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

88 The Phonograph Monthly Review December, 1928 Phonographic Echoes SCHUBERT BIOGRAPHY COMMENDS COLUMBIA Dodd, Mead & Company have just issued the official biography of Franz Schubert for the Schubert Centennial, sponsored by the Columbia Phonograph Company. The book, by Oscar Bie, eminent German scholar, carries a foreword by Louis Sterling, Chairman of Columbia’s Board of Directors, and an introduction by Otto H. Kahn, Chairman of the Advisory Body of the Schubert Centennial. The jacket has likewise a brief “Story of the Schubert Centennial”, concluding with this passage: “Simultaneously with the issuance of this book, the or- ganizers of the Centennial, the Columbia Phonograph Com- pany, have issued as a memorial a Centennial Series of recordings of the Masterworks of Schubert—his songs, symphonies, chamber and piano music—and these records, together with this book, constitute a complete guide to the life and works of the Master of Melody.” The biography is a study of Schubert, the man, and has 32 illustrations of unique interest, many of them from rare sketches. It has been widely ordered by Columbia dealers, the leading libraries and music clubs, and hundreds of private music lovers, through Schubert Centennial Head- quarters, 1819 Broadway, New York City. VICTROLA ON THE GRAF ZEPPELIN Dr. Hugo Eckener’s famous canary, which sang gaily throughout the westward flight of the Graf Zeppelin, had a rival on the return voyage of the giant dirigible. Music was at all times available to the crew and passengers for the ship carried a Victor Portable talking machine, the gift of the Victor Company. With the instrument went fifty records, presented to Dr. Eckner by the Victor Company on behalf of its German affiliation, Die Electrola Gesellschaft. William G. Porter of the Victor Company presented the instrument to Dr. Eckener at the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst. Officers of the ship were enthusiastic over the prospects of music during the flight to Germany. Coming over, they said, they had had nothing but an accordion, for a talking machine they had planned to carry proved too heavy and bulky. VICTOR PRIZE CONTESTS Camden, N. J., October 30—With hundreds of manu- scripts received from American citizens in all parts of the world, the Victor Talking Machine Company’s $10,000 prize competition for the best concert cpmposition within the playing scope of the American dance or jazz orchestra closed yesterday at midnight. The awards, which include a second prize of $5,000 will be announced December 28. The judges of the contest, announced for the first time today, are Nathaniel Finston, Edwin Franko Goldman, Roger Walfe Kahn, Arthur Lange, George Olsen, Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld, Domenico Savino, Frank Skinner, Fred Waring, S. L. Rothafel (Roxy) and Tito Florida. The Victor contest for a composition of symphonic type, for which a prize of $25,000, said to be the largest sum ever offered for a single musical work, is offered, closes May 28, 1929. Already many manuscripts have been received for consideration by the judges who, in the symphonic com- petition> are Mme. Olga Samaroff, Rudolph Ganz, Serge Koussevitsky, Frederick Stock and Leopold Stokowski. VICTOR AT THE IBERO-AMERICAN EXPOSITION At the invitation of the United States government the Victor Talking Machine Company will install in this country’s three exhibition buildings at the Ibero-American Exposition which opens in Seville, Spain, March 15, 1929, one of the most elaborate systems of reproducing and broadcasting music thus far developed by Victor experts. The invitation was extended to the Victor Company in recognition of the splendid performance of the Victor Auditorium instrument which was a feature of the Sesquicentennial and by which musical programs were broadcast in the Transportation Building and throughout the exposition grounds. The United States will be the only English-speaking coun- try to participate in the Ibero-American Exposition. Since 1910 plans have been developing for a celebration to focus the attention of the world on the cultural renaissance which has taken place in Spain during the last quarter of a cen- tury and to welcome back to Spain the over-seas republics of both Americas. According to present data, every Spanish or Portugese speaking nation, together with the two mother countries, Spain and Portugal, and certain of their colonies will be represented, the United States, completing at Spain’s gracious invitation, the list of the American Republics. The exposition will be held on the banks of the Guadal- quivir River, a few miles from Palos, whence Columbus set sail on his voyage of discovery. Original plans called for the opening of the exposition on Columbus Day for the cur- rent year, but it was