Prokofiev: Scythian Suite (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Desire Defauw conducting; Victor, 6 sides), Piano Sonata No. 7 (Vladimir Horowitz; Victor, 4 sides). Two good and noisy pieces by Russia’s greatest contemporary. The earlier Scythian Suite (composed for a Diaghilev ballet in 1914) comes out better than the recent (1942) Sonata. Both are recorded for the first time in the U.S. Performance: good.
Stravinsky: The Song of the Nightingale (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens conducting; Victor, 5 sides). The Emperor of Japan’s mechanical nightingale outsings the Emperor of China’s live one, but breaks down in the attempt. When Stravinsky composed it in 1909, no political moral was intended. Performance: good.
Bizet: Carmen (Rise Stevens, Nadine Conner, Raoul Jobin and Robert Weede, with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, George Sebastian conducting; Columbia, 10 sides). A pedestrian presentation, in which the best efforts are Stevens’ Habanera and Baritone Robert Weede’s bully Toreador Song. Performance: fair.
Vincent d’lndy: Istar, Symphonic Variations (San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux conducting; Victor, 3 sides). A strip tease on records. The theme of the score comes only after seven variations have been played, to indicate that the Babylonian maid, Istar, has just thrown off her final veil. Performance: lush.
Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite (NBC Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini conducting; Victor, 8 sides). One of the maestro’s favorites, much to the consternation of highbrows who wish he wouldn’t bother. He gives it the works. Performance: excellent.
Hot Jazz (Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band; Victor, 8 sides). Old Bunk’s trumpet leads the choir in When the Saints Go Marching In and A Closer Walk with Thee, then turns secular in Franklin Street Blues and I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate. Clarinetist George Lewis and Trombonist James Robinson step high on the parade tunes. Performance: excellent.
Blues (Stella Brooks; Disc, 6 sides). A little (109 Ibs.) white gal with a blue voice sings the naughty colored lyrics of West End, Jazz Me (“Come On Professor”) and other New Orleans classics. Background music by Hot Trumpeter Frankie Newton and five others makes these real collectors’ blues. Performance: good.
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