New Records

Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust (Suzanne Danco, David Poleri, Martial Singher; Harvard and Radcliffe choruses; Boston Symphony conducted by Charles Munch; Victor 3 LPs). The greatest translation into music of Goethe's Faust, this score reaches heights of drama and tenderness undreamed of in Gounod's more popular version. Mephistopheles makes his entrances to portentous, brassy thunderclaps, Marguerite changes from an innocent child to a passionate woman in the toils of love, and Faust himself is almost painfully credible. The "dramatic legend" proved too big--and perhaps too tightly composed--to be a success on stage, but it is splendid on records.

Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra (Minneapolis Symphony conducted by Antal Dorati; Mercury). The fourth LP of a contemporary classic, this version has the distinction of dazzlingly clear and closeup sound, presumably authentic interpretation by one of Bartok's pupils and performance by a fine orchestra.

Byrd: The Four& Five-Part Masses (Pro Musica Antiqua conducted by Safford Cape; EMS). These two Masses for solo voices were composed during the Reformation in England, when Roman Catholic services were forbidden. The music is a fine sample of Byrd's mastery of counterpoint and his heartfelt devotion. It is sympathetically sung by Belgian specialists in fine music of bygone days.

Chabrier: Seven Pieces for Piano (Ginette Doyen; Westminster). Fiery performances of music that is attractive enough for more frequent hearings than it gets. Composed in 1860 and 1891, some pieces have a fine Spanish flavor and a few French flourishes as well.

Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano (Ginette and Jean Neveu; Angel). A memorial album for Ginette Neveu, the richly talented French violinist who died in an airplane crash five years ago. This piece is one of Debussy's last, and, while not his best, it is full of his special kind of interest. Also on the disk: Chausson's Poeme and Ravel's Tzigane.

Greek Folk Songs and Dances (Royal Greek Festival Co.; Esoteric). Odd and unexpected rhythms, exotic harmonies, haunting melodic patterns and some rarely recorded instruments, e.g., lira (viol), santir (dulcimer), wooden spoons, go into one of the most interesting and unusual albums of the year.

Guitar Recital (Luise Walker; Epic). Solo works by such bygone masters of the classical guitar as Fernando Sor and Francisco Tarrega and a three-movement Concertino for Guitar and Orchestra by the contemporary Brazilian composer, Guido Santorsola, accompanied by the Vienna Symphony under Paul Sacher. The big work is ideal for records, where the quiet colors of the solo instrument can be clearly heard and its gently modern effects fall pleasantly on the ear.

Kodaly: Peacock Variations (Chicago Symphony conducted by Antal Dorati; Mercury). Variations of abundant color and virtuosity on the Hungarian folk song, Fly, Peacock, Fly. The performance does it full justice.

Massenet: Scenes Pittoresques (Lamoureux Orchestra conducted by Jean Fournet; Epic). An ingratiating suite by one of the French nationalist revolution aries of the 1870s (others: Lalo, Saint-Saens) that swings its waltz and polonaise movements as only Massenet could. Played as if it were made of sturdier stuff.

Obernkirchen Children's Choir (Edith Moeller, conductor; Angel). Thirty-five sweet-voiced youngsters from a small (pop. 6,400) town in Germany sing right prettily. Besides an ingenuous version of Schubert's Der Lindenbaum and other old favorites, they sing the popular Happy Wanderer. Their style resembles Fred Waring's showy choral technique. The group is now touring the U.S.

Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C (NBC Symphony conducted by Arturo Toscanini; Victor). The dozenth LP of this masterpiece and the second by the Maestro and his men. This one has the advantages of modern recording techniques, and Toscanini, 85 when he made the recording, shows undiminished vigor (the finale whips along like 60). The fancy album leaflet includes an appreciation by Essayist Andre Maurois.

Verdi: Falstaff (Herva Nelli, Cloe Elmo, Giuseppe Valdengo, Frank Guarrera, Robert Shaw Chorale, NBC Symphony conducted by Arturo Toscanini; Victor, 3 LPs). Verdi's last opera (composed when he was 79) and his towering masterpiece. Old age robbed Verdi of none of his genius, and at times the Falstaff melodies have all the melting tenderness of Ada or Trovatore. The orchestra trills and chortles in a mischievous manner most of the time, and the Maestro sees to it that every note is dagger-sharp. Although the voices are not all of surpassing beauty, there is enough standout singing to add up to a unique recording.

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