MUSIC AND RECORDS.

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 2 May 1925, Page 20

MUSIC AND RECORDS.

By

C.J.M.

The Vocal Way. Mr. William Heughan tells how before he went to Italy he knew what it was to pinch and deny himself in London. His father, a well-to-do merchant, would not give his son a penny to help him imrsue his beloved music. “Do ye think anyone will pay to listen to ye singing, my lad?” was his father’s scornful query. “I tlon’t know, but I think I’ll make them,” was .the son’s reply. And so he went to London, and being gifted with a facility for drawing and colouring, got a small job in Maples designing. Out of his pay he saved enough to study singing with Visettl. It was Visetti who advised young Heughan to go to Maestro Vincenzo Sabatini, in Milan. But the problem was finance.* He had no money. However, friends believed in the young Scottish singer, and lent him money to go to Italy and Sabatini. “Some day when I’m a great singer I'll pay ye all back,” said William Heughan. They trusted him, and, as events have turned cut, their faith in their protege was fully justified. A Clever Young Australian, Hyman Lcnzer, the young violinist with’ William Heughan, is acknowledged. by the critics to be the finest violinist Australia has yet produced. He is a native of Ballarat, Victoria. From a very early age he displayed an extraordinary love for the violin, and at six years of age, after a few months’ learning, he was entered at the Ballarat Competitions in the under ten years section. He acquitted himself so creditable that the judge awarded him the first prize. He has' since, practically monopolised all the firtt, prizes for violinists in the Grand National Eistediod j held yearly at Ballarat He now holdstwelve gold and two silver medals as well as many other valuable prizes, and the championship x of Australia in the open solo class, New Songs. Musical people in Wellington will .remember William G. James, the gifted pianist anti who visited New Zealand last year with Miss Stella Power, the Australian soprano. Mr. James is-a facile composer, and his six Australian Songs have enjoyed a great vogue over the Tasman. Now he has composed three New Zealand songs, to the lyrics of Marietta Batten (of Wellington), which have been published, adorned with an attractive pictorial cover, by that exclusive firm G. Ricopdi and Company. Of the three, I prefer “(Infold Thy Snowy Pinions,” a soft, soothing Maori love song, breathing an atmosphere of subdued passion in a delicately poetic manner. The melody set lot the middle register, l is unusual, and capable of delicate treatment. “Hinemoa’s Love Song” is a vigorous and sparkling song, that calls for vitality and declamatory powers, and has a sweep and swing that should make it popular. This song is suitable for high baritone, tenor, or soprano. “When the Yellow Kowhai Blooms” is another sweetlv simnle love song in three flats for the middle voice, melodious, and engaging. Could these songs be sung as”they should be sung, they would enjoy a vogue. Crack Band Coming.

’Mr. IL J. Gravestock, the wellknown Impresario, left London for Australia? via South Africa, by the Nestor on March 21 last, and writing from London before his-departure, says: “I had the great pleasure of hearing the band' of the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland »Highlanders (9.3 rd Highlanders), who are coming to New Zealand for the exhibition in Dunedin, at the Alhambra Theatre on Sunday evening, when a crowded theatre gave them" a'great reception.' They were up in London for the week-enu, as they are stationed at the Isle of Wight,’ and it was a busy week-end for tlierri, as tlicv plaved at the Queen's Hall on Saturday night, and the Alhambra on Sunday, whilst on Monday they were occupied the whole day in making gramophone records, prior to their tour. The band is undoubtedly one of the crack bands of the British Army, and they make a splendid picture in the handsome ki'k'd uniform of their famous regiment. Sir. 1-'. J. Ricketts, the conductor, is one of the best musical directors.! have seen., and is a musician of exceptional merit, having composed many famous pieces, including the well-known “Colonel Bogey,” which has been <ne of the ‘best-sellers’ in the music trade for many years, ano 'a tune which the New Zealanders marched to on many occasions during the war. He is a niuch-sought-after -man'in musical affairs of the Army, and has in turn refused the musical directorship of the Kiieller Hall, the Grenadier Guards Band, and the Royal Marines Band. He is bringing on the tour his wife and five, children, three bovs and two girls. 'llie band, wine' numbers 35 performers, includes five pipers, and a feature of. their concerts will be Scottish dancing and traditional Scottish music. A new recruit to the

