The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 43 REVIEW OF MAY RECORDS. Issued by the Victor, National, Columbia and Universal Companies An impressive feature of the Victor Talking Machine Co.'s Red Seal list of records for May is a series of seven records from the garden scene in "Faust" which completes this greatest of operatic acts. The artists participating are: (Jeraldine Farrar, who sings "Le Roi de Thule" (88229); Farrar-Caruso-Journet-Mme. Gilibert in "Seigneur Dieu," quartet (95204); "Eh Quoi Toujours Sente," quartet (95205); Marcel Journet, bass, "Invocation Mephistopheles" (64119); Miss Farrar and Caruso, "Tardi si Fa," duet (89032); "Sempre Amar," duet (89031); Miss Farrar and Journet, "Elle Ouvre Sa Fenetre" (89040.) Riccardo Martin, the American tenor of the Metropolitan Opera Co., is represented by two Red Seal records, Puccini's "E Luceran le Stelle," from "Tosca" (87050), and Dvorak's Love Song, "Als Die Alte Mutter" (87051). Leo Slezak, the notable tenor of the Metropolitan Opera forces, is heard in two numbers in German, a selection from Goldmark's "Queen of Sheba" (64115) and "Depart, Fair Vision," from Massenet's "Manon" (64116). Lovers of the piano will be delighted with two Chopin studies by Wilhelm Backhaus, the Etude in G sharp and the Etude in A flat (74159). This is a most important and invaluable addition to the piano records listed by the Victor Co. Backhaus seems to possess the happy knack of getting the very best tonal results on the records. The regular list of Victor records for May includes sonte numbers that are destined to win a wide popularity. The prelude from Wagner's "Lohengrin," played by the La Scala Orchestra of Milan (31779), is a remarkable performance of a remarkable work. Other instrumental numbers of unusual merit are the "Blue Danube Waltz," by Strauss (31777); Pierne's Serenade (5770), played with brilliancy and charm by the Vienna Quartet, and Von Suppe's Tantalusqualen overture (31776). which is given a splendid reading by Arthur Pryor's Band. The Victor Light Opera Co. is represented by Gems from "San Toy" (31778), and Gems from "The Chocolate Soldier" (31780), which afford proof that the Victor Light Opera singers are improving all the time. M. Rocca, the accomplished young tenor of the Opera Comique, contributes a vocal number from "Lakme" (5771) which will win favor. In tne popular field Nora Bayes is heard in her inimitable singing of "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly" (60013). while Jack Norworth is represented by a medley of college songs (60014), which undoubtedly will be included in the repertoire of every college boy and college graduate the country over. The Victor double-faced record list is eipecially good this month, and, .as can be seen elsewhere, includes some combinations of instrumental and vocal numbers that must unquestionably win the consideration of purchasers. Some distinguished artists are to be found in the National Phonograph Co.'s list of grand opera Amberol records for May. Carmen Melis. the celebrated operatic soprano, sings "Vissi D'Arte" from "Tosca" (B188); Marguerita Sylva, soprano, is heard in Habanera from "Carmen" (B189); Blanche Arral is heard to splendid advantage in "Lecocq Bolero" (B190); Riccardo Martin, the American tenor of the Metropolitan Co., is represented by "The Drinking Song" from Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticanna" (B191) ; while Gustave Huberdeau, baritone, sings the "Berceuse" from "Mignon" (B192) in a really charming and finished style. It is a splendid example of baritone or bass singing. This list, as a whole, is one of the best ever put out by the National Co. and will undoubtedly add to the growing popularity of the grand opera Amberol records. In the regular Edison Amberol list, among the instrumental numbers that will win favor are the "Entr'acte" from "The Prima Donna," played charmingly by Victor Herbert and his orchestra (420); Strauss' "Memories Waltz," by the National (London) Military Band (428); "To You," waltz serenade by the Vienna Instrumental Quartet (429); "La Gipsy" mazourka, brilliantly played by Sousa's Band (413), and a very clever arrangement of Arditi's "Kiss Waltz," played by H. B. Hen ton (417) as a saxophone solo. In the vocal list, as will be noted elsewhere, many of the popular productions of the day, as well as the standard numbers, are represented. The wellknown popular song, "By the Light of the Silvery Moon," is destined to score a tremendous popularity. It is sung by Ada Jones and male quartet in a really delightful manner, and is destined to win a great vogue. In the Edison Standard list, among the numbers that particularly stand out is the playing of "Narcissus" (10350) by Sousa's Band, and the "Hungarian Dance" by Victor Herbert and his orchestra (10353). In the foreign Amberol list two numbers in Italian sung by F. Daddi (7500-7501), and two Standard numbers, an Italian song by Daddi (20606) and a Hebrew song by S. Paskal (21016), are numbers of more than ordinary merit. The list, taken as a whole, is an interesting and comprehensive one, and should certainly hold the attention of Edison adherents. * * * There