COLUMBIA.

Shannon News, 27 August 1929, Page 3

COLUMBIA.

Two Tchaikovsky Songs. Maria Kurenko sir.gs two beautiful Tchaikovsky songs, the Cradle Song (Weigenlied) being an early work of the composer, anrl whose soothing melody is enhanced by a beautiful accompaniment. "Nur wir die Sehnsucht Kcnnt" "Ye who have yearned alone"), usually translated into English as-"None'but the weary, heart," is one of Tchaikovsky's best known songs, pervaded by a deep sorrow and yearning typical of most of his works. The Eussian soprano sings both songs with feeling, and is assisted in "None But the Weary Heart" by a 'cello obbligato. (Columbia 03070). Two Great Schubert Songs. This is a record that is very much worth having. Sophie Braslau is one of the three finest contraltos in the world, and her voice is magnificent both in richness of timbre and in flexibility. Both these numbers ("The

Erl King" and "Death and the Maiden") are what might be called "solo duets"—ballad dialogues. And Sophie Braslau manages to produce widely contrasted voices in each of these songs. "The Erl King," with its rattling presto accompaniment, is a thrilling piece of work, and the "Death and the Maiden" holds all its familiar beauty—plus the most remarkable terminal note we have ever heard a woman produce via the gramophone —of depth and timbre that is almost baritone. (Columbia, 04102). Pleasing Light Vocal Music.

Herbert Browne is a tenor with an charming manner, who shades his agreeable voice with nice discretion. In "I'll Always be in Love with You" and' "The Lonesome Road"—two appealing bjallads with a sentimental touch—he is accompanied by the everpopular Gil Dech (Columbia 01570). Ernest McKinlay forsakes his wellloved Maori airs to give us two Scots favourites, but he docs'it so well that we are not disappointed. "Bonnie Wee Thing" and "The Auld Scots Songs" will appeal to more than Scotsmen" for they are good songs, sung with spirit and feeling (Columbia 01552). Latest Dance Music. Ben Selvin .and his Orchestra are very effective and full of pep in "My Sin" and "Hooray"—a pair of foxtrots, the last of which has a tip-top vocal chorus (Columbia 01525). One of the cleverest hits of the month is a jolly fox-trot, "Guess Who?" attractively sung and played by Jan Garber and his orchestra. It is paired with "He, She and Me" (Columbia 01489). The Talkie "Redskin" provides another snappy fox-trot of the same name, in which Ben Selvin and his orchestra give a good account of their, selves. On the reverse side is a very' cleverly orchestrated version of "Yo Te Amo means 1 Love You," by the Columbians (Columbia 01488). The First Hungarian Ehapsody.

"Hungarian Ehapsody No. 1" (Liszt). Played by the J. H. Squire Celeste Octet. Columbia 02520. Liszt had such a liking for this moving tune that, after he had written the Hungarian Fantasia, he recast it in the form of this Rhapsody. > Perhaps the most striking section is the opening one, based on a stately old Hungarian tune and given out with grand chords, but the brilliant finale is most exhilarating." The Squire Celeste Octet plays the Rhapsody with virile strength. Recently they toured Italy with greatest success, which one can readily attribute to the exceptional skill with which they arrange their music to suit the personnel of the Octet. A splendid record. Two New Baul Whiteman's.

Nobodv who likes good jazz music —with the acceiix, oa the "good" — can fail to thrill to the superlative orchestration produced, by Paul Whiteman. With every fresh record . he amazes u s afresh at the richness of his tone and the vitality of his rhythm. His latest batch includes two winners from "Whoopee—Makin Whoopee," and "I'm Bringing a Red, Red Rose" (Columbia (frol9). On Columbia 07018 he gives us two attractive numbers with clever vofcal choruses, "How About Me?" and "Cradle of Love."