COLUMBIA.

Shannon News, 3 December 1929, Page 3

COLUMBIA.

The Great Kipnis

Alexander Kipnis, probably the greatest German basso of recent years, sings for us Schubert's great song, lue Wanderer. *•' * This even eclipses Ins previous performances —if such a feat be possible. The attractive daik quality of this artist’s voice is admirably suited to this song; and for that matter, also to the aria on the reverse, ‘Within these Sacred Halls,’ from Mozart’s “Magic Flute.” For sheer beauty of tone and case of production, it will be a long, long time before this record is improved upon. (Columbia 04336). Of the Kipnis discs two others are devoted to Schubert art-songs. Columbia 04115 gives us tho=c two sombrely beautiful songs, “By the Sea,” and •'‘The Lime Tree.” “Der Doppleganger” (“The Phantom Double”) is sung with dramatic intensity on Columbia 04195. On the reverse is that haunting air, “Der Wegweiser” (The Signpost). The two Schubert songs, “Longing to Wander” and “The Organ Grinder,” sung by Sir George Henschel, are, of course, combined on one of the most marvellously realistic (discs of modern days. (Columbia 0359-,;. Paul Whiteman on the Classics.

Those who lift their hands in horror at the jazzing of the classics should make. a point of hearing Paul Whiteman ’s version of “Liebestraum” and “Song of India.” True, lie lias turned them inside out, but sheer brilliance of instrumentation, dazzling experiments with rhythm, and voluptuous richness of tone certainly justify him. The things are thrilling. If some' of our tip-top orchestras could get the same vim, the same disciplined swing, into their recordings, we would never hear again the complaint that good music is dull.' Maybe a liberty—but one that Paul Whiteman alone can take. (Columbia 07510). Chester Hazlett— Saxophonist.

No one can hear Paul Whiteman’s Band without realising that’ have gathered- together a company of the cleverest instrumentalists in America. Chester Ilazlett, his saxophonist, is a brilliant proof of this rule. He plays with audacity" and a great sense of rhythm. Ilis choice of material is a cut aboce the average. Macdowell’s “To a Wild Rose”—a delicious favourite —is paired with Hazlett’s own “Valse Inspiration.” Easily one of the best “sax” records on the gramophone. (Columbia 01627). A wider Public for Alfred O’Shea. An announcement of more than ordinary significance is issued by the Columbia people this month. Twentyone Alfred O’Shea records have been brought' within the reacli of the most modest purse by the wise expedient of issuing them on Dark Blue labels instead of Light Blue, as formerly. This Columbia policy of “great music _by great musicians for a greater public” is heartily to be commended. It is to be hoped that the public, in responding to this gesture, will pave the way for further concessions from the “Magic Notes” people. The Columbia November Supplement gives a complete list of the forty-two songs on this seore-and-onc records. These are all prime favourites —the pick of O’Shea’s repertoire, in fact. This Australian tenor is too wellknown in this country to make further comment necessary. His artistry is so apparent, his vocal powers so obvious, and his actual singing so apparently effortless, that to hear him once realise that in Alfred O’Shea we have a singer far above the average of even really fine singers. Taken as a whole, the O’Shea recordings are wonderfully done. Hear, for example, “Killarney” and “The Fairy Tales ol Ireland” on Columbia 02900; and. “Drink to me only” and “Passing By” on Columbia .01598. These two discs should be, in every collection.