Spanish Impressions By Russian Composer In New Record

Radio Record, 4 September 1936, Page 57

Spanish Impressions By Russian Composer In New Record

Orchestral and Piano Gems in H.M V.’s , Latest List

RINSEY-KORSAKOFF, the famous Russian composer, commemorated a visit to Spain by writing his impressions in music form, and the result was the "Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34," (Spanish Caprice) which embodies scenes he found during bis travels, The series of contrasted sections which follow one another without pause, are as follows;-Alborada, Variations Alborada (repeated), Scene and Gipsy Song, and Fandango of the Asturias. Rimsky-Korsakoff says of this brilliant composition: "According to my plans the Capriccio was to glitter with dazz ling orchestral colour, and manifestly, I have not been wrong." Manifestly, . also, aJ] will agree that he achieved a notable success, described by his compatriot, Tschaikovsky, as a "colossa! masterpiece of instrumentation." Under Arthur Fiedler, the Boston orchestra has recorded the work on two discs, which will have a rapturous reception from all symphony fans. It will find an honoured place in many collections. LZ0POLD STOKOWSK(I’S success in orchestrating the organ works of the great Bach is again exemplified in the latest recording by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra of the "Great" Fugue from the old master’s "G minor Fantasia and Fugue for Organ." The Fantasia was written especially for the performance at Hamburg when Bach visited the city in 1720, and he doubtless chose the fugue subject from one of Reinken’s own works in order to please the old Hamburg organist. The orchestral version of the fugue is delightfully scored and efficiently and sympathetically played on a new recording, ~J OHANN STRAUSS in his "Accelera tion" Waltz, wrote us a rhythmica! masterpiece. The playing on a new dise by the famed Minneapolis Orches: trg leaves nothing to be desired, SYDNEY GUSTARD plays the Gau. mont Palace cinema organ. at Chester to good purpose on his new recording of Bucalossi’s "Grasshoppes Dance" and Bratton's "Teddy Bears’ Picnic." RETHOVEN’S superb. "Sonata in f minor, Op, 57" ("The Appassionata"), composed probahly in 1804, was given the title "Appassionata," by Cranz, the Hamburg publisher, and certainly not by Beethoven himself. It is somewhat curious that the names given to many of the great composer's works have been conferred upon them by someone else. Beethoven was quite content to let them be known by the opus numbers alone, The "Anpassionata" ranks with the "Moonlight" as one of the best-known of all the Beethovéen series of piano sonatas. Jt has been described as an outburst of passion, of inborn sensuality of an af: flicted soul hungry for happiness, with the clash of a conflicting torment of soul. Played by Edwin Fischer. the brilliant German pianist, who gives an

almost inspired performance on.a new recording (three discs), this sonata will be a notable addition to any connoisseur’s gramophone record library. and is therefore unhesitatingly recommended. SINCE 1892, when Rudyard Kip ling’s "Barrack Room Ballads" first appeared in book form, these penetrating. studies of the British Tommy have earned the admiration of an Em-pire-wide public. Quite a number of the poems. have been set to musi¢e by different composers and a selection of Gerard F. Cobb’s (which were com: posed as long ago as 1898) is issued on a 12in. record by Peter Dawson. It is interesting to recall that the popular South Australian baritone himself, under the pen-name of "J. P. McCall" has set two of the ballads, "Cells," and "Boots." From Cobb’s songs six have been selected for the present recordings, viz: "FuzzyWuzzy," "Serew Guns," "Route Marchin’," "The Young British Soldier," "Cells," and "Mandalay." They los¢ nothing under the skilled and sympathetic artistry of Peter Dawson, who, despite advancing time, seems to re: main a veritable Peter Pan among baritones, This is one of those records father will fancy-tactful offspring — please note! HE way. in which Paul Robeson sings the "Spirituals" of bis own people is familiar to all who have heard him in recitals or on his -re cords, This month H.M.V. has seen fit to release Paul’s" rendering of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." and "On Ma Journey." Every listener to this gem among yoeal recordings will instinctively pay Paul Robeson the. tribute due him for his inimitable renderings of the negro’s own music, which yoices the black man’s religious outlook. "The "Sweet Chariot" re ferred to in the song is nope other ‘than the fiery vehicle by which Mlijab was carried up to heaven. Reference to the Second Book of Kings (2.11! will furnish the original idea behind thig ynique and beautiful song, whiel has been arranged by H. T. Burleigh "On Ma Journey." on the same record is another appealing song. The new disc is assured of a hearty reception by all lovers of good singing and those possessed of broad racial sympathieswhich means all New Zealanders. .