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

The Phonograph Monthly Review 355 orchestral records under the new method of recording. This talk was illustrated by the Fourth Movement of the Second Symphony, the Fourth Movement of the Fourth Symphony, the Third and Fourth Movements of the Fifth Symphony and the Second Movement of the Eighth Symphony, Colum- bia records being used. The Society then listened to Dr. Damrosch’s recorded talk on the Second Movement of the Third Symphony, which record was given to the Society by the Columbia Phonograph Company. The record, of course, proved to be of unusual interest. Mr. Robert Pollock then gave a talk on Beethoven’s quartets, bringing out the de- velopment of Beethoven’s genius in this field. His talk was illustrated by the scherzo of Op. 18, No. 2, the scherzo of Op. 59, No. 2, both Columbia recordings, and Op. 135, Victor recording. L. J. Harris, Secretary. Providence Phonograph Society The Providence Phonograph Society had a very interesting meeting on Monday evening, March 21. The dealers had supplied one of the new Automatic Orthophonic Victrolas for a demonstration. This ingenious machine will work quite successfully for dance music programs, but unfortunately it plays only one side of the record, necessitating for a contin- uous performance of any of the larger works two sets of records. Its inability to handle at the same time both ten and twelve inch records is also a handicap. Our program was made up chiefly of the new releases. One of the best of these was the Walter Damrosch record of the Funeral March from the “Eroica” Symphony, a gift from the Beethoven Centennial Committee, sponsored by the Columbia Phonograph Company. The new Victor records of the Siegfried Funeral March, and especially the Philadelphia Symphony’s superb records of the Rienzi Overture and Goetterdaemmerung Finale aroused particular enthusiasm. A part of the excellent address of Professor D. G. Mason for the Beethoven Centennial was read aloud. At the end of the program a very interesting comparison in recorded music was made. The new Paderewski record of the Chopin E major Etude was played on the Panatrope, and just afterwards on the Welte-Mignon reproducing piano with the same artist. Then the Debussy Reverie was played on the Welte-Mignon and later on the Skinner automatic organ. Three new members were enrolled. A. P. DeWeese, Secretary. 300 Grosvenor Ave., Westmount, Montreal, P. Q., Canada, April 9, 1927. Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review, Dear Sir: I am very desirous of forming a Phonograph Society in Montreal and in this connection I wish to write to you for your advice, which according to your most excellent journal, you are willing to offer. We in Canada are not yet blessed with the their way into the American lists. For example, multitude of recordings that are now finding of all the Victor Beethoven recordings issued in the U. S. A., only the C minor (5th) Symphony has been issued here, and the Montreal Factory informs me that they may issue another set in two or three months time. But if we can estab- lish a few societies here, we shall not only bene- fit ourselves, but it may be possible that it will influence the companies in issuing all the master- work sets as they appear in the U. S. A. I have just received a shipment of Vocalion Records from England. Generally speaking, I have been very disappointed with electric vocal records, with one or two exceptions, but I can safely say, as my own honest opinion, that the Vocalion (English) Electric vocal records are ab- solutely successful. That is of course from a recording standard. In buying records in the past, I have bought for quality of tone first and interpretation second. Of course, if the inter- pretation was very poor, I would not buy. As example of what I mean, under the old process, Vocalion, Columbia, H. M. V. and Victor issued Schubert's Unfinished Symphony (I have not heard the old German recordings) under the old mechanical process, of which Victor alone was complete. Of the lot, Columbia produced the best interpretation of the music, but its record- ing was very rough and uneven. Vocalion gave a good sound interpretation, but its tone quality and recording were by far the best of the lot, even allowing that certain instruments did not come through. But I would rather an instru- ment did not come through as strong as it should, providing that what does come through is sweet, than that it should come through and be rough or harsh. Hence my choice of the Vocalion of the mechanical sets. I am waiting for an elec- trical set, a little better than the new Columbia set. In closing, would it be possible to have a list of your Montreal Subscribers. If so, I could get in touch with them, in regard to a phonograph Society. Wishing you all prosperity, Sincerely, (Signed) Bedford R. Thaeker. * THE PHONOGRAPH SOCIETY MOVEMENT Enthusiasts, interested iln the rapidly-* growing Phonograph Society Movement, may write to the Editorial Department, Phonograph Monthly Review, 64 Hyde Park Avenue, Boston, Mass., for advice and assistance in the formation and maintenance of societies, and the preparation of pro- grams. Arrangements may be made to obtain demonstration records as a loan from the leading recording companies who have as- sured us their heartiest co-operation. On pages 353, 354 and 355 of this issue are printed the reports of the activities and plans of the Societies already established. The work they are doing is of inestimable value to the cause of fine recorded music. Can your community afford to be without a Phonograph Society? There are un- doubtedly many enthusiasts in your neigh- borhood who would be glad to join the move- ment. Write in to us for information and assist- ance.