Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 5, No. 2 (1930-11)

November, 1930, Vol. V. No. 2 43 The son is another very popular Cuban dance, used both for social and exhibition purposes. The music is similar to the danzon, and as a social dance it may be performed decently, or in a rough and rowdy manner. In short, it is Cuban jazz. As an exhibition dance there are many variations of the son, one of which is called el papelote —“the kite.” In this, the woman as- sumes the part of the kite, which is being flown by the man, receding from him as he makes be- lieve let out the string, coming towards him as he draws it in, both at the same time performing a varied pattern of steps. The dance ends when both are pressed closely together. As they are popular modern music, there are, of course, many recordings of the son and danzon. A very old type of folk song is the punto gua- jiro. The origin of these songs is unknown. They are written in a combination of 6/8 and 3/4 time. On Columbia 3207-X there are two of these guajiro songs: Tits Lindos Ojos —“Thy Lovely Eyes”; and La Pipianera —“The Pipian Maker.” Cuba has such a long list of famous composers and musicians, that even if there were record- ings to represent them (which there are not), there would not be space to devote to them. To mention a few, however: Joaquin Nin y Castellano, pianist, writer and composer, who lives in Paris. One of his songs, Tirana, appears on imported Columbia D-12045. Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, one of the most notable of Cuban composers, and a distinguished critic. He has written three operas, a large num- ber of songs in the style of folk music, and sym- phonic poems. Besides the habanera previously mentioned ( En Cuba), there are recordings of Rosalinda (Victor 1299) ; and Corazon !— “Heart!” (Columbia 2987-X). Gonzalo Roig, composer and conductor of the Havana Symphony Orchestra, best known for his very popular Quiereme Mucho —“Love Me Dear- ly.” (Victor 929),. Ojos Brujos—“Witching Eyes” (Columbia 3109-X) is also by the same composer. Maestro Roig was recently guest con- ductor at a concert given by the Pan American Union in Washington. Ernesto Lecuona, pianist and prolific compos- er, who recently appeared at the Roxy Theater in New York, and whose works have been very popular. That he has, to a very large degree, the gift of writing beautiful melodies we have already seen in Canto Siboney. Among his many other compositions are Amor Fugaz —“Fleeting Love” (Victor 81213), and Me Odios? —“Do You Hate Me?” (Victor 46098). La Comparsa — “The Masquerader”; For Fin Te Vi —“At Last I Saw Thee”; and Danza Negra —“Negro Dance” are played by the composer on the piano, on Vic- tor 79465.* ♦Lecuona’s “Malaguena,” recorded by Olga Samaroff, Victor 7304, is reviewed among the piano releases elsewhere in this issue. Two popular composers of light music are Moises Simons and Eliseo Grenet. Grenet’s Ay! Mama Ines —“Ah Mamma Agnes” (Columbia 2926-X) ; and Simons’ El Manisero —“The Pea- nut Vendor” (Columbia 2965-X) are sung by Rita Montaner, “the Ambassadress of Song,” who created a sensation in Paris with these two compositions, which are certainly quite out of the ordinary. But we must hasten on, coming next to PORTO RICO: Many of us are apt to forget that Porto Rico is United States’ territory. Al- though it has the most even and healthful cli- mate of any country in the Americas, tourists pre- fer the gaiety of cosmopolitan Havana. About the size of Long Island, Porto Rico is much over- populated; and Governor Theodore Roosevelt has a hard task to help to solve the many economic problems which have arisen. However he has attacked them in such a manner as to show him- self truly simpdtico. In recorded music, there is very little to in- terest us, practically all of it being of a very light character. The danza is the most typical Porto Rican form (again the ineluctable tango rhythm!) ; and Laura y Georgina (Victor 46767) and Felices Dias — “Happy Days” (Victor 46669), both by Juan Morell Campos, who ranks first among Porto Rican composers, are two dan- zas sung by the lovely and talented Catalonian soprano, Countess Olga Albani. Another typical Porto Rican song is the aqui- naldo, which means a Christmas or New Year’s gift. At the Christmas season, groups of singers and players go about from house to house and sing these aquinaldos, the words of which usual- ly contain a hint that a gift will be appreciated. It is customary to offer them refreshments, or give them a small present. A composed aquin- aldo is recorded on Columbia 3429-X. HAITI and SANTO DOMINGO: Two adjoin- ing countries, both largely Negro in population, but the French language prevailing in Haiti, the Spanish tongue in Santo Domingo. Here is prac- tised that weird system of magic and supersti-