GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 July 1929, Page 12

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Choral Records 'fiie choir of Salisbury Cathedral is hended in an extract from Sullivan’s “Light of the World” —“Yea Though 1 Walk,” and “He Shall Feed His Flock” from Handel’s “Messiah.” This is very pure and relined singing, beautifully balanced in the Sullivan piece. The Handel air is not sung as a solo, but liy a number of boys with excellent result. The ensemble of a group of well-trained boys is one of the most delightful forms of choralism. (H.M.V.) The Grenadier Guards Band, “Mcrric ling land” is deservedly a warm favourite, but Edward German’s other comic operas are full of cheerful light-hearted tunes that must not he overlooked. “A Princess of Kensington” for instance —it has many firstrate numbers beside the “Four Jolly Sailormen.” And here they are, delightfully recorded by the Grenadier Guards. The music lias only to be heard to win the popularity it deserves. (Columbia.)

Beautiful Aria Verdi’s “La Form del Destine” belongs to the period immediately preceding that which produced his last great masterpieces, “Aida,” “Otello,” and “Falstaff,” and would probably be esteemed more highly than is the ease nowadays but for the almost absurdly melodramatic nature of the story. At the end one is irresistibly forced to the conclusion that it would have gone on much longer but for the unfortunate fact that there are no principal characters left, all having died violent deaths during the progress of the opera. The unfortunate Leonora, whose lover lias killed both her father and brother, though they were as much to blame as he was if not more so, is distraught hy such a scries of untoward happenings, and turns to the Virgin for help and guidance. The supplication is one of the finest arias in the whole opera, and is magnificently sung by Dusolina Giannini. The orchestral accompaniment is more interesting than is often the case in Verdi’s earlier works, and is admirably played under the direction of John Barbirolli. The balance and breadth in this superb record arc such as to suggest very realistically an actual stage performance. H.M.V.)

A Master of the Viola Lionel Tertis in his latest record has chosen two famous love-songs, and has arranged them with bis invariable taste and skill. “On the Wings of Song” is often played and sung, but the Brahms lias still to achieve its widest popularity. This performance is, needless to say, a model of all that should be in tone and phrasing. How few singers can thus draw the lovely melodic line of the “Minnelied.” (Columbia.)

Topical Hit A topical hit is made by the English comedian, Leonard Henry, in “The Tale of the Talkies,” one of his own compositions. Henry gets slightly mixed, and in attempting to extricate himself gets more mixed. “The Tale of the Talkies” will be greatly appreciated by all who have beard tlie new entertainment. “General Post” on tlie other side of the record is a clever piece of humour. Henry has the art of making people laugh. (H.M.V.)

Chopin Nocturnes—Second Series The first album of Nocturnes played by Leopold Godowsky set an exalted standard in performance and reproduction, and tlie second series is as deeply satisfying. These Nocturnes are among the loveliest and most poetic of musical conceptions. Thp F sharp major and the D flat are second only to the E flat in popular favour; anti each of the others has its own devoted admirers, who will hear in Godowsky the ideal interpreter—a great pianist and, still more, a great musician. Again Mr Ernest Newman’s introduction and notes add much to enjoyment and understanding of tlie records. (Columbia.)