New H.H. Scott Stereo Amplifier has features never before offered at $139.95*

Until now, tile high fidelity fan with a limited budget had to settle for second-best products. Introduction of the new H.H. Scott 24 watt stereophonic amplifier, Model 222, puts top qua within the reach of all. This new amplifier has many features never before availab1e It is backed by H.H. Scott's fine reputation for engineering leadership. Check th=·T,"''''T· ... you'll see why you should build your new stereo system around the H.H. Scott

Equalization switch lets Special switch posi· This position lets you Separate Bass and Effec tive scratch filter Channel balance con­ Master vOlume contrOl you choose between tions for accurate bal­ play a monophonic Treble controls on improves performance trol adjusts for dif­ adjusts volume of both RI AA compensation for ancing. for playing source such as an FM each channel let you on older worn records ferent speaker effi­ channels simultane­ monophonic and stereo stereo, reverse stereo tuner or a tape re­ adjust for differences and improves recep­ ciencies and brings ously. Also functions as . records; NARTB. for and for using mono­ corder through both in room acoustics and tion on noisy radio channel · volumes into automatic loudness tape heads. phonic records with power stages and different speaker sys­ broadcasts. balance quickly and control whenever de­ your stereo pickup. speakers. tems. easily. sired. Ins'ist on genuinel!..:.li: S cott COm l)Onents

SPECIFICATIONS:. Dual12 wall Exclusive center· channels ; 0 .3% I M distortion; 0.8% harmonic channel output lets you distortion; frequency response 20 to 30,000 cps; use your present amp­ extremely low hum level (-80 db) ; DC operated lifier for 3-channel preamplifiers heaters ; Inputs for stereo or mono­ stereo or for drivIng phonic recorders, tuners, phono cartridges and extension speakers. tape heads. Phono sensitivity 3 mv. SUb-sonic Separate stereo tape­ rumble filter prevents overload from noisy ~erorder outputs. changers or turntables. Price $139.95* * l-Vesl of R ockies $ 1 -4$ .25. Accesso ry case extra.

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SEND NOW FOR Rush me complete details on your new Model 222 and your complete 1959 Hi Fi Guide & Catalog_ Dept. MR-9 FREE HI-FJ GUIDE Name______AND CATALOG Address; ______City State'______the original and positive sound reproduction techniques necessary for true high fidelity are presented on AUDIO FIDELIT~ RECORDS the highest standard in high fidelity

ro musIc gay enna captured in all of 'its tune· ful beauty by the artisfry of Jo Basile and his accordic5ri. AFLP 5868

Jo Basile ngs ar· made tistry to the haunting b~auty of as played by the Dukes of Italian song favorites for your land. You have to hear It to listening pleasure. believe it! AFLP 1823/AFSD 5823 AFLP 1871/AFSD 5871

Complet~ illustrated ------­catalogs of the entire Audio fidelity library are available from: Au d i 0 Fidelity, Inc., . Dept. HR759, 770 11th Ave., New York 19, N. Y. I .. ALL ALBUMS EXCEPT AFSD 5890 ARE AVAILABLf BOTH 3 SEPTEMBER 1959 -----_.­ "Our All-New !\i VR22 Stereo Cartridge provides unsurpassed performance in a Garrard Changer." In thanking Mr. Welsh for these personal comments, we would like to point out that hundreds of thousands of GE Monaural cartridges played a vital part in making high fidelity history during the past decade. Particularly significant is the fact that more GE cartridges were used with Garrard changers in fine component systems, than in all other changers and turntables combined! Now, GE owners, and all others converting to stereo, will be delighted to know that a Garrard changer, such as the incomparable RC88, guarantees the superlative performance that has been built into the new GE stereo cartridges.

"Unsurpassed Stereo Results with the ® VR22 in Garrard Changers," says Mr. S. J. Welsh, Manage?'-MOIl'keting, High Fidelity Components, . Gene?'al Electric Company

The same 7'easons why Ga7Tard changers pe,,/orm so "The new GE Stereo Classic cartridge Model VR22 has a tnagnificently with GE caTt7'idges have also made them 'floating armature' design for increased compliance equally popula7' with all othe7' manufacturers of fine Stereo and reduced record wear, a nd a flat frequency response cartridges-Shure, Electro, Voice, Pickering, Fairchild, etc. of 20-20,000 cycles. To retain this performance, it is • Vibration,free turntable. necessary that a tone arm track freely and with the • V ertical a nd lateral rumble completely inaudible. Wow recommended light pressure. The motor must also have a and flutter far below exacting "broadcast tolerance" standards. very low rumble content. • Exclusive Aluminuln tone arm precision-mounted at "Therefore, we are gratified to report the excellent engineering works for optimum tracking angle. perfect sound reproduction. results we found when testing with Garrard changers. • Unrestricted choice of stereo cartridges-any of them w ill All of the rigid laboratory standards built into our track at t he m anufacturer's li ghtest specified weight. new cartridge were maintained. The result was excellent • Record handling gentler than the surest human hand. stereophonic music reproduction." • Thc importan t con venien ce of manual play p lus completely automatic operation without compromise in perf01.'mance. These are the FACTS, no one can deny them with auth07'ity­ and they are backed by the 86 yea7'S of experience that have cTeated Garrard's unique 7'e putation f07' unsurpassed quality.

Send lo( free Garrord Comparator Guide For the best in Stereo ... Your Name _' ______

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Moil 10 Depl. GM ·129 01 a ddress below. THE WORLO'S FINEST!

There's a Garrard for every hlsh fldellt¥ system ••••n enslneered .nd wired for Stereo and Monaural records. 1'PA/U - _ _TID

="_SI8.50 =:u-sa9.00 ==:.159.50 ='_.

GARRARD SALES CORPORATION, DIvIsion of British Industrl.s Corporation, PORT WASHINGTON, N. Y. Canadian InQuiries to Chos. W. Poin10n, lId., 66 RaCine Rood. ReKdale. Onto rertlrorle, olher than U.S.A. and Canada 10 Garrard Engineering & Mfg. Co.• lid .• Swindon. Wilts .• England FEATURE ARTICLES HiFREVIEiW Should I Convert to Stereo? 38 Norman Eisenberl?; September, 1959 The road La stereo is paved with flood ada.pters Vol. 3 No. 3 The Undaunted Discophiles 4 2 Frank Jacobs P ltblisher A Stu' vay oJ some of lhe record colipe/ors who U have everything" O li ver R end a,nd how lhey got lhal way

Edi/Qr Quiet, Rubinstein Recording! 4 6 John Pfeiffer O liver P. FerreU R CA Victor's r CI:or ding director lells what it's li/.w 10 worh 'With Music E dilor lhe greatest Chopin player of ow' day David Hall Old Conductors Never Fade 51 Doron K. Antrim .4 rt D I:N'clor A look ai lhe reasons for lhe aslon­ A Ihert G ruen ish ing vitality of some of our oldest and greatest orchestra. conductors

Associate /£flilors lIa ns Fan LeI Omni-Stereo for Odd-shaped Rooms 53 John G. Reinhard Nunc y L a ng lvl ulli-."pealwr sr.f up co mbines omni-dil'cclional willi, stereo pHeels Contrib/l lillf/ Ed ilurs M a r tin Bookspan' Wa r re ll D e M o t Le The Well-constructed Anatomy 55 Nat Hentoff Ha lph J. G leason S ta nley G reen Dukl' E llina!o,"t's /il'stfull-len.!Jlh Nut H entoll' film SCD!'I' turns oul- Io be one of 11./: .'1 Gcorl{e J ell inck most subsiu.nl,:a.l (lch if!IJC mell.is D avid R a ndo lp h J oh n T hornto n Stereo Balancing 56 Hans H. Fantel A dtJcri isi n[1 D il'el"lof' New "null" indica/ors lell optimum John A. R ou3n. Jr. self infl at a giu,nee

Easlern Advertising Jltl a. rwyer Lurry Sporn REVIEWS

l IFF·DAVIS PUBLISH ING CO .. One Park Martin Bookspan, Warren DeMotte, Ave., New York 16, N. Y. William B. lift, Stereo HiFi Concert 6 1 Chairman of the Board (1946-1953); William George Jellinek, John Thornton liff, President; W . Bradford Br iggs, Execu­ tive Vice President ; Michael Michaelson, Vice President and Circulation Director; Martin Bookspan, Warren DeMotte, Hershel B. Sarbin, Vice President; Howard Mono HiFi Concert 81 Stouqhton, J r., Treasurer. George l ellinek, David Randolph, John Thornton BRANCH OFFICES: Midwestern Office, 434 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago 5, III. , Tom Ralph J . Gleason, Stanley Green, Be rry, Midwest Advertising Manager; Stereo Entertainment 95 Western Office, Room 412, 215 West 7th Nat Hentoff St ., Los Angeles 17, Calif., James R. Pierce, Western Advertising Manager; Foreign Ad ­ veri ising Representatives: D. A. Goodall Mono Entertainment 105 Ralph J . Gleason, Stanl ey Green, ttd" London; Albert Milhado & Co ., Ltd ., [ at HenLoff Antwerp and Dusseldorf. SUBSCRIPT ION SERVI C E Forms 3579 and all subscription corre· spondence should be addressed to Cir­ cularion Department, 434 South Wabash COLUMNS AND MISCELLANEOUS Avenue, Chicago 5, Illinois. Please allow at least four weeks for change of address. Include you r old address a s well as new -enclosing if possible an address label HiFi Soundings 6 Bookshelf 22 from a recent issue . • CO NTRIB UTORS Musical Oddentities 16 Just Looking 30 Contributors are advised to retain a copy of their manuscript a nd illustrations. Con· tributions should be mai led to the New York Editorial office and must be accom­ The Basic Repertoire 18 Advertisers' Index 115 panied by return postage. Contributions Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.4 a re handled with reasonable care, but this magazine assumes no responsibility for their The Flip Side 11 6 safety. Any acceptable manuscript is sub· ject to whatever adaptations and revisions are necessary to meet requirements of this publication . Payment covers all author's rights, titles and interest in and to the Cover ill ustration by Albert Hirschfeld material ac.cepted. and will be made at our current rates upon acceptance. All p hotos a nd drawings will be considered as pa rt of material purchased . . HiFi REVI EW is published monthly by liff-Davis Publishing Company, W ill iam B. Ziff, Chairman of the Board (1946-1953). at 434 South Wabash Ave,.' Chicago 5, III. Second class postage paid at Chicago, Il linois. Authorized by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, Ont., Canada as second class matter. SUBSCR IPT ION RATES: One year U,S. and posseSSIOns, and C anada $4 .00; Pan-American Union countries $4.50, ali other fo reign countries $5,00. Copyright 1959 by lI FF-DAVI5 PUBLISHING Company All rights reserved 5 leading consumer products testing lab* reports on G laser-Steers GS-77: HiFi Soundings

By DAVID HALL

THREE MEN ON A RESCUE MISSION

Al and Dick's, favored New York luncheon hangout of record industry cOIDes executives, was the scene not so long ago of an interesting conversation between two A & R men and a writer. Between them, they represented more than 50 years of experience in recording, broadcasting, and mnsic abontas journalism. All were avid classical record collectors. All had kept up their libraries, even to the point of holding on to a nucleus of priceless close to 78 rpm discs by such artists as Lauritz Melchior, Artur Schnabel, F elix .. Weingartner, Maggie Teyte, Fritz Kreisler and Alfred Cortot. The lunch­ perfect.. eon bull-session went something like this- • • "The new London recording of Das Rheingold really sounded like some­ .on.n a thing on my outfit. Shades of the wonderful Wagner opera 78's back in the 1930's ! Remember Melchior in his prime? Lotte Lehmann's Sieg­ changer linde? Friedrich Schorr as Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger?" "You know, come to think of it, there's not a single Melchior opera design record to be had on an LP transfer any more-and tbis was the greatest as any Wagnerian tenor of them all." "Well, it's a cluious thing about the record business. Even more than in book and magazine publishing, you have a situation of a strictly com­ thing mercial operation producing documents of major cultural and artistic value. It's true that we don' t have any recordings of Paganini's violin we wizardry, Liszt's electrifying pianism, or of Gustav Mahler conducting Tristan or Don Giovanni ; but think of what we do have from a few of the have first, and lots of the second generation that followed." "Yes, there was Weingartner; he studied with Liszt, later became the seen~~ top Beethoven conductor of his day and recorded all the Beethoven symphonies. For all the lousy sound, I still don't think there's been a Beethoven Ninth recorded that can touch the old Weingartner-Vienna Philharmonic you could once get on Columbia."

"Well, speaking of throwing great recordings into the discard, take a look at the recent issues of the Schwann Catalog. Some of the best per­ formances on LP are being cut out to make way for new, up-to-the­ minute works on stereo. And they're not even in the same league musically speaking. I'm afraid this is just the beginning. Three years from now we'll be lucky to have any mono records available at all, no matter how good, or artistically important."

"Yes, it looks that way. But what about the $1.98 re·issues of historic recordings by Flagstad and others on RCA's Camden lahel, or Angel's premium·priced Great Recordings of the Century series?"

"Well, I wonder how long they'll keep that up, and how long the records will be kept available. You know what it means to tie up pressing " facilities and distributor-inventory space for limited market 'stuff."

"Don't you think the time has come now, when the record industry has no other choice, but to operate on a strictly dollars-and-cents commercial Glaser-Steers GS-77 high fidelity record level? It's apparently not possible to run a profitable re-print business of changer: Superb for stereo . .. and your great classics like Random House's Modern Library or Knopf's Vintage presenf records, $59.50 less base and series in the book field." cartridge at your dealer. *Audiolab Test "Remember books look pretty much the same from one year to the next; Report in August High Fidelity Magazine you don't have to worry about the sound, as you do with a record. People -for a copy of complete report and bro· today are so darned hi-fi conscious that there're people who won't buy a chure, write Glaser-Steers Corporation, recording more than a year after its initial release. Look at your own 155 Oroton Street, Newark 4, N.J. sales figures and see what happens after a record has been out more than HFR-9 (Contin~ed on page 80) 6 HIFI REVIEW THE COLUMBIA Cfi) RECORD CLUB now enables you to acquire a ISTEREO RECORD LIBRARY I at a saving of 40% ANVSIX l--ili§j;J=t-i R.ECc)R.DSIJ~~$S~~ UP TO $35.88 if you join the Club now - and agree to purchase as few as 5 selections from the more than 100 to be made available during the coming 12 months

If you now own a stereophonic phonograph, or plan to purchase one in the near future - here is a unique opportunity to obtain SIX brand-new stereo records . _• up to a $35.88 retail value­ ALL SIX for only $5.98! We make this un usual offer to demonstrate the money-saving ad­ vantages you will regularly enjoy as a member of the Columbia @ 37. Lovely " musical 10. Be My Love, 24.16 classical Record Club. portrait of nature" Where or When, etc. and pop selections Read below how the Club op­ erates . . . then mail the coupon, without money, to receive the six stereo records of your choice - all six for only $5.98.

NOTE' Stereo records • must be played onlyon a stereo phonograph 9. Always, Please, 11. Berlioz' most 22. Organist Cole Speak Low, 9 more popular work plays 11 hit tunes ...

• i i

28. Brahms' most 31. Solitude, Au­ 18. Two electrify- •42. Body and Soul, 33. 11 beautiful, 41. Strauss' love- 45. Tico-Tico, 16. Two colorful, beloved symphony tumn Leaves, etc. ing tone poems I Got It Bad, 10 more immortal melodies liest tone poems Brazil, 10 others exciting scores HOW THE CLUB OPERATES: SEND NO MONEY - Mail coupon to receive 6 records for $5 _98 You enroll in either one of the Club 's two stereo COLUMBIA ([V RECORD CLUB, Dept_ 222-3 CIRCLE 6 Divisions: Classical or Popular - whichever one best NUMBERS: * su its your musical taste Stereophonic Section Terre Haute, Indiana 1 22 Each month the Club's staff of music experts selects I accept your offer and h ave circled at the right the numbers outstand ing recordings that deserve a place in your of the six records I wish to receive for $5.98. plus small mail­ 2 24 * new stereo record library. These selections are ing charge. Enroll m e in the followin g Division of the Club: 3 25 ! 21. Four dashing, (check one box only) described in the Club's entertaining Music MagaZine, 5 27 fiery rhaDsod ies which you receive free each month o Stereo Classical 0 Stereo Popular 6 28 You may accept the selection for your Divis ion. __ I agree to purchase five selections from the more than 100 to be offered during th e com in g 12 months, a t r egular list pr ice 7 29 take any of the other records offered in both Divi- plus small mailing charge. For every t wo additional selections * sions __ _ or take NO record in any particular month I accept. I am to receive a 12" Columbia or Epic stereo 8 30 Bonus r ecord of my choice FREE. Your only obligation as a member is to purchase five 9 31 selections from the more than 100 Columbia and Epic 10 33 * records to be offered in the coming 12 months ___and Name •• • •• •• •••• •• •••••• • •••• •••••• •••• •• • • ••• ••• •• •••• •••••• (Please Prin t ) 11 36 you may discontinue membership any time thereafter Address ••• • _. _••• ••••••••• • ••• ••••••••••• - - _••• •••• ••• - - •• •• - 37 After purchasing only five records you rece ive a 12 36. The ballet that Columbia or Epic stereo Bonus record of your choice 15 40 "rocked the world" * City. __ •• ••• • __ •• •••• • • _. __ •• • _. _ZONE _••• State_ •• - - - _•• •• - -.. free for every two add itional selections you buy AL ASK A and HAWA ll: write lor special membersh i p plan 16 41 The records you want are mailed and billed at the CANADA : addr ess 11-13 Soh a Street, Toront o 2B 42 COLUMBIA If you wish to have this membership credited to an estab­ 18 regular list price of $4.98 (Classical Selections, lished Col umbia or Epic record dealer. authorized to accept 19 45 ([V * $5_98), plus a small l)1ailing charge subscriptions, fi n in below:. 20 49 RECORD Here, indeed, is the most convenient method ever de­ CLUB * vised to build a superb stereo library, at great sav­ Dealer's Name •• • ••• ••••• • ••• • •••• •• ••••••• • •• • •• • •• e •• ". e . e. 21 50 Terre Haute, Ind. ings - so mail the coupon today! Dealer's Address •• • •• 0 0 •••••• • •••••••••••• • •••• , • •••• , •••••• 21' F-SS o ColumbIa Reeorda Sales Corp., 1959 I8>"Columbla," Q. "EpiC," T Mareaa Reg-. SEPTEMBER 1959 7 Bearding the Polish Lion in his Den

