Monday, Jun. 12, 1939

SYMPHONIC, ETC.

Brahms: Alto Rhapsodie, Three Lieder

(Marian Anderson, male chorus of the University of Pennsylvania Choral Society, the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy conducting; Victor: 6 sides). The Rhapsodie, to gloomy verses by Goethe, nobly sung; the Lieder overdressed by orchestral accompaniment.

Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat (London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham conducting; Columbia: 7 sides). Best recording to date of a slight, charming work, written when the composer was 19.

Ferruccio Busoni: Two Sonatinas (Michael Zadora, pianist; Friends of Recorded Music*: 4 sides). Agreeable pieces by a composer whose fame rests almost entirely on his piano transcriptions of Bach organ pieces.

Tschaikowsky: Serenade in C Major (B. B. C. Symphony Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult conducting; Victor: 6 sides). First modern recording, superb in its string sonorities, of a popular standby.

Harl McDonald: Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra (Jeanne Behrend and Alexander Kelberine, pianists, the Philadelphia Orchestra with Leopold Stokowski conducting; Victor: 6 sides). By the Colorado-born composer (Rhumba Symphony, Lament for the Stolen) whose work the Philadelphia Orchestra has consistently given first hearings, and who last week, following the orchestra's recent troubles, took over his duties as its latest manager. The bang-up last movement of the concerto is based on two Mexican dance rhythms, the Juarezca and Malaguena.

Aurelio Giorni: Trio in C Major (Max Hollaender, violin, Sterling Hunkins, cello, Eugene Kusmiak, piano; Musicraft: 7 sides). Interesting contrapuntal work by an Italian-American "musician's musician" who died at 43 in the New England hurricane last autumn.

Beethoven: Eleven Viennese Dances

(London Philharmonic Orchestra, Felix Weingartner conducting; Columbia: 3 sides). Jovial tunes, performed only once in the U. S., which Beethoven wrote for a lucky little orchestra which played at a German inn.

* 12 East 22nd Street, New York City.

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