The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. ±7 FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 46). Melodie," one of Massenet's masterpieces, sung by the great Caruso, in concert with the violin, in the hands of no less than Mischa Elman himself. That it is a wonderful record goes without saying. In another class, a second "special" is "Another Good Thing You've Missed !" from the Drury Lane pantomime, "The Sleeping Beauty." The two original artists — George Graves and Will Evans — are responsible for the record, which is throughout full of laughter-raising fun. The "H. M. V." Co. has achieved a triumph in the fine records they have secured of the muchtalked-of Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of the equally famous Arthur Nikisch. The initial issues comprise Andante in two parts (two records) from the "Fifth Symphony" (Beethoven), which is beautifully interpreted by the great conductor's organization. The complete issues for January are as hereunder : Twelve-inch double sided. — Suite, "Bohemian," "The Appeal" and "The Caravan" and "The Tarantella" (Ord. Hume) Band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; Suite, "A Dream of Egypt," (2) "Within the Sphinx Solemn Shade" — "Pomegranate In Your Mouth," and (4) "I Wakened When the Moon" (Woodforde Finden, arr. by Percy E. Fletcher) Band of H. M. Coldstream Guards ; "Destiny— Valse Lente" (Baynes), and "Dance of the Disappointed Fairies" (Air di Ballet) (La Touche) Mayfair Orchestra; "Je sais que vous etes jolie" Two-Step (Christini), and "Maxixe Bresilienne" (Salabert) Mayfair Orchestra. Ten-inch, double-sided. — "The Linnet" (Piccolo Polka) (Piccolo solo by Sergt. W. Valentine) (Brockett), and dance intermezzo "Sunbeams" (Gerald Lane) band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "Little Grey Home In the West" (Cornet solo by Corpl. G. Moran) (Lohr), and "Siisse Kiisse" (Vollstedt) band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "Swedish Wedding March" (Soderman), and "Prayer From Moses" (Rossini) (arr. by F. Godfrey) band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "June" (Baldwin Sloane), and "Some Boy" (Dave Stamper) Mayfair Orchestra. Twelve-inch, single-sided. — "Ireland" (Stanford) Edmund Burke; "The Kerry Dance" (Molloy) Charles Tree; "The Island of Roses and Love" (Moret) Miss Lucy Marsh; "Mother's Maxims" (Pellissier) Miss Margaret Cooper; "In a Garden of Roses" (Sanderson) Miss Perceval Allen and Robert Radford; "Raphsodie" (in English) (De Koven) and "Serenata Inutile" (Op. 84) No. 4 (in Italian) (Brahms) Mme. Tetrazzini; "Che Gelida Manina" "La Boheme" (Puccini) Guido Ciccolini ; "Minuetto-Vecchio," (Op. 18) No. 2 (Sgambati) Mark Hambourg (piano solo) ; "Air" (Bach, arr. by Squire) W. H. Squire ('cello solo) ; "Hunting Calls," The Rt. Hon. Viscount Galway, M. F. H. ; "My Boy" (Kennedy Russell) Miss Florence Smithson; "Susie 'Oo" (Elton) G. H. Elliott and chorus; gems from "The Belle of New York" (Kirker) Light Opera Company. Ten-inch, single-sided. — "The Foggy Dew" (Clay) John McCormack; "From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water" (Cadman) Miss Alma Gluck ; "Down in the Forest" (Landon Ronald) Hubert Eisdell ; "Cumley Down — Sons of the Devon Moor" (Oliver) Stewart Gardner; "Faust" trio from Prison Scene, Act. V. (Gounod) Grand Opera Trio; "Souvenir" (Morceau) (Drdla) Miss Maud Powell (violin) ; "Just a Plain Girl" (Tennent) Tom Clare. To Increase Society of Authors. According to a contemporary a movement is on foot to increase the Society of Authors and to extend its benefits to British composers. Under the Copyright Act, 1911, the composers opportunities and responsibilities have been enlarged. For the past two years the composers' sub-committee has been sitting at the Society of Authors. This committee deals with all matters affecting the status of the composer. The society collects his fees at the lowest possible rate. It advises him in his dealings with publishers, exposes unfair and sanctions fair contracts, supports him financially by maintaining actions-at-law in his interests and offers him an intelligence bureau and a trade protection society under expert management. Gramophone as Professor of Tango. A distinguished company gathered on Wednesday, December 10, in the White Room of the Savoy Hotel to see — and hear — demonstrations of the tango by famous dancers. Four pairs of dancers, including Destrees & Layunta and Roland and Marion Mitford, of the Palace Theater, showed both the Brazilian tango with its thrilling elan and the highly graceful English version : the feature of the afternoon was the perfection of the "orchestra" impersonated by "His Master's Voice" cabinet grand gramophone and tango records. Dancers complain bitterly of the inaccuracy of many orchestras where tango is attempted; firstclass organizations often fail to get the tempo correct. These records are endorsed by the dancers themselves, who declare them perfect to dance to. Some very tasteful brochures have been issued by the "His Master's Voice" people to announce these new records. Learners of the tango everywhere are using this instrument to attain proficiency. Thomas Edens Osborne a Live Wire. In concert programs, newspapers and many other publicity sources, the advertisements of that wellknown Belfast talking machine factor, Thomas Edens Osborne, appear with unfailing regularity representing an example of enterprise which other dealers might well copy. At entertainments, charity and otherwise, Mr. Osborne with his Auxetophone is usually a welcome contributor to the evening's enjoyment, and almost every day there is a newspaper reference to his kindliness. Such tributes have made quite a public man of him, and 1 do not doubt but that so prominent a personality is justly regarded as one of Belfast's institutions. The distinction is well merited, for Mr. Osborne never seems happy unless he is contributing to the entertainment of the community at some function or other. New German Trade Mark Bill Held Up. It may