is a pleasing diversity in the records listed by the Columbia Phonograph Co. for May. There is a strong representation in the 12-inch list, a striking feature being Raymond Hitchcock, whose singing of Burt's "Wal, I Swan" is a classic of its kind. Few can equal Hitchcock in songs of this character. The record backing up .this is 'Visions of Salome," played by Prince's Orchestra (A5162). Another unusually strong record in this list is selections from Verdi's operas by Prince's Orchestra, and "The Miserere" from "II Trovatore," sung by Miss Stevenson. John Young and the Columbia Quartet (A5165). This record will he a delight to the followers of Verdi, and is destined to win a remarkable popularity. George Lashwood. the celebrated English music hall baritone, is represented by two songs sung most delightfully and humorously (A5164). Another recent engagement of the Columbia Co. — Manuel Klein's New York Hippodrome Orchestra— is heard in Tschaikowsky's "Flower Song." which is backed up by a soprano-tenor duet from "The Dollar Princess" (A5163). In the 12-inch Symphony record list David Bispham, the distinguished operatic baritone, is heard in "The Boat Song" and "The Pauper's Drive," the latter a new song which has made quite a sensation in concert circles (A51G6). Bispham sings these numbers in a manner to display his remarkable vocal and dramatic powers. The Columbia 10inch list includes quite a number of the latest copyrighted song successes of the day. A glance through the list will show dealers that they have here an opportunity for building up a big trade with the songs that are being sung by all the leading musical artists and the popular singers of the day. For instance, "Where the River Shannon Flows" and "Red Clover" (A815), and "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?" by Miss Ada Jones; "Whoop, La, Willie, Don't Let Me Go," by Paul Southe (A810), and "The Cubanola Glide" and "Shaky Eyes," sung by Arthur Collins (A811), are only a few among a very imposing list of the favorites of the day. It is unnecessary to enumerate the numbers listed under the captions of the Columbia two-minute and four-minute Indestructible cylinder records — they can be seen in the list printed elsewhere. They include a number of standard numbers — songs that will ever be popular. In . the four-minute records three numbers that stand out especially strong are the Sextette from "Lucia," played by Lacalle's Band (3060); "Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming," vocal quartet (3062); "That Mesmerizing Mendelssohn Tune," baritone and tenor duet by Collins and Harlan (3065), and the "Keler-Bela" overture played by Lacalle's Orchestra in a very spirited manner (3063). The Columbia list, taken as a whole, as before stated, is admirably diversified and covers all demands along classic and popular lines. LOVE-MAKING BY PHONOGRAPH. After having been courted for more than five years by a suitor upon whom she set eyes for the first time less than two months ago, Miss Katherine Bell, ingenue for Blanche Walsh, in "The Test," has finally succumbed to the entreaties of a New York law school student, and at the end of the actress' engagement in Los Angeles, she retired from the stage to marry. The bridegroom-to-be is Hastings Speed, son of a well-known New York lawyer of that name. The young man, it is said, carried on his courtship by phonograph. Month after month he poured his entreaties into records and sent them about the country after Miss Bell. She put them on her phonograph and listened from time to time, purely out of curiosity. Finally she consented to meet her suitor. Speed made haste to Chicago and found that Miss Bell was a girl whom he had known in his childhood days at Elmira. The odd courtship came about as the result of a visit the actress made to a phonograph store in New York. She priced machines, but left the shop without buying any. The following day .a phonograph was delivered to her hotel. Think ing there was a mistake, she called the dealer on the telephone and he told her a young man unknown to him had paid for rt and ordered it delivered to her address. From that time she began to receive "The Love Letters of a Record." Both young people, after consulting with their parents, set the wedding day for March 14 in Los Angeles. A talking machine company in Paris is pub; lishing disc records of socialistic songs. The THORN NEEDLE and HOLDER is Pleasing Everybody ESPECIALLY THE DEALER WHO SELLS THEM Put in a stock of Thorn Needles and Holders and give them a THOROUGH tryout with your trade. You will be as surprised with the results as other dealers all over the country who have taken the time to demonstrate them. YOUR TRADE WANT THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE Easy to Handle No Scratching Each Needle PJays Several Records No Change in Reproducer No Wear Upon the Record Patented THORN NEEDLES, Boxes of 100, RETAIL 35 CENTS THORN NEEDLE HOLDERS, EACH 25 CENTS Liberal Discounts to the Trade We Sell Millions of Them at Retail. So Can You. Send for a Supply To day. Don't Put It Off. DO IT NOW. *J. W. JENKINS' SONS MUSIC CO. VICTOR TALKING MACHINE DISTRIBUTORS KANSAS CITY, MO.