THE GRAMOPHONE.

Shannon News, 18 December 1928, Page 3

THE GRAMOPHONE.

THIS WEEK'S RELEASES.

Clara Butt.

(1) ‘‘Abide With Me” (Liddle); (2) “God Shall Wipe Away All Tears” (Sullivan). Sung by Dame Clara Butt, contralto. Col. 09503. Recently a London critic declared that only four artists were capable of filling the Albert Hall, and only one. was a woman. She, of course, was Clara Butt. And all through that long reign of Songdom her most popular number has been “Abide With Me.” She was in magnificent voice on the day she made this record. Her chest notes are as gloriously rich and resonant as ever, and in this newer recording if two old favourites she has improved ler tempo considerably. A Pleasant Singer.

(1) “Laugh, Clown Laugh!”; (2) “Felix the Cat.” Sung by Jack Cannot, - Baritone,with .Orchestra. Col. 01273.

Jack Cannot shows in good style that he can—-when it comes to throwing off a couple of ballads of the popular type. Perhaps he takes “Felix the Cat” a little bit seriously, but his “Laugh, Clown, Laugh!”—on the Pagliacei motive —is excellent. The recording is fine. Alfred O’Shea Once More.

(1) “Parted” (Tosti)j (2) “I Hear You Calling Me.” Sung by Alfred O’Shea. Columbia 04024. The visit of Alfred O’Shea is very fresh in the minds of New Zealanders. Those -who heard him will like a record of liis magnificent voice, those who missed the treat of actually hearing him will find much compensation in this record. The pleasing" lyric of his voice is beautifully recorded and heard to full advantage in ‘‘Parted” and the clearness of his enunciation increases the pleasure. In addition to the piano the violin obligato by Mowat Carter blends inexpressibly with the voice of this singer. A Keltelbey Album.

Compositions by Albert W. Ketelbey. Eight records in Album. Coi. 02688-95.

•Most popular of all British composers to-day is Albert W. "Ketelbey, who for many years has been Columbia’s Musical Advisor. One has but to name a few of j(he ( 'iiii this Album —“In, A Monastery Garden,” “In a Persian Market,” “Sanctuary of the Heart”—to show how universal is his sway. These -are all new re-reeordings.. In “Three Fanciful Etchings” we are introduced for the first time to music that has long been popular to concert audiences. They are tender and romantic, full of -sparkle and colour, and are played with a fluent grace and crisp tone that will surely do" much to make them as popular as. the older favourites. Ketelbey shows a rich and inexhaustible vein of melodic invention. This album should prove a winner.

Wagner’s Poetic Prelude.

“Lohengrin introduction Act I.' 1 In Two Parts (Wagner). Willem Mengclbcrg conducting the Concertbomv Orchestra. Columbia 04069. This famous Orchestra is ideally suited to the ethreal atmosphere . of Wagner’s exquisite Prelude. The richness of the sounds of the strings and woodwind produce a delightful piece of tone colouring, as good as any yet heard on any record. The gradual crescendo movements reaching up to the fortissimo are managed marvellously by Mengelberg’s Orchestra. None of the loveliness of the music has been lost in this electric recording which took place in a Hall famous for its acoustics,. A record which dvffil Ibe played many times.

A Lauder Scream. Sir Harry Lauder {(baritone) in “The Pirate” and “Just Got Off the Chain.” Two new records by a great Scotch comedian. “The Pirate” is in quite a new vein, and “Just Off the Chain” is a shriek. Both, of course, are from his own fertile imagination. (H.M.\. D. 1434).

Rousing Songs by Peter Dawson. Peter Dawson (biss-oaritone), in Stanford’s “Songs of the Sea” — “Homeward Bound,” “The Old Superb ” (H.M.V., €. 1.479), “.Drake’s Drum, ” “ Outward Bound ’ ’ (H M.V., 82743) aud “Devon, 0 Devon” (with Andrews’s “He Heard the Gre/ii; Se.i Calling”). H.M.V., B 2747.

Stanford was one of the finest song writers of the last fifty years. „ Of all his songs, “Songs of the 'Sea” are probably the best known. They arc a magnificent essay in the patriotic style. The choice of Peter Dawson to ring these splendid songs was inevitable; few singers could approach him in any department of song, and the clear, incisive diction for which he is so justly renowned is an asset of great value. 'The songs are recorded here in their original form, with solo-voice, male ehoius, and orchestra.