By GLENN QUILTY

ADEREWSKI was the last great ex­ Pponent of the Victorian-Edwardian school of bravura and flamboyance which entranced world audiences for over one hundred years. With his pass­ inO' an historical era stopped dead, never to" be revived. But while it lasted its influence was immense; frantic devotees and imitators tore passion to wide red swaths right on the concert stage ; agents and managers encouraged tem­ peramental actions and worse-and lhe p ublic relished it. Concertgoers and recording collec­ tors today require an entirely new and different approach : that of contro1led dramatization, authoritative bu t subtle declaration, dynamic elegance without overt power-consciousness_ Such selec­ tive listeners wo uld find the eruptive fireworks of the past laughable. There is an interest now in quality rather than quantity as modern auditors, sophisti­ cated by exposure to electronic perfec­ tion and actively aware of newest psy­ chological trends, enlarge their horizons with creative listening. There were many grandiose and over­ emphatic public performers before Pad­ erewski but none after him. His great contemporaries such as Rachmaninoff and Godowsky h'ad already begun to exhibit new trends in their style and delivery at a time when the flamboya nt Polish genius was at his most purple. And other pianists and instrumentalists gradually adopted the new ways. The greatness of Paderewski cannot be questioned; his immense sonorities and towering and majestic phrase-build­ It took the engineering know-how of Weathers to discover this revolutionary ing were stunning; his delicacy and key­ electronic advancement in sound and size! TrioPhonic Stereo introduces the board dexterity were masterful; his listener for the first time to "Equalized Sound." Now you can sit anywhere in travelogue-sunset climaxes were embel­ the room and experience the same magnificent tonal realism and fidelity of • full-range stereo. "Equalized Sound" is produced by two book-size full range lished with every device known to the stereo speakers and a unique, non-directional hideaway bass. concert stage. But it was stylized and theatrical in the extreme. He tried to Ask your dealer today for a demonstration of Weathers startling new audio transcend the limitations of the piano dimension-TRIOPHONIC STEREO with "Equalized Sound." You must see it, hear it, compare it, to believe it! and reach into the heavily orchestral to the point where crashing and pounding For the ultimate in TrioPhonic stereo listening, select the matched Weathers became a desideratum. His fl ailing ges­ synchronous turntable with StereoRamic pickup system_ tures, actor-like attitudes of body and facial grimaces dated him as one con­ For more information of TrioPhonic Stereo write for FREE booklet, Dept. HFR tinuing a traditional past rather than

WEATHERS INDUSTRIES, 66 E. Gloucester Pike, Barrington, N.J. opening vistas on fresh horizo ns. Division of Advance Indus trjes~ Inc . But he was much loved in spite of all Export: Joseph Plasencia, Inc., 401 Broadway, New York 13, N. Y. 8 (Continued on page 10 ) I·IIFI REVIEW Rockbar introduces a remarkable new 4-speed Collaro transcription stei'eo ~hanger­ The Constellation, Model TC-99. The TC-99 offers tested and proven professional turn­ table performance with the advantages of automatic operation - . truly a complet e record player for the connoisseur. Here are some of the features which make this the outstanding changer on the market today: Performance specifications exceed NARTB standards for wow, flutter and rumble • Extra-heavy, die cast non-magnetic turntable weighs 6Yz lbs. • Extra-heavy duty pre­ cision-balanced and shielded four.pole motor. New two-piece stereo transcription type tone arm • Detachable five terminal plug-in head shell. Each model is laboratory checked and comes with its own lab specification sheet. Flutter is guaranteed not to exceed .040/0. Wow is guaranteed not to exceed .150/0, Rumble is guaranteed down -50 db (at 120 cps relative to 5 em/ sec at 1 KC). The, extra-heavy weight turntable is a truly unique feature in a changer. This extra weight is carefully dish'ib­ uted for flywheel effect and smooth, constant rotation, The non-magnetic turntable provides a reduction in magnetic hum pick-up of 10 db compal'ed vvith the usual steel turntable. The heavy duty four pole motor is precision-balanced and screened with triple interleaved shields to provide an additional 25 db reduction in magnetic hum pick-up. The rotor of the foul' pole motor is specially manufactured and after grinding, is dynamically balanced to zero. While this is basically a turntable for transcription performance, a fully automatic intermix changer, similar to the mechanism employed in the famous COLLARO CONTINEN­ TAL, MODEL TSC-840, is an integral palt of the unit. ADDITIONAL FEATURES: New two-piece stereo transcription type tone arm with detachable five terminal plug-in head shell. This new arm is spring damped and dynamically counterbalanced to permit the last record to be played with the same low stylus pressure as the first. Between the top and bO.ttom of a stacl< of records there is a difference of less than a gram in tracking pressure-compared with four to eight grams on conventional changers. Vertical and horizontal friction are reduced to the lowest possible level. These qualities-found complete only in Collaro transcription changers-insure better performance and longer life for your precious records and expensive styli. The TC-99 handles 7", 10" and 12" records-in any o1"deT. The changer is completely jam­ proof and will change 01' play records at all foul' speeds. The manual switch converts the changer into a transcription type turntable providing' transcription performance for the playing of a single long-play stereo or monophonic record. The two-piece arm can then be set down to play .portions out of rotation 01' the entire record can be played singly and sequentially. The double ?n~[t 'ing switch provides absolute silence . for both stereo channels during the change cycle and the RI C network helps to squelch "pop," "clicks" and other noises. The TC-99 comes complete with two audio cables ready to be plugged into your stereo sys­ tem. It is pre-wired for easy installation; styled in a handsome two-tone ebony color scheme to fit any decor; tropicalized against aclverse weather and humidity conditions. Long service life is assured by the automatic disengagement of the idler wheel preventing development of bumps and wow. Price of the TC-99 is $59.50, exclusive of the base. All prices are slightly higher in the West. For free colorful catalog on the complete line of Coll aro Stereo Changers write Rockbar Corporation, Dept. 100, Mamaroneck, N. Y. The last word in a Transcription Stereo Changer. · ·

Collaro Constellation, 'TC·99 ( Continued fr om [lage 8)

this-perhaps because of it. He wrapped Underside of superstructure. his audiences in a spiritual-sensual en­ vironment. His heroic appearance told truly of his heroic heart; he was benevo­ GRAY hysteresis belt drive lent and gracious to all, generous to those in need, relinquished his musical career for an extended period to become Premier of Poland. Early in 1933 I started a series of in­ terviews with celebrities in the world of music-Paderewski was first on the list. I hoped to collect my pieces into a book but never got around to it. ow, with the heightened perspective of later years, I can evaluate these many meet­ ings in a way not possible before. My interview with Paderewski was arranged to take place in his private railroad car on a siding in Boston's Back Bay just prior to one of his re­ citals. I had primed myseH through many houTs of listening to his record­ ings, playing his compositions for piano, studying his political career and attend­ ing his New York recitals for many years. It was a rainy fall day as I ap­ proached the siding and I could see a good-sized crowd collected aroun d it, many of them railroad workers in their oil-stained clothes. Music played, as only Paderewski co uld perform it, was pour­ GRAY turntables offer you more for ing hom the private car, which was your money by incorporating engineer­ heavily curtained, in great volume. There was a sound of urgency, heart­ ing features guaranteeing that what break and heroism in it, and as I moved you buy today .will give you top per­ through the silent crowd I felt a sub­ formance many years from now. dued ecstatic atmosphere as though tbe auditors were at a religious service and An important factor in GRAY'S 'time· much moved. tested' construction is the exclusive stretch­ A valet admi tted me to the car on presentation of credentials and I walked belt. The GRAY stretch-belt establishes an into a room carpeted in red with heavy accurate running balance between the hys­ red velvet and gold hangings at the teresis-synchronous motor and the oversized windows; a few heavy chairs and tables platter and bearing assembly without tedious GRAY 33H 'Custom Deluxe' turntable $79.95 along one side; music, in manuscript spring adjustment. There's never any prob­ (Shown with 212-SX 12" tone arm, $34.00 and 33C wood base, $23 .95) and printed form, was strewn loosely lem a bout replacing worn parts because about. The entire left side of the car GRAY record playing equipment is designed was occupied by an immense Steinway and constructed to run ·at maximum effi- · concert grand at which Paderewski sat ciency practically forever. playing. The vibrations from his violen t keyboard attacks seemed to shake the car. He stopped suddenly and turned to me wi th a smile--he resembled Mark GRAY HSK-33 Turntable Kit...... $49.50 (Shown with SAK-12 12" tone arm kit, Twain with his very long hair and deep­ $23.95 and TBA base, $17.95) ly-lined face; his eyes were dark and GRAY piercing; his voice was aggressive yet High Fidelity Division kindly. "So yo u have come to ask me ques­ DEPT. H • 16 ARBOR STREET, HARTFORD 1, CONN. (Continued on page 12) 10 HIFI REVIEW An Indispensable in Every Well-6alanced Record Library

']he ~CJl Victor Society of Great 'Music UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB OFFERS BEGINNING MEMBERS 69 BELOVED WORKS OF CHOPIN

POLONAISES WALTZES, NOCTURNES, IMPROMPTUS, PRELUDES

PLAYED BY Jlrtur'Rubinstein ASIX-RECORD ALBUM ~~~y $3 98 12-lnch 331/3 R. P. M. Red Seal records (NATIONALLY ADVERTISED PRICE: $29.98)

THE SOLE CONDITION OF MEMBERSHIP IS TO BUY SIX ADDI. TIONAl RECORDS FROM AT lEAST 50 THAT Will BE MADE AVAilABLE FROM THE SOCIETY DURING THE NEXT YEAR

The common-sense purpose of the Society is to help music­ lovers build up a well-balanced r.ecord library systematically instead of haphazardly ... and at an immense saving

OST MUSIC-LOVERS, in the back of their commentator, Chairman; SAMUEL CHOTZINOFF, RCA VICTOR Society of Great Music V146-9 General Music Director, NBC; JACQUES BAR­ M minds, certainly intend to build up cf 0 Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc. for themselves a representative record ZUN, author and music critic; JOHN M. CONLY, 345 Hudson Street, New York 14, N. Y. Please register me as a. member of The RCA Victor library of the World's Great Music. Under editor of 'Righ 'fidelity; AARON COPLAND, Society 01 Great Music and send me immediately the six-record RUBINSTEIN-CHoPIN album, bUling me this plan, since the collecting can be. done composer; ALFRED FRANKENSTEIN, music edi­ $3.98 plus a small charge for postage and handling. I agree to buy six additional records within twelve systematically, operating costs can be great­ tor of San 'francisco Chronicle; DOUGLAS months from those made available by the Society. for each of which I w!1l be b!1led $4.98. the price ly reduced, thus permitting extraordinary MOORE, composer and Professor of Music, nationally advertised (plus a. small charge for post­ age and handling) . ThereafterI I need buy only four economies for the record collector. The re­ Columbia University; WILLIAM SCHUMAN, such records in any twelve-month period to main­ tain m embership. I may cancel m y membership any markable Introductory Offer above is a dra­ composer and president of Juilliard School time after buying six records from the Society (in addition to those Included In this Introductory olfer). /I matic demonstration. It can represent of Music· CARLETON SPRAGUE SMITH, chief of After my sixth purchase, if I continue. for every two records I buy from the Society I w1l1 receive a third around a 40% saving in the first year. Music Division, N. Y. Public Library; RCA VICTOR Red Seal Record, free. G. WALLACE WOODWORTH, Professor of Music, *After buying six records, members who Harvard University. continue can build their record libraries at ~~s} ...... (PiC3SC' p;l~i piai~l;') . . ..• .••. . • almost a ONE-THIRD SAVING. For every two HOW THE SOCIETY OPERATES A .DDRESS ••••• •••• • •••••••• • • • • •• ••••••••• • •• • records purchased (from a group of at least ACH month, three or more 12-inch 33Yl R.P .M. CITy . . • • •• • •• • • • ••••••••••••••• •• ZONE ••• •••• fifty made available annually by the So­ E RCA V,CTOR Red Seal Records are announced ciety) members will receive a third RCA and described. One is singled out as the record­ of-Ibe-moutb and, unless the Society is otherwise STATE ••••••••••• •• •• • • •• •• ••••• •• • • ••••••• • • . VICTOR Red Seal Record free, which can be NOTE: If you wish to enroll through an nuthorh:ed R CA instructed (on a simple form always provided), VICTOR dealer, please fill In his name and nddress here: chosen from a wide and varied list. this record is sent to the member. If he does not DEALER'S NAME ..•••••••• ••• •• • ••• ••••• • • •• • • • A cardinal feature of the plan is GUID­ want the work he may specify an alternate, or * instruct the Society to send him nothing. For ANCE. The Society has a Selection Panel ADDRESS . •• • •••• .••.• •••• •• . •• .• • •..•••••. • , • every record purchased, members pay only $4 .98, PLEASE NOTE: Records cnn be shipped only to residents whose sole function is to recommend " must­ of the U. S. and its territ<1ries, and Canada. Records for the nationally advertised price. (For every ship­ Canadian members are made In Canada and shipped duty free have" works for members. Members of the ment a small charge for postage and handling from Ontario. panel are: DEEMS TAYLOR, composer and is added.) 11 SEPTEMBER 1959 (Continued from page 10) You can only stretch tions? Well, I can give you fifteen minutes before continuing my rehearsal fo r tonight's performance-you will be there? I am playing some Chopin a spec sheet so far! Etudes, the Wagner-Liszt Liebestod, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, and one of my own compositions." "Yes, I have a few questions. That is a typical Paderewski program- I no­ ticed that you often play these same numbers. Are they your favorites?" "Not exactly. They are favorites of the public-it is what they want me to play. And those certain pieces do fit my hand best and allow me to display my particular abilities to full advantage." "You frequently play your own com­ positions. Do yo u feel these selections will con tinue on in the hands of other concert pianists?" "Well-I am really a pianist, com· posing is an offshoot from the main stem. No, my compositions will not go far beyond my career- they are a per· sonal expression for here and now rather than long·time classics. I am fu nda· In a stereo cartridge, it's what you mentally a performer and interpreter hear that counts. And Sonotone's rather than a creator. I feel at my best in the performance of the classic mas­ ceramic cartridge gives you brilliant ters." "Is the excitement and extreme dyna. performance and nothing less. mism of your playing caused by a per­ sonal feeling of fury and frustration­ More phono makers have specified Sonotone for the top or is it the way you have decided on as best in a professional way?" of their line than any other cartridge ... because only "I have been called £Iamboyant, even Sonotone gives true sound without distortion ... high­ violent in my playing, by critics. They frequency response with less record wear. Sonotone say I am attempting to transcend the stereo gives a performance so superior you can truly hear keyboard-to treat it as an orchestra. I do test it to its maximum; I try to the difference. The secret? Sonotone's four exclusive forget its limitations. With me, emotion operating features listed below. is all, once the severe pianistic disci· plines are secured. Music does not come easily to me-it comes hard. I am 1. E xtremely high compliance ... also means good tracking, forced to do an enormous amount of re­ longer record life. hearsal to attain perfection. I am prob· 2. Amazingly clean wide-range frequency response. ably the last major pianist to use the 3. First quality jewel styli tips-correctly cut and optically heavy dramatic style of the 19th cen­ ground for minimum record wear. tury." 4. Rumble suppressor greatly reduces vertical turntable " I have a number of your recordings • noise. Prices start at $6.45 (including mounting brackets). -would you care to say which are your favorites? And which will most likely carry your style on into the future?" Get details on converting to stereo. Send for free "When I am gone I think my two booklet: "Stereo Simplified," Sonotone Corp., Dept. CTT-99, Elmsford, N. Y. favorites will linger longest in public memory: Moonlight Sonata and Liebes­ tod. These rendjtions have pleased me most under our present ystem and con­ Sonotone ®~ ditions of recording." El ectronic Applications Division, Dept. CTT·99 P. "Will they become collectors' items?" ELMSF0RD, NEW YORK In Canada, contact Atlas R adio Corp., Ltd. , Toronto (Continued on page 14) Leading m akers of fine ceramic cartridges, speakers. microphones, electronic tubes. 12 HIFI REvmw ·This Integrated Mechanisln is the Reason Why V-M Stereo Record Changers Outsell All Others

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"Yes, they are as true as possible." The great pianist's valet now entered with coffee and we discussed trends of the future. On a phonograph he placed his two favorite records and played snatches of them for me. Several times he repeated certain phrases on the piano to show how he had created certain effects and it was startling to see this musical giant reproduce exactly the sounds on the records. "Could I write there are, say, three basic elements to your style-I have noticed this at the concerts." ~ Ittfd 2-IfIJ() "You are perceptive--being a pianist yourself you would be aware of the r:,~~.., uv d'1W /.mud! basic structure. Yes, my work demon­ strates three approaches : a welding of ~; ~ le '1;, technique to accentuated emotionalism, a coupling of extensive and varied use of the pedals with luminous overtones rlMutZf4V'. ~£"r 'A'tIV/V&d~ caused by lingering rubato, a refusal to accent the imagined limitations of the instrument." P · , cr -tie. hU-a MUI ","IV'fi.,~'" I could sense that my host was anx­ ious to return to his rehearsal so I made motions of withdrawing. ~~lJAuL~ "You are leaving-I will play you out." Thanking Paderewski, I walked to the end of the car as he seated himself and ~~#¥~ started to play with great brilliance and Cuitft, tYv ~ , ) assurance. His hands clenched them­ selves like sea eagles as he formed the shape of huge chords in mid-air before a ~kA ~~_# crashing down on them; roulades and cadenzas flowed like a torrent in a tem­ pest, his whole being shook and swayed tuit:Iv 1Ut/y AI0 35fl ,r"'~'l'«...V Ir with the power he unleashed and the sides of the car seemed to bulge to ac­ commodate the decibels of fury. Then 7iu~ 'F~~ suddenly there was a change to soft­ est caressing, the melodic line wove itself about jewelled tendrils of some ~Mt4 invisible rare ivy, bearing precious stones for berries. There was a shim­ W4; il4 /JII'a-td/$1 'Sott c/ mer to the sounds of unseen harps; an innocent pastoral whispered a night song. A poet was speaking in intimate jeUH ~~~k~ ~ tones against a background of ever­ H1 changing architectural forms. I let my­ 1} self quietly out of the car. It was still 134,H __ ' _ . dt S-1J- til' /_ r()#1w . raining and by now a huge crowd had formed to hear the master and to take a .#,. ;;7Pn/d-/bb L'~ glimpse of him as he left for Symphony Hall. In all their faces was an affec­ tionate reverence. You were enveloped IVE5HAlt41A1Y EL£CTi?IlINI(J. co. 1;> in a thick silence. As I walked slowly away once more the thunderer was pour­ • AI~~ J P~# . ing forth his passionate message and the whole city and the world beyond seemed >t ~uu;d~ tr~A.~ enveloped in it_ Glenn Quilty 14 HIFI REVIEW Mos~ top quality tuners have ~e~rly iden.tical circ~it desig~. It's the way the design is carried out in fabrication that causes widely varymg performance char~cter~stlcs. A piece of wire that IS only a half-inch too long or short can seriously affect a tuner's perform­ ance: That's why Altec bUilds ItS tuners to such painstakingly high standards of precision and accuracy_ That's why Altee tuners are considered the world's finest for sensitivity, selectivity, stability and long life.

