Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 3, No. 3 (1928-12)

76 The Phonograph Monthly Review December, 1928 this month indicates that the managers of the various foreign record departments are exerting every effort in the race for supremacy. Indeed, they are now offering nearly as many valuable works in the foreign lists as in the domestic. The Victor lists is always rich in “finds”, but never more so than this month, when choral records are specially featured. A vocal version of the Blue Danube Waltz by the Vienna Mannergesang- verein and Philharmonic Orchestra, French noels by the Choeurs Religieux, two more ex- cerpts from Die Winterreise sung by Elena Ger- hardt, religious songs by the Staats und Domchor and Philharmonic Choir, Italian songs by the Florentine Choir and Russian ones by the Rus- sian State Choir and Russian Symphonic Choir, Traviata selections by Creatore’s Band, The Beautiful Galatea Overture played by Viebig and the Berlin State Orchestra, and a fine Waltz Potpourri by Marek Weber and his Orchestra. There are also many novelty records which lack of space forbids listing here. Mr. K. Berthold, the new manager of the Foreign Record Depart- ment of the Okeh Corporation, makes a very fine showing, especially in the German list, where he offers fine records by Richard Tauber, chorales by the Staats und Domchor, brilliant marches by the Grosses Odeon Orchestra, and a very amusing typical German comic song, Die Lacher, sung by Hans Bladel. Another release of particular note is one of choruses from I Lombardi and Nabucco, sung by La Scala Chorus. Most interesting in the Brunswick list are works by Castelucci’s Or- chestra (Christmas Pastorales), International Concert Orchestra (Csardas and Gypsy’s Seren- ade), Brunswick International Orchestra, Mun- icipal Band, and Isa Kremer. Columbia is rep- resented by unusually good German and Irish lists, concentrating on disks of special Christmas interest, a fine Pipkoff Rhapsody played by a Bulgarian Military Band, and a recitation record by Moissi, the celebrated German actor, now tour- ing this country. Again I must urge my readers to examine these foreign supplements, so rich in phono- graphic “finds.” Every record buyer should ob- tain copies of these release lists from his dealer and pick out from them the works in which he is particularly interested. Having had com- plaints from a number of readers that they have been unable to obtain supplements from their dealers, we have secured assurances from the foreign departments of all the manufacturers that they will be very glad to send these supple- ments directly to any interested music lover who cannot obtain them otherwise. Through the New York Band Instrument Com- pany we have imported two very fine Fonotipia disks, the Overture to Nabucca and the Lorelei Dances, and two Mengelberg works released some time ago in England, the Adagietto from Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and the Hungarian March and Dance of the Sylphs from Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust. The last-named record was rather disappointing, and on hearing it we under- stood better why Columbia refused to re-press it in this country, and had Hamilton Harty play these pieces instead—a characteristic example of the discrimination and good taste shown by Col- umbia’s Repertory Department. From The Gramophone Shop we have obtained a notable ad- dition to the Studio Library in the form of a complete set of Philharmonia Miniature Scores, for which they are now official agents. From the H. Royer Smith Company we have several works on the way, including the new Polydor set of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, but they have not reached us in time for mention here. All three importers have notified us that they have large shipments on the way from abroad, which are expected any day, and will surely be available for the many Christmas orders. Until the shipments arrive it is impossible to tell just what orders have been filled from abroad, but special lists may be obtained direct from the importers as soon as the shipments are received and opened. Of exceptional import to all collectors of or- chestral records, is the news (perhaps already known to many readers through the newspaper reports) that a travelling recording outfit from the Victor Company has been at work three af- ternoons in Symphony Hall, Boston, making the long-anticipated records of Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Through the courtesy of the German Parlo- phone Company we have been provided with a photograph of Dajos Bela’s Orchestra, well known to every American record buyer through its Odeon releases, but less familiar in appear- ance. This photograph is reproduced elsewhere in this issue and offers an interesting comparison between the make-up of this orchestra and similar American organizations. Those who do not know already the brilliant work this orchestra can do, should lose no time in hearing its Traviata Selec- tion, Fledermaus Overture, or Symphonic fox- trots, Samum and Sulamith. For this Christmas Number, as for last year’s, the Reverend Herbert B. Satcher of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, has graciously accepted our invita- tion to contribute the Christmas Editorial, in spite of the fact that his church and musical ac- tivities of this season of the year allow him but little leisure for writing. We trust that his Christmas Editorial is now an established tradi- tion which he may continue for many years to come. At this time I offer on behalf of the Staff and myself The Phonograph Monthly Review’s best wishes to all its friends for a happy phono- graphic Christmas and New Year! Surely the past year has been a musically profitable one and given a splendid promise for the one which is to come.