Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 4, No. 1 (1929-10)

October, 1929 The Phonograph Monthly Review 29 Band Victor 22061 (DIO, 75c) Meacham: American Patrol, and! Sousa: Semper Fidelis March, played by Rosario Bourdon and the Victor Military Band. The band is not a large one, but it plays with the crisp force and snap that are so characteristic of Bourdon’s conducting. The recording is admirably clear. This is an example of many records of its type, seemingly expressly designed for electrical reproduction. They sound well on an ordinary phonograph, but markedly better on an elec- trical instrument. Clarity rather than sonority is appar- ently the aim of the recorders, and in consequence the electrical reproducer supplies the missing sonority, while the disk’s extreme clarity prevents it from sounding fuzzy as many sonorously recorded disks do when they are heavily amplified in reproduction. This i$ particularly true of many Brunswick records, especially band pieces, and it is impossible to estimate: their full merits until they have been heard electrically reproduced. . Odeon (Italian list) 86028 (D12, $1.25) Rigoletto—Selec- tion, played by the Minichini Italian Royal Marine Band (G. Lo Scialpo cornet soloist). This release is one of the best of the Minichini band’s long Odeon series. The performance here is brisker and more precise, and there are fewer exaggerated Italianate mannerisms in the solos. Gradually the standard of best Republican. Guard Band disks is being approached—but there is still considerable progress to be made. Victor (International list) 35971 (D12, $1.25) Boito: Me- fistofele Prologue and Selections (arr. Creatore), played by Creatoress Band. Creatore begins to sound more like himself here. Per- haps his recent releases gave him inadequate material for his talent; at any rate, they have been very uncharacteris- tic. The Mefistofele music contains some big moments and Creatore plays it impressively. His arrangements are not exceptionally striking, but the playing is forceful and the recording very clear. O.C.O. Imported H. M. V. C-1655-6 (2 D12s) Mozart: Eine kleine Nacht- musik, played by John Barbirolli and his Chamber Orches- tra. (Available through the American importers.) The Mozart takes three sides. On the fourth Barbirolli conducts a Hornpipe of Purcell. Barbirolli is a sort of Messiah among the younger British conductors and if he bears success as intelligently as he has borne the trials of establishing a name, he should amply fulfil all the brilliant expectations that are prophesied for him. His admirable work with the N. G. S. orchestral records of a season or two ago will be remembered with pleasure by American phonophiles. He brings to Mozart an alert touch and invigorating spirit. His reading makes us remember that the work was intended for out-of-doors performance. The recording is a little hard, or possibly the string playing is a little too brisk and keen. A soft needle will be advantageous and even then there may be a shade of warmth lacking, especially in the Romance. But it is charming music in a healthily spirited performance. The Purcell Hornpipe is a delightful piece; why cannot we have more of his music on records? To our loss, Purcell is seldom heard in this country except on the phonograph. H. M. V. D-1507-9 (3 D12s) Elgar: Violoncello Concerto, Op. 85, played by Beatrice Harrison with New Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir Edward Elgar. No other ’cello player approaches anything like Miss Harrison’s peculiarly individual tone coloring and style. THE POSTMAN brings us every day orders for records from far-off corners of the world, and every day other postmen are delivering packages of rec- ords to customers thousands of miles away. Day in and day out, hundreds of parcels traveling thousands of miles, bring to our clients scattered throughout the world, the very finest recorded music, for their enjoy- ment and study. It is such a simple matter to order records by mail. And, as safe de- livery is always guaranteed, more and more collectors are taking advantage of the op- portunity to select their discs from the larg- est stock of records available anywhere. Our 1929 General Catalogue will aid you in your selection. It will be mailed postpaid up- on receipt of 15c (stamps or coin). Won’t you join the ever-growing group of collec- tors who add to their libraries from the vast stocks of “The World’s Record Shop”? CHROMIC NEEDLES (Made in England) A perfect gold plated steel needle that will play ten records. These needles are made in Medium and Loud Tone. The Medium Tone is absolutely the best needle we know of for use with Electric Pick-up Instruments. The needles are packed 100 to the box and are 50c per box postpaid throughout the world. When ordering please specify Medium or Loud Tone. H. ROYER SMITH CO. Dealers and Importers of All M a\es of PHONOGRAPH RECORDS 10th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia “ c d5he World's Record Shop” REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.