Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 6, No. 5 (1932-02)

87 February 1932 , Vol. VI/ No. 5 B10129 Kde domov muj (Where is my home?), the Czech national anthem, composed by Skroup and arranged by A. M. Nademlejnsky, and Do- bru noc, ma mila (Good night, my beloved), Slowakian folksong, same arranger. B10127 Pisen o blese (Song of the Flea), by Moussorg- sky and Goethe, translated into Czesky by Paul Ludikar, and Medak (The Bumble Bee), words and music by Paul Ludikar. In two parts on No. A10183, played by Prof. Fr. Wjedermann, we find the last of all Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies,—No. 19. Unlike the famous Second, it is compara- tively unknown. However, the same light of genius is radiated from it. Around the themes of the Magyar folksongs with their enchanting verve has been woven a veritable firework of variations. Prof. Wiederman’s fine transcription, his command of organ technique, and the subtle elaboration, of phrasing, that salvation of organ expressive- ness where dynamics cannot be varied by mere key pressure, make this interesting rec- ord a most desirable addition to every rec- ord library. Old dances may seem to be a little strange in these days, but many of the old tunes are on the average of greater value than the modern dance tunes turned out by a musical industry. A much greater measure of mu- sical understanding went into the composi- tion of the older dances, and when one was written by a composer with his heart and soul in his music, as with Hilmar, then a mu- sical creation full of life and joy, and highly artistic, results. The unforgettable little polka by Hilmar, drawn from the deep wells of music upon which Smetana and Dvorak also drew, is “musique legere” of a most highly respectable order. The recording is excellent. A10135 Vzdechy Srbu (Sighs of Serbes), polka from the year 1835, by Fr. Hilmar, and Vesely Valcik (Gay Waltz) by Wetzel-Mueller, played by Prague woodwind quintette. The piece de resistance is to be found upon two twelve-inch records, E10257 and E10278, of which it oc- cupies three faces. It is the scherzo from Bedrich Sme- tana’s Triumphal Symphony played by the Radio jour- nal Symphony Orchestra, the broadcasting orchestra of Prague, under the baton of Otokar Jeremias. Unquestionably the scherzo will be of interest to those who find in the phonograph a means of familiarizing themselves with orchestral works, especially those which are too infrequently heard in the concert hall. The scherzo presents a wonderful combination of thought and humor. It was composed in the first years of Sme- tana’s creative life, but already presaged the genial ex- pressiveness which came to full flower in his later works. The recording is excellent throughout. There are some large movements in the scherzo, but at no time is the orchestra lost in its own shadows. This was re- corded in Prague, of course. The fourth face of this pair of records is occupied by “Svatebni tanec” from Dvorak’s “Holoubka”, “The wed- ding dance from “The Little Dove”). This is conduct- ed by Erich Kleiber as leader of the great orchestra at Berlin. It is full of the charm which one may expect from almost every composition of the great Czech. Those who accord their interest to this fruitful quarter will be amply repaid in plea- sure and instruction gained. And the Szechs, we are certain, will add vastly to their friendships abroad. PHONOGRAPHIC ECHOES Special New Phonograph Records for Theatre Use The American Record Corporation, 1776 Broadway, New York, world’s largest producers of popular priced phonograph records, now offers a special record for theatre use. This new Theatre Record can be used every- where a motion picture is exhibited. They entertain while a silent trailer is on the screen, during intermission and also serve as exit marches. They can also be utilized in non-theatrical organiza- tions, such as the Y. M. C. A.’s, Churches, Clubs, Schools, etc. It is a known fact that the music in the theatre is just as important in the arrangement of a program as the picture on the screen and these Theatre Records are designed to furnish appropriate music at low cost. These new Theatre Records are furnished in either 33-1/3 or 78 RPM, double disc, same selection on both sides, and sell for 75c each. With these Theatre Records the exhibitor can bring to his theatre such artists as: Lew White, America’s most celebrated organist and headliner at the Roxy Theatre in New York. Roy Smeck, the Wizard of the Strings. Sam Lanin of national fame. Louis Katzman, known by millions as conductor of the Anglo-Persians. Vic Irwin and many others. The following houses are now using Theatre Records manufactured by the American Record Corp.; Warner Bros.; Paramount, Loews, R. K. O., Fox and many others, including the Astor Theatre in New York where “Hell Divers”, a $2.00 top picture, is now being featured. RCA Photophone, Inc., Merged with RCA Victor Co., at Camden As a further step in the unification of activities of the Radio Corp. of America in the radio and electrical entertainment fields under the RCA Victor Co., Inc., at Camden, N. J., Daxid Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corp. of America, announced last week the consolida- tion of RCA Photophone, Inc., with the RCA Victor Co. The unification, Mr. Sarnoff stated, joins two closely associated lines of radio and electrical development. It will mean a closer association of sound motion picture recording and reproducing with the radio laboratory and should give impetus to the introduction of sound re- producing equipment for use in homes, schools and in- dustrial organizations, as well as in theatres. Both companies involved in the unification are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Radio Corp. of America. The staff of the RCA Photophone Co. as well as the opera- tions of that company are being transferred to the RCA Victor Qo. at Camden, N. J.