The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

20 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. REVIEW OF FEBRUARY RECORDS. Issued by the Victor, National, Columbia and Universal Companies In the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s February list some excellent numbers appear, notably two double disc Fonotipia records by John McCormack, the distinguished Irish tenor with the Manhattan Opera Co. These are four English ballads (F130-F131) which have won wide popularity. They are sung in that charming and finished style for which McCormack is famous. Two sacred songs (A779) of special excellence are "It is Well With My Soul," a baritone and tenor duet, and Schnecker's "Give Alms of Thy Goods," which is sung by the Metropolitan Trio with incidental solos. Two charming old Irish ballads are listed (A784), sung by Gerald A. Ewing, the new Irish baritone. Prince's Military Band is heard in two delightful numbers (A785), "Thrills of Love" and "Spirituelle Waltz." The same band has made excellent reproductions from Carmen, part 1 and part 2 (A5144). Bizet's famous opera is given an excellent reading, and all the popular excerpts are included. Two Waldteufel waltzes (A5145) are played by Prince's Orchestra with excellent effect. De Koven's "Oh, Promise Me," sung by Mrs. A. S. Holt, contralto, and Clay's "I'll Sing Thee Songs of Araby," by Henry Burr, tenor ( A5142) , are two old favorites which will ever command appreciation. In the double disc operatic list, selections from "The Dollar Princess" (A780), and "The Chocolate Soldier" (A781) are among those which stand out in a roster of unusual excellence this month. Some thirteen numbers are listed in the four-minute Indestructible record list for February, and they include several newcomers as well as a goodly list of standard compositions which are always in favor. In the twominute Indestructible cylinder list there are twenty excellent compositions this month, including Lacalle's "America's Aerial Triumph March" (1262), Offenbach's "Intermezzo Elegante" (1269), and Meyerbeer's "Coronation March" from "The Prophet" (1272). In the vocal list Andrew Mack's "Irish Blood" (1276), sung by Ada Jones, is the leader of an interesting array of songs, both standard and popular. It can be seen from the full list which appears elsewhere in this issue that the Columbia Co. have covered a wide sphere in both their double discs and cylinder records this month. The National Phonograph Co. have prepared another excellent list of records for their February delivery. It is admirably balanced in the matter of popular and high class vocal and instrumental numbers, with a sprinkling of those old timers that will be ever in demand. In the Amberol list those which will come in for special consideration are "Rose of the World" (345), one of the popular feature numbers of Herbert's brilliant operatic success "Algeria," and played by the Herbert Orchestra under the composer's direction; "Benediction of the Poignards" (350), an admirable number played by Sousa's Band — the impressive and dramatic number in the fourth act of Meyerbeer's opera, "The Huguenots." The American Symphony Orchestra is heard in Arditi's "Tarantella" (336) that lively dance of Southern Italy, which is played with rare abandon and charm. Another instrumental number is a dashing march by Sousa and played by the United States Marine Band, entitled, "The Rifle Regiment March" (364). Two vocal numbers in the Amberol list which are destined to have a wide popularity are the "Prologue" from "Pagliacci" (357), sung by Thomas Chalmers in English. This noted baritone is heard to splendid advantage in this number. "If I Had the World to Give You," J. Hayden-Clarendon's high class ballad (351) is sung with fine effect by Reed Miller, whose clear and expressive style is admirably adapted to a song of this sentimental character. In the' Edison Standard record list an instrumental number that stands out especially strong is the "Venetian Love Song," a selection from Nevin's "Suite Romantique" (10297). Its beautiful melody and rich harmonies are brought out most admirably by Victor Herbert and his Orchestra. Another number of especial merit is an instrumental arrangement of the popular Vienese song "Der Zinn Husar" ("The Tin Soldier") (10304) and played in a most finished style by the Vienese Instrumental Quartet. Among the many vocal numbers that entitled "Jerusalem the Golden" (10310), sung by the Edison Mixed Quartet, is a record of especial excellence. It is sung without accompaniment, and is a very excellent example of pure and effective quartet singing. In fact, it is superfluous to analyze the entire list which appears in detail elsewhere in this issue, for each number covering diverse fields, are meritorious and will find many admirers. The nine Red Seal records by distinguished artists in the February lists of records issued by the Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J., will interest dealers and purchasers alike. Among the famous artists represented are Geraldine Farrar by a selection from "Mignon" (88211); Mme. Schumann-Heink