A JUBILEE SUPPLEMENT

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 46, 24 May 1935, Page 51

A JUBILEE SUPPLEMENT

Fine New List of H.M.V. Records In May Issues.

(By

BOLTON

WOODS

AS if to make their May issues of records a real jubilee event, the Gramophone Company has put its best foot forward and turned out some absolute gems in all types of musical entertainiment. ‘

N this month’s His Master’s Voice list is one old favourite, Suppe’s evergreen, but always stirring, "Light ‘avalry" overture, which at the hands of Dr, Adrian Boult and the B.B.C. Symphony Orchestra is given an almost Wagnerian twist. This, the first yenture of the popular British radio conductor into the realm of light musie, is very interesting as indicating how his native predilections and life-

long experience influence his handling of the work. The trumpets, as might be expected, are exceptionally, brilliant in the reproduction (H.M.V. DB2362). Another of the exhilarating type of records is put out by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under Frederick A. Stock. In. the "Emperor Waltz’ of Strauss all the forces of a front-rank symphony orchestra come into play. und the result is astonishing. Although Vienna hag neither Emperor nor Waltz King nowadays, it would be proud of this superb treatment of a masterpiece of light music, The record (HLM.V. ED25) is an American product that from its imposing opening to its thrilling climax stirs the pulse as few gramophone discs are able to do It should become a classic with gramophileés, We enjoy so few stage shows in this "talkie" era that the London Palladium Orchestra's playing of Crooks’ "Peter Pan" selection sets our mouths water ing for a sight of Barrie’s masterful phantasy. This incidental music has 2 direct bearing on the action of the play as the following list of headings covered in the record reveals, Jolin lrook’s selection includes in Part 1, Pirates’ Chorus, Indian Dance, Wendy. Theme, Children’s Danes, Ostrich Dance, and the House We Built fer Wendy. In Part 2, ‘Departure of the Children (underground scene), Dismissal of the Pirates, Top of the Tree "Music, Our Home in the Tree-tops, and Finale, Wendy Music. It would make an interesting experiment to play over this record to children aw fait with the story of "Peter Pan," and invite the juvenile audience to identify the themes as they occur. H.M.V. 62693). Marek Weber and his Orchestra exhibit their usual slick musicianship in two new dises this month, "Tosca" selection (Puccini) (H.M.V. C2671), and a charming bracket vf Mendelssohn’s "Spring Song" and Thome’s "Simple Aven" (E.M.Y. BS8151). When Baekhaus was a boy and something of an infant prodigy one of his heroes was Brahms, the composer, to see whom he was taken one day. In awe he sat in the presence of the little man with the long body, short legs and leonine head. Greatly daring he took away some ashes from the inevitable cigar that adorned (?) the lips of Brahms, and for years he kept this souvenir in a little tin box. When Backhaug grew up he threw away the. ashes and determined to master his hero’s piano works. ‘That he sti¢ceed-ed-is proved .by two records in’ the present month’s releases. They contain "Intermezzo in A Minor, Op. 76, No. 7," "Capriccio in C, Op. 76. No. 8." and "Ballade in G@ Minor, Op. 118, No. 8" (ELM.V. DB1897), Occupying two sides of the second dise is "Rhapsody in B Minor, Op. 79, No. 1" (H.M.V. DB1899). These pieces ate worthy

the attention of all piano teachers and students. The recording is a triumph, On the lighter side the "Selection of Wilfred Sanderson’s Songs," played by Terence Casey, organist (H.MY. 02682), introduces eight old favourites. On the voeal side three records are noteworthy. The art of John Charles Thomas, baritone. beloved by millions of Americans, is all too rarely heard on records. His two songs in his most recent recording are Wolfe’s "Sailor: men" and "The Green-eyed Dragon," by Charles. It is only necessary to mention that the first number is by the composer of "De Glory Road," one of the most popular negro songs ever broadeast in New Zealand, to convey Rome idea of the real treat that awaits buyers of this record. In the second number Mr, Thomas springs some surprises that plainly show the days of new thrills in recorded music are by no means past (H.M.V. DA1397). I ‘strongly recommend this disc, It would need a clever mathematician to compute the number of times Peter Dawson has sung. Katie Moss's "Ploral Dance," but now we have it recorded with a scrumptious orchestral accompaniment. Apparently determined to make this the one authentic version of his phenomenally successful song, Peter Dawson has excelled himself. On the reverse side he gives us "The Lttte. Player," also with a stirring orchestral accompaniment. His countless admirers should snap up this, one of his most meritorious records to date (H.M.V. ©2698). Richard Crooks, tenor, shines in Balfe’s "Killarney" and Tosti’s "Goodbye" (H.M.V. DB28387). Lack of space: prevents any detailed reference to the other fine specimens of music in this month’s ELM.V. list, but mention: must he made of Paul Robeson, bass, singing Homer’s "Banjo Song" and Handy’s "St. Louis Blues" (H.M.V. B8219), two Florence Desmonds, a Gracie Fields, two Noel Cowards, « Browning Mummery, and a massed bands record.