Wide Variety of Recordings in the March Releases

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 26 April 1935, Page 16

Wide Variety of Recordings in the March Releases

Some New Discs of the Lighter Classics

(By

Bolton

Woods

"THERE can be but few pianists, however modest their attainments, who have not played some at least of Grieg’s many lyric, pieces for their chosen instrument. About forty years ago it occurred tothe great conductor, Anton: Seidl, that’ some of them were admirably adapted for orchestral arrangement; he accordingly arranged four, scoring them effectively for big orchestra. Grieg: himself approved .of the idea, and ‘with certain ‘alterations by the original composer. the "Lyric Suite; Op. 54" stands to-day as among the. most popular of the lighter classics. — The four numbers, "Shepherd Boy," "Norwegian ‘Rustic March," "Nocturne," and "March of the Dwarfs," convey admirably : Scandinavian atmosphere at:the hands of the London Philharmonic Orchestra,’ under Sir Landon' Donald... The two discs (H.M.V. (2642-43) were, in reality, overdue. In the latest: recording the’ "Suite" is eminently desirable, Ravel is more nearly: on -his- native heath than any. other of ‘the French composers who set out-to. compose socalledSpanish music. Ag a-native of the lower ;Pyrenees he was. as near a neig ghbour ‘of the Spaniards as he could possibly. be. . Therefore, when he, essayed ‘his "Rhapsodie Espagnol" (Spanish, Rhapsody) he knew what he was "about. * The work comprises four short sections, each of which is devoted to a scene of Spanish life. They are, briefly, as follows: "Prelude a la Nuit," is an impression of night; "Malaguena" is the national dance belonging to southern Maloga; the "Habanera" is the well-known dance with the languorous swaying movement; and the final piece is the "Feria" or "Fair," and is a richly varied musical picture of just such a scene-as: its name conjures up. Leopold ‘:Stokowski’s Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra presents this alluring and vivid music in masterly manner, and the two discs (H.M.V. DB2367-68) afford a sample of the best work of France’s greatest living composer. Two records by the London Palladium Orchestra but add to the duplication, already rife, among such universal favourites ag Gounod’s "Faust" Selection (H.M.V. ©2679), and a ten inch plum (H.M.V. B8189) which bears ‘on its labels, "Kiss.Me Again" (Herbert) and: "Hehoes from the Puszta" (Ferraris), the last-named not so familiar .and. appealing at. the first, hearing. Marek Weber’s .Orchestra is responsible for a very original rhythmic rendering of Woodforde-Finden’s "Four Indian Love Lyrics" (H.M.V. B8205). The attempts at Oriental "atmosphere" are not devoid of ‘interest, and to some hearers, humour. We are being so much deluged with really fine piano recordings nowadays that one almost expects a surprise "in every fresh monthly supplement. The fact that disappointments on this score are almost’ non-existent is':accounted for by the'steady and permanent improvement in the recording. On any good gramophone Simon Barer’s new disc

should sound enchanting (H.M.YV. DB2167). He has departed from the beaten track and given us some ub- . familiar Liszt, viz.,:"Sonetto No. 104 del Petrarca" (being No. 5 of "Deuxieme Annee-L’Italie" from-"Annees de Pelerinage"). There are three books of this comprehensive work, and the whole idea was the outcome of: Liszt’s visits to Italy and Switzerland, where inspired by the solemnity and beauty of those landscapes, he painted the impressions received in tones of thrilling spiritual beauty. ‘To the all-too-scanty five recordings available has been ad ded the.Petrarch Sonnet which reveals Barer as'a great pianist.. The final portion of part 2 is occupied by a breath-taking performance .of the same composer’s "Gnomenreigen." To the small stock of recorded Schu mann’ piano, works. Vladimir Horowitz has made a contribution with his. "Ara besque, Op.18" dise (H:M.V, DA1381) The supplement features the "incredible delicacy" of his pianism-this is by no means .an overstatement, although the ‘"uneo’ particular" will have something else to say.. A warm welcome awaits the new: Miliza Korjus recording of "Una Voce’ Foco Pa" from Rossini’s "Barber of Seville" and Adams’ "Variations, on a Mozart Air-Ah! Vous Dirai-je Maman" (with flute obbligato), (HLM.V. -C2688). Sung in German, these two numbers. almost baffle description. The voice.. cf the woman singer will undoubtedly.make her fortune. Many may prefer the. "Variations" which is the absolute "excelsis" of coloratura vocalism. The male singers, ‘apart from Crooks, . Tibbett and. Sir Harry. Lauder; don’t . amount to much this month. Of course, we can’t have it all- ways. The’ gorgeous recording of Mozart’s "Concerto in D Major". by: Menuhin, violinist, and ° the famous Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, is worth a bushel of ordinary re-cordings-so let us. be’ thankful. .. . The American tenor, Richard Crooks, us "Kathleen Mavourneen," and "Tt Love You So" (H.M.V. DB2336). Lawrence Tibbett, the American baritone, vis responsible for’ an altogether quite. unnecessary: repeat. of Wagner’s"O Star of Hve" and Gounod’s "ven Bravest’ Heart." "No one will, however, deny their sincerity and artistry. -Of Sir Harry .Lauder’s "Mr. John ‘Mackay" and "I’ve Something in the Bottle for the Morning" (H.M.V. DB4027) the most that can be said is that here we have Harry to the life. It would. be interesting to fathom ‘the secret of the deep-seated unpopularity of Lauder amongst his own compatriots, and the universal.favour in which he is held everywhere else. It ig said that all and sundry, from Hsquimaux ‘to South Sea Islanders are among: the Lauder fans. In.this record. we have the same time-wasting Lauder, who gives us the, minimum of humour in the maximum .of time-but it is absolutely Lauder, evén to the chuckle, and the thoroughly good baritone voice, , heard at its best in the real minstrelsy

of Scotland-the folk songs of preLauder times. ° \ Alec Templeton, the blind pianist, / gives us a first recording in the shape’ of a popular song medley (H.M.V.' B8221), and Gracie Fields, -Danny Malone, Wendall Hall, and Jimmy Rodgers, all make contributions. People, all the world over, have grown so accustomed to buying their monthly Tauber record, that-by now Richard should be a millionaire. This month’s Parlophone supplement (to which the remaining space will be devoted) contains its usual Tauber contribution. The two songs this time are typical, and typically sung-"Lady ‘of Love" and "My Dearest One" (AR262). His films have finally set the seal on his popularity, and a delightful resume of past successes appears On Ramsay’s Granada ‘Theatre Organ .®- ‘ cord (A6079). The seven numbers are universal favourites, and played by a clever organist, assisted, at one stage, by 2 Hawaiian guitarist. Harold has also a second organ record, "Love In Bloom" and "Iwo Cigarettes in the Dark" (A@062). Playing two little things of his own, the pianist-composer, : Mischa Spoliansky, appears on a record (A6084) this month in two film successes, "I Wait For You" from "Byensong," and "My Song For You" and "With All My Heart" from the film "My Song For.You." I¢ must be conceded that the composer... at the piano lends fresh. interest : sto anys disc, he the music gfave’ or:: ‘gay, fs clans or ight. 2° &