Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1, No. 7 (1927-04)

The Phonograph Monthly Review 815 I was in Tokyo at the day of disaster, (Sept. 1st, 1923) and after many terrible shock, soon I started to my home town, (32 miles from Tokyo) as pedestrian, and after spent 18 hours with hunger, tiredness, sleepless, and the danger of fire and continual shocks, I reached my town, where destroyed and burned entirely except a very small part, luckily, my house situated at this safe part, and miraculous, saved from the calamity with slight damages, I was anxious about my instrument and records from at first shock, and on the way to my home, but I madly glad when I saw these were very safe. I wish to have the honor to contribute about another topic of Japanese phonograph world in my next letter. Please let me hear when you require anything from Japan, I am always to serve you. Yours faithfully, Hajime Fukaya. P.S. Will you please ask to your business manager that I sent the subscription at Dec. 17th, 1926, but the magazine not yet arrive, perhaps it will come soon. I wish to read the splendid magazine very eagerly. Editor’s Note: The above letter is printed in full, without alterations, to give our readers a little idea of to what extent real courage and enthusiasm for music will go, despite all the tremendous difficulties and hardships that may beset the way . Our friend Mr. Fukaya sets an example that every American enthusiast may well observe and emulate. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: I was surprised to find a serious omission in Mr. Marsh’s otherwise excellent article on Spanish Music. The name of Joaquin Turina is, perhaps, not very familiar to musicians in this country, as his music is played here but rarely. I be- lieve him to be the only living Spanish composer who can be named in the same breath with Manuel de Falla. The latter undoubtedly displays greater originality in his writing, but also betrays foreign influences. The musical ideas of Turina are far finer, and the texture is more firmly knit. He has written sonatas and suites for piano, a little chamber music, some songs and at least two orchestral works, “La procession de Rocio” and “Danzas Fantasticas.” Many of his piano works are orchestral in conception, and, in fact, some of them have been orchestrated by himself and others. The “Tres arias” for voice and piano are beautiful numbers, which an artist like Schipa would do well to examine for recording purposes. His piano music, too, should be better known. While in no way epoch-making, nevertheless it has a distinct place in contemporary key-board music. Unfortunately the only recorded work of Turina’s, beautiful as it is, is so badly done that it is but a caricature of the original. This is the “Danzas Fantasticas” (of which a piano version is extant). These were recorded a few years ago by Columbia (British) under Sir Henry Wood, and, as usual, atrociously cut. There are three dances. The first contains an unauthorized repeat (to fill up space on the record) which throws the movement out of balance. The other two are hacked mercilessly. Let us say no more about them. It is to be hoped that they will be re-recorded soon (they are really very attractive music), but in their proper form, and under a Latin conduc- tor. Henry S. Gerstle. New York City. Phonograph Society Reports NEW YORK PHONOGRAPH SOCIETY The plans and ardent endeavors for the formation of a Phonograph Society in New York City were finally realized on the evening of February 21st when the initial meeting was held in Mr. Marconi’s Music Salon, 126 East 59th Street, and the society formally organized. Mr. Marconi’s courteous co-operation in the work of es- tablishing the long discussed society 'deserves especial com- mendation. The pioneers of the movement in New York had experienced considerable difficulty in finding a suitable meeting place and in their preliminary work among the phonograph dealers had found many of the latter either un- willing or unable to co-operate. Mr. Marconi, however, was thoroughly conversant with the progress of the movement in other cities and was more than ready to give his co-operative support to the work in New York. New York City with its endless variety of entertainment is naturally a difficult place to secure and keep the interest of the many phonograph enthusiasts and for this reason the members who formed the Society decided that two meetings a month should be held in order to sustain interest and make real progress. Among the speakers at the initial meeting was Mr. John- son, Managing Editor of the Phonograph Monthly Review, whom although in poor health and against the advice of his physician, came down from Boston to be present. He out- lined the work of the societies both in other cities in this country and abroad and stressed particularly the neutral attitude maintained by the Societies toward all the recording companies. At his suggestion, the two men instrumental in the formation of the New York Society were almost unani- mously elected its first officers. They were Mr. Henry S. Gerstle as President and Mr. Peter Hugh Reed as Secretary and Treasurer. A splendid program of domestic and imported records was necessarily curtailed by the time occupied in formally estab- lishing the society, but each of the leading American Com- panies was represented before the close of the meeting. The fine recording of the “1812 Overture” by the Cleveland Or- chestra was played from the Brunswick list. The lovely second movement of Berlioz’ “Symphonie Fantastique” repre- sented the Columbia Company and the Victor Company’s version of the Venusberg Music and Bacchanale from “Tann- hauser,” in Coates’ striking interpretation was also given. Plans were discussed for future meetings and policies and rapid progress of the society seemed assured. Those inter- ested in joining or being kept in touch with its plans are requested to communicate with the Secretary, Mr. Peter Hugh Reed, Kew Hall, Kew Gardens, Long Island, N. Y. PHILADELPHIA PHONOGRAPH SOCIETY The last two meetings of the Philadelphia Phonograph Society were designated respectively as “Victor” and “Colum- bia” nights. The former was held in the Model Room of the Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, New Jersey, and included the demonstration of a number of the recent Victor recordings by Mr. Richardson, who also gave a most interesting talk to the members “Columbia” night was held in the Model Room of the Columbia Phonograph Company’s branch, 40 North 6 th St., Philadelphia, and was devoted to the demonstration of a number of the Columbia Beethoven Centennial releases, ac- companied by talks on various aspects of Beethoven’s music and life. Through the courtesy of Mrs. Joseph Leidy, Chairman of the Philadelphia Beethoven Centennial Committee, members of the society and their friends were given a special invitation to the Beethoven Centennial Exhibit at the Art Alliance, 251 South 18th St., during the Centennial Week, March 20-26. The energy and perseverance of Mr. James V. Yarnall, the Secretary, is resulting in continued progress of the movement in Philadelphia. Persons interested or anxious to join the society should communicate with him at 1524 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Penna. PROVIDENCE PHONOGRAPH SOCIETY The Providence Phonograph Society held its second meet- ing on Monday evening, February 21. In the absence of the president, the vice-president, Mrs. Caesar Misch, presided. The program was made up of the new Victor, Columbia, and Brunswick releases. In many instances older recordings of the same selections from Mrs. Misch’s enormous record library were played to show the variance in recording and in- terpretations. For purposes of comparison several of the numbers were played on the older Ultona type Brunswick machine and the new Panatrope. After the program a general discussion was held, in which it was brought out that unusual care must be taken of the new records, in many of which there is an unfortunate tendency for the walls of the grooves to break down after very little playing. An announcement was made of the new Victor attachment for playing twelve records without a pause. The Society will have a demonstration at the next monthly meeting.