by the Lyre Song from "Sapho" (88212); Nicola Zerola by "Di quella pira" from "Trovatore" (87045), and the Farewell Song from "Otello" (87046). Blanche Irral is heard in the Jewel Song from "Faust" (70147); Gogorza in "The Feast at the Hermitage" (64110), and "Mi Nina" (71419). Evan Williams, whose voice it is always a delight to hear, is represented by Paradiso from "L'Africana" (7416), and a "Furtive Tear" from Elisir d'Amore (74150). In the regular single-faced list the two operatic medleys, sung by the Victor Light Opera Co. — Gems from Robin Hood (31768) and Gems from Algeria (31766)— are certain to win a tremendous vogue by reason of their unusual excellence. Arthur Pryor, whose band records are always brilliant and satisfactory, is represented by two excellent numbers in the February list (5757-31764). Titl's Serenade for 'cello and flute, accompanied by orchestra (31763), makes a number which will not only continue to hold its old position, but win new adherents by reason of its very fine qualities of tone. The Vienna Quartet is represented this month by Herbert's Badinage (31762) and Strauss' Artist's Life Waltz (31767). They are of that high quality that has ever distinguished the work of the artists comprising this organization. Some fifteen double-faced records are listed 'for February and make a goodly showing of numbers which should ever have a big following. Among the double discs which especially appeal to the writer are Elizabeth's Prayer from "Tannhauser" and "A Night in Venice," sung by Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler (35096). The Medley of Foster songs by the Peerless Quartet and the Virginia Minstrels by the Victor Co. (35095); La Source Ballet, Nos. 1 and 3, played by the Victor Orchestra (35094). The other numbers are equally noteworthy, but are of a more popular character. It is hardly necessary to say that the Victor list for February is one that merits commendation for its admirable diversity and merits, musically. The Universal Talking Machine Co. have four very excellent instrumental double discs in their list for February which appears elsewhere. Those by the Zonophone Orchestra (5590-5591) are especially meritorious, containing as they do, compositions of such well known composers as Becucci, Trinkaus, Chaminade and Bennett. Messrs. Lincke and Pryor are represented in the compositions (5588) played by the Zonophone Concert Band, who also was heard in two rattling good marches, listed as (5589). Apart from the popular numbers listed under the heading of vocal solos Frank Stanley is heard in two songs which will ever be popular, namely, '-'Let Me Like a Soldier Fall," from Maritana, and the "Bedouin Love Song" (Pinsuti) (5594). The same singer and Henry Burr are heard in two old American songs, "Oik Folks at Home" and "Ise Gwine Back to Dixie" (5597). The other records include a number of the popular order which will undoubtedly appeal to the buying public. A SPIRITUALISTIC EXPERIMENT. How, with the Aid of a Talking Machine and a Confederate, a Violin Can be Made to Play by Itself — Not Hard to be a Medium. The Paladino discussion has brought the subject of spiritualism — whether the brands be real or fake — much before the public these days. A World correspondent exposes a rather smart fake of alleged "mediums," with the result that a pretty parlor trick can be worked by almost anyone, with results startling to the auditors. All you do is this: Put a violin, guitar or mandolin on a table, stamp your foot, and it will begain to play. The music is not the kind regularly made. It will sound weird and far away, but none the less distinctly. Here is the way it is done: Place one end of a long, slender pole on a talking machine with a violin record played by a soft needle in the basement of the house where the trick is to be worked. Let the other end pass up alongside, or behind, or through the leg of a table, the end coming up through a hole in the top, and sticking up about one-sixteenth of an inch above. Balance the violin sideways on the end of the pole, and stamp your foot, which is also the signal for your confederate downstairs to start the machine. The result will be so realistic that many people really will think that the spirits of the departed are playing the music with unseen hands. Be careful not to have any obstruction in the way of the wooden pole. The peculiar music is due to the vibration transmitted through the pole from the talking machine to the instrument itself. ME. BERLINER A VISITOR. E. M. Berliner, vice-president of the Berliner Gramophone Co., sole Canadian distributers of the "Victor Talking Machine Co., Montreal, Canada, was in New York recently, endeavoring to buy Victrolas and other Victor goods, on which they have been surprised with a shortage. Mr. Berliner, a son of Emil Berliner, Washington, D. C, the inventor of the famous Berliner patent, has also contributed some inventions of his own to the talking machine line. He said business in Canada was on the boom and everybody busy. A salesman who studies the art of "butting jn" at the proper time usually carries his point.