Evening star., 1938-07-31

Is little attempt at bringing out the
charm and almost mysterious signi-
ncance Of the haunting melodies. The
second movement Is marked by sharp
contrasts. yet the spirit which should
save 1t from dullness is lacking even
here. As far as sforzando and WELL
planned climaxes are concerned, they
are produced in polished fashion. On
the whole, more interesting interpreta-
tions from the emotional standpoint
have been heard than this performance
by the London orchestra.
Another bright spot in this months
Columbia output is the playing Of the
Mozart Sonata No. IA in c Minor"
by Walter Gieseking. This superb
artist has specialized on well-timed
graduation Of nuances and especially
on delicacy Of tone. This more pas
sionate OF Mozart's sonatas has mo-
ments which call on every pianistic
resource, and the pleasure Of this re-
cording is to follow the way In which
Gieseking gives color to the changes.
At one instance there Is an etheref3
melody, produced with extraordinary
lightness and charm, working pro-
gressively into q passage OF great
sorority. The facility Of this master
Of the keyboard Is fully revealed in
his understanding performance, true
In style yet rich In variety, Of this
lovely and grateful Mozart work.
THE London Philharmonic Orchestra
Is heard again in a fine recording
OF Sibelius' tone poem, "Finlandia,"
directed also by Sir Thomas Beecham.
The splendidly vigorous tone of the
orchestra gives the proper substance
to this work, which at one time was
banned from performance in Finland
because Of its too nationalistic char
acter. 1t was written as incidental
music to q series Of tableaux repre-
senting Finnish mythology, which
were presented on various patriotic
occasions in Finland. 1t Is emo
tionally stirring and dramatic in Its
intensity. and the London Philhar-
monic gives q powerful presentation
Of it.
You will enjoy also the album OF
American songs, which Is included in
this months release. 1t is a delight
ful collection Of q varied assortment
OF songs, linked mostly with special
periods in American history and sung
for this recording by the Madrigal
Singers. Lehman Engel, conductor,
with Everett Roudebush at the piano.
FROM Brave Wolfe" composed in
1853, the collection marks the
passing decades with such songs as
Chester" William Billings, ITO:
THE American Hero" Tor Bunker
Hill'). Andrew Law. ITS; Brad
ford" Jacob Kimball, 1898: lode to
Science Jezaniah Sumner, 1898;
"Old Colony Times" written about
1900; "Oh. Suzanne" Stephen Foster,
1916; The Burman Lover" Cor The
Little Canoe~. John c. Baker, i847;
Lilly Dale" H. 8. Thompson, and
"Lubly Fan Will You Cum Out To-
night" Cool White. 1852; Battle
Hymn of the Republic" William
Steffe, 1856; The Loved Ones" E.
T. Pound, 1859: Marching Through
Georgia" Henry Clay Work, and
Listen to the Mocking Bird" win
ner. 1865, and the ballad. Cocaine
ILL.," arranged by Joseph Clokey.
The Madrigal Singers sing these old
songs simply and sweetly, and you
should hear especially Listen to the
Mocking Bird" which Is unusually
lovely. For those who can still re-
member when some of these songs
were popular. and for others inter-
ested in early American song litera-
ture, this album is invaluable.