Evening star., 1952-04-20
TurntobIe Talk:
TuFnt0bIe ak:
.Vienno Is q New Source
OF Superior Recordings
By Jones G. Deone

Vienna, city of Beethoven, Mo-
zart, Schubert and Brahms, now
adays is achieving new musical
eminence as source of fine pho
nograph recordings. More of her
exports seem to arrive daily, The
chief reason is that the Austrian
capital abounds in talent which
apparently is readily available to
almost any one. provided he has
tape recorder and some business
enterprise. Costs still are much
cheaper than in recording studios
here at home.
The quality of the export prod
Iuct is variable. But several
young companies have been min
ing undeniable riches, much to
the phonophile's delight. Among
these, Westminster is outstand-
ing. A group of recent releases
underscores its high reputation.
Among Westminster'S achieve
ments is the discovery of an ex-
ceptionally promising young pi-
anist, Paul Badura- -Skoda. A
Vienna native. only 25, he had
never been heard of in this coun-
try before his name appeared on
records. But he has rapidly es-
tabliShed himself as a sensitive
performer of the music of Schu-
bert and Mozart. Next winter he
will make his Washington concert
debut.
Enchanting Melodies
In his latest effort, Badura-
Skoda is heard in one of the
finest Schubert chamber works,
the Trio in E Flat ajor, OPP. 100.
Less familiar than its companion
in B fiat. this work is equally
listenable, filled with the same
kind of enchanting melodies and
harmonies, Jean Fournier, French
Ivio1inist, and Antonio Japigro,
Italian cellist, join in a finely bal
anced. thoroughly gemutlich per-
fo1mance. The recorded sound is
luscious.
Another Schubert masterpiece,
the String Quartet i'm A Minor,
Op. 20, is performed by the Vienna
Konzerthaus Quartet, a group Of
Vienna Philharmonic players al
ready respected for their spirited
Irenditions of the c Major Quintet,
the Trout" Quintet with Ba-
dura -Skoda) and other Schubert
works. This newest offering main
tainS the same high musical
standard, and Westminster's pre-
Iviously excellent quartet sound
benefits by improved microphone
placement.
The same performers also are
heard in one of Beethoven's last
chamber works, the Quartet No. IL
in E Flat Major, OPP. 127, written
in 1924 about the same time as
the "Missa SolemniS." Robust and
earnest, with a noteworthy set of
variations comprising the slow
movement, it is given sincere,
intelligent reading, well recorded.
Beethoven in Song
A facet of Beethoven relatively
unappreciated is represented on
la disc featuring Alfred Poell, bass.
IPoell is known to collectors for
his fine portrayal of DR.. Fake in
the Vienna "Fledermaus" Gon-
dom and his expert lieder singing
in the Mailer Song-cycle, 1.-The
Youths Magic Horn" (Vanguard
He is one of today's outstanding
bassos. Here he sings discerningly
IBeethoven'S Six-part song-cycle,
An Die Ferne Geliebte CTo the
Distant Beloved), and eight other
songs, including the famous Ade-
laide and the puckishly humorous
Der Kuss tThe Kiss. Victor Graef
plays sympathetic accompani-
ImentS.
The baSSo also has a prominent
solo role on two new discs de-
voted to Bach. One contains the
Cantata No. 1913, TrauerOde, COM
posed in 1877 in memoriam to a
dead queen. There are three i'm
pressive choral sections plus reci-
ltatives and arias for solo voices
land the4Work is marked by won