band is a young clarionet player, who has made a big hit with his humorous songs at the piano. Mr. Ricketts lias some excellent ideas for musical novelties, and I am quite sure that his programmes will be brilliant and varied? The members of the band are mostly voting men, and all are tremendously enthusiastic about the trip, and since it has become known that the band is coming to New Zealand, Mr. Ricketts has been besieged by players for positions in the band. Captain R. C. Anderson, M.C., of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, will be in charge of the party, and will travel with them throughout the tour. Mr. Ricketts’s compositions appeal under the name of Kenneth J. Alford; he chose this nom de plume as his mother- was born at Alford, near Aberdeen. The band will leave for Wellington on the Athenie on September 15, and arc due at the end of October.” RECORDED MUSIC His Master's Voice. To those who purchase orchestral records merely for the sensuous enjoyment of instrumental colours and combinations, Brahms has nothing to say, but to those who care for high and noble thoughts most eloquently presented, unfolded and developed, he has a world of beauty* to offer. Brahms’s second Symphony ii) D major, Op. 73 (recently recorded by the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra, under Sir Landon Ronald), was published in 1877. Colles, in his excellent little., book on the composer, says: “If it does not bear comparison with its predecessor for profundity of thought, it surpasses it in grace and beauty.” It is therefore the best kind of’introduction, for the plain man, to the more profound works of the master. One is more conscious of the thought in Brahms’s music than of the way in which that thought is presented 'as regards the medium chosen; but in the case of the orchestral works this it not to say the orchestration is dull and featureless, as is too often loosely held. At a meeting of the Leicester Gramophone Society, Mr.' Arthur de Sofia, an expert, gave an interesting' talk on the general principle aim care of machines. He held that inica is the only substance in which the vibrations are even over flic whole sin face of Hie sound-box disc. The lecturer emphasised the necessity of winding up with the brake released, and, with the aid of a model motor spring, and tone-arm in different stages—of construction, made this and other points clear. He proved that the cause of “bumping” is in most cases to lie laid at “the door of overwinding, which makes a kink in the inner leaves of the spring, and causes this to catch the, outer leaves. Another Battistini ic'-ozd has just been released in London, the bracket this time being Mozart’s “Nou. pin Andrai,” and Donizetti’s “A Tanto Amor” from “La Favorita.” .It will be welcome. Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” must be popular with the public, for the Savoy Orplieans have just recorded a selection. One wonders what these dance oichestras will tackle next.

'l’hrce records from Humperdinck's “Hansel and Gretel,” proved to be very popular items of an English gramophone society’s recent programme. The distinctive charm of the overture Symphony.' Orchestra, the delicacy of the dance music, ami the depths of tenderness in "Uir Kleine Sa. ..manu rare obviously appreciated ; and the two vocal records (Alma Gluck and Louise Homer) wore applauded with marked enthusiasm.

In the course of a recent lecture, Dlr. Compton Mackenzie emphasised the importance of demanding both the best music and the best possible recording of it. In this connection® the lecturer pleaded for a critical habit of m:nd, and pointed out the danger of being too easily- satisfied with one’s own instrument or one’s own records.

Most people plav ffieir gramophones far too ioudlv (observes a correspondent). Be satisfied with a reproduction which gives .as. nearly as possible the illusion of listening, to the voice or orchestra from well back in an ordinary concert-room. This can be obtained with a soft needle, preferably a fibre, without the loss of quality and harshness of tone which inevitably attends “uv attempt to extract from the record, bv main force, all that yvas put into it, including the wax. You can shut, yout eves 'arid imagine yourself at .the Queen’s Hall, but a Queen’s Hall without rustling programmes or anyone discussing ifyetr servants or illnesses in a seat behind you, and you can listen to Brahms’s No. 2 without having t our present enjoyment spoilt by tin- sub-con-sciousness of something you loathe lo L'llow. If anyone is inclined to thin’: ■hat this is a too optimistic estimate o‘ the present powers ol recording let them try the latest H.M.\’. version of Schubert’s "Unfinished,” and if 'ihv. will be content to listen to it from a hack seat, as it were, I think they will admit that it brings us at least it step nearer to the ideal.