306A AM-FM TUNER 307A FM TUNER " ... the most sensitive tuner ever tested"·" This tuner features automatic frequency control: The ALTEC LANSING 306A tuner features an excep­ The exact station frequency is locked on automat­ tionally large six gang tuning condenser which is ically even if manual tuning is slightly off. Sen­ fully shielded and mounted directly to the chassis sitivity of the 307 A is so great that no antenna for perfect grounding, a dry rectifier for long other than a short piece of wire is necef:lsary, ex­ stable life,-complete isolation between trans­ cept in remote locations. Three IF stages allow formers and power mains and a chassis layout weak stations to be heard next to strong ones with­ which reduces coupling between circuits to a min­ out interference. The 307 A also features between­ imum that easily meets F.C.C. radiation require­ station silencing, an output for a stereo multiplex ments. The FM section features a Foster-Seeley adaptor, and FCC radiation certification. Price: (Armstrong) detector, a "cascode" low noise RF (less cabinet), $99.00. stage, a triode low noise mixer stage, Automatic Frequency Control, and two limiter stages. Two cabinets are available for each tuner: Hand- The AM section features three IF transformers 1'ubbed hardwood in Walnut, Blonde, or Mahogany­ with optimized coupling for flat pass band and $19.95,' and low-silhouette metal-$9.00. maximum noise rejection. This use of specially de­ signed and over-coupled IF transformers provides S ee and test Altec's S06A AM-FM or SorA FM maximum band width with extremely sharp skirt Tuner at your dealer's. Prove to yourself what a dif­ attenuation for maximum fidelity. Price (less ference in quality Altec's engineering, production and cabinet), $199.50. inspection techniques make. • According to one of the nation's leading testing laboratories.

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1 ,I WRITE TODAY F OR NEW STEREO LITERATURE FISHER RADIO CORPORATION. 21-37 44th DRIVE. LONG ISLAND CITY I, N. Y. Export: Morhan Exporting Corp., 45B 'Broadway, New y'ork 13, N. Y. 17 SEPTEMBER 1959 Martin Bookspan I RATES THE BASIC REPERTOIRE I Item 11 of the "First Fifty"

Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony Grab the Koussevitzky interpretation-it's still the best

Tchaikovsk \: SVlllplloll\ :\( '. r Itl I \ [11101. ( }p.. If>

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SERGE KOUSSEVITZKY-No conductor has LEONARD BERNSTEIN-conveys a deep marshalled sllch power, passion, and insight. sense of personaL invoLvement with th e score.

"I MAY be making a mistake, but it seems to me this as he had regained some of his stability, he was able to take symphony is not a mediocre work, but the best I have up his pen and work happily on the remaining movements, done so far. How glad I am that it is ours, and that, hearing which contain some of his most lyric writing. it, you will know how much I thought of you with every bar." In discussing Beethoven's Eroica Symphony and Emperor An impassioned outpouring by a love·smitten composer Piano Concerto previously, we found that work upon these to his beloved, she who was the inspiration for his latest and scores served for their creator as cathartic escape during "best" symphony? Well, not exactly. The words are Peter periods of severe personal trauma. Certainly the fact that Ilyich Tchaikovsky's and they are contained in a lettei' writ­ Tchaikovsky was able to concern himself with work upon ten to his unseen benefactress, Mme. Nadejda von Meck, in the Fourth Symphony hastened Tchaikovsky's rehabilitation November, 1877. The symphony he was writing about was from the crisis of his marriage, and may well have saved him his Fourth, just completed in Italy. And, as you might sus­ from a total and irrevocable collapse. Not many months pect, thereby hangs a tale. later, in January, 1878, he was able to write to Mme. von The previous May, Tchaikovsky had become engaged to Meck that the circumstances under which the Symphony Antonina Ivanovna Miliukov, a chance-admirer whom he came into being seemed like "a strange dream; something re­ scarcely knew. In writing to Mme. von Meck and acquainting mote, a weird nightmare in which a man bearing my name, her with his intention to marry, he confided that he felt hon­ my likeness and my consciousness acted as one acts in or-bound to go through with his promise of marriage_ "We dreams : in a meaningless, disconnected, paradoxical way. cannot escape our fate," he wrote, "and there was something That was not my sane-self, in possession of logical and rea­ fatalistic about my meeting with this girl." The wedding sonable will-powers. Everything I then did bore the character took place on July 18; six days later Tchaikovsky fled from of an unhealthy confli ct between will and intelligence, which his house. On the twelfth of September he returned, and there is nothing less than insanity." was a two weeks' farce of "conjugal" life (September 12-24) The miracle is that the Fourth Symphony betrays none of which ended with the composer attempting to catch a fatal the self·doubt with which Tchaikovsky tortured himself at cold by standing waist-deep in the frigid waters of the Mos­ the time of its creation. Depression, fears and emotional im­ cow River. When this failed, he again made a precipitate balance are not here; rather, this is music of supreme as­ flight and never saw his wife again. Suffering from a nerv­ surance and self-confidence, bold and heroic in its extroverted ous collapse, which "bordered upon insanity," he was taken vitality. Tchaikovsky himself wrote a long and detailed by his brother, Anatol, to Switzerland for a complete rest "program" for the score, but little of it is important to an and change. During the entire period of turmoil between understanding of the music. What does emerge as pertinent May and September T chaikovsky was yet able to complete is his characterization of the brass fanfare which opens the his sketches for the Fourth Symphony and to complete the Symphony, plays an important part throughout the first move- orchestration of the first movement. At Lake Geneva, as SOOIl (Continued on page 21) I 18 HIFI REVIEW I 5

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03 SIR THOMAS BEECHAM 04 ERICH LEINSDORF " ... playing and choral singing are alike splen­ Wagner's most brilliant orchestral passages, did-Sir Thomas moulds the phrases beauti­ fond ly conducted by Leinsdorf, "a consum­ fully ... a fervour and ardour about the per­ mate musician ... with vibrant energy, wit, formance" (The GramopllOne). SG 7168 and imagin ation" (HiFi Review) . SP 8411

05 ROGER WAGNER 06 LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI Every song is familiar to everyone (JeI, Liebe "Stokowski's reading is the most lyricall y sen­ Dieh, Bra hms' Lullaby, Danny Boy, and 7 sitive ... many glowingly beautiful moments TAKE ME TO YOUR DEALER! others), but this most versatile chorale brings ... the singing of Miss IV irginial Babikian will Use this check-list fresh new beauty to them all. SP 8491 open your ears!" (HiFi Review). SPAR 8470 as a shopping guide. I (Continued from page 18) septic feeling. A surprisingly good stereo version is the one by Heinrich Hollreisier and the Bambe~g Symphony Orches. ment and then recurs near the end of the Finale. Tchaikov. tra for Vox (STPL 511,190). Here is excellent sound-full, sky says this symbolizes his "vain terrors" and "fear of the well-balanced and spacious-and Hollreiser gives an idio· unknown," akin to the sword of Damocles hangins over his matic account of the score. head. He continues: "Although there is no actual musical In sum, then, it is perhaps the Hollreiser-both mono and resemblance, the work is modelled after Beethoven's Filth." stereo-which can be most highly recommended as a fine I Here it is, then, another Symphony in which the underlying account in the traditional style and with good recorded sound. motivating force is Man and his eternal struggle with his If you're a sentimentalist, as I am, and you remember having Destiny. your hair stand on end whenever Koussevitzky conducted At its Moscow premiere, in February, 1878, the Symphony this music in concert, then you'll surely want to own his was received rather casually. It did 'not take long, however, recording of it. A word to the wise: Grab it where you find for it to gain a secure hold on the affections of the mass it, since it will probably be withdrawn soon. Otherwise, there is still the very individual but convincing Bernstein version. public and it has remained a cornerstone of the international symphonic repertoire for more than three·quarters of a cen· -Martin Bookspan tury. Nearly every important conductor of our era-with the exception of Toscanini-has" recorded the Tchaikovsky "Fourth" at some time during the past three decades, and current issues of the longplaying record catalog list 16 avail· able monophonic recordings and 6 stereo versions. Basic Reper1oire ·Choice To Dale No conductor I've ever heard in this music has marshalled I. Tchaikovsky's First Piano Cliburn: Kondrashin with Orch. the combination of power and passion, drama and fertile Concerto RCA Victod.M 2252 (mono) Nov. '58, p. 48 insight which Koussevitzky used to bring to his concert hall Cliburn: Kondrashin with Orch. performances of the score. Twice during his career he reo RCA Victor LSC 2252 (stereo) corded the Symphony: in 1936, and again nearly a dozen 2. Beethoven's Fifth Sym. Toscanini-NBC Symphony years later. Strangely, neither recorded version is a true phony RCA Victor LM 1757 (mono) Dec. '58, p. 41 reflection of Koussevitzky's colossal conception of the piece, Kleiber-Amsterdam Concert· but enough of the magic is there for one familiar with the gebouw. London LL 9'2 (mono) Koussevitzky reading to let the memory of glorious "live" Ansermet-Suisse Romande Orch. London CS 6037 {stereo} performances in the past fill in for the inadequacies of the recorded presentations. Koussevitzky's recording (with the 3. Beethoven's "Moonl,ght" Petri Sonata Westminster XWN 18255 Boston Symphony Orchestra, of course) of the late 1940's Jan. '59, p. 37 (mono) . is still carried in the current RCA Victor catalog as LM· 4. Dvof&k's "New World" Toscanini-NBC Symphony 1008; the earlier version used to be available as a Camden Symphony RCA Victor LM 1778 (mono) re·issue CAL 109. Feb. '59, p. 54 Reiner-Chicago Symphony Most worthy among the more modern monophonic editions RCA Victor LSC 2214 {stereo} of the score, in this opinion, are the recordings by Beecham 5. Beethoven's "Eroica" Klemperer-Philharmonia (Capitol G 7139), Bernstein (Columbia ML 5332); Rodzin· Symphony Angel 35328 (mono) ski (Westminster XWN 18541); and Ormandy (Columbia March '59, p. 49 Szell-Cleveland Orchestra ML 5074). Beecham's version is not for those who like all Epic BC 1001 {stereo} the dramatic stops pulled out; he stresses the lyrical side of 6. Bach's Chaconne for Heifetz the music and lets the more dramatic sections pretty much Solo Violin RCA Victor LM 6105 (mono) take care of themselves. But his is certainly a valid, if April '59, p. 16 Segovia (guitar) a slightly understated view of the whole. Bernstein's is a Decca DL 9751 (mono) really personal account of the score, tending to broad tempi 7. Schubert's "Unfinished" Fricsay- with occasional exaggerated rubato. Sometimes, too, he will Symphony Berlin Radio Symphony May, '59, p. 14 Decca DL·9975 (mono) draw out an inner voice and give it undue prominence. But Szell-Cleveland Orchestra he conveys a deep sense of personal involvement with the Epic LC-3195 (mono) score in a reading which is absorbing and often exciting. 8. Beethoven's "Emperor" Rubenstein-Symphony of the Rodzinski and Ormandy both turn in straightforward, un· Concerto Air, Krips problematical performances. The music moves with a steady June '59, p. 18 RCA Victor LSC 2124 (stereo) RCA Victor LM 2124 (mono) pulse, and neither conductor foolishly wastes himself. Orm· andy's recording is now more than a decade old, but it still Istomin-Philadelphia Orch., Ormandy sounds respectable enough, though hardly as electrifying as it Columbia ML 5318 (mono) might be were the Columbia engineers and the Philadelphia 9. Mozart's G Minor Sym. Klemperer-Philharmonia Orchestra let loose on the score today. phony (No. 40) Angel 35407 (stereo & mono) Both the Bernstein and Rodzinski versions are available July '59, p. 10 Reiner-Chicago Symphony also on stereo (Columbia MS 6035 and Westminster WST· RCA Victor LM-2114 (mono) 14006 respectively). The Columbia disc has a full, blooming 10. Sibelius' Second Sym. Ormandy-Philadelphia Orch. sound, with scrupulous balance and a wide dynamic range. phony Columbia MS 6024 (stereo) The Westminster stereo, however, is slightly haywire-we August '59, p. 10 Columbia ML 5207 (mono) get serious imbalance among the orchestral choirs with the Collins-London Symphony Orch. woodwinds often overpowering the strings. Also, a general London LL 822 (mono)

lack of warmth to the sound gives the whole a rather anti· ~#~~~ SEPTEMBER 1959 21 BOOKSHELF save on everything in

"BIZET and His World" by Mina Cur­ tiss. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., • 501 Madison Avenue, New York 22, ~ STEREO N. Y. 494 pages, 24 plates. $7.50. The name on his birth certificate read see the best values in the Alexandre-Cesar-Leopold Bizet, but he was baptized Georges, and this is the name he used throughout his life. Born October 25, 1838, he died June 3, 1875, still young, and just arrived at artistic maturity. 1960 ALLIED CATALOG His last complete work was Carmen and it was his masterpiece. It seems, in retro· spect, that his entire life was aimed at the writing of that opera. From childhood, he yearned to become a great opera composer; other music hardly existed for him. l-frse send for it He played piano brilliantly and could I easily have become a famous virtuoso­ with a famous virtuoso's income. Once, at a gathering, Franz Liszt played one of his knuckly-breaking show· pieces and boasted that only he and von Billow had enough WORLD'S LARGEST SELECTION technique to play it at the proper tempo Here is your complete money­ with any degree of accuracy. Bizet then saving guide to everything in hi-fi, sat down and played the piece at sight, featuring the world's largest correctly and at tempo. Liszt was astounded choice of systems and famous­ name components. See what's and enthusiastically hailed the feat. But a new (including products available virtuoso's career was not to the taste of only from ALLIED), see what's young Bizet. Adamantly, he stated, " ... finest-then see how you save! nothing in the world would make me decide Use our easy terms to fit your to play in public. I find the profession of budget. For everything in Hi-Fi, performer odious." for everything in Electronics, He had a similar attitude toward sym· get the 1960 ALLIED Catalog. phonic music. To Saint-Saens, who sug­ It's FREE-write for it today. see what's ~tUJ in gested the concert hall as a more congenial career than the opera house, he exclaimed, ALLIED EXCLUSIVES: Stereo Music Systems "I am not made for the symphony. I need Knight Stereo systems and Stereo Amplifiers & Tuners the theater. Without it, I don't exist." components are truly "Honored for Stereo Cartridges & PickUps His life was a constant struggle to exist Value"-€qual to the very finest in within the theater. Like Wagner, he made quality and performance, yet far Speakers & Enclosures piano reductions of other composers' op­ lower in cost. KNIGHT hi-fi Changers & Turntables components are exclusive eratic scores and he accompanied rehears· Allied products. Tape Recorders & Accessories also Anything to be in the operatic swim. Build-Your-Own Icnighf-kifs-save Stereo Records & Tape He knew all of the successful, and un­ up to 50%! It's easy, it's fun to High Fidelity bight·,.its successful, composers and performers who assemble your own stereo hi-fi Hi-Fi Records and Books enlivened the musical world of Paris during components and complete systems the hectic days of the Second Empire and for absolutely professional Hi-Fi Custom Cabinets performance and appearance. the beginning of the Second Republic. KNIGHT-KITS are an exclusive Through the pages of this biography by Allied product. ALLIED Mina Curtiss-the first exhaustive one of Buying Advantages: Wherever you Bizet-troop Berlioz, Gounod, Auber, Hal­ are, you can get anything in hi-fi evy, Saint-Saens, Meyerbeer, Delibes, Liszt, from Allied-fast-and at money­ RADIO froe Offenbach, Rossini, Rubinstein, Massenet, saving prices. Everything you buy d'Indy and a host of others. What times from us must satisfy completely, or ••••••••••••••••••••• CATALOG you get your money back. they were, those good old days! How color­ I5-day free trial on systems and ALLIED RADIO, Dept. 115-J9 ful! How wonderfully corrupt! 100 N. Western Ave., Chicago 80, III. components. There were the soirees at the home of o Send FREE 1960 ALLIED Catalog. Rossini, rich, retired and fat, to which the / artistic in·group came and lauded itself. lVame ______buy on Allied's new On a wall of the great man's study hung a EASY TERMS ••• series of musical instruments-an sur­ Address; ______only $5 down (or less) on orders rounding a stomach pump, "the best of all up to $200; up to 24 months to pay. instruments" in the words of their gour­ Fast handling-no red tape. City:...... ______Zone___ State- mand-owner. •...... •..••••...... (Continued on page 24) 22 HIFI REVIEW Early American Model, in /ruitwood, 90" wide, 24%." high, 18%" deep. $279.95 user net.

