Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1, No. 4 (1927-01)

158 The Phonograph Monthly Review its influence has been spread out over a truly immense area. Many new works and novelties have been introduced by Dr. Damrosch, the one arousing the most discussion recently being Gershwin’s Piano Concerto which was written especially for Damrosch after the sensational success of the composer’s Rhapsody in Blue— probably the finest achievement in the form of “jazz.” The work of music appreciation which Leopold Damrosch carried on so effectively during his years in New York has not been forgotten by his son. In particular, the radio has been made use of to bring his lectures and musical illustra- tions of operas and symphonies to the American public. The eagerness of the father to bring out new works still in the manuscript form has also been matched tirelessly by the son. During all the strenuous years of conducting and educational work, Dr. Damrosch has man- aged to devote time to composition. Three operas, The Scarlet Letter, Cyrano de Bergerac, and The Dove of Peace; incidental music to Iphigenia in Aulis, Medea, and Electra; and many other smaller works stand to his credit. In addition he has always been ready to assist, in every possible way any worthy musical activity. In his book, “My Musical Life,” there is un- folded a story that will hold any reader spell- bound. All the difficulties and successes he met are told there in a simple, natural style that is most fascinating to read. His reminiscences of the leading musicians he knew throw a valuable light on their personalities. All the long period he has been active in music—and that dates from the years of his earliest childhood—is covered in this book. It is one that every person interested in music should be familiar with. Naturally, Dr. Damrosch saw in the phono- graph a new opportunity for spreading musical culture. The Columbia Phonograph Company secured the exclusive rights to his recordings and have issued five records. These appeared a few years ago and have done much to carry on the educational work going on in the concert hall, the lecture platform, in books, and on the radio. Of course at the time they were made it was impossible to issue any large size work, but it is greatly to be hoped that Dr. Damrosch may soon record again, this time under the electrical process and a work of importance and stature. The five records issued are: 7016 M Mozart: Symphony in G Minor (1st and 3rd Movements). 7017 M Grieg: Norwegian Dances (Nos. 1 and 2) and Strauss: Roses from the South. 7018 M Nicolai: Merry Wives of Windsor Overture and Weber: Freischutz Overture. 7073 M Beethoven: Eighth Symphony (2nd and 3rd Movements). 7074 M Schubert Rosamunde Overture and Brahms: Second Symphony (3rd Movement). Most of these works, particularly the overtures, are of course cut a great deal, but for the purpose for which they were issued, they are very good indeed. Before the big things, before complete symphonies on records for America, there must necessarily come the smaller things and the work of making the public familiar with the most easily assimilated movements from well-known sym- phonies is a very vitally important one. Pieces like the Norwegian Dances of Grieg also have a value in musical appreciation work that is not easy to estimate. Records like these have paved the way for the wonderful things that are being issued today. The latter would never have been possible without the former, one must never for- get that. The work that Dr. Damrosch has carried on for so many years is still going on with no abate- ment of his vigor or enthusiasm. And through his writings and demonstration-lectures over the radio his influence is reaching more and more people. Every year he conducts a major part at least of the New York Symphony Orchestra’s concerts and his desire to make new things of worth known to the American public never abates. Dr. Damrosch conducted the first American performances of Tchaikowsky’s Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, Brahms’ Fourth, Elgar’s First and Second, Saint-Saens’ Sampson and Delilah, Tchaikowsky’s Eugene Onegin, and Wagner’s Parsival. Truly a notable list of great works. Of course there are innumerable compositions of less importance which he has performed for the first time or for the first time in America. He has given special attention to young American composers of ability and many of them owe hear- ings of their works to him. The crowd of his followers and admirers has always been close behind him, ready to support him to their limit in his endeavors. And this group is always growing. The love and respect that he has won is absolutely unreserved; his friends are always with him heart and soul! And the splendid work he is doing at his Children’s Concerts and his simple, unaffected manner of making the children follow the music apprecia- tively make him the musical benefactor and friend of thousands of the music lovers of tomorrow. The phonograph enthusiasts of this country may well look forward with anticipation to the time that may come when Dr. Damrosch will issue a major work that will fittingly memorialize on records the abilities and sincerity that have made him so well known and so well loved. Suggestions to the Dealer Open Forum T HE letter from Mr. Harrolds in last month's issue and the one from V. F. in the Novem- ber number have evidently aroused consider- able discussion. Many readers have written in to take a stand in favor of the suggested demonstration-recitals of new releases by the dealers and an improvement in the musical intelligences of record salespeople. From Chicago comes Mr. Theodore R. K. Schwartz to swell the tale of the woes of phonograph enthusiasts.