Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 3, No. 10 (1929-07)

July, 1929 The Phonograph Monthly Review 353 VIOLONCELLO Columbia 1827-D (DIO, 75c) Debussy: Romance, and Simonetti-Squire: Madrigale, played by W. H. Squire, with piano accompaniments. . , The Debussy morceau is very romantic indeed and Squire s performance is highly sentimental,—fortunately not lushly so, however. The familiar Simonetti Madrigale makes an appropriate coupling, but here the sentiment is more grace- ful and animated. The recording is good. R.O.B. Operatic TRISTAN AND ISOLDE (British Columbia; available through the importers.) U NDOUBTEDLY, the highest wish of every “perfect Wagnerite” is to attend a performance at the Fest- spieltheater at Bayreuth. And now, at last, through the agency of the Columbia Phonograph Company, this experi- ence is within the reach of everyone. And not only that, but, for this nearly complete recording, they have chosen what is one of Wagner’s two greatest music-dramas, and certainly the most supreme love-opera ever composed TRISTAN and ISOLDE. Perhaps a few words about the principal artists concerned might prove of interest. The name of the Swedish singer, Nanny Larsen-Todsen, is probably familiar to most fre- quenters of the Metropolitain. I must confess that, for my part, the beauty and richness of her voice was a revelation, as she must have been in very bad voice the only time that I heard her interpret ISOLDE. The sole fault which may be urged against her is her often faulty ennunciation. Gunnar Graarud is, according to Lawrence Gilman, an ideal TRISTAN, both in voice and in appearance. Vocally, he certainly far transcends any singer of the part at present to be heard in New York. Anny Helm is a young Vien- nese soprano belonging to the company of the Staedtische Opera in Berlin. Her voice is good, but possibly a trifle light for the part of Brangaene. The splendid voice of Ivar Andresen, first bass of the Dresden Opera should need no introduction to phonograph enthusiasts. (He also took this same part in the Victor TRISTAN, Act III). His is a very moving and noble interpretation of KOENIG MARKE. Rudolf Bockelmann, as KURWENAL, has not a very large role, but shows himself adequate. Of the conductor, Karl Elmendorff of the Munich Staatsoper, Lawrence Gilman said that he gave a subdued and entirely poetic reading, and one may add that it is sometimes on the slow side. Before going into a more detailed analysis of the work, I shall give a few general criticisms. The most disappoint- ing thing mechanically is the recording of the orchestra. Remembering the deep, rich presentation of the orchestra in last year’s Bayreuth issue, one is somewhat taken aback at the way it here usually effaces itself when accompanying the singers, so that the details of the instrumentation are, frequently, necessarily lost. When alone however as in the preludes etc., it reproduces excellently. On the other hand, the voices are finely recorded though the volume sometimes varies. The echo due to the empty theatre is rarely notice- able. ISOLDE Nancy Larsen-Todsen BRANGAENE Anny Helm TRISTAN Gunnar Graarud KOENIG MARKE Ivar Andresen MELOT Joachim Sattler SHEPHERD Hans Beer SAILOR Gustaf Rodin CHORUS of SAILORS The BAYREUTH FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA con- ducted by Karl Elmendorff. Two Lectures by Ernest Newman, with piano. (References are to the Kleinmichel piano trans- cription, published by Breitkopf & Haertel.) Act I (Parts 1-15). The first act takes place on the deck of the ship bearing ISOLDE to Cornwall to be the bride of KING MARK. By means of the dialogue between ISOLDE and BRANGAENE, we are also acquainted with much that has goms before. IMPORTED RECORDS WAGNER Tannhauser—Overture. In four parts. Berlin State Opera Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Karl Muck Two 12-inch HMV discs. Price $2.00 each. BEETHOVEN Sonata in A Flat. Opus 110. In three movements; four parts. Frederic Lamond (Piano). Two 12-inch HMV discs. Price $2.00 each. Quartet No. 15 in A Minor. Opus 132. In ten parts. Played by Capet String Quartet. Five 12-inch Col- umbia discs complete with album. Price $9.50. Quartet No. 14 in C Sharp Minor. Opus 131. In ten parts. Played by Capet String Quartet. Five 12- inch Columbia discs complete with album. Price $9.50. RESPIGHI Pines of Rome. In six parts. Played by Orchestra della Scala under the direction of E. Panizza. Three 10-inch Fonotipia discs complete with album. Price $5.00. HONEGGER Preludes et Blues and LARMANJOT Scherzo. Both sides played by a Quartette of Chro- matic Harps. One 12-inch HM V disc. Price $1.75. DONIZETTI Don Pasquale—Overture. In two parts. Played by Berlin State Opera Orchestra under the direction of Oskar Fried. One 12-inch Polydor disc. Price $1.50. JUST ISSUED! Our Bulletin No. 1, 1929, contains hundreds of other imported records. Post free to any ad- dress. Send for our 1929 General Catalogue. Price 15c postpaid. H. ROYER SMITH CO. Dealers and Importers of All Ma\es of PHONOGRAPH RECORDS 10th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia Plan a Day in Philadelphia This Summer