TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1963)

-**** a RE AT! -Mjtjt CZOOD LISTEtSliNC the amount of deliberation exercised by its leader slows things down. Di Stefano turns in a fair performance, though he does not give the reading he gave on his recording with Maria Callas. His sound, here, also seems artificially broad. The booklet and art work are worth owning, and the cover is made to last. Another Soria package released this month features Vladimir Horowitz. It is called "The Horowitz Collection." Horowitz, who stands alone by virtue of the breadth of his gift, performs a variety of piano music from Mozart through Schumann and on to such modernists as Prokofieff and Barber. A four-star effort throughout. The sense of dynamics and the execution of them %i-m^m make this album something remarkable. My particular favorite is the rather unassuming Schumann piece, "Variations on a Theme by Clara Wieck." Also, the Scriabin pieces included are done as only Horowitz can do them. It can be said of this pianist that he plays and sounds like no one else. It is something remarkably unique. Victrola also has a rather impressive low-priced album featuring the Russian pianist, Emil Gilels, playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. It is an excellent reading of the work known as "the most popular piano concerto." Recorded in the '50s, it was available on the regular Victor line and is now re-issued on the bargain line. The two most famous violin concertos, the Brahms and Beethoven Concertos — both of which are in D major — have also been released this month. The violinist is Jascha Heifetz and both are excellent recordings. (These are standard-priced regular Victor releases.) Also available this month, on the Victrola line, is an interesting version of this same Brahms concerto by Henryk Szeryng — a recording which won the coveted Grand Prix du Disque this year. Compared with the Heifetz version, it holds its own in most areas. Heifetz sings as no other violinist does, but Szeryng has a more articulated and rhythmical approach which puts the piece into another light. It's a toss-up, with Heifetz's phrasing giving him an edge. (The Heifetz sound can make most others sound pale.) In the orchestral department, Victrola has some fine French music releases by the two most outstanding conductors of such music, Charles Munch and Pierre Monteux. Although the Munch recording of Ravel's "Rhapsodie Espagnol" has a considerable amount of surface noise — and Debussy's orchestral masterpiece, "La Mer," is not much better — the performances are the best. Monteux's album of the monumental Stravinsky "Fire Bird Suite" and Debussy's "Nocturnes" is as perfect as Munch's album. The London Symphony, now conducted and directed by Monteux, has recently become one of Europe's finest orchestras. Monteux must certainly be responsible for its growth and development. RCA Victor's horn of plenty is a full one! It would pay to look into it. PIECES OF EIGHT Bobby Darin is quite well after vacationing in Palm Springs. His sudden illness caused great concern among his many fans. I'm happy to be able to report that he is back in A-one condition. . . . Ray Charles has started his own recording company. Its discs will be released through ABC-Paramount. Epic Records has an A & R band made up and rarin' to go — producers Bobby Gregg, Jerry Kennedy and Tom Morgan. Let me tell you they can play, too! ... United Artists will be recording Rose "Chi Chi" Murphy shortly. It's good to see the real "pros" around and kicking up a storm. Amanda Ambrose, Harry Belafonte's find, has a new album that is fantastic. Watch out for this lady! . . . Bobby Vinton has been hitting things right. "Blue Velvet" has now had a rebirth. . . . Arthur Prysock — a singer with much talent who has been passed over time and time again — finally looks like he'll soon be able to make a big dent in the market, via his new recordings. They're very promising. Don Costa is back from California, where he recorded Tommy Sands. . . . Columbia Records has a secret weapon, called Terri Thornton . . . and she'll be like an explosion nobody expected — but everybody will soon know about. What ever became of the Rover Boys? . . . Where is Eileen Barton? . . . Meanwhile, RCAVictor looks like they're going to give the really big push to Joe Williams, the former blues shouter with Count Basie. Some stereo component sets can run you into four figures, so I'd like to tell you about one I found that almost anyone can afford. And not only is the price right, but the sound is as good as you'll hear on much more expensive sets. The set is the Koss Personal Listener and comprises, in one portable unit, a turntable and built-in amplifier. It's listened to with earphones. That gives you the freedom to listen at any time without bothering anybody. As a matter of fact, if you already have a component set, you can buy a pair of these Koss Stereophones to complete it. 23