Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 6, No. 1 (1931-10)

October 1931, Vol. VI, No. I 5 vitation to the Waltz (Cortot); Dvorak’s Cameval overture, Suk’s Fairy Tale, and Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance in G minor (Chica- go Symphony Orchestra). Ten-inch, $1.75 each. Victor Herbert Melodies Nos. 1 and 2—2 discs each ( Victor Orchestra and Salon Group under Shilkret); Siegfried’s Journey to the Rhine and Death Music (conducted by Coates); Schubert Melodies Nos. 1 and 2—1 disc each (Victor Salon Orchestra with John McCormack) ; Friml Melodies No. 1 (Friml and the Victor Salon Orchestra); Foster Melodies No. 1 (Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra). Ten-inch, $1.50 each. Rhapsody in Blue, Two American Sketches, and Song of the Bayou (Whiteman’s Orchestra and the Vic- tor Orchestra); Kamenoi Ostrow, Liebes- traum, In a Persion Market, In a Chinese Garden (Victor Symphony Orchestra and International Concert Orchestra) ; Salon Suite No. 1 (Victor Salon Orchestra). Three new instruments are announced, all of course equipped to shift from the old to the new records, but possessing a number of other new features of considerable interest in themselves. All three are combination phono- graphs and superheterodyne radios, equipped with automatic volume control and RCA Vic- tor “micro tone control,” with completely shielded chassis mechanically insulated from the cabinet by rubber floating—so that chassis and cabinet resonance nullify each other. The phonograph units are equipped with magnetic pick-up and inertia tone arm, and in addition with an automatic record changing device; capacity ten ten-inch records. Model RAE-26 is a nine-tube set using both Super Control and Pentode Ra- diotrons; the cabinet is walnut veneered. List price, $247.50, complete with Radio- trons. Model RAE-59 is a ten-tube set with Super Control and Pentode Radiotrons, wal- nut veneered cabinet, and in addition to the standard features is equipped with home re- cording apparatus. List price, $350.00, with Radiotrons. Model RAE-79 is a de luxe thirteen-tube set, using Super Control Radio- trons, and equipped with double amplifica- tion—two amplifying units and two electro- dynamic speakers providing a remarkable range of undistorted volume range. In addi- tion to the standard features of the other models it is equipped with a home recording device, including a two-button studio type microphone, that will make both six and ten- inch records; also a remote control device and automatic tuning. The cabinet is hand carved armoire solid walnut. List price, $995.00 including Radiotrons. An inexpensive gear shift apparatus, de- signed to enable any stardard make of phono- graph to play the new discs, will shortly be available. What is the full significance of the final commercial introduction of long playing records? As yet one can only guess wildly. But unquestionably it is a genuine landmark in phonographic progress, a thrilling con- quest of an obstacle that has long thwarted the larger development and popularity of phonography. On one hand it brings the phonograph back as serious competitor of the radio even in the field of popular music, con- venience of operation, etc., without sacrificing any of the peculiar selective qualities of re- corded music. On the other, professional mu- sicians and sophisticate music lovers are freed from the handicap of adjusting them- selves to the piecemeal presentation of large musical works. No wonder that Dr. Stokowski could write, “The day after the C minor sym- phony of Beethoven was recorded by the new method, we heard the complete symphony from the proof pressings and after the sym- phony was ended I realized that I had forgot- ten where I was, so intense was the state of feeling and so sustained was the mood cre- ated. Now that the longest movement of a symphony can be played without interrup- tion, recorded music can offer one of the best ways of listening to music, because the ideal time and place can be chosen, so that the beauty and inspiration of the music can enter deeply into the soul of the listener.” In some ways it is unfortunate that this development should come at a time of im- paired public purchasing power, but the de- pression will not last forever. Perhaps al- ready the up-grade has begun. Certainly without some such radical development the phonograph and records would never be able to profit greatly even by an improvement in general conditions. The step had to come sometime; it is well begun now to take full advantage of the eventual recovery of pros- perity. The phonographic past With its blunders and its accomplishments is behind us for good and all. Let us turn toward the future for the exploitation of our vastly more potent medium of musical enjoyment. We have a secure foundation of the present repertory to build on and to adapt to the new discs. The radio has conclusively re- vealed its limitation to fields of news and extremely “popular” entertainment. The immense educative and serious entertain- ment potentialities of the phonograph have just be opened up to exploitation. It is squarely up to us phonographic pioneers to prove our faith in recorded music by helping to make that exploitation both commercially and artistically successful.