Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1, No. 11 (1927-08)

The Phonograph Monthly Review 476 vaer— Analytical Notes and Reviews BY OUR STAFF CRITICS HGV M IDSUMMER releases in Great Britain and Germany are like those everywhere, less rich in large size works than the monthly issues during the “season” In the Parolophone list, Dr. Mdrike’s three-part Rienzi Overture stands out (the fourth side is given to the Grand March from Tannhduser). Dr. Weiss- mann offers a two-part Martha Overture; Anna Linde and, Paul Grummer, two unusual records of HandeVs Sonata for Harpischord and Viola da Gamba; the Edith Lor and and Dajos Bela or- chestras are represented as usual; and for lead- ing vogal record, there are two Cavalleria Rus- ticana selections sung by Tino Pattiera. Two leading choral records also are issued by Parlo- phone, one the Easter Hymn and Regina Coeli from Cavalleria Rusticana (Emmy Bettendorf, soloist), and the other the Triumphal March from Aida; bother are conducted by Dr. Morike. Columbia releases a four-part Leonora Over- ture No. 3 by Sir Henry Wood and the New Queen's Hall Orchestra; Guglielmetti in selec- tions from Lucia di Lammermoor; Galeffi in arias from Barber of Sevile and Faust; Albert Sam- mons in Svendsen’s Romance in G for violin and piano; and a selection of Students' Songs by the Band of H. M. Grenadier Guards. From H.M.V. comes perhaps the most striking release of the month, that of a re-recording (com- plete) of Grieg's Concerto by Arthur de Greef and the Royal Albert Hall Orchestra (Ronald), who will be remembered for their old four-part version issued by Victor in this country. The complete recording is in eight parts, four records. In the list of Poly dor re-pressings (which are now being made in England by both H.M.V. and Brunswick) is Dr. Blech's two-part record of Thomas' Mignon Overture. Harold Samuel con- tinues his Bach releases with the remaining half of the Partita in B flat (Sarabande, Minuets 1 and 2, and Gigue). The York Minster Choir is heard in two records of choral works of Byrd and Gibbons; the Temple Church Choir in Men- delssohn Hear My Prayer (Air: 0 for the Wings of a Dove) with a highly praised boy-soprano soloist. Elizabeth Schumann's Morgen and Ser- enade of Strauss and, British re-pressings of re- cent records by Paderewski and Schipa are the remaining outstanding H.M.V. releases. And by the way, when is the Victor Company going to bring over some of Miss Schumann's recordings? She is enthusiastically remembered here by many music lovers for her tour with Richard Strauss a few years ago, in programs of his songs, and judging from reports, her records do her voice and interpretations full justice. The English Brunswick Company continues its series of Polydor releases with Max von Schill- ings' Valkyrie Magic Fire Spell and a six-part recording of Rheinberger's Organ Concerto, Op. 177, by Professor Walter Fischer. Miscellaneous releases are Vocalion's Introduc- tion to the Third Act of Lohengrin and Proces- sion, Act Three, from Die Meistersinger (Chappie and the Festival Symphony Orchestra); Edison Bell's four-part Gipsy Suite of Edward German (Royal Symphony Orchestra); and the same com- pany's special releases of modern ballet music from The Three-Cornered Hat, The Fire Bird, Petrouchka, and Prince Igor, by the orchestra of the Russian Ballet conducted by M. Deffosse. De- tails of these interesting works are lacking, but perhaps Captain Barnett will soon provide them. And by the way, we advise every reader who has not already done so to turn to the Captain's “British Chatter” elsewhere in this magazine and read his own personal message to his American friends. His remarks on the Credenza Ortho- phonic Victrola should not be overlooked, either, as the results of his tests of that instrument and his praise of it are naturally of keen interest to every owner or prospective owner of a Credenza. From the domestic manufacturing companies, the Uvo notable announcements from Columbia are the outstanding developments of the month. Elsewhere in this issue we are publishing the de- tails of the Schubert Centenary plans and the prize contest, and the Columbia-Kolster combina- tion, both of which are significant to every en- thusiast. From the Victor Company also comes some very good news, embodied in a special cata- logue of Victor Records of Historical and Per- sonal Interest, listing all the noteworthy acoustic- ally recorded works withdrawn for a time from the Victor catalogue, but which will now be ob- tainable again. As the preface states, “Like old books, their interest will not diminish but will grow with time,” and it is fortunate that these records are again made available to music lovers. From the Brunswick Company there has not come as yet official word of the release of Polydor re- pressings, but the issue of these in England as noted above indicates that an announcement may be expected shortly. Our mention last month of the new recording of Dukas' L'Apprenti Sorcier has been greeted with widespread interest by the many enthusiasts who have been looking forward to an electrical version of this work. Unfortunately, a mistake in the shipping department of Imhof's resulted in our receiving two copies of the first record, in- stead of one of each, and a regular review must be postponed until Part 3 and the Marriage of Figaro overture on the 4 th side reach us. The