Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 2, No. 10 (1928-07)

356 The Phonograph Monthly Review band which they firmly believed was inside, and it was almost impossible to convince them that it was a phonograph, so realistic was the rec- ord as reproduced on the electric instrument. We have had several enquiries regarding the activities of the new Sonora Company and we are glad to pass on the information that they are to begin to put their records on the market by the early fall. Detailed announcements of their plans will of course be made later. News of unusual interest comes from the Brunswick Company announcing two major re- leases from the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra under Nicholai Sokoloff. The first, in September, is to be a hitherto unrecorded work, Rachmanin- off's Second Symphony; and the second will be Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, to be followed later by several other recordings. In our Sep- tember issue, when the Rachmaninoff Symphony will be reviewed, we shall publish also some very interesting material regarding this composition which has been recorded in a new version re- vised by the composer, partly in accordance with the suggestions of Mr. Sokoloff who has played the work with great success in Cleveland and on tour. * * * It is with the deepest of regret that we an- July, 1928 nounce the passing away of Mr. James E. Rich- ardson of the Victor Company. The phonograph movement has lost one of its staunchest support- ers and many musicians, officials, and amateurs have lost a true friend. Mr. Richardson was very much interested in the Philadelphia Phono- graph Society and spent many efforts on its be- half. Through the kindness of one of his closest associates, Mr. Charles O'Connell, we have the privilege of publishing the beautiful memorial article elsewhere in this issue. We made every possible effort to secure a photograph of Mr. Richardson for publication, but unfortunately we were unsuccessful as his family has tempor- arily left Philadelphia and none of his friends possessed a picture of him from which we might have a cut made. To his family and former asso- ciates we extend our deepest sympathy and an expression of the regret which we feel over the Joss to the phonograph world and to those of us who were privileged to enjoy his personal friend- ship. Recorded Church Music By HERBERT BOYCE SATCHER Concluded from last issue Of the German classical and romantic com- posers, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Men- delssohn are represented by anthems on records. Mozart with “Glorious Is Thy Name”, an ar- rangement of the well-worn Gloria in Excelsis from the 12th Mass, sung by Trinity Choir (Vic- tor 35768) ; Beethoven with “Die Ehre Gottes Aus Der Natur” sung by the Northeastern Sanger- bund (Victor 78809) ; Schubert with “Great Is Jehovah”, an arrangement of “Die Allmacht”, sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Victor 35760) ; and Mendelssohn with “Hear My Prayer” sung by the Choir of the Temple Church, London (Victor 35856), and by the Choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor (English Columbia 9233). Perhaps Mendelssohn exerted as great an in- fluence on the English Victorian Church com- posers as did Handel on those of the Hanoverian period. Sir John Goss is remembered for his two beautiful anthems—“0 Saviour of the World” and “0 Taste and See”. There are records of the former by the Choir of Canterbury Cathedral (H.M.V.—B2543) and by the Choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor (English Columbia 4212), and of the latter by the Sheffield Choir, conducted by Sir Henry Coward (English Colum- bia 9227). Sir W. Sterndale Bennett is known today chiefly for his Whitsunday anthem—“God Is a Spirit.” It is sung by a Choir from the Chorus of the British National Opera Co. (H.M.V. —E397), and by the Choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor (Released in this country as Columbia 899D). Samuel Sebestian Wesley is to- day coming more and more into his own as a Church musician of the first water. His “O Lord My God’ has been sung by the Choir of New College Chapel, Oxford (H.M.V.—B2446), and “Ascribe Unto the Lord’ by the Choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor (English Columbia 9175). The middle and late Victorian school flourished amazingly and produced some great names, but it was so long held up as the acme of perfection that the feeling now is craving for more solid musical food. Of the Rev. H. H. Woodward’s work, “The Radiant Morn” and “The Sun Shall Be No More Thy Light” have been recorded by the Sheffield Choir (English Colum- bia 9227 and 9291) ; by Sir John Stainer it is surprising to discover that we have only “I Am Alpha and Omega”, coupled on No. 9291 above; and by Sir Arthur Sullivan only “0 Gladsome Light’ by a Choir from the Chorus of the British