With GRAMOPHONE and RADIO

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 46, 30 May 1930, Page 8

With GRAMOPHONE and RADIO

BY

B NATURAL

Records of the Week YVVITH the broadcast of "The Dream of Gerontius" from 3YA next week, it is interesting to note that there are some fine recordings of this renowned work. It has aptly been. described the "finest of its kind," and is one of those works that convince us that the age of the creators of music is not yet past. When presented in Christchurch some 200 will participate. It is recorded on both H.M.V. and Columbia by some of the best known combinations of artists. The Columbia version is recorded op 7308 and 9. The principals are Dame Clara Butt and Maurice d’Oisly, sup ported in chorus by the Chorus Anglelicals and New Queen’s Hall Orchestra. This combination alone speaks for a meritorious performance, and when it is conducted by Sir Henry Wood, master conductor of the New Queen’s Hali Orchestra, an outstanding rendition is ensured. The full, rich voices of the principals, with the background of the large choir, makes the performance one of undoubted merit. One cannot fail tv appreciate the clear enunciation of both soloists, particularly the contralto, as her voice descends into lower registers. HLM.V. chooses different excerpts, and the Hereford Festival Choir re cords them on D1382, D1350, D1348. The Keys of Heaven, THIS popular duet, which will be ™ sung at 1YA on June 1, has been made popular by Dame Clara Butt and Kennerley Rumford, who have recorded for Columbia on 7300. This very old favourite, known almost by every~ one, probably better by the refrain,

"Madame will you walk and talk with me," is a duet set to music, and the interpretation given by these two wellknown artists leaves nothing to be desired. Hvery word is clear, and the air delightfully rendered-a perfect record‘ing. Merrie England. XCERPTS from this famous light opera will be presented at 4YA next week by the Dunedin Choral

Society. The recordings of the work are many-it is fully recorded by H.M.V. on D18 to 28, and in Columbia 02804, The latter work is a _ band selection played by H.M. Grenadier ~~

Guards Regimental Band, conducted by Captain George Miller. The first selection has a live swinging movement led by cornet and trumpet. The tempd changes and the cornet takes up the air strongly supported by, the brasses. -On the next change the trombone takes up the air with the cornets merrily playing in the upper registers, and the brasses subdued filling in the body. The second side opens. with a dancing cornet solv, which leads up to a crescendo in which all instruments participate. Then the trombone leads, leaving the cornet and trumpets swinging up and down in the background. Then all come into unison to give the air the fullest rendition, yet they separate again to unite in the finale. A really fine record.