Oxford eagle., 1922-11-30

@ OMEWHAT in contrast to former
- years, the new December record
releases are not particularly rich
in Christmas music, as such. But the
program is a broad one, with plenty to
occupy both music student and laynlan.
Incidentally we welcome the relisting Of
Nellie Melba's "SevilIana" (Fair M :
ems from Seville) from MasseIl- 5
Don Cesar De Basan"
Nowadays program is hardly ca
sidered to be complete without soi..c-
thing Russian and when the artist IS
also Russian. that consummates 1t.
apin's c:ng:,g I'm the 1ozin of kaSan"
from Boris Godouno7U" on a Decem-
Der record, both because the melody is
typically Russian and because this artist
himself was born in Kazan. There, as
a young child, he worked as cob
bler's apprentice. The song, in way,
is classic among bar-room ditties, tor
Varlaam, 4 recreant monk. sings it in
melodious, if, half-savage, bass, between
draughts of vodka at an inn on the
Russian frontier. 1t opens whimsically,
tipsily, but gathers force, troIubones
laundering rough sort of dance be-
matte force, Chaliapin never sacrifices
throughout the record.
AS companion record, in subject at
least, is Amelita Galli-Curci's singing
of the Prayer and Barcarolle from
Meyerbeer's "L'Etoile du Nord" (Star
of the North. But although the story
is Russian, the music is in Meyerbeer's
Italian style, slow, soft, tender mel
ody, sung against the scintillating tones
of harp, giving way later to brilli-
IL IL IL al
ody with a bright, dancing rhythm.
So great is the contrast, in manner,
between the prayer and the barcarolle,
that the record is further interesting in
that it really demands two vocal styles.
1t takes a CALI Curci to exhibit both
in their perfection.
If it is possible to put the sense of
memory into music, Mischa Elnan does
it on his latest record, Fond Reeollcc
tions" 1t is first in slow. short phrases,
like wondering questions and half
breathlesss answers. as OF mind COM
muning with itself 1t is charming
composition, Viennese in style, set for
the violin with the orchestra, without
establishment of any kind.
Mischa Elman has little pocket
violin, probably one of the smallest
viol-instruments in existence. The
largest, most likely, is the double
bass in the collection of Carl
Fischer, exhibited recently in New
York. 1t is eleven feet, seven
inches long, the strings are nearly
as thick as cigars, and the bridge
is foot high.
The warmth and color of the Riviera
have been incorporated in "Serendde"
of which Gigli makes recent record.
Good King Wenceslaus' storied snow
drifts. melt before the warm tones of
this fragrant melody, from under the
Mediterranean sun. Gigli sings it to
a small orchestra, a violin, a flute, a
cello, mandolins and guitars. This
kind of record combines the very es-
sence of poetry, romance and history.
Another record that gives gracious
support to Shelley's promise of Spring
is a new duet by Nine. Louise Homer
and her daughter, Nine. Louise Homer
Stires. Go, Pretty Rose" is daintily
impetuous English love-lyric, suggestive
of rose arbor, the soprano opening it,
giving the rose its message. There IS
a soft rush of single melody. flute
tripping about the voice. After a ce-
lesta note or two the contralto joins in
half-imitative but delicious harmony,
the flute cooling, here and there, still
softer strain.
Orville Harrold's December record is
of the popular concert-room, and home
parlor type. In other words, it might
be described as an English barcarolle
in late Victorian style. "TeH Her /
Love Her So" is healthy and charm
ing love ditty, in vigorous, almost
rollicking rhythm, the smooth tenor
voice and an equally smooth trombone
passing melodies back and forth with
perfect mutual ease and understanding.
Music like Olga Samaroffs latest
Victor Record of Grieg's "Noctarne"
battles description. It is one of this
composers most subtly exquisite. noe
turnes. Strange, half-mystical bits Of
melody. passed from hand to.hand, trill..
like arabesques and fantasies, these had
best be left to the ear of the listener.
properly to judge this lovely piano solo.
Wolf -Ferrari's 'Jesoels of the Ma
donna" has tended to obscure in popu-
1arity his other works, and it is privi-