Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1, No. 8 (1927-05)

The Phonograph Monthly Review 351 I was extremely interested in the article by Mr. Vories Fisher on the recording of one’s favorite works. It seems to me that in spite of the number of exccellent orchestras and conductors in the States, that they are behind hand in record- ing the larger works and the number of them. Some of those which he recommends have already been successfully made by H.M.V. which I have just acquired namely “Finlandia” by by Ronald and the R. A. Orchestra; “Scheherazade” by the Royal Opera House Orchestra with Goossens; also the “Planets” of which No. 4 Jupiter by Coates and the London Symphony Orchestra has been made. Furthermore the H. M. V. have recorded such popular numbers as Debussy’s “Prelude a l’apres midi d’une faume,” Tchaikowski’s B flat minor Piano Concerto,” “Leonora Overture,” “Enigma Variations,” Tchai- kowski’s “4th” and last but not least Beethoven’s immortal “Fifth” and many Wagnerian numbers; all these pieces, of course, electrically recorded. All this tends to show what a tremendous impulse has been given to the gramophone, and that without doubt, before long we shall have but little to complain of at least as far as list of selections go. I am quite anxious to commence a society here among the few musical “cranks” somewhat on the lines of similar ones in the States and elsewhere. I should certainly appreciate any suggestions which you might offer, and should you or your readers desire any more news of our musical life in Bermuda I assure you that I should be only too willing to avail myself of the opportunity to do so. Again please accept my most humble, though hearty con- gratulations for your most excellent work in this field. Hamilton, Bermuda. Edward York. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: Fortunately or unfortunately I have been gifted with the sense of absolute pitch, which however valuable in some re- spects, is a serious disadvantage as far as some records are concerned. As everyone knows, a record must be revolved at the speed at which it was recorded to have the correct pitch. Formerly the Victor Company alone used 78 revolutions per minute and the Columbia and Brunswick 80. But in recent Columbia Masterworks the 78 speed is used, also some very recent Brunswicks. Has a definite change been made with- out notifying the public? A standardized 78 speed of course is to be desired, but the change should be carefully explained to the public and some indication made of which class records are in. At just what point in the Columbia list did the change occur? This is an important point to me (and doubtless many others) since I wish my music to be reproduced in correct pitch. Salt Lake City, Utah. M. S. G. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: Can anyone recommend a reproducer for the Cheney phono- graph that will increase the tone, similar to the one sold for the old-style Victrolas? Germantown, Penna. W. G. S. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: I wrote to the Okeh Company and had the same experience as your correspondent Mr. Volkmann, but got a very prompt and courteous response from Mr. Mai, enclosing a catalogue. Can anyone tell me whether the Fonotipia recordings men- tioned by H. T. Barnett are obtainable in this country? Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. R. H. S. P. Editor’s Note. Fonotipia recordings have been unobtainable except through importation even in England until a month or so ago when the English Parlophone branch began carrying them in stock. We know of no other way they can be ob- tained here except through importers. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: Accustomed to regular business dealings in several lines, I am astonished at some of the conditions in the phonograph world. Is this Okeh Corporation of New York and its Odeon records all a myth—or do they actually exist? Reading several of your reviews of Odeon records, I immediately became anxious to possess them, but so far my most diligent endeavors have been in vain! I fail to see the logic of pressing all the splendid list of Beethoven. Strauss, etc., works advertised under the Odeon label and then apparently making them impossible to obtain. Personally, I am one of the few who fail to be carried off their feet by all the fireworks, “knock-oiRs,” and the “big noise”—to quote Captain Barnett—of the new recordings and I still prefer the old accoustics of the incomparable tone that now seems gone forever. And yet, I find it easier to import records from Italy or France than to obtain Odeons in this country. Must we be forced to send abroad for the original Parlophone pressings? The inconvenience caused does not trouble me so much as the thought of the sheer inefficiency of the matter! I fail to see any common sense or business to this company’s policy. They have beautiful records—and they are impossible to obtain! Spokane, Wash. J. S. H. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: I have been reading some of the reviews of the new Okeh dance recordings made under the direction of Mr. Hibbard and a recent opportunity to hear one of these records con- vinced me that you have hardly given them credit enough! I never took the Okehs very seriously before, but this record was one of the finest dance disks I have ever heard. But I seem unable to purchase any of these dance and novelty Okehs here in Boston. Doesn’t any dealer have enough business sense to carry them? South Boston, Mass. C. T. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: We have been unable to obtain the following list of Colum- bia records anywhere in our vicinity, or from the Columbia Phonograph Co. A-5281, Fre instead—Lohengrin; A-5521, Fremstead—Don Carlos; 1451 Die Walkure; A-1505, Mignon; A-2076, Goritz— Spielmannsleben; A-5835, Sembach—Lohengrin; A-5842, Sieg- fried; A-5889, Lohengrin; 48741, Lazaro—La Boheme; and A-5202, Mardones—La Juive. Los Angeles, Calif. Leslie H. Ely. Editor’s Note. These records have been withdrawn from the Columbia Company’s catalogue and are impossible to obtain on the market today. Can any of our readers assist Mr. Ely to locate them? Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: I am in receipt of the four issues of the Phonograph Monthly Review for which many thanks. I am very glad that you have started this journal for it will help us a great deal who buy records. I possess a good many American Col- umbia which unfortunately are sold no more in India. The H.M.V. have their own factory in Calcutta and so they have the monopoly. The London Columbia have their Indian agency at Calcutta, but do not keep all the records in stock. The majority of the records sold in India are the H.M.V. Indian Music Records which no other Company manufactures. I enclose herein cuttings from Bombay newspapers which will no doubt interest you. It was a great surprise to hear of Mr. J. Heifetz coming to Bombay and though he only gave three concerts the whole theatre was booked in advance. Mr. Borrisoff and Mr. Mirovitch preceeded him and they got too a splendid ovation from the public. I now trust that great inusicians will now stop at Bombay on their way and give concerts. There is a rumor that Madame Alma Gluck, Mr. Mischa Elman and Mr. E. Zimbalist will also be visiting Bombay shortty, I hope they really do. Wishing the “Phonograph” every success! Bombay,^ India. M. R. Bharucha. Editor’s Note, Mr. Bharucha kindly sent us some very interesting clippings from Bombay newspapers reviewing the concerts lie mentions. This letter and the one from Mr. Fukaya in last month’s issue give a vivid illustration of the work the phonograph is doing in pavinn the way for actual concerts of famous artists in distant lands. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: The Phonograph Monthly Review has been valuable to many in so many ways that perhaps I may be permitted to make a suggestion for the further extension of its value. I refer specifically to the publishing of advance information about record releases. As you probably know, magazines dealing w T ith books print advance information as a matter of course, particularly of the big spring and fall releases. The- atrical and moving picture magazines also give their readers advance news of the plays and movies in the process of pre- paration. Recently I went to considerable expense and effort to im- port several English H.M.V. and Columbia recordings. Be-