found impossible to finish the building program by that date. The delay insures the participation of several additional countries and brings visitors to Seville at the time of the internationally famous Easter celebrations. For the participation of the United States, Congress has appropriated $700,000, two-thirds of which will be used for a permanent United States building which, at the close of the exposition, will become the quarters of the United States consulate at Seville and the residence of the consul and his family. The building, a model of American construction, will be Spanish Mission in style, illustrating the influence of Spanish colonization on American life and customs throughout an immense section of what is now the United States. In addition to this two temporary buildings are being erected. One of these will be a motion-picture theatre in which daily programs, illustrating those phases of Govern- ment activity which can not be adequately displayed by concrete exhibits, will be shown. Other films will range from scenics showing the beauty and grandeur of our na- tional parks, our reclamation, irrigation, and road progress to intensive studies of women in industry and child welfare shown by the Women’s and the Children’s Bureaus of the Department of Labor. The second temporary building, like the permanent build- ing, will be used for exhibition purposes only. In these two edifices at least twenty-three United States Government departments will be represented by comprehensive exhibits dealing with commerce, industry, science, invention and agri- culture. As planned by the Victor Company, its installation will not only make possible the presentation of musical programs in all three buildings but will also permit the broadcasting of music throughout the beautiful park on which the United States group faces. The operating unit, which will be double so that two separate programs may be played in different buildings simultaneously, will be placed in the temporary exhibition building, the central structure of the trio. On the roof of this building, facing down a wide plaza, a six-unit horn, capable of amplifying sound so that it may be heard without distortion for at least a mile, will be set up and in- side there will be a four-unit horn. Within the patio of the permanent building two horns will be installed. In the motion picture hall a two-unit horn will be placed on each side of the screen. In addition to this, apparatus on which records cued to the film being shown may be played, will be installed opposite the screen, thus providing the pictures with an appropriate musical setting. Another feature will be a powerful radio receiving set which may be linked up with the amplifying system. Programs from Spanish stations will be broadcast and it is hoped that those from powerful stations in the United States will be picked up. Still another feature of the Victor installation will make possible the use of these sound amplifiers in re- producing actual speeches of public officials who will visit the Exposition from time to time. Harry L. Sommerer is representing the Victor Company in its negotiations with the government and the exposition commission and the installation is being designed and de- veloped by Dr. C. D. Haigis of the Victor Research Depart- ment. LATEST MORAN AND MACK RECORD BIO HIT TWO BLACK CROWS AS JAIE BIRDS Columbia’s famous exclusive artists, Moran and Mack, after continuous bickering about the “why-s and wherefore-s” Of “the early bird” have had their wings clipped and are jail birds now. Yes sir—they’re inside lookin’ out, and their trials and tribulations have been recorded as “Two Black Crows in the Jail House,” in the Jail House,” in two parts. This latest contribution of Moran and Mack to the humor and philosophy of America is going big with the public. A special streamer, in two colors, depicting “The Crows” in a modern- istic jail are being displayed by Columbia dealers. COLUMBIA ARTISTS BROADCAST PROM PLANE The Tracy-Brown Recording Orchestra, Exclusive Colum- bia artists, gave Dallas, Texas a musical treat on the morn- ing of October 19th. From a giant plane, in which they played popular selections, the musical waves were sent earth- ward, after being amplified on board. This unique and un- usual means of entertainment provoked a great deal of in- terest among Dallasites and added to the prestige of the Orchestra. COIiUMBIA ARTIST’S SPECTACULAR SUCCESS In the short time of a year, Alexander Kisselburgh, ex- clusive Columbia artist, has achieved an enviable position in the musical sphere of America. Mr. Kisselburgh has studied under many teachers; Louis Graveure among them. Critics throughout the country rate him highly among baritones, as the perfect combination of singer and actor. His is the opulent, profound and melodious yet powerful voice that charms.