Furniture courtesy of J ens Risom Desio" I;'c.

Contemporary Model, 80" wide, 25" high, 12%" deep. In mahogany - $258.00, in blond or walnut - $268.00 user net•

..

WRITE DESK D·O, UNIVERSITY LOUDSPEAKERS, INC., WHITE PLAINS. N. Y. SEPTEMBER 1959 23 (Continued from page 24) IT TAKES A PRACTICED EYE TO TELL Bizet was chronically sick. He suffered from frequent throat ailments, angina, and THESE CLEVITE 'WALCD' NEEDLES APART arthritis. As a youth, he acquired the habit of swimming in cold water and taking cold showers; and he did not have the sense of self-preservation-or even the ordinary good sense--to desist from these practices when he was ill. After every disappointment, he became sick-disappointments of composers are oc­ cupationally many. When his early Te Deum failed to win the Rodrigues Prize in Rome, he verbally shrugged it off (and had a se­ vere attack of dysentery for a week). This was the pattern: doubt, illness; failure, ill­ ness ; disappointment, illness. The premiere of Carmen at the Opera­ Comique was bungled by the director of that venerable institution. He neglected to bribe the critics, and Bizet either was too confident or too trusting to have done so himself. This lapse, especially in view of the originality of the work in this haven of conservatism, made success virtually im­ possible. The opera was ripped apart and the composer suffered another disappoint­ ment, followed by another arthritic attack. This one was accompanied by a heart at­ tack, and death carne quickly. Lest this judgment of the Carmen reviews seem cynical, harden to the forthright state­ Top left, a C1evite "Waleo" W-75 with a shore wire shank; lower left, the W-77 with ment of a contemporary. "Among the severe a longer shank made of tubing; top right, the W-I03 for stereo, with shank-length critics of Carmen, I could name those who midway between the other twO; and lower right, the W-I07 stereo model, identical with the W -I03 except that the twin tips are not diametrically opposite each other. are notoriously venal. I could say exactly how much it would have taken to trans­ Though you have to look hard to see Don't let superficial similarities con­ form their attacks into dithyrambic eulo­ their subtle variations, if you put the fuse you . , , your Clevite "Walco" gies ..." wrong one of these look-alike needles dealer has the answers. Yes, Carmen was given forty-eight times in your phonograph, the most inex­ : .•••.•..••...... •..•••. in six months, but the house was never perienced ear will Ttea?' the difference filled and the box office receipts never paid at once. In each case, the differences · CLEVITE WALCD' the cost of production. Then it was dropped were designed to meet the audio needs · from the repertoire of the Opera-Comique, of different systems. · COllECTORS'~~~~ ITEMS Because Clevite "Walco" manufac­ ·• tures needles like these as well as · DisCleaner Kit hundreds of other models for instal­ ·• The great Clevite uWalco" advance in record cleaning ... contains t he most lation in Q?'iginal factory-assembled .·. effective, long-lasting anti-static clean­ ing solution ever developed, and uses • phonograph equipment, the Clevite · special velvet-piled applicator's that "Walco" name on a ?-eplacement needle · reach between groove walls to pluck out · · microscopic dust. Leaves no residue. · is your assurance of rigid adherence · ·• to the specifications of the audio en­ · DisCovers · · Clear plastic sleeves contoured to ac­ · gineers who designed your equipment. · commodate your records. Prevent dust · The only sure way for you to avoid · gathering, eliminate groove abrasion ·• · and fingermarking when slipping in · mistaking one needle for another is and out of record jacket. · to bring the name and number you ·• Microgram Stylus Pressure Gauge · find on your cartridge to your local · · Foolproof, Pl'ecisely accurate balance to ·: not to return until it had made a success Clevite "Walco" dea ler. His catalog • measure stylus pressure up to 10 grams. • : An essential accessory for any hi-fi or : elsewhere. Which, of course, it did. shows instantly which needle was de­ • stereo system. Never needs l'ecaHbration • Bizet wrote many letters to his family signed for the specific audio require­ • or adjustment. • and friends and Mina Curtiss had the good ments of your system. · . ·•...... •.•.•..••...... ••.... . fortune to come across a fine cache of them. She has used them tastefuUy and IRa Write today for a sample Clevite "Walco" DisCover with fine discrimination. Woven into her ;.;....:;--- •. , clear plastic protective record sleeve. well-written narration, they vividly person­ alize the picture she presents of the period and make it distinctive. Bizet and his cir­ """""---I WALCD cle come alive. The reader has no difficulty agreeing with him when he states, "Music ! REPLACEMENT PHONOGRAPH NEEDLES CLEVITE 'WALCD" What a splendid art, but what a sad pro­ RECORD CARE ACCESSORIES 60-HR Franklin Street fession! " CLEVITE ·BRUSH· HI-FI HEADPHONES East Orange, New Jersey -wdJU 24 HIFI R EVIEW MODEL SE-1 (center unit) $14995 Shpg. wt. 1621bs. (specify wood desired)

MODEL SC-1 (speaker enclosure) $3995 each Shpg. Wt. 42 Ibs.(specify R. or. L. also wood desired) Superbly designed cabinetry to house your complete stereo system. Delivered with pre-cut panels to fit Heathkit AM-FM tuner (PT-!), stereo preamplifier (SP-l & 2) and record changer (RP-3). Blank panels also supplied to cut out for any other equipment you may now own. Adequate space is also provided for tape deck, speakers, record storage and am­ plifiers. Speaker wings will hold Heathkit SS-2 or other speaker units of similar size. Available in %N solid core Philippine mahogany or select birch plywood suitable for finish of your choice. Entire top features a shaped edge. Hard­ ware and trim are of brushed brass and gold finish. Rich tone grille cloth is flecked in gold and black. Maximum overall dimensions (all three pieces); 82%" W. x 36V2" H. x 20' D.

PROFESSIONAL STEREO·MONAURAL AM·FM TUNER KIT MODEL PT-1 $8995 The 10-tube FM circuit features AFC as well as AGC. An accurate tuning meter operates on both AM and FM while a 3-position switch selects meter functions with­ out disturbing stereo or monaural listening. The 3-tube front end is prewired and prealigned, and the entire AM circuit is on one printed circuit board for ease of con· struction. Shpg. Wt. 20 Ibs.

MONAURAL·STEREO PREAMPLIFIER KIT MODELSP-2 (stereo) (TWO CHANNEL MIXER) 95 $56 T~f~s . Wt. Complete control of your entire stereo system in one com­ pact package. Special " building block" design allows you to MODEL SP-1 (monaural) purchase instrument in monaural version and add stereo or $3795 Shpg. Wt. • 131bs. second channel later if desired. The SP-l monaural pre­ amplifier features six separate inputs with four input level MODEL C-SP-1 controls. A function selector switch on the SP-2 provides (converts SP-1 to SP-2) two channel mixing as well as single or dual channel monaural $2195 Shpg. WI. and dual channel stereo. A 20' remote balance control is 5 lbs. provided.

SEPTEMBER 1959 25 HIGH FIDELITY RECORD CHANGER KIT MODEL RP-3 $6495 Every outstanding feature you could ask for in a record changer is provided in the Heathkit RP-3, the most advanced changer on the market today. A unique turntable pause dur­ ing the, change cycle saves wear and tear on your records by eliminating grinding action caused by records dropping on a moving turntable or disc. Record groove and stylus wear are also practically eliminated through proper weight distribution and'low pivot point friction of the tone arm, which minimizes arm resonance and tracking error. Clean mechanical sim­ plicity and precision parts give you turntable perfqrmance with the automatic convenience of a record changer. Flutter and wow, a major problem with automatic changers, is held to less than 0.18% RMS. An automatic speed selector posi­ tion allows intermixing 33\13 and 45 RPM records regardless of their sequence. Four speeds provided: 16, 33Y:l, 45 and 78 RPM. Other features include RC filter across the power switch preventing pop when turned off and muting switch to prevent noise on automatic or manual change cycle. Changer is supplied complete with GE-VR-II cartridge with diamond LP and sapphire 78 stylus, changer base, stylus pressure gauge and 45 RPM spindle. Extremely easy to assemble. You simply mount a few mechanical components and connect the motor, switches and pickup leads. Shpg. Wt. 19 lbs. Model RP-3-LP with MF-l Pickup Cartridge $74.95

HIGH FIDELITY AM TUNER KIT NOW! TWO NEW STEREO-MONO TAPE RECORDERS IN THE TR-1A SERIES MODEL BC-1A $2695 Offering complete versatility, the model TR-IA series tape recorders enable you to plan your hi-fi system to include the Designed especially for high fidelity applications this functions you want. Buy the new half-track (TR-I AH) or AM tuner wilL give you reception close to FM. A quarter-track (TR-l AQ) versions which record and play­ special detector is incorporated and the IF circuits are back stereo and monophonic programming, or the half­ "broad banded" for low signal distortion. Sensitivity track monophonic record-playback version (TR-IA). and selectivity are excellent and quiet performance is Precision parts hold flutter and wow to less than 0.35 %. assured by high signal-to-noise ratio. All tunable Four-pole, fan cooled motor. One control lever selects all components are prealigned. Your "best buy" in an tape handling functions. Each tape preamplitkr features AM tuner. Shpg. Wt. 9 Ibs. NARTB playback equalization, separate record and play­ back gain controls, cathode follower output, mike or line input, and two circuit boards for easy construction and high stability. Complete instructions guide assembly.

MODEL TR-1A: Monophon ic half·track record /playback with $99 'fast iorward and rewind functions. Shpg . Wt. 24 Ibs. 95 TR·1A SPECIFICATIONS-Frequency res ponse: 7.5 IPS ±3 db 50·12.000 cps . 3.75 IPS±3 db 50·7,000 cps. Signal-la·noise ratio: Better than 45 db be low full output of 1. 25, volts/channel. Harmonic disto rtion: Less tha n 2% at fu ll output. Bias erase HIGH FI FM TUNER KIT frequency: 60 kc (push-pull oscillator).

MODEL TR-1AH: Half-track monophonic and stereo record Iplayback with fast MODEL FM-3A $2695 ~~;~~~~~~~;~~d functions. $14995 For noise and static-free sound reception, this FM TR·1AH SPECIFICATIONS-Frequ ency res ponse: 7.5 IPS ±3 db 40·15,000 cps. 3. 75 tuner is your least expensive source of high fidelity IPS±3 db 40 : 10,~ c~s. Signal-to-noise ratio: 45 db below full output of 1 volt/chan­ ~e~~h~;~~~~I~il1~~~~)~lon : l ess than 2% at full output. Bia s era se frequ ency: 60 kc material. Efficient circuit design features stablized oscillator circuit to eliminate drift after warm-up and broadband IF circuits for full fidelity with high sensi­ MODEL TR .. fAQ: Ouarter-track monophonic and stereo with record /playback fast tivity. All tunable components are prealigned and ~o;;~~~~~~~ .nd functions . $14995 front end is preassembled. Edge-illuminated slide rule TR·1AQ SPECIFICATIONS-Frequency res ponse: 7.5 IPS ±3 db 40·15.000 cps . dial is clearly marked and covers complete FM band 3.75 IPS ± 3 db 40·10,000 cps. Signal·to·noise ratio: 40 db below full output of .75 from 88 to 108 me. Shpg. Wt. 8 Ibs. ~~~~~~hu~~~~~'iI~a~~~~nic distortion: l ess th an 2% at full output. Bias erase; 60 kc

26 HIFI REvmw 14-WATT HI-FI ECONOMY AMPLIFIER (EA-3) Top performance at budget cost! From HEATHKIT audio labs comes an exciting new kit . . . New Styling, New Feiltures; Brilliant Per­ formance! Designed to function as the " heart" of your hi-Ii system, the EA-3 combines the preamplifier and amplifier into one compact package. Providing a fuO 14 watts of high fidelity power, more than adequate for operating the aveFage system, the EA-3 provides all the controls necessary for precise blending of musical reproduction to your individual taste. Clearly marked·controls give you finger-tip command of bass and treble·"boost" and "cut" action, switch 'selection of three separate inputs, "on-off" and volume contJ;"ol. A hum balance control is also provided. The con­ venient neon pilot light on the front panel shows when instrument is on. Styled to b1end . harmoniously into any room surroundings, the handsome cover is of black vinyl coated steel with gold design and features the new "eyebrow" effect over the front panel to match the other new Heathkit hi-Ii instruments. The MODEL EA-3 .panel is satin black with brush-gold trim strip, while $2995 the control knobs are black With gold inserts. NOTE THESE OUTSTANDING SPECIFICATIONS: Power Oulpul: 14 watts, HI -F.; 12 watts, Professional; 16 watts. Utility. Power Response: Shpg. Wt. 15 Ibs. .± 1 db fro~ 20 cps to 20 kc at 14 watts output. Total Harmonic Distortion: I ~ss than 2%, 30 cps to 15 kc at 14 watts output. Intermodulation Distor.. tlon: less thaI) 1% at 16 watts ~utp ut usi ng 60 cps and 6 kc signal mixed 4: 1 Hum and NOise: mag. phono Input, 47 db below 14 watts; tuner and crystal phono. 63 db be low 14 watts. .

CHAIRSIDE ENCLOSURE KIT TRADITIONAL: Model CE·2T (mahog any) CONTEMPORARY: Mod el CE·2B (birch) Model CE·2M (mahogany) each Space saving and attractive, the CE-2 puts control of your entire hi-fi system right at your chairside. Designed to house the Heathkit AM and FM tuners (BC-I A, FM-3A, FM-4), W A-P2 preamplifier, RP-3 record changer, and any of the Heathkit power amplifiers. Supplied in beauti­ ful furniture-grade, veneer-surfaced plywood suitable for the finish of your choice. Shpg. Wt. 46 Ibs.

"UNIVERSAL" HI-FI 12 WATT ('.. 4 . ( . AMPLIFIER KIT "EXTRA PERFORMANCE" 55 WATT HI-FI MODEL UA-1 95 $21 AMPLIFIER KIT Ideal for stereo or monaural applications. Teamed MODEL W7-M 915 with the Heathkit WA-P2 preamplifier, the VA-I pro­ $54 vides an economical starting point for a hi-fi system. This hi-fi amplifier represents a remarkable value at less In stereo applications two V A-I 's may be used along than a dollar a watt. Full audio output and maximum with the Heathkit SP-2, or your present system may damping is a' true 55 watts from 20 to 20,000 CPS with be converted to stereo by adding the V A-I. Harmonic less than 2% total harmonic distortion throughout the distortion is less than 2% from 20 to 20,000 CPS at entire audio range. Features include level control and full 12 watt output. " On-off" switch located on chassis "on-off" switch right on the chassis, plus provision for and an octal plug is also provided to connect pre­ remote control. Pilot light on chassis. Modern, functional amplifier for remote control operation. Shpg. wt. design. ~hpg. Wt. 28 Ibs. 131bs.

"MASTER CONTROL" PREAMPLIFIER KIT MODEL WA-P2 $1976 All the controls you need to. master a complete high fidelity home m-usicsystem are incorporated in this versatile instrument. Featuring five switch-selected inputs, each with level control. Provides tape recorder and cathode­ follower outputs. Full frequency· response is obtained within ± I Yl db from IS to 35,000 CPS and will do full. justice to the finest available program sources. '£qualiza­ tion is provided for LP, RIAA, AES and early 78 records. Dimensions are 12'U' L. x 3'Ys' H. x S"!4' D . Shpg. Wt. 7lbs.

SEPTEMBER 1959 27 "ADVANCE DESIGN" 25 WATT HI~FI AMPLIFIER KIT MODEL W5-M $5975 Enjoy the distortion-free high fidelity sound reproduc­ tion from this outstanding hi-fi amplifier. The WS-M incorporates advanced design features for the super critical li stener. Features include specially designed Peerless output transformer and KT66 tubes. The cir­ cuit is rated at 25 watts and will follow instantaneous power peaks of a fu ll orchestra up to 42 watts. A "tweeter saver" suppresses high frequency oscillation and a unique balancing circuit facilitates adjustment of output tubes. Frequency response is ± I db from 5 to 160,000 CPS at I watt !j.nd within ±2 db 20 to 20,000 CPS at full 25 watts outpu.t. Harmonic distor­ tion is less than 1 % at 25 watts and 1M distortion is I % at 20 watts (60 'and 3,000 CPS, 4:1). Hum and "HEAVY DUTY" 70 WATT HI-FI AMPLIFIER KIT noise are 99 db below 25 watts for truly quiet per­ MODEL W6-M $10995 formance. Shpg. Wt. 31 lbs. For real rugged duty called fOT by advance hi--fi systems or P.A. networks, this high powered a:mplifier more than fills the bill. Silicon-diode rectifiers are used to assure long life and a heavy duty transformer. gives you eXJremely good power supply regulation. VariAble damping control provides optimum performance with any speaker system. Quick change plug selects 4,8 and 16 ohm or 70 volt outPljt and the correct feedback resistance. Frequency response at 1 watt is ± I db from 5 CPS to 80 kc with controlled HF rolloff above 100 kc. At 70 watts output harmonic distortion is be­ low 2%, 20 to 20;000 CPS and 1M distortion below 1 % 60 and 6,000 CPS. Hum and noise 88 db below full output. Shpg. Wt. 521bs.

YOU'RE NEVER OUT OF DATE WITH HEATH KITS

Heathkit hi-fI systems are designed for maximum flexibility. Simple conversion from basic to complex systems or from monaural to stereo is easily accomplished by adding to already existing units. Heathkit engineering skill is your guarantee against obsolescence. Expand your hi-fi as your budget permits . •• and, if you like, spread the payments over easy monthly installments with the Heath Time Payment Plan.

GENERAL-PURPOSE 20 WATT AMPLIFIER KIT MODEL A9-C $3550 The model A9-C combines a preamplifier, main amplifier and power supply all on one chassis, providing a compact unit to fill the need for a good amplifier with a moderate cash in­ vestment. Fe.atures four separate switch-selected inputs. Separate bass and treble tone controls offer 15 db boost and cut. Covers 20 to 20,000 CPS within ± I db. A fine unit with which to start your own hi-fi system. Shpg. Wt. 23 Jbs.

ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER KIT . MODEL XO-1 $1 a 95 This unique iJ?strument separates high and low frequencies and feeds them through two amplifiers to separate speakers. It is located ahead of the main amplifiers, thus, virtually eliminating 1M distortion and matching problems. Crossover freq uencies for each channel are at 100, 200, 400, 700, 1200, 2,000 and 3,500 CPS. This unit eliminates the need for con­ ·ventional crossever circuits and provides amazing versatility at low cost. A unique answer to frequency division problems. Shpg. Wt. 6 Ibs.

28 RIFt REvmw "LEGATO" HI-FI SPEAKER SYSTEM KIT MODEL HH-1 $29995 Words cannot describe the true magnificence of the "Legato" speaker system ... it's si mply the nearest thing to perfection in reproduced sound yet developed. Perfect balance, precise phasing, and adequate driver design all combine to produce startling real­ ism long sought after by the hi-fi perfectionist. Two 15" Altec Lansing low frequency drivers and a specially designed exponential horn with high frequency driver cover 25 to 20,000 CPS. A unique crossover network is built in. Impedance is 16 ohms, power rating 50 watts. Cabinet is constructed of %" veneer-surfaced plywood in either African mahogany or imported white birch suitable for the finish of your choice. All parts are precut and predriIIed for easy assembly. Shpg. Wt. 195 Ibs.

"RANGE EXTENDING" HI-FI DIAMOND SPEEDWINDER KIT SPEAKER SYSTEM KIT STYLUS HI-FI 95 PICKUP MODEL SW-1 $24 MODEL SS-1B $9995 CARTRIDGE Rewind tape an.d film at the rate of Not a complete speaker system in itself, the SS-IB MODEL MF-1 1200' in 40 seconds. Saves wear on is designed to extend the range of the basic SS-2 tape and recorder. Bandies up to (or SS-I) speaker system. Employs a 15" woofer $2695 IOY2" tape reels and 800' reels of and a super tweeter to Replace your present 8 or 16 millimeter film. Incorporates extend overall response pickup with the MF-J automatic shutoff and braking de­ from 35 to 16,000 CPS and enjoy the fullest vice. Shpg. Wt . .12 Ibs. ± 5 db. Crossover circuit fidelity your library is built-in' with balance of LP's has to 0 frer. control. Impedance is 16 Designed to Heath ohms, power rating 35 specifications to offer watts. Constructed of you one of tb.e finest %" veneer-surfaced ply­ cartridges available wood suitable for light today. Nominally flat or dark finish. All parts response from 20 to precut and predriIIed for 20,000 CPS. Shpg. easy assembly. Shpg. Wt. lib. Wt. 80 Ibs.

U~bSidiary of Daystrom, Inc. "do-it-yourself" o Please send the Free Heathkit catalog. electronics o Enclosed is 25c for the Hi·Fi book.

Encl osed find $ ...... Pl ease enclose postage name for parce l post-ex press orders are shipped de­ livery charges coll ect. All pri ces F.O.B. Benton address Harbor, Mich. A 20% de­ posit is required on all C.O.D. orders. Prices subject to change with­ & out notice. state

SEPTEMBER 1959 . 29 DYNAKITS Look Best - Test Best - Sound Best

NEW STEREO 70 KIT

• Audax se ts a new departure for grille is 1 db. from 10 to 40,000 cycles. Noise covers in their new bookshelf speaker se· is better than 90 db. below rated output. ries. A three·dimensional, molded plastic The Dynakit uses matched EL-34 tubes Jallice serves not only to cover the speaker driven by the new 7199 pentode-triode tube. openings, but also aids sound dispersion All parts are operated well below maximum with only a minimum of high frequency ratings for long life. The use of pre-wired absorption. The easily cleaned, detachable printed circuitry, detailed step-by-step in­ plastic set-in cover is featured on the new structions and pictorial diagrams enables Audax Model CA-80 and CA-lOO compact even the novice kit builder to construct this *Dual 35 watt super-quality amplifiers -70 watt continuous monophonic speaker systems, which contain a pair of amplifier with complete confidence. Aver­ rating-160 watt peak. full-range 8-inch and lO-inch Audax "Para· age construction time is about 3 hours. Size: 5" x 14" X 6%" high. Weight: 23 *All critical parts on prefabricated printed circuit assembly reduces wir­ pounds. Price: 59.95 (kit form); $79.95 ing time to five hours. (pre-wired). COy naco, Inc., 617 North 41 St., Philadelphia 4, Pa.} *Premium quality parts conservative­ ly operated permit one year guar­ antee. • Fisher bas up-dated its X-lOI inte­ *Uncompromised design for finest grated stereo amplifier. Now dubbed the performance-usable with all speak­ X-lOlA, this two-channel preamplifier-equal­ ers. izer has independent bass and treble tone *Only $99.95* net including all parts, controls for each channel. The X-lOlA con­ instructions, and protective cover. tains a 40-watt two-channel amplifier with fl ex" speakers, respectively. The cabinetry a reserve peak-power rating of 75 watts. for these units is the work of the renowned It boasts a frequency response of 20-20,000 Step up to STEREO furniture designer George Nelson. Price: cycles with only 0.7 0/0 distortion at full $99_95 (Model C-80); $139.95 (Model CA- rated output. Superb Dynakit Quality Is Fully Com­ 100). (Audax, Inc., 38-19 108th Street, Price: $194.50. Hand-rubbed custom patible with Stereo Requirements Corona 68, N. Yo) cabinets are available at an additional $24.95. (Fisher Radio Corporation, 21-21 44th Drive, Long Island City 1, N. Y.) - • Bozak announces the "Spinet," a new, small speaker system designed to provide incorporates its well-known true quality sound for listeners who have • Janszen electrostatic tweeter in its new Z-400 wide­ space problems_ Measuring a compact range, compact bookshelf speaker system. 14%" x 23%" x 11112" deep, the Spinet is *Famous Dynakit Preamplifiers--Dis­ a "miniaturized" infinite baffle system which tortionless and noise free - stack maintains balanced response in bass, mid­ harmoniously for stereo. $34.95* each. range, and treble_ The Spinet is available *Add DSC-l Adaptor unit for com­ in two models: the two-way B-500 system plete flexibility. Includes blend, bal­ and the three-way B-502 system. Each model ance, dual volume controls plus loud­ utilizes the same drivers found in the larger ness, tape monitor, and reversing switches. Only $12.95* net. Bozak speaker systems. The cabinet of the Spinet (finished on all four sides) may *PM-2S Panel mount kit provides in­ be used vertically or horizontally. The 500- tegrated handsome appearance plus mounting facilitY-$5.95* net. series is available in a variety of fine wood finishes or unfinished for those who wish to *CM-2S Cabinet Set includes single match the cabinet to an existing decor. front panel and walnut table top Price range: $134.50 (B-500, finished); cabinet. $17 .95* net. 209.50 (B-502, finished). (R. T. Bozak Sales Co., Darien, Conn.) Available from leading HI·FI dealers everywhere. Descriptive brochure available on request. • Slightly higher in West • Dynakit augments its line of high­ Widely acclaimed for smooth mid-range quality power amplifiers with a new 4Q-watt and treble response and crisp transient model, the Dynakit Mark IV, available characteristics, the J ansZen electrostatic either wired or in semi-assembled kit form_ tweeter is acoustically paired in the Z-4OO DYNACO IN.C. The Mark IV delivers its rated 40 watt pow­ with a special eleven-inch Model 350 dyn­ Dept. HR. 617 N. 41st St.. Phila. 4. Pa. er at less than 10/0 distortion within the amic woofer. The high compliance cone of 20-20,000 cycle range. Frequency response this woofer is treated to provide low fre- 30 · HIFI REVIEW .. Facts about the modern record prove this so. Fact I-Today's made only by Rek-O-Kut. Only Rek-O-Kut STEREOTABLES "lp's" offer up to 30 minutes of music per side! Fact 2-Most give you : silent, accurate rotation, hysteresis synchronous albums are recorded on 2 sides! Fact 3-You must flip the motors, exclusive engineering and over 51 lab tests to insure record over to play the second side! Therefore, the record trouble-free operation. Choose your STEREOTABLE from the changer now has virtually nothing to change-its one special world's largest selection . .. the world's largest manufacturer feature is no longer essential! Why then choose this way to of high fid elity turntables ... Rek-O-Kut! STEREOTABLES from play both sides of your records? If you have stereo in mind, $39.95, STEREO TONEARMS from $28.95, Bases from $8.95. you can only obtain genuine high fidelity with a STEREOTABLE Write us for the complete STEREOTABLE story.

REK-O-KUT COMPANY, INC.

Dept. R-9 38-19 108th Street, Corona 68, New York

Export: Morhan Exporting Corp., 458 Broadway , N. Y. 13 • Canada: Atlas Radio, 50 Wingold Ave., Toronto 19

SEPTEMBER 1959 quency reproduction complementing the J ansZen tweeter. The Z-400 covers the ran~e from 30 to beyond 30,000 cycles per second. Tweeter and woofer are mounted in a fiberglass-filled sealed enclosure which may be placed horizontally or vertically, as desired_ A build-in power supply provides the polarizing voltage for the electrostatic elements. The Z-400 measures IS" by 26" by 13V2" deep and is available in walnut, mahogany, or birch finishes. Price $134.50. (Nesbaminy Electronics Corp., Nesbaminy, Penna.)

• Lafayette enters the "bookshelf league" with an enclosure designed to work with any 12" speaker-coaxial or single cone-or 12" woofer with separate tweeter. Although the design is basically one of the family of "reflex" or "ported" enclosures, there are two unique departures. These are an elliptical port and a triangular-shaped diffracting ring mounted on the front of the bafRe board. These features serve to improve transient response and create phase relations producing a smooth transition from front-to-rear radiation_ Price: $32.50. (Lafayette Radio, 165-08 Liberty Ave_, Jamaica 33, N. Y.)

• Sherwood's new Model S-3000 II FM Tuner features "inter-channel hush," a squelcb-circuit muting the noisy "hash" normally heard between channels on high­ ly sensitive tuners. The tuner is also pro­ vided with a front panel control to adjust the degree of silencing provided by the in­ terstation muting action, without affecting the tuner's sensitivity. Other features in­ clude "feather-ray" tuning eye, Multiplex output jack, AFC defeat switch, 6BR5 cathode ray tuning indicator, "local-distant" XCITED, CONFIDENT, PROUD. Then he listened. Incomparable! switch, flywheel tuning and cathode follow­ He started his stereo system with er output. Tuner sensitivity is 0.95 micro­ E Finally, the most exacting test of all ..• volts for 20 db_ quieting, and selectivity is the Bogen DB230A Stereo Control Cen­ his wife's opinion. Not only did wife like 195 kc. at -6 db. Frequency response is ter and ST662 Stereo Tuner. He's set for Bogen's clean styling, she was amazed to 20-20,000 cps ±V2 db_, with the hum and the future. discover how easy it is to use the com­ noise level at 60 db. below 1000/0 modula­ The choice was easy ... once all the facts plete, yet uncomplicated controls. tion. Sherwood claims an intermodulation were in. First, he learned that Bogen distortion of 0.33 and less than 0.25 har­ That did it. Our friend took the DB230A has the experience. That's because Bogen monic di'stortion at 100% modulation at and ST662 home with him. The glow has a larger engineering staff ... has 400 cps. Price: $105_50 (case extra)_ hasn't worn off. (Sherwood Electronics Laboratories, Inc., made more sound equipment than any 4300 N. California Ave_, Chicago, Ill.) other hi-fi manufacturer. And it won't for you, either. Get the Next, he compared prices. Found out Bogen glow today ... at your hi-fi dealer. he'd have to pay as much as $50 more Write for information to: • Vitavox Ltd., a British loudspeaker for components with power, sensitivity BOGEN-PRESTO CO., Paramus, N. J. concern of high repute, is marketing their and versatility to compare with Bogen's. A Division of the Siegler Corporation new TR30 cone tweeter in the United States tbrough the distributing firm Ercona Corp_ The tweeter affords smooth response from 1000 cycles to beyond the range of normal BOGEN hearing. Tbe unit is housed in a sealed the sound way to better stereo tubular body so that it can be mounted in the same enclosure with the woofeL The DB2~OA. Output Power: 60 watts (two 30-watt channels). Distortion: less than 1% at 60 watls. ResDonse: 20 to 20.000 price of $24_50 includes a built-in crossover cycles ±O.5 db. Controls: Input Selector. Loudness. La Filter, Hi Fllte,! . Stereo-Monoohonic. Balance. Power. Phasing, Cartridge (Stereo. :M"ono). Speaker Selector and seDarate Bass, Treble and Volume tor each channel. Price: S189.50. network. (Ercona Corporation, 16 West Enclosure and legs: $8.00. ST662.. Companion Stereo FM -A ~l Tuner wIth butlt-in provision ror lfulti"plex. $189.50. 46th Street, New York 36, N. Y_) 32 HIFI REVIEW -

VR-225 -5 mil diamond stylus. For pro­ fessional-type tone arms, $27.95 . •

VR-227 .7 mil diamond stylus. For record changer or turntable, $24.95.

Now, outstanding in all four critical areas of stereo cartridge performance-Compliance -Tracks precisely, not a trace of stiffness. Channel Separation-up to 30 db for maximum stereo effect. Nothing higher on the market! Response -Smooth and flat for superior sound from 20 to 20,000 cycles (VR-225), 20 to 17,000 cycles (VR-227). Virtually hum·free-triple shielded against stray currents. This is our masterpiece. We urge you to hear it GENERAL ELECTRIC Audio Components Section, Auburn, N. Y.

SEPTEMBE R 1959 33 Stereo becomes a Decorator's Dream!

New GALAXY·II hi-Ii component by ARDINE ALLYN, Noted Interior Decorator speakers eliminate cabinet bulk, add eye value, give better panoramic stereo coverage The new Jensen GALAXY II hi-Ii stereo speaker system achieves of large areas. wide panoramic stereo with two tiny "satellite" units that can wall-mount like pin-up lights and a single small "bookshelf' size enclosure. Freed from the cumbersome need to place two boxes (an unwanted hazard to decor and space) in often unavailable or eye­ assailing locations as required with conventional speakers, the GALAXY II system can enter the living room as a welcome guest, providing an attractive visual result along with the superb performance of its sound reproducing function. The two satellite units are an outstanding example of the proposition that functional design can be beautiful. Their slim cases of genuine solid natural finished walnut, tawny ash or mahogany match the selected veneers of the Bass-Center Unit and add a note of warmth and richness. The curved front theme is repeated in the bow-front design of the Bass-Center Unit and there is an attractive tie-in of grille cloth treatment. When real panoramic stereo can be achieved with these diminutive, smartly-styled pieces, ultraRexible in placement, hi-fi component stereo is really here . . . for any room in your home.

G.ALAXY*II is another contribution to stereo in the home by den,.,n•

*T.M. 34 HIFI REVIEW .. I

I

12W Mono Integrated Amplifier HF12 Other Mono tntegrated Am plifiers, 50, 30, & 20W (use 2 for stereo)

