Evening star., 1938-04-24
Reviews of RECORDINGS

the Victor Musical Masterpiece Series.
Whatever Wagner may have been
as ar individual he reached spiritual
heights in the marvelously woven
tones Of this prelude. Rarely has
an idea and especially a religious
idea, been given such musical form,
as grandiose an expression of spirit
uality as the human mind can con-
ceive. There is none of the cold, de-
tached speech which often incloses q
sacred subject but human warmth,
purified and elevated above the mortal.
1t is as though the finest and greatest
emotion of which humanity is capable
streams up toward a divine power,
with the human voice clarified by a
supreme understanding and faith.
This prelude of Wagner's could
have no finer interpreter than Sto-
kowski and the Philadelphia Orches-
meaning Stokowski has carefully
weighed the value Of each measure,
beautifying it with small crescendos
or sforzandos or the manner Of attack
ing tone until it becomes a superb
example of interpretive power Sto-
koWski's reading of the Good Friday
Spell' is we'll known, and the result
on the disc is also excellent, although
the marvellous flight of fancy by which
Wagner created the prelude is not so
strong in the Good Friday music.
The entire album is a splendid COM
plement of the Bach series by the
Philadelphians issued by the Victor
people earlier in the season.
Among the other outstanding re-
leases of the Victor Co. this month
is recording of Brahms Sonata No.
in F Major. Op &c." by Pablo Casals.
the great Spanish cellist, with Mie-
czyslaw Horszowski at the piano. There
are four double records in this MAO
set. Some artists have gone many
steps farther in the development of
their artistry, and Pablo Casals is one
of these The refinement of his play
ing does not interfere in the broad
ness of the line which he reaches and
the depth of resonant tone.
In this sonata there is little OF the
Brahms who sings so beautifully in
his lieder But the serious, warm
hearted and idealistic genius is ex-
pressed in every note of this mastery
work. 1t is sturdy and vigorous,
soaring free on the wings of inspira-
ton and when touching the wells Of
sentiment doing SO with the same
honesty and fearlessness. Casals is
a splendid match for this powerful
music with his rich tone and superb
musicianship. His playing scintillates
with flashing color, so correctly timed
by this great artist, who at times
revels in wide, sweeping measures and
again brings out little points of light
in the graceful bend Of phrase He
is ably assisted by Mr.. Horszowski,
whose pianistic gift is truly brilliant.
A recording by Yehudi Menuhin is
the prize single record released this
month. Mr.. Menuhin plays the Pug
nani-Kreisler "Praeludium and AL
legro' as it has never been played be-
fore. Its noble measures are repro.
duced with fiery vigor as simply as
if it were child's play, while the lovely
Menuhin tone carries none of the
slight blemishes which sometimes
creep into it. This record was made
in Europe and Mr.. Menuhin is &C.
companied by Marcel Gazelle.
From out of the past is heard again
the voice of Enrico Caruso in a spe-
cial reproduction designed for the
Eastertide. For the numbers taken
| from the Caruso repertoire are Faure's
Les Rameaux' and the Brizeu-Franck
La Procession" made with orchestral
accompaniment. 1t is interesting to
have these records Of Caruso's voice
even if the reproduction is not as
clear as it might be. The great tenor
who thrilled the world few years
ago is not heard at his best in these
! numbers and many of the vocal faults
which his admirers would not admit
existed during his lifetime show up
IN the mechanical setting. He estab-
lished standard, however. in his day
which has had its influence on all
tenors coming after him, and this op-
portunity to have another record by
him will appeal to many people.