Recent Zonophone releases due here ’.bortlv include: Leonard "Hubbard in “From till two,” ami “Put awav a little ray ot. golden sunshine for a rainy day”; Frank Webster in Tosti’s "Ideale” and Broughton’s “An Ancient Custom”; the inimitable Max Darewski rises to Chopin—“ Waltz, in I) Flat,” and “Mazurka in B Minor,” but he stands alone as a player of dance music on the piano. His I’m Wonderful,” from “Mlle. Kiki” remains unchalleng. cd. “The Snvov Irish Medley” (one •dep) and “Scottish Medley” (one-step), plaved by the Horwich R..M.1. Band, is •i capital, performance. The one-step ■•s now practically defunct, this mav be allowed to rank as a band rather than ’ dance record.

v A committee of the League of Nations li;.s been set the task of selecting the best five hundred books of worldwide repute which, as a whole, should be read as .a standard of international literature. Itwere probably of importance (thinks a correspondent) if

the League of Nations appoint a committee of musicians and musical critics to choose five hundred records best calculated to promote the unity of nations. And what hiore pleasant soul-satisfying method can there be of hastening the realisation of Burns—• “Let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a’ that, That man to man the world wide o’er Shall brothers be for a' that” —than that of spreading the gospel of international brotherhood by means of music via the gramophone ? Columbia. Coming to New Zealand with Elsa Stralia is Arthur Jordan, the tenor of her company. He will not come quite as a stranger, for his singing is well known to possessors of gramophones. One of his latest records is “The, Lord is My Shepherd” (Walford Davies) and Branch's rarely heard “Ave Maria”—a profoundly devotional work, and admirhlv sung. Tn Sydney recently Mr. lordan sum’ Hie great favourite with tenors, “Take a Fair of Sparkling Eyes” and created a furore This, tdb, has been recorded for Columbia. “Come, Sweet Death,” probably one of the most beautiful melodies, and surely one of the most religious that Bach ever composed, has been arranged for the viola bv Lionel Tertis, and plaved bv him Roth the work and its performance make this record a gem t.> be added'to the record library. It is a classic, but one that cannot fail to move all who have music in their hearts. Bv wav of contrast, Air. Tertis has given an air bv Porpora. This not oniv' shows the beauty of the viola as a solo instrument, but the fine musicianship of the artist who has arranged it for that instrument. “Elijah” has furnished the solos sung liv Air. Rex Palmer, of the British ‘ Broadcasting Company, and the numbers selected were “It is Enough” and “Is not His Word Like a Eire?” These reveal Air. Palmer as a finished baritone in oratorio music. His enunciation is excellent, and his voice is noteworthy for* its agreeable quality and' high culture: mor-cover, he sings the solos with the requisite dramatic force that they require to he effective. Etliclbcrt Nevin was once described, as one who “wrote like a man who had a chrysanthemum in his buttonhole and the fear of God in his heart.” He trnlv was a fountain of melody that refreshed millions of music-thirsty souls. His “Rosary” is an example, and this was oniv more popular than the pianoforte .piece “Narcissus.” Written in a ' few hours and during a country walk, “Narcissus” was sent off straight to the publisher without correction or revision, of any sort. It is happily chosen for reedrding purposes by the J. H. Squire Instrumental Octet, and has just arrived in New Zealand.' For those who find some of the great symphonies too long or too difficult to understand on a first hearing, this arrangement of an exceedingly prettv melody by an American genius will be welcome. It is admirable played and recorded without a flaw. Its companion is the delicate work “Simes vers Avaicnt des Ailes” (“If Mv Verse had Wings”) of Halm. The record is onc„that might R'ell be ,taken as a first step towards appreciation of the classics now being made available for the gramophone with astonishing success. If the Australian and New Zealand audiences who saw “The Beggar’s Opera” failed to see its humour, there was no doubt about the attractiveness of its songs. These are interesting, too, as proving that the English were not so musically unoriginal as th|.have been made out to be bv foreigners. and as thev sometimes believe they 'are. The insistence of the public on a new recording of the music of “The Beggar’s Opera,” has been replied to by a fine performance of the work by the Band of tli£ Grenadier Guards for Columbia. The perfection of solo work on various instruments will be found in this record, which should possess special interest for bandsmen.

