The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-02-07
!::::::::: lz@zs5e3 81 7fess !: zsz@s
TheRecOrds
Are Tellinu

Il <AS 1 SiIIIIS
Something nec from Sho-
stocitch: Scandinavian bits
BY Melchoir: Some old tunes
and a nelc version Of .Schn-
bert's Unfinished" SYM
phony.
Dimitri shostakovitch. Russian
composer who sometimes take,
liberties with the classics but n
producing some OF the finest OF
the worlds contemporary music,
headlines the current record out
put-two Of his major works,
symphony No. 8. op. 80" (vic-
tori. and Quintet for Piano and
Strings. OPP. 81" (Columbia).
The first IL played by Leopold
Stokowski and the Philadelphia
orchestra, and the. latter has
Vivian Rivkin at the piano and
the Stuyvesant string quartet.
Both works have been written
along the lines Of what the Soviet
composers call the new simplici-
ty." The Sixth Symphony Ia in
three movements, with a modern
tang characteristic OF shostako-
witch. The quintet. which won the
1910 Stain prize Of 10000 rubles.
Is In five movements. typical Of
this outstanding Russian COM
poser.
As the record reviews tell the
story. these two albums will make
a fine addition TO the library OF
those who are interested In just
good music.
Tenor Lauritz helchoir. with
piano, choral and orchestral ac-
compartment Victor. six ten
inch records). Sings fourteen
Scandinavian songs. some of them
familiar and others less well
known. There are several patriotic
items which call for Mr.. Melchoir's
heroic vein. He shows also that
he can turn out song with refine
ment Of tone and subtlety OF line.
His voice Il fresh and sonorous
through most Of the album.
Another album that deals with
music of an earlier day brings the
two-piano team of Pliner and Earle
in a review of Vincent Youmans
music Liberty Music shops. three
ten-inch records. The Youmans
songs are familiar hits and these
pianists play them smoothly and
without the excessive ornamental
ton that jazz pianists affect al
though they do add some adorn-
ment.
Also for those who liked the
old tunes and rhythms Msrek
Weber and his orchestra present
an album In Old Vienna tColum-
bla, four ten-inch records). This
is a collection that memorializes
the waltz and il gives you med
leys OF Johann Strauss, Franz
Lehar, Joseph Strauss. wsldteufel.
Ziehrer and several other medleys
drawn from here and there. all
done In proper sentimental fashion.
A new version of Schubert's
UNFINISHED" Symphony is pre-
scented by Columbia in Its Febru-
airy list or recordings. 1t is by
Leopold Stokowiski and his All
American Orchestra. The familiar
and well-loved work is scarcely
susceptible TO new Interpretation,
but this recording is fresh and
clear-cut, with no blurring of the
melodic line. 1t comes on three
12-ineh records and Is mechanic
ally good.
Devotees of Lily Pons will find
satisfaction In the Columbia al
bum Of songs by the brilliant coll
oratura. mingled with orchestral
selections by her conductor hus-
band. Andre Kostelanetz. II is
their first joint appearance on
Columbia Masterworks. Miss Pons
sings Song of India" The Rus
sian Nightingale. Dancing Dolf'
and Home, Sweet Home" The
orchestra obliges with Liszt's
"Liebestraum." Paderewskf
"Minuet in c." Raehmsninoff's
prelude In C-shsrp minor" and
the Sibelius "valse Triste." II is
light and popular fare. -Four IL
inch records.
The perennial "Sorcefer's APP
prentice" OF Dukss is given q
sparkling rendition by Dimitri
Mitropoulos and the Minneapolis
symphony. 1t is complemented by
the bridal procession OF Cog
dor" on two 12-inch records.
Columbia singles Of the month
include:
Bidu Ssyso. with orchestra con-
Quoted by Erich Leinsdorf. in 'Un
Rel Di, vedremo," from Madame
Butterfly" and Mi Chiamsno
Mimi" from la Boheme."
Rise Stevens. IN sehumann's
''widmung' and two songs by
Hugo Wolf. II is mezzo-soprsno
singing OF high order.
John Barbirolli and the New
York Philharmonie-symphony. in
sprightly reading OF the Berlioz
Roman Carnival Overture.