Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 3, No. 6 (1929-03)

204 The Phonograph Monthly Review March, 1929 Ein Heldenleben; Sinfonia Domestica; An Alpine Symphony; Also Sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan; Til Eulenspiegel Strawinskv—Petroushka Ballet Suite; The Fire-Bird Ballet Suite; Concertino for String Quartet Vaughn-Williams—London Symphony These students devoted one third of their time, over a period of five weeks, to becoming familiar with the above works. A student devoting half as much time daily for a normal school year of thirty six weeks, would have a very good introduction to the appreciation and understanding of contemporary music. Four years of such work, covering all historic periods and all types of music, would give the student a breadth of musical outlook of inestimable value. What an important adjunct such a library could be to the average conservatory, and why not add record selections to small town Carnegie Libraries where systematic listening could be encouraged? Even the private owner could build his library on the basis of such a list as that given above, thereby developing a logical reading course in music literature which would be an aid to a systematic education in music appreciation. Correspondence The Editor does not accept any responsibility Jor opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken oj un- signed letters, but only initials or a pseudonym will be printed ij the writer so desires. Contributions oj general interest to our readers are welcomed. They should be brief and writ- ten on one side oj the paper only. Address all letters, to CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN, Editorial Department The Phonograph Monthly Review, 47 Hampstead Road, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Mass. SOME HISTORICAL QUERIES Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: I think that the Phonograph Monthly Review is the most interesting magazine of any kind which I have ever read. I can read the whole thing through from cover to coyer, again and again. And it is just as novel and interesting each time. Can you tell me of any place where I could get old, his- torical records like the Columbia records of Edouard de Reszke (I heard the Serenade de Don Juan, by Tchaikowsky, and it was wonderful. I want to buy it), Maria Gay, Jeanne Gerville-Reache, or Mme. Lillian Nordica? Does the Societa Anon. Nazionale del Grammofono, of Milan, issue any records under the label “L’Angelo?” And are Aeolian-Vocalion records obtainable anywhere? I have an interesting Vocalion record of Rosa Raisa, and I’d like to get another. Can you tell me the status, as far as singing goes, of Mme. Marie Michailowa, who sang for records for the Gramophone Co. in Russia from about 1905-1912? I have about six of her Victor pressings, and I like them very much. St. John, Michigan Harold M. Barnes, Jr. Note: Out-of-print records can be obtained usually only from dealers in second-hand records or by advertising in our Mart Column. Notes on records of historical interest appear frequently in this Correspondence Column. The American Vocalion Company was taken over by the Brunswick Company from which many of the old Vocalion records can be obtained. Others could probably be obtained from the English Vocalion Company which undoubtedly still possesses matrices of nearly all the old Vocalion celebrity records, appearing at one time in the English Vocalion Com- pany’s catalogues. Perhaps some of our historical experts can answer your queries regarding “L’Angelo” records and Mme. Michailowa. ADDENDUM TO “PHONOGRAPHIC SHANGHAI” Editor, Phonograph Monthly Review: In a letter in which I gave your readers a general survey of phonographic conditions in Shanghai, and which was published in the December issue of the Phonograph Monthly Review, you will remember that I wrote filing my “genuine grievance” against “the slip-shod manner in which the Brunswick representatives went about their business.” Well, I should like to make myself clear and avoid all misunder- standing in this respect. In doing so, I would ask your readers to turn back to Rev. Boynton’s letter which was pub- lished sometime in November, 1927. Therein is mentioned the name of the Brunswick representatives who at that time and until recently went under the name of “GEOLA.” At the time of writing my letter, I was referring to “GEOLA” which was managed by a Frenchman by name of George Lavadure. It has recently come to my notice that the representatives at present are not “GEOLA” but a firm running under the name of “PHONOLA” which is in turfT managed by a Britisher, Mr. Jones. In due justice to Mr. Jones I must inform your readers that I paid various visits to his new shop during the last month, as a result of which I am in a position to say and which I hope to record through medium of this letter—that I was thoroughly satisfied; in fact I thoroughly admire the manner in which this new shop is now run. It is now no more a question of shortage of stocks, but rather a tightness of pocket on my part at least. I found Mr. Jones very obliging in the matter of willing co-operation shown to me in my radio broadcasts, so that the problem of arranging programs is an easier one in con- sequence. Your readers, I hope will excuse this further intrusion on my part, having had my say last month, but after all I am merely following the precept of the poet who advised in words:— “Shun delays; they breed remorse: Take thy time while time is lent thee; Creeping snails have weakest force; Fly their fault, lest thou repent thee, Good is best when soonest wrought. Lingering labours come to naught” In fair justice to the Brunswick representatives in Shanghai, I hope you, Mr. Editor, will see your way to publish this letter immediately on receipt of same. I am adding a list of some very interesting Historic Records,' but I have my doubts whether they will be specially pressed, as they have been withdrawn for many years. On a new pressing they would be welcome:— 045506 (H. M. V.) Schubertlieder—Transcription. (Piano solo by Herr Alfred Grunfeld. Recorded in Vienna, 1906.) 03019 (H. M. V.) Se Saran Rose (Melba Waltz—Arditi) Melba; piano acc. (This record was a special lavender label record made in March, 1904, and autographed by Melba. It was among the first releases, made on the same day as 03016,