Chamber music performed by the finest instrumentalists'available was always to be heard in'-London—except during'the war years—but in quite recent years it scefns to '(have enjoyed rather unwonted popularity. It has been made attractive by some specially

brilliant combinations, that —according to some authorities —excell the famous I’iatti and other string quartets. The l.encr String Quartet of Budapest is specially mentioned, and its name will be familiar to all who have, acquired records of its performances. Ihe taste for this “reposeful” description of music may have been stimulated by the restless chaieeter of the tines in which we live and certain!v by the noisiness of them. Whatever the reason, it is patent that the demand for the Lener records is increasing one might say daily. Their latest achievement is tin “Mozart Quartet in B Flat Major.” This is a ’ lovely work iu every movement, and while ot intense interest to the trained musician it makes instant appeal to all who love music and yet are unable to do more than to listen I to it. The quartet covers three doublesided nou-scratch discs, and every note, no matter how softly it is I *-played, is distinct and as perfect as though the performers were actually playing in the room, providing the instrument is igood order. It is difficult to recall a better example of recording instrumental music than this reproduction of the, “Quartet in B Flat Major.” Gramophone Recital. The next Wellington gramophone recital will be given at the Red Cross Chambers in Dixon Street , on Monday next, May ■!, when the following programme will be presented :—“Children’s Overture” (Roger Quil’ter), New Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, conducted Alick Mac Lean; “Ocean, Thou Alightv Monster” (“Oberon” —Weber), Elsa Stralia, soprano; “Piff Paff” (“Les Huguenots”—Meyerbeer), Mardones, bass; “Till Eulenspiegcl’s Merry Pranks” (Strauss), Queen’s Hall Orchestra, conducted by Sir Henry Wood; “Vissi d’arte” (“La Tosca”—Puccini), Boninsegna, soprano; “Hungarian Fantasy” (Liszt), Percy Grainger, piano; “Phantajisiestucke” (Schumann), Catterall (violin), Squire (’cello), and Murdoch (piano) ; “Prologue” (“Il Pagliacci”— Leoncavallo), Stracciari. baritone; “ToreiHar Song” (“Carmen” —Bizet), Stracciari. baritone; “Neptune” (“The Planets”—Holst), London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustave Holst; “Softly Awakes Aly Heart” (“Samson and Delilah”—SaintSaens),' Alairia Gay, contralto. The Old Folks’ Hour. Air. A. T. Story writes to the London “Observer”: “I wonder if you could find space for the following suggestion, which might possibly meet the eye of some cunning man who could bring it to birth? I am a great reader, have been all my days, but as mv years- aye- now piling up by the tens’and twenties,'! find my eyes arc getting weary of the task of reading before mv brain is tired. So it has occurred tc n)e that if I could have a gentle gramophone at my elbow which I could turn on to one or other of our great writeis of prose, or singers of poesy, it would be a vast boon, not only to me, but to majiy others. “I suggested the idea to a friend who lives in the country, who replied: ‘lt would be nice at candle-light time.’ “I would not wish to have current literature thus filmed and lent out to hire. But bow many good and great things there aie which thousands would like to have thus on tap when needed,' or longed for;’and, may I add, what n splendid aid it would be to the youngand the old, too—for getting the best pronunciation of on? language! I may be premature, but 1 foresee the day when this method will help in the teaching of English in our schools, and foreign longues also. “Qf course, anything in the way of literature put on the gramophone would need to be very select, in the voice of a. good reader, with perfect intern xt ion Then of course —there are boo-is end books, just as there is fruit and fruit And one does not want to have crab apples, sloes, etc.,' put before ohe when there is the best of fruit to be had.” . His Master’s Voice Gramophone Company, who were consulted on the subject, said thev are always glad to. receive suggestions. Naturally the company world have to be guided by the prospect of what kind of general demand there may be for the records that are proposed. It was suggested that if Dickens, who read his books to enthusiastic audiences all ever Great Britain and America, ■could have recorded these readings oh the gramophone, there would have been and would still be a great demand for them. And what was practically certain about Dickens to-day might well be expected to be equally certain fifty years hence, and probably before, about Barrie, Shaw, Galsworthy, and other writers of the present day if they would consent to record by their own voice selections from their own works.