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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 24, No. 13. 1961.

Records

Records

Tchaikovsky. Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36. Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. Eugene Mravinsky. Deutsche Grammophon DGM 18657 mono.

I always considered the Lenin-grade Philharmonic as just another Russian pick-up group, viz., about the standard of England's Halle or America's San Francisco Symphony: my experience being drawn from a number of domestic Russian albums which I possess. However, I am happy to say, this opinion has altered. On this disc, the latest Tchaikovsky No. 4, the Leningrad orchestra is superb; playing as I have never heard Tchaikovsky played before. The strings of the Philharmonic are incredibly fine (there must be fifty violins alone!), likewise, the brass and woodwind are excellent—in—particular the horns, which are indescribably majestic and brash. Mravinsky's interpretation is both passionate and definitive. The last movement is taken at very brisk pace but excites the ear as does Indeed, the whole performance. The recording and surfaces are perfect. A superlative record recommended without reservation.

Sibelius. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43. Sinfonia of London/Tauno Hannikainen World Record Club TZ 142 stereo only.

To my way of thinking, this is not exciting Sibelius. It is an average performance, the interpretation is calculated and, at times, woody; the playing is, on the whole, taut but shallow. Sibelius needs a lush, warm sound, with a large string section and plenty of well-controlled brass.

The Sinfonia lack this. There is little depth to any of the playing the trumpets are flat and the woodwind stodgy (apart from some wonderful playing by Gossens (?) on oboe). The opening string pizzicato in II is all over the place, and in the same movement the woodwind makes some bad entries. Hannikainen is said to be related to, and a protege of, Sibelius himself. His handling of this work is too precise, however; it is not definite—it is too tight-fisted. The stereo is good, very clean.

Donizetti. Lucia di Lammermoor: "Ancor non giunse! . . . Regnava nel silenzio"; "II dolce suono mu colpi di sua voce! . . . Ardon gl'incensi". Linda di Chamounix: "Ah! tardai troppo . . . O luce di quest'anima".

Verdi. Ernani: "Surta e la notte . . Ernani, Ernani, involami". I Vespri Siciliani: "Merce dilette amiche". Joan Sutherland (soprano)/Paris Opera Chorus Paris Conservatoire Orchestra. Nello Santi. Decca LXTM 5531 mono.

Joan Sutherland has a voice of fine quality; beautifully clear and radiant as a bell; her dynamics are marvellously sure, her subtleness and expression of tone, quite exceptional. On this disc, she illustrates her artistry to perfection. Donizetti's Mad Scene (II dolce suono . . .) is accomplished a la Callas minus that certain fire and impetuosity: viz., with a beauty and sincerity of tone I only occasionally find in coloraturas. The aria from Linda is likewise, well done; Joan Sutherland here being ably accompanied by Nadiene Sautereau. Both Verdi pieces are perfect: in the Ernani I felt the diction slipping a trifle (as in Linda), but this is perhaps due to inaudibility on the part of an absolute pianissimo, more than anything. There is neither strain nor force anywhere in the register; Mme. Sutherland possesses a beautiful voice and, without the leave of prophecy, will undoubtedly go far in her select field.

—M.J.W.

Beecham in Rehearsal. Soloists/Beech am Choral Society/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham. World Record Club EZ 1024 mono.

The disc was edited from tapes of a number of rehearsals, al which Sir Thomas Beecham and Orchestra were preparing to record Haydn's 100. 101 and 104 and Mozart's Die Entfuehrung aus dem Serail. It is an amusing and interesting collector's item, depicting the fine style and manner isms of one of our greatest musicians. Sir Thomas hisses (for diminuendo), groans, damns and cajoles: he also relates and quips in a most jocular fashion. Perhaps one benefit of this disc is a preview of the new Entfuehrung, due to be released by World Record Club later in the year. If the rehearsal is any criterion, the complete set should be worth acquiring

Keep this Wednesday night free—see Notice on Page 5 of this issue.