HF81 ster eo Amplifi er-Preamplifier selec t s. from 25 uv . IF ba ndwidth 260 kc at 6 db pOints. amplifies. controls any stereo source & feeds it Both cathode follower & FM-multiplex stereo thru self-conlained dual 14W amplifiers to a outputs. prevent obsolescence. Very low distor­ pai r of spea ker s_ Pr ovi des 28W monophonica lly, tion. " On e of th e be st buys in high fidelity kits." Ga nged level controls. se parate ba lance contro l. - AUDI OCRAF T. Kit $39.95 * . Wired $65.95 * . ind epe nd ent bass & treb le controls for each Cov er $3 .95. ' Less cover. F.E .T. Incl. chann el. Ide ntica l Williamson-type. push-pu ll EL84 power ampl if iers, "Excellent" - SATUR DAY New AM Tuner HFT94. Ma tches HFT 90 . Selects REVI EW; HI -FI MUSIC AT HOM E, " Outstanding "hi-fi" wide (20c - 9kc @ -3 db) or weak­ 2-Way Bookshelf quality ... extremely versa l i le_"-ELE CTRON ICS station narrow (20c - 5kc @ -3 db) ba ndpass. WO RLD LAB-TESTED . Kil ~69 . 95 . Wired $109.95 . Tun ed RF stage for high se lectivity & se nsitivity; Speaker Sy stem HFSI In cludes cover. precision ey e- tronic® tu nin g. Buil t-in ferri te 3-Way Speaker System HFS3 HF85 Siereo Pre amplifier is a complele. mas ter loop. prealigned RF & IF co ils. Se nsitiv ity 3 uv 2-Way Speaker System HfS5 slereo preamplifier-conlrol uni t. self-powered fo r @ 30% mod. for 1.0 V out. 20 db SI N. Very low flexibi li ty & to avo id power-supply probl ems. Dis­ noise & distortion. High-Q 10 kc whistle filter. tortion borders on unmeasurable even at high Kit $39 _95 . Wired $69 .95. Inc l. Cover & F.E. T. sion, 8" woofer (45 cps res.). & 3112" cone output leve ls. Level. bass. & treble co ntrols inde­ tweeter. 11/4 cu. ft. ducted-port enclosure. Sys ­ u pende nt fo r eac h chan nel or ga nged f or both New AF -4 Stereo Amplif ier provides clean 4W t em Q of V2 for smoothest frequency & best -= cha nn els. In puts for phono. tape head. mike. AM. per chan nel or SW total output. In puts fo r transient respo nse. 45-14.000 cps cl ea n. useful l o fM. & fM-multiplex. One each auxi l iary A & B ce ramic/crysta l stereo pick-ups . AM-FM stereo. respo nse. HWD: 24". 12 V2". lD 12". Unfinished u input in each cha nnel. Switched-in loud ness com­ FM-multi stereo. S-position stereo/mono selec­ birch $47.50. Wa lnut. mahogany or teak $59_50_ pensator. "Extreme flexibility ... a bargain ." ­ tor. Clutch-concentric level & tone controls. Use HfSl Bookshelf Sp eak er System complete with HI-FI RE VIE W. Kit $39 .95. Wired $64.95. Includes with a pair of HFS-5 Speaker Systems for good factory-built cab inet. Jense n S" woofer. match­ cove r. quality. low-cost stereo. Kit $38.95. Wired $64.95. ing Jensen com pression·driver exponential horn t weeter. Smoo th cl ean bass; criSp ex t ended New HF87 70 -Watt Stereo Power Amplifier: Dual HF12 Mono Integrated Amplifier provides com­ 35W power amplifiers of t he highes t quality, highs. 70-12 .000 cps ra nge. 8 ohms. HWD 23" x plete " front-end" facilities and true high fidel­ 11" x 9". Price $39.95 . Uses top-quality output transformers for undis­ ity pe rformance. Inputs for phono. tape head . TV. LGS-l Brass Tip Matching 14" Legs easi ly con­ torted response across the entire audio ra nge at tuner and crystal / ceramic cartridge. Preferred full power to provide utmost clarity on full variable crossover. feedback type tone co ntrol vert HFS-I into attractive co nso l etle. All bracket s hardware provided. $3 .95 . orchestra & orga n. 1M distortion I % at 70W. circ uit. High ly stable Wi lliamson-type powe r & ha rm onic distortion less th an I % from 20 t o amplifier circuit. Power outpu t: 12W co ntinuous 20.000 cps within I db of 70W. Ultra- linea r con ­ 25W peak. Kit $34.95 . Wired $57 .95 . In cludes EICO . 33-00 Northern Blvd ., 1.I.C. I . N. Y. nec ted EL 34 output slages & surgistor-prot ected cover. silicon diode rectifier power supply. Se lector SHO W ME HOW TO SAVE 50 % on 65 sw itch chooses mono or stereo service ; 4, 8, New HFS3 3-Way Sp eaker System Sem i-Kit com­ mod els of top qual ity: 16. and 32 ohm speaker taps. input level co n­ plete with factory-built 3/4 " veneered plywood (4 o Hi-F i 0 Test In struments trols;. basic sens itivity 0.38 volts. Without exag­ sides) cabinet. Bellows-suspension. full-inch ex­ o "Ham" Gear 0 Fr ee STEREO Hi-F i Guide geration. one of the very fin est ster eo amplifiers cursion 12" woofer (22 cps res .). S.. mid-range Send FREE c,l alog & name of nei gh­ availabl e regardless of pri ce. Use with se lf­ spea ker with high internal dampin g co ne f or borh ood EIC O t! 3: zler. powe red stereo preamplifier-co ntrol un it (HF S5 smoo th response. 3112" co ne twee t er. 21/4 cu. ft. recommended). Ki t $74. 95 . Wi red $114.95 . ducted-port enclosure. System Q of lI:z for smo oth­ HF86 2SW Stereo Power Ampl ifier Kit $43.95_ est frequency & best transient response. 32- ADDRESS . Wired $74.95 . 14.000 cps clea n. useful response. 16 ohms 1 7 CIT Y • ...... ···.· . ..••. ZO N E ... . . S T A T E. . HR.9 FM Tuner HFT90 : Prewired. prea l igned. tempera­ impedance. HWD: 26 12". 13 /s ... 14JA. ... Unfinished ture-co mpensated "front end " is dr ift-free . Pre­ birch $72_50_ Wa lnut. mahogany or teak $87 .95 _ wired exc lusive precision eye·tronic® trave ling New HFS5 2'-Way Spe aker System Semi-Kit co m­ tuning indica tor. Se nsitivity: 1.5 uv for 20 db plete with fac tory- built 3/4" venee red plyw ood (4 See an d hea r the co mpl ete EICO line at quieting; 2.5 uv fo r 3D db qu ieting. f ull limiting si des) cabinet. Bellows-suspe nsion. %" excur- the IHFM HI-fi SHOW, Booths 305 & 306. 36 H IFI R EVIEW HiFiREVIEW

September, 1959

Vol. 3 No.3

EVEN SELF-CONTROLLED audiophiles CONCERT MUSIC USA, a survey by SINUS TROUBLE IS HANDY in the au­ have been heard to mutter words fit only B.M.I., revealed so me amazing fa cts. dio lab. At a loss how to determine the for the Bible when trying to install a There are 1,142 sy mphony orchestras transonic response limit of a tweeter phono cartridge with a regular house­ in the United Stal es today, compared reaching beyond the l'ange of calibrating hold sCl·e wdriver. Fairchild has contrib­ with less than 100 in 1920 and only ten microphones, an engineer in our test uted greatly to the purification of the in 1900. laboratory discovered that hi s sinuses language by including small job-size Beethoven's Ninth, recorded by Tos· cleared up almost instantly when the sCJ:ewdriver with their new SM-1 stereo canini in 1952 had sold 225,000 copies tweeter was connected to a frequency cartridge, along with a gram gauge for by 1958. In 1934, a recordin g of the generator at 34,000 cycles. Evidently setting the stylus pressure. Ninth did well to sell 500 copies. this happened to be the resonance point LP discs have been a boon to Amer­ of the mucus droplets. It shook up the THE TIDY SUM OF $260,000,000 was ican co mposers. Some 1000 American congestion in his bone cavities and spent by audiophiles last year on com­ works by about 300 co mposers have been cleared them out nicely. We know now ponent-type home music systems, ac­ reco rd ed si nce the introduction of LP that the tweeter goes up to at least 34 cording to the Institute of High Fidelity in 194-8. The problem is how to keep kc. and also have a new form of therapy Manufacturers. We like to think of this these discs active in the catalogs and to suggest to the medical profession. impl'essive statistic not so much as cold available at local stores. cash, but as a vital force in America's Over 20 million Americans claim to be EAVESDROP ON CANADA Wednesday cultural life and a multiplied expression pianists of sorts, which makes the piano night- an excellent listening tip. With of individual adventures in music. our most popular instrument, followed a good AM tuner and maybe an outside in numbers by four million self-avowed antenna you should be able to pull in DAVID RANDOLPH has taken a vaca­ guitarists, three million string players Canadian stations anywhere in the tion from record reviewing for this mag­ and a million aspirants of the ukulele. northern U. S. Wednesday is the C.B.C. azine to write and "em-cee" his show gala night often distinguished by full­ Young Audiences, which for the past TOO MANY RECORDS confuse the cus­ length theater presentations unequalled months l'Oused and nurtured the musi­ tomer, complains J. K. Maitland, Capi­ elsewhere in the American ether. cal appetites of school-age TV watchers tol's Sales V.P. In 1958, some 300 com­ MUSIC AND DEPARTMENT STORES, as on CBS Channel 2. He deserves con­ panies rel eased more than 4000 pop contrasted to gen uine high fidelity deal­ gratulations for an outstanding job in /lops. The buye r can't t.ell th e few good ers, predicted heavy preference for one­ music education and an extra pat for as­ ones arilOng all the duds. Result: he piece "package" stereo on the part of suring us a future generation of readers. feels cheated and may stop buying al­ the "g e n~ral public," due to wifely pres­ together. Remedy: If a record com­ sure for unitized furni ture. Surprise re­ "WIN YOUR NEXT ROLLS-ROYCE" is pany hasn't got something good, they sult of recent poll revealed that a slight the motto of a new hi-fi contest. All you shouldn't release anything. Question: majority of even the "package" custom­ have to do is tell Shure Bros. in 25 Can such artistic self-discipline prevail ers want the second speaker freely move­ words or less why you like the sound against commercial pressure? able for optimum separation and acous­ of their stereo cartridges. Any number tic positioning. Apparently the much can play- no box top, no coupon, and STEREO CONQUERS the antipodes. underrated general public is fast learn­ you don't even have to buy the cartridge. Word comes from New Zealand that ing the basic principles of good stereo. We are also intrigued by the assumption stereo down under has practically in­ that most hi-fiers already have a Rolls­ undated the islands. With no televi­ RCA'S MUSIC SYNTHESIZER, a giant Royce. So if the lucky winner wants sion, records are the main family diver­ gadget capable of electronically imitat­ to dispose of his old car cheap, just let sion. In a country ' combining a high ing the sound of all existing and non­ us know_ living standard with an almost notori­ existing musical instruments, has been ous regard for leisure, money is consid­ installed at Columbia University where LACK OF INTELLIGENT PROGRAMS is ered well spent for stereo as it contrib­ it will be guided by such human col­ a constant concern of discriminating utes to the realism of l-eproduced music. leagues as Drs. Luening and Ussachev­ listeners in many areas. Networks can sky, famed experimenters in unearthly rarely fill the bill because of highly A "TRIP" TO EUROPE'S music festivals sound, in exploring the outer reaches of competitive economic pressures. Inde­ awaits many FM (and some AM) lis­ el ectronic music. pendent stations and local FM outlets teners as the -Broadcasting Foundation are handicapped by tight budgets. The of America is distributing free to U. S. FOLK MUSIC INVADES JALZ territory FCC has trouble enforcing the "public radio stations tape recordings of the as the "Folkniks" (a term of dubious service" provisions in the federal license Festivals at Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, affection applied to folk singers in the issued to broadcasters. A possible solu­ Bayreuth, Bergen, Stockholm and Spo­ music trade) established a beachhead tion to the whole dilemma has been leto. Ask your "good music station" to at the recent Newport Jazz Festival. proposed by John Fisher in the July schedule these presentations as public Pete Seger, Jean Ritchie, Josh White 1959 issue of HARPER'S MAGAZINE. We service features. The Ford Founootion, and Sonny Terry are among well-known I suggest it as "required reading" to in furtherance of international cultural recording artists who carried the folk thoughtful radio listeners. exchange, picks up the check. song banner into the jazz bastion. I 37 HE "stereo adapter" is one of the humblest, lowest-priced Thi-fi components ever produced; yet it may well prove the key that admits thousands of owners ~f singie channel sound to the world of stereo. To understand its potential role, we Should I must first appreciate that although the impact of stereo has been overwhelming, any number of hi-fi enthusiasts still are "unconverted." They are hugging close, as it were, to their cherished mono systems, stoutly defending their right not to be wheedled or weaned away. The cause of hesi tation is the thought of having to discard components, assembled over the Convert to years with painstaking care and with considerable cash outlay. To many, it seems like some kind of horrendous viola­ tion to tear into and remake a treasured hi-fi system just to render it stereophonic. Fortunately, conversion to stereo need not be destructive of the proven merits of an existing mono system. The recipe Stereo? is : Keep most of what yo u have, but add to it discreetly. Assuming the new stereo cartridge, the second amplifier, and second speaker system are bought and installed, the or expanded system is, in effect, two mono systems that lack the stereo "extras" found on most of the new stereo ampli­ fiers and pre-amplifiers. The "twin mono" setup can indeed THE 10 LITTLE play stereo, but it still lacks certain features and conven­ iences. These features are not mere gadgets; they serve a very real need. ADAPTERS Among these stereo extras offered are the now-familiar "channel reversal," "phase reversal," and "stereo balance." Also provided is a convenient way of reproducing mono re­ cordin gs by linking both channels, and cancelling vertical component rumble. Furthermore, mono di scs can be played with the same pickup as stereo recordings. Most listeners find that they respond gratefully to the added spread im­ parted by two-speaker playback. The answer lies in the little box known as the " stereo equipment I NORMAN EISENBERG adapter," a unit that links a pair of mono amplifiers and provides the stereo extras. When the fir st stereo adapters appeared not too long ago, it was felt generally that they wo uld serve mainly as a stop­ gap to help make the transition to stereo with existin g mono components. After this transition period, new stereo systems, as well as older, converted mono systems, would presumably employ all-out stereo units in which all controls were to be provided on a single control chassis. Thereafter, there would " '

. . " .:. : .. , ,: .". "','-: .. ' . . , . .' . . ..

DON'T THROVV OUT YOUR MONOPHONIC HI-FI

~ SYSTEM. IT GETS YOU HALF-VVAY TO STEREO.

STEREO ADAPTER CHECKLIST

"INSIDE-THE­ AMPLIFIER" (for specific applications, see text)

(for specific applications, see text)

1 Only to the extent that specific mono preamps used with it m ay be located remotely. 2 Not applicable to this unit; see text for explanation, 3 Balance by means of volume controls on original mono amplifiers. no longer be much of a demand for either mono equipment mono preamps, the Model 6 also may be used, without modi­ or for stereo adapters. fi cation, with Altec 440-C preamps, or with Dynakit preamps. This projected timetable of audio buying has not fully ma­ In ea ch case, the "tape in" and "tape out" jacks on the mono terialized. Prospective hi-fi owners feel that they want decent preamps are used to interconnect with the Marantz Model mono sound now, and that a later stereo conversion will not 6. A set of new jacks on the Model 6 now replaces those devalue their mono purchases. Monophonic equipment there­ taken up on the preamps. Controls on the Marantz Model 6 fore fills a legitimate need. However, the stereo adapter fits include "master volume" (both channels at once), an elab­ into this picture because it allows the mono amplifiers to be orate "master function" switch (with mono and stereo posi­ used later in stereo systems. There appears to be a liberal tions for all signal sources), a tape recorder function switch, supply of decent mono components on the market, generally and a "speaker reverse" switch (same as "channel reverse"). to be picked up at reduced prices. What it comes to, simply, A power off-on switch controls a.c. line voltage to a pair of is that many hi-fi owners or those about to become hi-fi convenience outlets on the rear. With internal wiring changes, owners, can have their mono cake now and eat it later with several other preamps can be adapted for use with the Model stereo icing, provided they don't mind a little extra effort 6; a complete list of these, as well as the ones that cannot and extra space. be used is available on request from Marantz. (Marantz Co., Most stereo adapters have been designed primarily for use 25-14 Broadway, Long Island City 6, N. Y.) with specific mono amplifiers of the same manufacture­ Wider application is possible with the Dynakit model though they can often be used with other amplifiers of simi­ DSC-1, available as a kit for $12.95. Designed essentially to lar circuit features. The bulk do their job by some form of fit two Dynakit mono preamps, the DSC-1 can also add stereo interconnection within the amplifying channel ; e.g.: be­ control functions to certain other makes of amplifiers. If the tween preamps and power amps or, in some cases, into the mono preamps being used have "iape monitor" switches, in­ internal wiring of an integrated, single-chassis amplifier. terconnection is fairly simple. Those switches are moved to Two models by Knight and one by Audiotex avoid this ap­ "tape" position, and four cables between the "tape in" and proach and are used between the power amp outputs and the "tape out" jacks on th e preamps and the DSC-1 do the job. speakers. And one compact unit Electro-Voice fit s in before If the preamps lack those facilities, their regular "audio out" the preamp stages, right after the cartridge itself. These jacks may be used. The DSC-1 even can be used without latter kinds of adapters can be used more universally, al­ any preamps, taking a signal from a high-level source and though anyone of them lacks some of the versatility found feeding it directly to a pair of power or basic amps. Thu , on several of the "inside-the-amplifier" type. Actually, it the outputs from a stereo tuner, or pair of AM and FM turns out that the E-V model, used with any of the "outside­ tuners, can feed into the DSC-1 and thence to a pair of power the-amplifier" models, provides as much usefulness as most amps and speakers. Of co urse, in such a short-cut setup, tone of the "inside-the-amplifier" types. controls will be lacking but volume control and the stereo ex tras will be available. "Inside-the-Amplifier" Types The DSC-l is a high-impedance device and should be used with fairly short connecting cables. It cannot serve as a An early stereo adapter was the one offered by Fairchild for remote control unit at appreciable distances from the rest specific use with Fairchild mono preamps. The adapter and of the system unless the associated preamps are located close the pair of preamps formed a kind of wrap-around that to the stereo adapter. Most separate preamps-mono or linked all three units electrically and physically. Similar, stereo-do have low impedance outputs which permits them but with greater versatility and wider use, is the $45.00 to be located at considerable distances from the power amps Marantz Model 6 Stereo Adapter. In addition to Marantz and speakers.

STEREO ADAPTER FUNCTIONS-WHAT THEY ARE

Master Volulue Simultaneously controls the volume of both channels. No need to make separate adjustments on each channel every time you want to change volume. One single turn on the master volume control does both jobs and also retains the same balance between cbannels at tbe new volume 'Setting. Stereo Balance Makes sure that neither channel "outshouts" the other, which would ruin the stereo effect. It lets you set channels for equal loudness despite possible differences in efficiency between unmatched speakers. Also, it compensates for loudness unbalance in listening positions nearer to one speaker than the other. By changing the stereo balance you can "move" players across the imaginary stereo stage. Channel Reversal . Switches left to right and vice versa. Phase Reversal Changes phase in one speaker to correct possible out-of-phase operation, i.e., one speaker pushing while the other pulls. This results in loss of bass, ragged over-all sound, and excessive hole-in· the-middle. A flick of this control puts speakers in step with each other, assuring proper stereo. Mono/ Stereo Control Links both channels and cancels vertical response for playing monophonic discs with opti­ mum results.

40 HIFI REVIEW TED ISCOPHILE S

SOME RECORD COLLECTORS

"HAVE EVERYTHING".

HOW DO THEY GET THAT WAY?

survey/FRANK .JACOBS

DISCOPHILE dis'ko-fil, n. From disc and -0 and -phile. An avid collector or student of phonograph records.

When Thomas Edison played his first phono­ graph record in 1877, he became the world's first discophile. Since then, the number of record collectors has steadily increased until today the total is somewhere in the millions. Scattered among these millions are a handful of ultra-avid hobbyists whose collections range from 6,000 to 450,000 records. These are the "undaunted discophiles" who reign as the kings of record collecting. The " undaunted discophile" thrives in all cli­ mates. He persists where others would falter. He would rather roam through stacks of dusty 78's in someone's attic than join a picnic. He is more likely to remember the recording date of his most valuable vocal disc than his own wedding anniversary. He is in love with the world of records and, in most cases, the size of his collection is equalled only by his pleas­ ure in talking about it. (Conti nued ovm·lea!)