be of interest to traders generally to learn that the proposed new German trade-mark bill cannot be introduced into the Reichstag for some considerable time. As a matter of fact it is in an incomplete state, its exact provisions not having as yet been determined. New Companies Incorporated. Warroner's, Ltd., musical instrument manufacturers. Capital, £1,000. Office, 15 New Oxford street, London, W. C. Roll Music Co., Ltd. Capital, £1,000. Office, 93 Worship street, London, E. C. Independent Music Club, Ltd. Capital, £10,000 Office, 13 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, London. Columbia Issue "Aida" Complete. The announcement of a complete edition of records of the famous opera "Aida" is conveyed to us in a handsome leaflet just issued by the Columbia Co. We learn that the opera is complete in 34 selections, making 17 double-sided 10inch records. These records, says the announcement, have been specially sung by some of Italy's greatest artists, among whom we notice, Signors Armanini, Martino and Bettoni, and Signoras Anitua, Chelotti, De Perez, Remondini, and others, the whole of the series, to ensure absolute correctness, being recorded in the Milan laboratory. It is typical of Columbia policy that the issue is thoroughly carried out, this being specially noticable in the presentation, with each set of records, of a copy of the published libretto giving the words in both Italian and English. The pages of the libretto are specially marked to show where the records occur. But the thoroughness of the Columbia issue does not end here. For in addition to an art folder giving the cast as represented by the records, the whole series of records are enclosed in a fine art album, gold-lettered, and bearing on the front an inset panel photograph of the composer, Verdi. The libretto and art folder are accommodated in a special pocket at the end of the album. It is quite evident that the Columbia Co. intends to capture the popular taste with this "Aida" album, for they have priced it at £3 complete. Paul H. Cromelin's Achievements. In view of the recent transference of all Edison business to the American headquarters, the London staff has been disbanded, and Paul H. Cromelin's resignation has been accepted. As managing director of the London office Mr. Cromelin concentrated every effort to stem the tide of adversity surrounding the cylinder trade in this country, but no power on earth could effect this in the face of circumstances, and of the trade exigencies. In every other department of the Edison business substantial progress has been registered under Mr. Cromelin's able guidance, essentially one of keen foresight and extreme commercial acumen. In the comparatively brief period of his stay among us, Mr. Cromelin took a prominent part in all matters affecting the welfare of the industry, and in particular the valuable work he rendered in connection with the difficulties of the copyright bill, will aione ensure for him a warm place in the memory of the British trade. Flis arrival in this country happened at a most opportune moment, for at that time difficult negotiations were on foot; we were in the thick of the copyright ^skirmish, and the outlook altogether was not over bright. Mr. Cromelin's wide experience of legal matters combining the art of translating vaguely worded acts into understandable language, which he freely placed at the trade's disposal, proved of immense assistance in defining the exact position of the mechanical instrument industry. The subse quent joint representation made in official quarters, resulted in securing for the trade some beneficial modifications of the act. Mr. Cromeline's wholehearted efforts in this direction have won for him general recognition from the leading men of the industry, and he has been the subject of many eulogistic references in the trade press. Largely the outcome of his initiative a company was formed under the title of Universal Copyrights, Ltd., for the protection of trade interests. It mainly disposes of all matters relating to royalty stamps, copyright-ownership investigation, and places much valuable advice in the hands of its members, which comprise practically all manufacturers or records. In addition the company holds contracts with upwards of .100 publishers and composers, and its sphere of influence is expanding rapidly. In the course of conversation with your correspondent Mr. Cromelin referred to his return to Washington at an early date where he intends to repractice at the Bar, from which he has been sidetracked for so many years looking after the Columbia and Edison interests. Our best wishes go with him for a prosperous new year. Another recent departure from the Edison Co. is their sales-manager, W. Denville Simons, who, I learn, we shall shortly welcome back to the fold with an entirely new proposition. A man of such genial personality and wide experience of the trade is predestined to enjoy a full measure of success, for which we tender our heartiest wishes. Christmas-Week Advertisement. Special praise is due the efforts of those manufacturers in the direction of taking newspaper space wherein to emphasize the claims of the most suitable gift for young and old — the gramophone. During Xmas week many attractive advertisements appeared, all telling the same story, making trade for the dealer, and incidentally bringing happiness and increased joy to many a family gathering, as the result of "somebody's" judicious outlay. Several effective announcements by the Columbia Co., Pathe Freres, Marathon, Edison, Bell, and others in lesser degree, carried the message, but special mention should be made of the "H. M. V." advertisements. These have been appearing in the best journals throughout the season, the last splash — half-pages in the Mail, Telegraph, Mirror, News and Leader — a few days before the 25th, creating unusual interest. They told how the Xmas gift problem had been solved and illustrated a series of instruments at various prices to indicate that there was "a present for all."