New Records

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 1 (Winterthur Symphony Orchestra, Victor Desarzens conducting; Concert Hall Society, 2 sides LP). The composer, 15, a bit too full of youthful sentimentality when he wrote his first symphony, nevertheless gave it remarkable melodic moments and color. Performance and recording: good.

Prokofiev: Concerto No. 3 (Dimitri Mitropoulos, pianist, conducting the Robin Hood Dell Orchestra of Philadelphia; Columbia, 1 side LP). The gifted Mitropoulos gives himself a successful double workout with this combination of beauty and bombast. Recording: good.

Shostakovich: Concerto, Op. 35 (Eileen Joyce, piano, the Halle Orchestra, Leslie Heward conducting; Columbia, 1 side LP). The Prokofiev concerto's other side, very Russian in style if not in material. Recording: good.

Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1, ChOros No. 4 & No. 7 (chambergroups, Werner Janssen conducting; Capitol, 2 sides LP). South America's No. 1 composer writes here for such combinations as eight cellos, three horns and a trombone, five woodwinds and two strings and gong. Typical Villa-Lobos: brilliant color and exotic rhythms. Performance and recording: good.

Walton: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (Jascha Heifetz, the Philharmonia Orchestra, William Walton conducting; RCA Victor, 1 side LP). Heifetz fiddles with love and care through a piece that is splashy with romance. Recording: excellent.

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