The Week's RECORDS

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 32, 20 January 1939, Page 10

The Week's RECORDS

FAMOUS Polish-Jew pianist, Arthur Rubinstein has eaneelled all his Italian contracts and returned his Italian decoration to Signor Mussolini as a protest against the unfair discrimination against the Jews in Italy. All fair-minded persons will approve this action. Con+ noissicurs will also appreciate

the pianist’s latest recording (HMY. DB 3216) which contains Liszt’s ‘‘Consolation No.. 3"? and ‘‘Tiungarian Rhapsody No. 10.’’ It is to be hoped that this exquisite dise is the forerunner of a Liszt series. Despite the ecarpings of the hypercritical, the warmth, beauty, sympathy and virile qualities of Liszt’s pianoforte compositions continue to retain their hold on the general run of music lovers. Liszt may have left better musicians than music behind him, as is sometimes maintained, but we all love him at heart. Ballet Music NEWS that the Covent Garden Russian Ballet company is to tour New Zealand will rekindle interest in the music of the ballet. For us in this country this means for the most part the recorded music of the ballet. Speaking of the audiences that patronise the particular company we are so soon to see, a con--noisseur has explained: be i "The public that comes here is the public of Ascot and Wimbledon. I believe they cannot get _ over their surprise at seeing phys. cal skill and efficiency turned inte such accomplished. beauty. They dwell on their surprise and get into the habit of coming. night . after night. For them it’s like watching a good game, only the players exhibit much more flexibility. and grace. The general level is very good." The audience is composed of many types; people who just want to amuse themselves, and real lovers of art, society leaders and Bohemians, the immaculate and the intentionally shabby. And all this mixed crowd of humanity will be duplicated in the Dominion whilst the ballet season lasts. They are also interested in the music. of, the ballet, therefore the introduction of two recordings of "Nights at the Ballet," Nos. +t and 4,. captivatingly played by a symphony orchestra, under Walter Goehr (H.M.V., C2914 and C2983) will. be more than welcome in many a family, circle, yee cae ‘ "HE! Fd Ges BZ att "eis? 4 Po gemeegh getteayw san RES