COLUMBIA.

Shannon News, 22 October 1929, Page 3

COLUMBIA.

Sir Henry Wood in a Beethoven Overture.

Overture-r-Leonore No. 3 (Beethoven). Played by Sir Henry Wood and

the New Queen's Hall Orchestra. Co lumbia L 1978-79.

Although the most successful of the three overtures named "Leonore," No. .3 was actually the first in order of composition. It is amusing to come across even well-known critics who proless to observe exactly why Beethoven was dissatisfied with Nos>A and 2 and how he made his final improvements for No. 3. Sir Henry Wood gives n fine reading, getting right inside the music, and investing with richness and grandeur the noble purport of the piece. He perceives its dramatic intent, and with superb control moves the whole orchestra to his single will. Thus the tone has body and direction. The strings have a"'sureness, a boldness of attack, that goes far beyond the usual run of orchestral records. This is a great work, worthy of a larg3 acceptance. A Dvorak Gem. Cameval Overture (Dvorak). Sir Hamilton Harty conducting the Hallo Orchestra. Columbia 04073. !• irsting into a whirl of impetuous delight, shivering dull care with a spate of gicefui melodies entrancingly entwined, Dvorak's Carncval Overture mpiivates more 'and more at each hearing. It is one cf Sir Hamilton Harty's favourites. _He lets himself go, with unreserved gusto, on it. Notice the rich quality of the. woodwind, especialIv that oboe passage which is like a sigh of utter content at the beauty of everything. A very happy rendering of wh'it might be called the spirit of exhilaration expressed in good music. A Sr.veet-Voiced Coloratura.

From "Kigcletto" (Verdi). (1) "Oai'o Nome''; (2) "E il sol dell' anima." Sung by Maria Gentile, so" prauo. 'Columbia 04077. These two favourite airs from Verdi's masterpiece have rarely been sung with more pleasing charm. Gentile's voice has the pure ring of a silver bell, and its sweetness is made doubly attractive by her thoughtful, rather leisurely, method of approach. Her top notes are deliciously mellow, and she climbs the scale with delightfully flexible oasc v . Gentile, whose lovable personality is well-known at Covent Garden and in America, has scored her biggest successes in "Rigoletto," and brings a note of authority to these airs. Now Touring New Zealand.

At the tail end of a successful world tour, the Westminster Glee Singers are now delighting 'audiences with their varied programes. It is a pleasure to hear our own Ernest MacKinley a> their principal tenor, contributing in no small measure to their success. MacKinley has a fine manly voice which he knows how to manage, and there is evidence of profitable training and patient study in hip production, his enunciation and nis breath-control.' To gramophonists he is chiefly famous for a magnificent series of Maoli records. Among the .best are the thrilling "Ka Mate'' (Columbia 01607) and the no less stirring "Whaka Ariki" '(Columbia 01058). '

A Master on the Viola. \ (1) "Slavonic Dance Theme No. 1" (Dvorak); (2) " Melodrame'' (Guiraud). Viola Solos liy Lionel Tertis. Columbia 04064. Lionel Tertis stands head and shoulders above all other viola players, notonly because their number is limited, but also iii virtue of his wonderful playing. Judged by any standard, he is a great artist. Notice the dexterity of his bowing in these two numbers Hear the mellow, silky tone-he achieve.* at all speeds. He has chosen two fine numbers, and has produced a record that will be in great demand whereW good fiddling is appreciated. A Popular English 'Cellist.

(1) "The Broken Melody"; (2 "Drink to me Only with Thine Eyes.' 'Cello Solos''by W*. H. Squire. Colum bin 04180.

These two old favourite tunes make admirable transcriptions for the 'cello. Squire has made as much out of them as could' possibly be made. All that a flow of assured and rounded tone, sub tly varied and admirably held in hand, could do for these lovable melodies,- he has done. It needs no further recommendation to his wide public, than t..i sav that this is Squire's playing at its best. A Wonderful Jewish Singer. The records recently made b\ Canto.--Sirota of selections from, the Jewish liturgy will have a wide appeal with music lovers of all races and sects. The singing is nothing short of superb. Instinct with reverence, they are the glorification of the use of music as the servant of religion. Sirota has a thrillingly vibrant voice, which is heard to full advantage, and he is finely supported by orchestra and chorus. The numbers are "Meditation" (Psalm 55) and "Havdallah" (Columbia 02887), and "Adonoi, Adonoi" and "Yechol Hatha iyim" (Columbia 028S8). The reproduction is splendid.