Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 5, No. 7 (1931-04)

An independent journal of phonography and other phases of sound-reproduction Founded 1926 by Axel B. Johnson The Phonograph Monthly Review ROBERT DONALDSON DARRELL, Editor AXEL B. JQHNSON, Associate Editor THE PHONOGRAPH PUBLISH'NG CO., Inc., 5 Boylston Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts Telephone UNIversity 1618 THE PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY REVIEW appears at the end of each month. All material is fully protected, but may be reproduced under a credit line. Yearly subscription price $4.00 in the United States and $5.00 in Canada and other foreign countries, postage prepaid. Single copies 35 cents. Contents APRIL, 1931 Vol. 5, No. 7, Whole No. 55 Articles and Features PAGE Editorial 201 We Phonophotograpii Melba's Trill 202 Laning Humphrey Outline of Melba Recording History 204 The Filmplay Seen As Symphony 205 George Brinton Beal Phonographic Insurance on American Art 207 R. D. Darrell Correspondence 208 The Brothers Zighera 222 Record Reviews 1 . Longer Reviews Siegfried Idyll—Klemperer and Muck 211 Mengelberg’s Bolero 212 Burger als Edelmann 212 Swan of Tuonela 212 Pictures at an Exhibition 213 Cassado’s Debussy Sonata 216 2nd Victor Herbert Album 216 Cavalleria Rusticana 217 2. Classified Revlews Orchestral 218 Instrumental 219 Operatic and Songs 220 Popular and Dance 221 Hot Jazz 222 3. New European Releases 223 4. Current Importations Walton’s Fagade 224 Kleiber’s Coriolan 225 Chant de Nigamon 225 Two Mozart Concertos 225 Strawinski’s Chinese March 226 Czechoslovakian Reviews 228 The Phonophile's Bookshelf Verdi in Outline 227 Columbia’s Supplementary Catalogue 227 The Phono-Musical Press 227 All communications should be addressed to the Managing Editor, 5 Boylston Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. All un- solicited contributions must be accompanied by a self- addressed, stamped envelope. All checks and money orders should be made out to THE PHONOGRAPH PUBLISHING CO., Inc. EDITORIAL S OUND reproduction in all its phases—phono- graph, sonal films, radio, home recording— has sprung up to occupy a dominant position in modern life. Phenomenal as its growth has been (as an industry alone it must be ranked with the most extensive in the world), the most amazing feature is the suddenness and the force with which it has penetrated the public’s consciousness. Each day in the news brings out announcements of fresh projects which would be considered incredibly fan- tastic if it were not for the actualization of so many incredible fantasies in the last decade. Fears that we have created a Frankenstein mon- ster are by no means groundless. The professional musician, the dramatic stage, amateur music- making have suffered in the onslaught. But revo- lution invariably involves disaster. Hope lies in the gradual assimilation of the new without com- plete extinction of the best of the old. Phonography is perhaps the least sensational of the factors of sound reproduction, but it has held most stead- fastly to traditional artistic ideals. Radio and sound films are too newly, too unevenly developed as yet to contribute materially to genuine aesthetic advancement. Everything is experimentation. The present issue presents a thought-provoking commentary on the place of music and the phono- graph in supplying a solid base on which all sound- reproduction must build. We have endeavored to make it more than a mere chronicle of discs. The important recordings—and there is a spring fresh- et of them this month—are considered in the light of contributions to musical life as well as to more ephemeral entertainment. Mr. Beal’s article esti- mates the sound-films in terms of musical and dra- matic principles. Mr. Humphrey, with the kind assistance of Dr. Barss of M. I. T., links science with art to furnish conclusive proof of the artistry of one of the greatest singers of our time—whose living imperishable monument may be erected in every home and school through the phonograph. Herein lies the supreme justification of such a journal, its harmonization of revolutionary en- gineering developments with the ideals and tradi- tions of the past, confirming their verity while im- mensely expanding and intensifying their field of contact with everyday life.