COLUMBIA.

Shannon News, 31 December 1929, Page 3

COLUMBIA.

"This Crucifixion" —Complete Recording. "The Crucifixion" has probably the widest appeal of all the oratorios of its period. Sir John Stainer was not only a deeply-learned composer; he had also a rare gift for' melody of simple beauty and ' expressiveness. And so his work, after forty years of performance, is still dear to Eng-lish-speaking communities throughout the world. The 8.8. C. Choir, with Francis Russell , and Robert Easton, have obviously studied the work with care, and a fully adequate and devotional performance is given us. The famous soloists give us of their best, Russell's manly baritone pouring out in grand style. The choral work is enriched 'with moments of inspiring beauty, the combined voices, which blend' very agreeably, having that soaring quality which composers hare so sought after. The work is complete on twelve sides,.'and the six records are presented in a fine album with explanatory booklet, which is prepared with admirable clarity. Columbia 02868-73. Felix Weingartner's New Job.

Weing-irtner, the brilliant German conductor, who is possibly the greatest living authority on Beethoven, his just accepted the control of the Basle Symphony Orchestra. The Basle is certainly the leading, as it is also (the oldest, of the Swiss orchestras, and the now combination should prove fruitful. In conjunction, they have provided a gripping version of Weber's fervent and romantic "Df,r Freischutz" overture —a work in which*'the composer has forgotten his polite and polished mannerisms and touches the imagination with almost ghastly significance. The work has power and intensity, and is played with keen urgency. Tonal beauties reveal Weber's marvellous gift of invention- in this direction. (Columbia 02874). A Well-Known Baritone. Most of us will remember Fraser Gange, that fine Scotch baritone who delighted us not so long ago with his ballad recitals. His three or four records have had a great vogue, but probably the most popular of alKwill be his latest offering, a coupling of "Abide with Me" arid "The Promise of Life''—the first-named sung with rare feeling. Vocalism' apart, it is a great achievement to*.win an audience sheerly on personality. Gauge, vve know, could always do this, and puts just the same appealing quality into his discs. * (Columbia 01811). Modern Spanish Music.

Those-who like rich colour, drama-' tic incident, fiery .rhythm," and the sparkle of pageantry in their music, wilt be enhanced by a new recordiug by the Madrid Symphony Orchestra by Arbos. -' The work is "La Procession del Rocio," by Joachim -Turin.-!, himself a brilliant pianist, and, with Granados and Albeniz, one of the leaders of modern Spanish music. It is a glowing tone poem of the annual "Procession of the Virgin" a religious feast in Seville. In the music one can read the blare and rattle of the merrymakers, the. pomp of the gaud: ily-decked priests, the music and the bells.' Atmospheric to a- degree, the work is a brilliant drama. Arbos, who ranks as the igrdatest conductor ijn Spain, gives a reading of play and vitality, and makes the work enchant

us with its vivid realism. (Columbia 02880). A Popular English Soprano. A familiar figure in English concert halls since the war has been Doris' Vane, who combines a voice of natural charm with the artistic insight to put her songs across. She shows this ability to perfection in "A Song of Tnanksgiving," Allitsen's weilknown setting of Thomson's poem. The piano accompaniment to this is particularly good. On the reverse we hear one of Sir Edward German's old favourites, "Love, the Pedlar," an amusing trifle which, though as light as air, is sufficiently well constructed to rank as "good" music. Miss Vane is quite a stranger these days, though some of her old recordings are still in great demand. (Columbia 02938).