THE GRAMAPHONE.

Shannon News, 29 June 1928, Page 3

THE GRAMAPHONE.

SOME RECENT RELEASES.

Gems from "The Messiah."

Rachel Morton (soprano) with orchestra: "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," and "Come Unto Him" (from Handel's "Messiah"). D. 1247 (12in.). Rachel Morton has in "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" made a record which almost places her in the front rank of her type—certainly suggests that, with her voice, and singing no worse than her, if she concentrates on opera and oratorio, she should very rapidly indeed be known as one of the two or three best of her class in the country. Most of what has jus£ been written may be read of "Come Unto Him." Caruso's Successor. The well-managed-voice of Beniamijii.o G/igli, sajys laj London musical authority, seems to improve as time goes on." It must be considered now as approaching its prime. Of all the imitators of Caruso it is Gigli, in my opinion, who gets nearest to the famous original, and notably so in the singing of Puccini. His recent selections from "Tosca" and "Manon Lescaut ("Recondita Armoria," and "Donna Non Vidi," H.M.V. D.A. 856), are both of the highest eatce'llence, alike in the vocal and the mechanical sense. Electrical recording having eliminated the dangers of "blasting," one perceives here the natural opulence of the tone throughout an even scale, enhancing the resonant power of the high notes, the beauty of the dark timbre, the absence of tremolo, and the ease of. the sostenuto. The phrasing of Puccini has become such a mere convention that it is a pleasure to be able to point out these individual features.

A Tribute to H.M.V. Organ Recording.

Writing in a musical journal, a London critic remarks that H.M.V. have issued some admirable records, one of the very best in every respect being the complete recording of Bach's "Toccata and Fugue -in D Minor." The recording of Lemmens's "Storm," though poor stuff, serves very well to display, the magnificent tone of the instrument and conveys quite well the Cathedral effect. "This record has the finest fortissimos I have heard and without blast. Nearly every note reveals tone of superb quality." For the Youngsters. There are some excellent records in most H.M.V. issues for the youngsters. Have you heard Charles Penrose iii "Land of Nod," 82366; "Laughing Jazz Band," B 2367, "Pirates' Island," 82366, "Popular Jocular Dr. Brown,'' 82367, ■.." Rainb0w Fairy,' ' and "Tale of Tippity Witchet (on disct 82364, 2366, and 2367) ? J % . , A Bustled Diva.

Florence Austral, who appears in the His Master's Voice list with Brown ing Mummery, in two delicious duett from "II Trovatore" (D 1302), has recently been having a busy run of engagements in various parts of the country. In order to keep her widely scatterejd appointments'.'she has ire quently been obliged to travel through the night, and for this purpose fitted her motor-car with a bed. It show* that the life of a popular singer is not always one of peace and quietness; but the December record shows also tha; the rush and bustle have not affect ec her voice. Her singing is exquisite. Musical Monologues.

Here is a good Zonophone: Arthui Chesney (musical monologues) "Sub tleties," and "Hoops- and Sawdust,' (2975). An introduction of unusua interest. A pleasing change from song and instrumental music. Arthur Ohes ney ' s long stage experience and per sonality are effectively impressed oi this record. H.M.V. "Redoes" the "Valkyrie." H.M.V.'s new recorded edition o. "The Valkyrie" was issued recently in London, and will be here in diu course. Interest attaches to this ed tion in that the issue represents Frid: Leider's first appearance on "His Mat ter's Voice" records. She .is consider ed to be one of the greatest dramatn singers of the present day, and ha exceptionally wide experience. < Shi possesses a voice of superb ringing quality, and uses it with great intelli gence" Friedrich Schorr, who make, his debut as a "His Master's Voice' artist in the part of "Wotan," ha: been hailed as the greatest Wagneriar baritone since Van Rooy. In hit performance for this set of records (says a reviewer), he shows that hi ha s a voice of wide range, unusua" flexibility, and rich colour, Ine othei singers who have taken gart are wellknown to the gramophone public through the medium of their records for "His Master's Voice." Gota Ljungberg makes an effective "Sieglinde," and shows herself to be a finished actor and a singer capable of powerful dramatic intensity. But superlatives can be written of every artist in the case. Walter Widdop is now regarded —and deservedly so—as one of the finest living "heroic tenors"; and the voice and artistry of Florence Austral are, ef course, world famous. Triumphs of Research. We have (said Mr Trevor Williams, chairman of the H.M.V. Company, recently) very dxtensive research departments—electrical, mechanical, and chemical — entirely independent of the production factories, but constantly supplying them with improved methods —sometimes perhaps unnoticeable, but of great advantage to quality, appearance, or convenience; sometimes very noticeable, and even spectacular. In the later category.we shall shortlrbe putting on the market an au^pppAe

magazine instrument which, on aecount of its uncanny ingenuity alone, is likely to cause a sensation. This instrument can be loaded with 20 records of either lOin. or 12in. size and in any sequence, and will play these records one" after the other with about 10 second interval, giving entertainment for li to 2 hours without any further attention whatever. It can also be actuated by push buttons from an arm- - chair, discarding any record that doea not please or repeating a particularly pleasing reeord any number of times and stopping or restarting the entertain-' ment at will. It is, of course, electrically driven, and will be fairly high in price, so that it will not displace or replace any of our instruments now on the market. *