.JACOB SCHNEIDER locates a prize item from his collection of 450,000 discs. For instance, William R. Moran, a petroleum geologist after the first act. Not a snob at al1, it was al1 right for those living in La Canada, California, believes that his col1ection who did not have the opportunity of hearing greater singers, of 21,000 vocal records (about 20,000 78's, 500 cylinders, but I wa s in a different position. I had heard even those 'md 500 LP's) serves a historical purpose. voices that were never projected in America at all. The com· "I like to feel," he says, "that I am preserTIng a part of parison was too much, so I left while I stm had my illusions." our heritage. Records of great singers, which pre erve the Keating intends to leave his records to the United States, interpretation of artists, are as much a part of our history as so that this country will have a vocal collection to compare books and letters. We can hear, for example, two members with those in Europe. According to Roberto Bauer, one of of the original cast of Verdi's Otello sing their arias as Verdi the world's leading experts in the field, Keating now has more must have indicated to them that they should be sung." rare items than any collection in Europe. Moran started his col1ection in 1925. He soon discovered Bauer, who serves as the Metropolitan Opera Company's that junk shops and second·hand stores often contained rich representative in Milan, Italy, might well be called the col­ caches of vocal treasure. His searchings have taken him lector's collector. Besides knowing the contents of nearly throughout the United States and Europe. Moran feels so all of the world's great collections, he has managed to ac­ strongly about the historical importance of records that he cumulate quite a hoard of operatic wealth himself. is now working with Stanford University on the formation As a young man, Bauer was often told by older opera of an archive of recorded sound, to serve as a permanent lovers that contemporary artists could not compare with the

.JACOB SCHNEIDER ANDREW ANIXT GEORGE KEATING His 450,000 discs repose in the double base­ Taxi fl eet owner and dyed-in· the-wool col­ Collector of vocal music, he owns 251 discs ment 0/ his New York law office. He wants lector. "It sucks you in like quicksand and 0/ Caruso. He once walked out of a San to "own 1000/0 0/ everything made by any you get in deeper and deeper." His collec­ Francisco Opera performance "while I still popular artist 0/ importance who has been tion totals some 6,000 discs and is growing have my illusions". His collection tops recorded since 1900". steadily. 28,000 records.

storage place for all kinds of recordings. Moran will leave great singers of the past. Unconvinced, he set out to amass his entire collection to Stanford. a collection of vocal records with which he could compare The most celebrated American collection of vocal music on the greats of today and yesterday. Since 1930, he has picked records is undoubtedly owned by George Keating, a retired up about 10,000 records (9,000 78's and 1,000 LP's). His industrialist, of Los Altos, California, who is also collaborat­ ultimate aim is to own examples of the singing of every im­ ing on the Stanford University project. A collector since portant classical singer from the beginning of recordings 1914, he possesses more than 25,000 78's and about 3,000 down to the present. LP's. Keating has accumulated nearly all of the recordings Most of the major record collectors concentrate on 78's. made by the greats and near-greats, plus examples of most of Not so with Andrew Anixt, a taxi fleet owner, of New Ro­ the lesser singers. chelle, N. Y. He possesses more than 5,500 LP's (plus about Keating owns 251 records by Caruso. He owns every 800 albums of 78's), a figure which grows by the dozens each record made by Alessandro Bonci, Geraldine Farrar, Rosa week. Ponselle, Emma Eames, Lillian Nordica, and Louise Homer. To understand why Anixt collects records, one must go He owns the only known record made by Anna Von Milden­ back to the early 1930's, when he began collecting books. burg. He owns records by more than fifty sopranos of the After a few years of concentrated searching, he owned more German-Austrian school. He owns the complete recorded than 3,000 volumes for which he paid more than $15,000. The works of Galli-Curci and Luisa Tetrazzini. He owns many library completed to his satisfaction, he gave it away to a rare Russian recordings, and hundreds of items never re­ charity. Then, in 1943, he turned to liquor bottles. His apart­ leased commercially. And, needless to mention, he owns all ment soon burgeoned with bottles of every description. But of the important moderns. in 1948, his interest turned to records. Keating enjoys good voices, regardless of their vintage. As the LP catalogs grew, so did Anixt's col1ection. He However, he has heard them all, and sometimes this leads to quickly found that collecting records gave him far greater an unsettling experience. "I went up to one of San Fran­ satisfaction than either of his previous pursuits. "It's been cisco's recent (opera) performances," he states, "and left a terrific education," he says. "I didn't know a thing about 44 HIFI REVIEW music until I started collecting. About 90 per cent of my 1883. Hegermann-Lindencrone was able to recreate scenes records are classical. I have a couple thousand popular al· of the second night of that first season. The performance bums, but can't keep up with popular music, so I don't really that evening was Lucia di Lammermoor, and the title role try." was sung by Marcella Sembrich. Hegermann·Lindencrone Anixt's aim in collecting is simply to own at least one came up with an ancient recording featuring Sembrich as version of every recorded classical composition. As he ex­ Lucia. He ended his Met series with a recording of Die plains, "I aim to have everything and do the most to get the Fledermaus, which had been released only three days earlier best version available at the time. My pleasure in collecting and was flown to Copenhagen just in time for his final broad­ is the satisfaction of pleasing others. When someone asks to cast. hear a certain work, and I don't have it, I feel sick." At fir st, Hegermann·Lindencrone cataloged his collection. For sheer selection, few private LP collections can begin Since 1940, he has not listed a single record. Blessed with to equal Anixt's. His greatest pride, however, is his catalog­ an amazing memory, he carries around data on his mammoth ing. Each of his records is cross·indexed as to composition, collection in his head. composer, and artist. It is Anixt's fondest boast that he can The list of important collectors covers a wide range of find a record and have it on his turntable in less than a professions. The Reverend Harlan Kishpaugh, of Summit, minute. However, the catalog is constantly becoming obsolete N. Y., is a Methodist minister whose record hunting has since Anixt continues to buy LP's at a fantastic rate. He turned him into somewhat of a celebrity among collectors.

HEGERMANN-UNDENCRONE REV_ HARLAN KISHPAUGH PROF_ MARSHALL STEARNS Danish newspaper owner, music authority, Owner 0/8,000 78's and 3,000 cylinders, he Most respected of all jazz collectors-lec­ opera historian. "I began collecting be· is proud possessor of the rarest Schumann­ tures on subject at New York University. cause I wanted to hear great singing." Heink disc 0/ them all. For him, "the fun "You find yon have a passionate interest in Shares his collection with Danish radio is all in the hunt". Has many notable "bar­ the music, so yon amass as many examples listeners. gains". as possible".

admits that he can't stop. "It sucks you in like quicksand," Today he owns more than 8,000 78's and 3,000 cylinders, but he says, "and you get in deeper and deeper." his chief claim to fame rests on a single disc for which he As a rule, the record collector is no social hermit. The paid a little less than two cents. pleasure of entertaining others rivals the personal satisfac­ In 1952, while rummaging through a second-hand shop in tion of ownership. I,n this respect, few discophiles can match Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Dr. Kishpaugh found a stack of 125 the performance of Knud Hegermann-Lindencrone, of Copen­ ancient and dusty 78's. He paid the dealer two dollars for hagen, Denmark. the lot. One of the items had no label. On playing, it turned Hegermann-Lindencrone is co-owner of Denmark's largest out to be an immensely rare recording of Ernestine Schu­ newspaper, but is equally, if not better known as a radio per­ mann-Heink singing Wie ein Grussen. According to Dr. sonality, music authority, and opera historian. Since the Kishpaugh, no other original pressing of the record is known mid-1930's, he has broadcast a series of musical programs to exist. over Danish radio which, to all intents, has made his great The goals of collecting vary from one discophile to the collection of discs and tapes public prop'erty. next. Dr. Frank Garcia Montes, a notary public in Havana, There are about 12,000 78's, 1,200 tapes, 800 cylinders, and Cuba, would like to possess at least one record of every opera 300 LP's in Hegermann-Lindencrone's record library_ He singer who has ever been recorded. He appears to be well specializes in opera, but also has taped actors, statesmen, on his way. Today he owns more than 33,000 records (31,000 and other notables. 78's, 2,000 LP's) and ranks, at least in quantity, as the Hegermann-Lindencrone owns a collection so complete champion collector of serious vocal music on disc. that he is able to broadcast musical documentaries covering Dr. Montes knows most of the important operas by heart. decades of singing. Many of his panoramas have traced the He and some of his fellow collectors get together each week great events of a certain opera house, such as Berlin's Staat­ to listen to new acquisitions. Visiting opera lovers and soper, Milan's La Scala, and the Bayreuth festivals. One of singers often attend these sessions, and one of his greatest his most memorable series was an eight-part History in Sound satisfactions is playing an especially hard-to-get recording of the Metropolitan Opera. The Met's first season was in by a certain singer for the singer's (Continued on page 93) SEPTEMBER 1959 45

T IS 9 :45 a.m.-only fifteen more minutes to go. I take a final look around Manhattan Center's Seventh Floor Ballroom. I Steinway Grand No. 304, surrounded by wood-screen "flats" and mikes, stands in the center of the hall, tuned and .ready. Rugs to dampen excess reverberation have been put down on the hardwood floor; velvet drapes incongruously hang from the balcony. In the mirror-lined control room (last night it was the ballroom refresh­ ment bar) -a portable recording console, two triple-track tape machines, and associated equipment are being checked out. Cables are strung from three mikes positioned around No. 304 to the amplifiers in the control room. I walk around the hall, occasionally clapping my hands and whistling, checking the mikes for area pickup. Ten o'clock. The preliminaries over; the staff-Red Seal Audio Engineer­ ing Administrator, Al Pulley; Recording Engineer, Jack Crawford, and myself, drink coffee, smoke, talk and anticipate pleasantly the work ahead. Ten minutes later the door to the control room bursts open, and Artur Rubinstein, elegant in gray cashmere jacket (with the Rosette of a Com­ mander of the Legion of Honor ornamenting one of its lapels) " blue slacks, Behind the locked doors red jersey shirt, blue tie (with pearl stickpin)-enters smiling, apologetic for being late, but vibrating good humor from the tips of his shoes to the crest of his wavy grey hair. of Manhattan Center Rubinstein sets down his valise-in which he carries his music, pencils, one day's supply of Upmann cigars, and a thermos jug of coffee. The New great pian ism goes on tape. York City crosstown traffic today, it seems, is utterly impossible. But no matter, he is eager to begin. Rubinstein's recording Striding into the control room he shakes hands all-around: A & R men, engineers, technicians, stage-hands, piano-tuner-everyone. He neglects no director tells one. He's in the process of establishing rapport with his control room audi­ ence much as he would if he had just stepped out on a concert stage. how it's done. Inspired by Rubinstein's cheerfulness and self-confidence, his audience will not only listen appreciatively to every note he plays, but will work doubly hard at their tasks to meet his uncompromising standards. Everyone present begins to feel vital to the occasion; all attention is focused on the project at hand-the recording of the Chopin So nata in B minor, Op. 58, a piece Rubinstein has not yet recorded. Rubinstein has very definite ideas about the way the B minor Sonata should "project" on record and in preparation for this session he has spent weeks going over the music-re-familiarizing himself with it, a!1alyzing it. His objective in recording the B minor Sonata is to emphasize its lyricism; the lyricism should carry throughout the entire Sonata, even through pas­ PLAYBACK! sages of supposedly strict technical nature. At the same time, he wants to mark the contrast between statement and restatement of the central theme, Rubinstein; Bill Miltenberg, RCA Victor build climaxes without haste, and preserve the unity of musical expression Recording Manager; and author Pfeiffer, RCA Victor Music Director. throughout all four movements. The piano-tuner, Mr. Hupfer, (who has worked at one time or another personality / JOHN PFEIFFER for all of the top concert artists) and myself, accompany the pianist to the • waiting Steinway No. 304. No. 304 is Rubinstein's personal choice, a particular favorite for both recorded and concert performances of Chopin; this season he has taken it .. with him on his European concert tour. It is esteemed for its singing quality, uniformity of voicing, and ready-response to delicate nuances of touch. He compares the qualities of this American Stein way to the European Steinway. "The European Steinway," he says, striking a chord in the middle register, "is very light in here. That's for Debussy and Ravel. Not what we want for Chopin." Then he strikes the same chord again, harder. "This is what we want for Chopin." Rubinstein puts on his horn-rimmed glasses, which he uses only for read­ ing, places the music on the rack and sits down at the piano. He goes over the entire keyboard. Slight adjustments are necessary-the A is too harsh; the E too dull. Hupfer takes out the action. With a special instrument he pricks at the felt on the A hammer to soften the tone; then he sandpapers the felt on the E hammer to give it a shade more brilliance. When the voicing of the piano has been "touched up," as it always is when a major artist records, Rubinstein is ready. SEPTEMBER 1959 47 "Because he knows what he wants.

"Let's see how it goes." ing sections that are especially good and others that I feel He begins, skipping here and there through the music, are not as he would want them, ultimately. (Frequently, at playing sections that exhibit the widest range of pitch and the end of a session, I feel as if I've played every note.) dynamics for a pre-recording test. A balance is set up that Before the last chord dies away, Rubinstein grabs his will take care of the loud passages, and soft passages, music, and hurries into the control room to get what he calls throughout all extremes and in between. The three mikes "my lesson." are positioned around the piano, and the balance among Rubinstein is a firm adherent of the "tape school." He them altered on the recording console. insists that any serious musician, who, like himself, learned The piano sounds fine in the control room; but there is a the technique of his art by age fourteen, should dispense slight blurring of some of the rapid passages due to excessive with teachers and buy himself a tape machine. The tape reverberation. To correct this, the sound-absorbing drapes machine is enough. It will tell him what he must know to and the four flats-com position-wood screens-are closed in improve his performance. If the "tape-teacher" can't tell around the playing area to "dry it up" slightly. him what he is doing right or wrong, no human teacher can There is no prolonged experimenting with equipment. We help him achieve the independence necessary to acquire a have learned Rubinstein's recording preferences over the true musical personality. Beyond a certain point, there is al­ years and so preparations have been made in advance. ways the chance that he will imitate his human teacher­ Now he discusses the Sonata, pointing out features he faults as well as virtues. wants me to listen for. He plays the first statement of the While the first take is auditioned Rubenstein sits at a desk main lyric theme in D major with triplet accompaniment, in the control room, the music in front of him. His primary very sensitively, "as in a nocturne" in his own words. Then concern now is interpretation. As he listens to the playback, he jumps over to the restatement of the theme in B major, he marks different portions of the score in pencil-"faster," showing me where he wants it to be broad, loud, possessing "slower," "forte," "pianissimo," "don't hurry .. . " a passionate, heroic quality. When the ordeal is over, he turns to me and askti for an The discourse finished, he is ready for the first take. I opinion. I suggest more pedal to improve the singing quality withdraw to the control room while Rubinstein at the piano of a lyric passage. He agrees and jots it down in the score. sits poised under the ornate lights of the Ballroom. Armed with his annotated music, he returns to the piano The red light goes on indicating that the mikes are live. and goes through the movement a second time. "Take One." I listen and watch. Rubinstein runs through the entire first movement without His stance while playing is characteristic. He seems to stopping. I follow every note in my copy of the score, mark- envelope the keyboard; his body strikes a heroic pose. His 48 HIFI REVIEW Rubinstein is one of the easiest artists to record." whole approach is virile, heroic, as if he and music were before the final tape is made; he trusts us to prepare it to conquerors. His back is very straight, head thrown back. his satisfaction. It is then sent to him for approval. He sits very still on the bench; the look on his face, one of It's 3 p.m. when we finish the last take. In all this time abstract concentration. Everything is done with intensity. I Rubinstein has worked straight through with just one brief remember he once said that the secret of playing softly and stop for coffee. For him, true dining is a reward. He eats with a singing tone was to feel "forte" and play "piano." only when a session is completed. This afternoon he is to And it is paradoxical that during these delicate passages his lunch at Pavillion, his favorite restaurant in New York. physical reaction is strongest. It is as if he must exert enor­ As Rubinstein gathers up his material preparing to leave, mous inner energy to prevent the soft passages from becom­ I sit back and relax, pleased with our morning's work. Engi­ ing effeminate rather than "piano." neer Lew Layton, busily re-winding tape, turns to me and At the playback for the second complete take, he listens says-"It went fine." He's right. It went "fine" indeed. not only for interpretation but for technique, missed notes, Because he knows what he wants, and is articulate about extra notes. For Rubinstein, this is painful. it, Rubinstein is one of the easiest artists to record. He Dramatic reactions accompany the recorded sounds. understands the possibilities and limitations of the equip­ Pleased, he widens his blue-grey eyes. Displeased, he smacks ment he is working with, and unlike many artists, who feel the desk with the flat of his hand, or despairingly, shakes his it beneath their dignity to mingle with the "mechanics", head. Sometimes he offers facial grimaces that suggest that Rubinstein adapts himself to us and to the machines. listening to himself play imperfectly is the most terrible tor­ It is my personal belief that a good live performance is ture. If he knows that a bad note is coming, he will begin not necessarily a good recorded performance-but that a to slide off his chair, and looking like a celebrated madcap good recorded performance will always be a go()d live one_ harpist, pretend to hide under the desk. There is an obvious, but not ordinary, reason for this. In con­ He goes through the first movement a third time; and cert, the eye of the beholder contributes much to his ear. The listens to the third playback. "Now we've got it." And this subtle psychological excitement, say, of seeing a pianist pause time he does have it. This final complete take is technically before he attacks a cadenza, adds much to the aural effect and artistically right. Rubinstein needs only three or four complete takes to achieve the desired results. produced. Watching the performer, the listener is often The same process is repeated for all four movements­ alerted to what is most important to the performer in the performance, playback, performance. Selections for splicing score. Lacking these advantages-and others, snch as his will be made from all three takes of the Sonata. Rubinstein sheer physical presence, his dress, his greatly anticipated does not, as do so many artists, demand to hear all the takes walk to the instrument, the theatrics with which he acknowl- SEPTEMBER 1959 49 edges applause--the studio performer must make sure all the about it; he just won't record with them again. On the other drama is in the groove. hand, when he finds a musical collaborator, with whom he He knows, for one thing, that he is not playing for 3,000 can "feel" complete rapport, one who shares his own concept people in an auditorium but for one, two, or three listeners of the way a piece of music should sound, he's delighted. sitting in their living-rooms. For this audience, he must His latest "discovery" is conductor Josef Krips with whom scale down the dynamic range and contrast of his perform· he did the five Beethoven concertos in 1957 and with whom ance so that it has within its own frame the psychological he made his new recording of the Brahms Second Piano Con· veracity of a live performance. This instinct for recorded certo. They "sing" together. performance cannot be taught; an artist either has it or There was proof of this rapport from their very first session doesn't. With Rubinstein it never needs an explanation. together. Rubinstein, Krips, and the orchestra rehearsed With the sure possession of this knowledge, Rubinstein the slow movement. After a short recess, during which they has in the past acted not only as recording artist, but. also discussed interpretation, possible technical pitfalls, etc., they as his own Musical Director-casting the shadow of doubt, went into the first take. It lasted nine minutes, which is an I might add, on our own raison d'etre. This happened be­ eternity for a take. tween 1940 and 1954 when Rubinstein was living in Beverly When we played it back, what we heard was so hair-raising­ Hills, California in a home which marked his 32nd attempt ly beautiful, and revealed such an overwhelming "one-ness" to establish a permanent residence. of purpose among conductor, soloist, an:! orchestra, that At that time, he would call the RCA Victor studio when­ we decided unanimously to make it the master take. ever he had a day free from his concert and movie soundtrack It is difficult to explain how rare this is-but I can only commitments and make arrangements to record directly say that such a thing has never before happened to me in with the head engineer. the ten years I've been with RCA Victor, and according to Arriving at the studio after the piano had been tuned, Lew Layton, engineer-in-charge, who has been there forty-two and the mikes set up, he would record whatever he wanted years, it's never happened. (he had complete freedom of repertoire selection) for as Since Rubinstein began recording in the early 1930's for long as he wished. Then he would supervise the editing. HMV and in 1940 for RCA Victor exclusively, he has, Reference lacquers were sent to his home for approval and in addition to works by other composers, recorded more from there to New York for pressing. Actually, this was Chopin . than any other pianist, approximately two-thirds of only for solo repertoire, but a great deal of his currently the composer's total output. He hopes to make it three-thirds. available and most widely-praised discs were done in this One of Rubinstein's last projects preceding his return way and with incredible speed. For example, he did all to Europe .is a re.recording of the Scherzi. fifty·five Chopin Mazurkas in three days; all of the nineteen His reasons for re-recording the Scherzi, well as other Nocturnes in three days; all fourteen Waltzes in two days. best-sellers in his repertory are multiple. Recording tech­ One of Rubinstein's most prodigious feats took place in niques have improved tremendously since he first did theEe 1955-56 when, in his middle sixties, he undertook to play in the 30's and 40's, and of course he wants to take ad­ seventeen major works for piano and orchestra in a series vantage of these advanced techniques; besides which, a con­ of five Carnegie Hall concerts. These included all of the siderable public is waiting to hear them in stereo. But as Brahms and Beethoven concerti; one each by Chopin, Mozart, important, if not more important, is the fact that Rubinstein Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Schumann; himself has grown as an artist. and works by Franck and Falla. He is constitutionally incapable of playing the same piece The herculean series of concerts was punctuated by equally of music the same way, twice in a row. Every experience­ herculean record sessions. On Friday, February 10, 1956, musical, or extra-musical, broadens and deepens his creative he played the ·Grieg A minor and the Liszt E Flat Concertos approach to music. As a result, he is constantly offering fresh -in public. Starting ·at midnight the same evening-and insights into pie::es that he has played for decades. And so it ending at dawn, Saturday, February lIth, he again performed is very difficult for him to listen to his early recordings with­ the Grieg with Alfred Wallenstein and the Symphony of the out wanting to re-interpret the repertoire at his present level Air-for records, The Liszt was recorded in another six·hour of maturity. session, Sunday, February 12th. Two days later Rubinstein To date, Rubinstein has made over three-hundred records. returned to Carnegie Hall with his self-imposed marathon. Many, many hours of productive recording sessions lie ahead Out of that same concert series came the five Beethoven of him. That I will share these hours in collaboration with concertos made with Josep Krips and the Symphony of the one of the greatest pianists of our time is to me a source of .Air. The six Manhattan Center sessions ran from December stimulation, eagerness for work, and, not the least, joy. 6th through 16th. Each lasted approximately six hours. Rubinstein's two young children, Aline, who was then 12, and John Arthur, II, attended several of the sessions. After the end of the Emperor-midnight till dawn affair-Rubin­ stein looked around the hall and discovered that only he and Jack Pfeiffer is happily combining his two occupations. his children were still perpendicular. Embracing them, he He is both an electrical engineer and a musician. By World looked down at me and smiling said, "It is at moments like War II he had mastered the violin, piano, oboe, pipe organ, these .hat I truly know they are my own children." and had received musical training from Bethany College and Rubinstein chides me when I suggest he spare his energy. the University of Arizona. After four years in the Navy in I've never heard him complain of fatigue. The one thing that the field of electronics, he returned to the University of Ari­ does disturb him is feeling that others are lacking in en­ zona to receive an E. E. degree. In 1950 he joined RCA thusiasm for a project. Naturally he can't expect everyone Victor's Artist and Repertoire Department. Since this time to match his own, but he does expect them to do as well as he has recorded such artists as Rubinstein, Horowi!z, Heifetz they can. If they aren't doing so, he doesn't make a scene and Landowska. 50 HIFI REVIEW discussion I Doron K. Antrim

