes remind one of Tennyson’s lines, “There is a music here that softer falls, than petals of blown roses on the grass.’. There is no doubt that this piece of glorious melody Is one of the great tests for orchestras, because of the myriad tone colours, and Stokowski shows the highest sense of beauty.

Art Of Kreisler. Kreisler again proves that it Is only great artists who dare simplicity. Two of his own compositons, “Gipsy Caprice” and “Shepherd’? Madrigal" are Included in his record just to hand. The first piece is a mixture of tenderness and vigour and elasticity of spirit. The theme is statea wilh an engaging beauty of tone. The "Shepherd’s Madrigal’ is played with fluent grace along a finely shaded melodic line. Kreisler’s command of the resources of his violin are amazing, but no less is his power of expressing intimate and intense personal feeling of the human sort.