With GRAMOPHONE and RADIO

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 7, 29 August 1930, Page 25

With GRAMOPHONE and RADIO

BY

B NATURAL

~ ALTHOUGH there is no one programme that we can call upon for our records this week,. there are many fine items being broadcast from the _ studios. Many of these would form splendid bases for » collections. "On Wings of Song" (Mendelssohn), and played from 1YA on August 26, is an old favourite. It is an att, that everyone has heard, and

when played by Heifetz on H.M.V. DB 1216 it makes a record that would grace any collection. Being one of the newer recordings it gains twofold. The recording, well nigh perfect, imparts a high degree of reaiism, and it has the advantage of the more mature art of Heifetz. The golden notes of his violin flowing from his masterly bow make an unsurpassed record. On the reverse are two bright little airs, "Jota". and "Puck." The first opens with plucked strings and leads up to smoother passages, followed by some bright spring bow work and more plucked chords. This air is a masterpiece of technique. "Puck" is even brighter and involves more technique with the springing bow. The record is a brilliant one, Two further airs that are going over the air this week, are recorded by Heifetz-‘Chanson Arabe," from 4YA on August 29, and "Slavonic Dance No. 1" (Dvorak), from 1YA on August 24. "Chanson Hindoue" is recorded on H.M.V. DA272. With a definite Oriental flavour this is an unusual record, though there is not the scope for Heifetz there is in the previous record. It is quietly beautiful, and it is quite evident where "Beautiful Ohio" had its origin. "Chanson Arabe," on the reverse, is another Hastern air that is strongly reminiscent of the tents and deserts of the Arab. These two airs are quaint and beautiful.

THAT the "Slavonic Dance" on H.M.V. DA247 is one of the older records is made evident by the greater amount of noise that to a certain extent offsets .the upper registers of Heifetz’s violin. That it is an older recording is evident from the less mature playing. It is a good version of the lively and difficult dance, and we should like to hear it electrically recorded by the mature artist. On the reverse is "Serenade, Op. 4" (d’Ambrosio), with some pretty passages well managed. OF a different nature is H.M.Y. C1705-Vocal Gems from _ the "Chocolate Soldier." As an instrumental item, part of this musical comedy will be broadcast from 2YA on August 30. The "Vocal Gems," by the Light Opera Company, is a bright record which opens with brisk orchestral passages, followed by the chorus. The duets and solos are splendidly rendered, for in this company there are some fine voices, both male and female. All the excerpts have a snap and definition that makes the record a good one.

Further concerted excerpts are found on the reverse-this time from "Lilac Domino." , For a representative collection of the works of Schubert, that recording arrangement of Herbert Finck, called "Schubertiana," will take a considerable amount of bettering. Finck has done some creditable arranging, and has made some good music. He is heard to advantage in his own interpretation of this arrangement on Columbia 02721-2, these being recordings of "Schubertiana" by his orchestra. There is no mistaking the music, it is real Schubert, and the selections, in cluding excerpts from "Lilac ‘Time,’ the "Hrl King,’ "The Unfinished Symphony," and his brilliant and well

known "March Militaire"? Bach fades into the other so that in reality this is a moving picture (and a sound one at that) of the works of the great Austrian composer. There are many airs, and the listener is whirled through all the phases of Schubert’s art. It i¢ a splendid arrangement and well rendered. It was broadcast from 1YA Monday last. The Best Records. BY far the best H.M.Y. record is DB 1216-Heifetz in "The Wings of Song," "Jota" and the fairy-like "Puck," ,