HIS MASTER’S VOICE.

Shannon News, 3 December 1929, Page 3

HIS MASTER’S VOICE.

Delightful Children’s Overture New Light Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Dr. Malcolm Sargent), in Children’s Overture (It. Quilter). ILM.V., 82860-61. Quilter-’s ‘ ‘ Children’s Overture, ” one of the most delightful little things of its kind ever written, consists of a niost ingeniously strung together chain of nursery-rhyme tunes, treated so delicately and with such charming humour that it is impossible not to love the work on hearing it. The reproduction they afford is quite exceptionally fine. Sparkling Pianoforte Numbers. Benno Moiseivitch (pianoforte), m “Rhapsody in E Flat” (Brahms) anrl “Jeux d’eau” ’ (Ravel). 11.M.V., D 1648. This brilliant and fascinating “Rhapsody” is an outstanding example of Brahms’ genius, and one that will appeal to all lovers of piano music. So, too, will Ravel’s sparkling “Jcux d’eau,” which Moiseivitch plays with wonderful brilliance and beauty of tone. Sousa's Band. Sousa’s Band, in “Gridiron Club” and “The National Game” —marches by Sousa, IIM.V. EAS9I. Two fine stirring marches played by Sousa’s well-known band. A Wonderful Comedienne. Gracie Fields (comedienne), in “So Tired” and “We’re Living at the Cloisters,” 11.M.V. 82739. Gracie Fields is a wonderful comcdj ienne. Her records are an instantaneous s’ccess. This time there are two

distinct styles: the first is sung without a suspicion of burlesque but with a great deal of moving feeling; the second is farce all through. “Cloisters” is really funny! Say It With Music.

Tlic older we get, the faster whirls the round o’ the year. It seems but yesterday since Father Christmas, having mopped his brow after his labours of 1928, spluttered off in his old motor wagon to fresh fields. And now lie is almost upon us again. As before, pne cannot do better during this coming season of Merry Christmas than “Say if with music.” The December ILMA . list has a strong Christmas flavour, and perplexed present-givers will find easy and pleasant ways out of their difficulties by looking over and hearing some of its features The gramophone notes for this and the following week will contain several 'Christmas suggestion#. The Message of Christmas. ■‘-"--wsssjgp Westminster Central Hall Choir, in (a) “While Shepherds Watched,” (b) “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” (c) “Hark!;the Herald Angels Sing,” (a) “0 Come, All Ye Faithful,” (b) “The Message of Christmas,” and (c) “Christians, Awake.” H.M.V. C 1589. This record provides a very pleasant, selections of hymps suitable for and appropriate to the > Christmas season. The singing of the choir felicitously recorded, and the general arrangements of the subject matter is most charmingly carried out.

i For the Christmas Oratorio

Walter Widdop (tenor) in “Comfort Ye, My People” and “Every Valley Shall'be Exalted” (“The Messiah”), Handel. H.M.V. D 1620. This lovely recitative and air from Handel’s “Messiah” will surely endure as long as music is played and sung. Walter Widdop is fine in oratorio. This record is a seasonable gift, but, more than that, it is essentially one to form part of the permanent collection. Popular Duets. . One of the most popular of all duets “Watchman, What of the Night” (Sergeant), is sung by Walter Glynne, tlio Welsh tenor, and the young Australian basso, Stuart Robertson, who is another of Melba’s discoveries. The blend of voices is admirable, and the dramatic values are nicely balanced with the" music. On the other side the singers give another lovely duet, “The Moon Hath Raised Her Lamp Above,” from Benedict’s “Lily of Killarney.” Here again a beautiful balance is maintained. (H.M.V., 82979). Beautiful Overture. One. cannot imagine any more -beautiful J|y-tonecl; or classic performance than that of the Berlin State Opera' Orchestra’s playing of the “Der Freischutz ’ ’ Overture. Of course, it is conducted by Dr. Leo Blech, and that alone warrants the high standard of the production. The music itself is too well-known and popular to need any commendation. It is one of the loveliest overtures written to opera, and as played here is a charm from beginning to end. The string tone in the opening passages has a wonderful depth and vibrancy. Later on the tone of the four horns in the lovely tune given to them is something of sheer joy. The entire performance is a fine example of excellent, colourful, and robust orchestral recorded music. (H.M.V., D 1249).