From the comparative youngster Ormandy to octogenarian Monteux life on a podium begins at sixty

ACK of this slightly exaggerated heading are some per­ respectively, are still plying their profession with remarkably B tinent, or shall we say, impertinent questions-depend­ undiminished vigor. ing on how you look at it. To wit: Why is that gentry known "I'm headed for a hundred," Monteux frequently quips, as symphony conductors seemingly so favored over the rest and it could be a likely goal for the other two. In fact, it can of us mortals, not only with long life but with capacity to be held as a truism that conductors seldom, if ever, retire to work when those of comparable age are lazing in the Florida the sidelines. Toscanini tipped 90 and kept his hand in al­ sunshine? Why do their physical and mental capacities seem most to the last. In his 75th year, Walter Damrosch com­ to show not too appreciable an abatement with the years? pleted a new opera and saw it performed at the Met. At 77, And lastly, why are the protagonists of the podium so un­ he appeared in a motion picture. A year later, he made his commonly possessed of what Bergson calls "elan vital?" official debut in New York as a co ncert pianist. At 79, he Before probing for the answers however, let's attempt to completed the revision of an old opera. At 80 he wrote an­ substantiate the above claims. As a basis for this study, forty other opera and guest conducted the Philharmonic. This is of the world's leading conductors were chosen, all working, not atypical of the clan. mostly in this country. Just their average age, 61.4, is reveal­ Other facets of this fascinating subject are revealed from ing. Seven are in their 4.0's, twelve in their 50's, seventeen in our list. Conductors generally get into stride during their their 60's, eleven in their 70's and three in their 80's. Octo­ 40's. They con tinue to grow toward a peak of achievement dur­ genarians-Beecham, Bruno Walter, Monteux, 80, 83, 84 ing their 50's, 60's and 70's. Compare this with other profes- SEPTEMBER 1959 51 sions. In sports a man is through at 40, a plane pilot at 45 a boy, Leonard Bernstein was pale, thin, had bad colds and unless he's a veteran airline captain. asthma. But his health miraculously improved when he dis· In business it becomes increasingly difficult to get a job covered music, and once he discovered conducting, he had after 40 and all but impossible at 70. Just when the orchestra not time to indulge ill health. conductor is going full swing, from 60 to 70, industry and Here is a fellow who juggles four careers at once, of business are dismissing their workers with a watch, a cocktail which conducting is only one. He is also a composer. He party and a pat on the back for long and valued service. writes music in taxis, planes, railroad stations, hotel lobbies. Are industry and business missing a bet, or are conductors He is also a pianist. Once in Carnegie Hall he played merely unique? Ravel's Piano Concerto in G after a five month hiatus without The health of our forty baton wielders appears to be bet­ so much as five hours of practive-this while conducting the ter than average, judged by that bane of industry-absentee­ orchestra from the keyboard. I ism because of sickness. Missed engagements are as rare Bernstein's fourth career is just being a celebrity, with among baton men as Grindelia in Greenland. The average autographs, interviews, cocktail parties, conferences, agents, conductor would move the Empire State Building rather than and what not. "My God," he cried one night after he tum· not appear as scheduled. " Papa" Monteux has not missed a bled into bed at 3 A.M., " this is a three ring circus. But I rehearsal or engagement in 65 years of conducting. Once on like it." tour with the Boston Symphony, he suffered four cracked Stokowski is also of the opinion that the conductor's full ribs in an auto accident. The doctor taped and strapped life is one of his secrets. "Sustained interest in life," he said, him up and he conducted that night as well as for the reo "is very likely to mean a sustained life. It's when boredom maining four concerts on the itinerary. creeps in that one begins to show age." Nor do conductors usually look their years. Anent that, in "But the strenuous life the conductor leads may be only the 1920's, a standard retort of one conductor to the beaming part of the answer," said Hope Stoddard, author of Symphony hostess who sprang the one about his looking so very, very Conductors in the U.S.A. "The rest may be found in his youthful, was, "Yes, madam, time beats others, but I beat strict dietary regime, pursued in order to look svelte as well as time." keep fit. Or it may be just that conductors find their work Some dowagers down front claim that conducting is a sine­ too attractive and their lives too exciting to think of dying. cure. "All he does," said one of them, "is to wave a little When any of them does check out, it is usually from a heart stick." Let's see. Consider first what it takes before a con· attack-an illness unheralded, unprepared for and therefore ductor can "wave a little stick" over an experienced group not to be withstood." of men. Artur Rodzinski once proclaimed that "conducting Still another thing in the conductor's favor is the nature can't be taught"-which is echoed by others (baton tech· of the work. Rehearsals and concerts give most of them nique excepted). Conducting implies fusing 100 or more steady, vigorous exercise which, according to heart special· separate instruments, and those who play them, into one, so ist, Dr. Dudley White, is good for the heart. Few athletes go that it expresses the will and intent of the composer whose work is being performed. Mastery over 100 instruments is a much greater task than mastery of one. Most conductors come up from the ranks of players. Beecham wanted to know how every instrument was played. Since the hotel where he stayed banned instrumental practice, it is said that he rented a boat and rowed with his instruments to the middle of a lake to sound·off. But knowing instruments is just a preliminary part of a co nductor's equipment. He must also know his scores and know them inside out. Study of new works takes up the bulk of a conductor's vaunted summer vacation-even with the help of such gadgets as tape machine and phonograph. Furthermore, a conductor must know how to manage men so they give him their all. That's something else again. It means he must know more than they do. A good orchestra can ticket a new conductor within the first five minutes of reo hearsal. It seems incredible that an apparently frail, little man like Toscanini should ever have commanded unquestioning obe· dience. But he could lay down the law to his men by a mere look, as well as invective. The authority of his vast knowl· "Podiums are a conspiracy to get rid of conductors" edge and sheer personal magnetism was incontestable. (Beecham) Last, but far from least, a conductor must sell himself and his orchestra to his community-a large order in itself. To· gether with this goes the unremitting strain of giving con· through more strenuous workouts than conductors at a con· certs, including a goodly number of one·nighters on tour. cert. Back stage at Carnegie Hall I've seen how they strip The latter are considered as the No. 1 health hazard. So it to the waist at intermission, discard the soaked dress shirt, does seem that we can drop the one about the conductor be. be sponged and toweled· off and don a clean shirt for the ing healthy because he has an easy job. next number. A critic once summed up the podium gymnas­ What then? For one thing, might not these many activities tics of Beecham by saying, "He leaps, ducks, weaves, lunges, keep his interest at peak pitch, and so prolong his life? As (Continued on page 54) 52 HIFI REVIEW I OMNI-STEREO FOR ODD-SHAPE ROOMS

PROBLEM: a) Provide stereo feeling anywhere in L-shaped room b) Utilize existing large multi-unit speaker system

SOLUTION: Split the two channels among many sound sources, I and let the sonic chips fall where they may

B2

Your hi-fi system may be "news!" We're on the look­ out for offbeat ideas, providing they really work. Have you a hi-fi layout that's not exactly according to the HIS is definitely not what the audio doctor ordered. But "book"? Sketch it for us, along with 200·250 words of Tmy respect for established rules gets a mean shake when­ description. Publishable suggestions will be paid $40 ever I remember that aerodynamically bumblebees can't fly. upon acceptance. In cases of duplication, the letter By the same token, this setup won't work because speakers with the earliest postmark will be accepted. -Ed. radiate so und every which way and supposedly mix up the original stereo space relationships. But then the shape of my room is about as hopeless for stereo as the shape of a bum­ blebee is for flight. So it all seems to work out for the best reach. The old cut-and-try method showed that channel A and I get a fine sense of full, spacious sound with a fair could use some help, so we set up speaker A2-an 8-inch amount of stereo separation wherever I sit. And there are no extended range model similar to Bl. Both channels were holes in the "middle." finally crossed over at 2000 cycles to the two tweeters A3 How was it done? From my mono days I kept my treasured and B3, which can be used for "presence" effects and "posi­ Electro-Voice 4-way speaker system (AI), which now serves tioning" a soloist right smack atop the coffee table. as my main sound source for channel A. For the B channel, Don't ask me any questions about impedance matching and speaker BI is an 8-inch extended range unit. Because I do phase interference. All I know is that I virtually swim in a most of my listening from the sofa next to the master-control roomful of sound. It's a cross between the omnidirectional unit, I padded down the volume of BI so that at my listening and the standard stereo approach. What I lose in direction­ post it sounds equally loud as AI, which is some twenty feet ality I gain in depth. That's what makes the sonic "swimming. farther away. B2 is a so-so 10-in speaker, snatched from pool!" a TV set, and projects channel B sound where BI won't -John G. Reinhard SEPTEMBER 1959 53 Conductors versity. "A conductor is in rapport, so to speak, with the Old heart beat of the universe--rhythm. There would be no uni­ (Continued from page 52) verse without rhythm, nor any life. By expressing this fun­ skates and does everything but a back-flip." At one concert damental the conductor expresses one of life's keynotes. he slipped off the stand. On being helped up, he remarked, "In addition, the conductor releases and expresses his emo­ nonplussed, to the audience, "Podiums are a conspiracy to tions as reflected in the music he conducts. Since music, for get rid of conductors." At another concert at Queens Hall the most part, reflects the desirable emotions, this is highly after a number, he walked gingerly to the wings holding his salutary. It is as rewarding as expressing thoughts in speech. baton with one hand and holding up his trousers with the It could help account for the mental health of the conductor." other. He had broken his suspenders. Apropos, these words of Rachmaninoff may have some bear­ Small wonder why outside his work, the conductor chooses ing. "Great composers," he once said, "have the capacity to exercise sparingly if at all. Some of them walk, ride horse­ exult."-literally to triumph over fate in their music. One back, golf. But work suffices for most. thinks of Beethoven and his deafness. But no hint of defeat Eugene Ormandy has hinted at another interesting pos­ creeps into Beethoven's works. Nor into Rachmaninoff's sibility. When he conducts, he says, he feels something akin Second Piano Concerto. He wrote it after one of the most to electricity run down his arms. Maybe this explains a con­ discouraging and defeat-ridden periods of his career. Cap­ ductor's "animal magnetism." The audience feels it the turing the exultation of composers in the works he conducts, second a conductor steps on the stage. Without such mag­ no doubt contributes to the conductor's elan vital. netism a conductor just isn't; he's just a time beater. What Herein, perhaps, lies the key-the conductor being pos­ such "animal magnetism" may contribute to health, we don't sessed by the great music he interprets. As the Danish com­ know, but it probably helps. poser, Carl Nielsen, once put it-"Music is life and as such And how about dedication as another secret of youth? unquenchable." That money is not a first consideration is attested by salaries which . run considerably less than those for captains of in­ dustry. And yet, I have known of more than one conductor D. K. Antrim has been identified with music for the who turned down a lucrative Hollywood offer to stay on at better part of his life. His first term at Oberlin Conservatory, the old stand. however, convinced him he didn't have what it takes to be a Can't it be said that this then is a dedicated profession? concert pianist. After serving a stint in World War I, he And if so, we know that those who follow such live longer_ edited for some years The Musical Observer, since merged According to insurance actuarial figures, priests and minis­ with The Musical Courier, and The Metronome. Twenty ters outlive any other occupational group on the list. Orches­ years ago, Doron became a free.lance writer and has con­ tra conductors are not listed. tributed to The Reader's Digest, Saturday Evening Post, Could something also be said for the essentially therapeu­ Pageant and other leading magazines. His book, Having Fun tic nature of music? "It could," said Dr. Alexander Capurso, With Music, telling how amateurs can play instruments for psychologist-musician, director of music at Syracuse Uni- pleasure, was published last year by Crowell.

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54 HIFI REVIEW THE VVELL-CONSTRUCTED "ANATOMY"

Duke Ellington adds near-perfect musical complement to outstanding film

feature review / NAT HENTOFF

• 'ELLINGTON- ANATOMY OF A MURDER (Soundtrack). serene confidence. The theme, like most of those Ellington Duke Ellington O rchestra. Main title a nd Anatomy of a Murder; Flirtibird; Way Early Subtone; Hero to Zero; Low Key lightly; Happy has written for the film , is beguiling and wholly Duke. Anatomy; Midnight Indigo; Almost Cried; Sunswept Sunday; Grace "Way Early Sub tone" is introduced by Ellington and Valse; Happy Anatomy; Haupe ; Uppe r and Outest. Columbia CL Hodges and contains more of those utterly personal, Elling­ 1360 $3 .98 • ton-reed voicings that are among his key accomplishments_ Musical Inte rest: Will outlast the picture Their effect on the ear is sensual, but in a pungent, strongly Performance: Th e ba nd at its best Recording: C lear and well balanced personal way which this listener has always found irresistibly stimulating, especially in contrast to the jaded-reed voicings WE OWE a vote of thanks to Producer Otto Preminger for most jazz writers still use as a common language. There's a Duke Ellington's first full-len gth film score. This is one short particularly hypnotic passage of reed writing here that of his most satisfying collections of new themes in recent consists of very slow, almost stop-time figures whose appeal years. Ellington has been in and has written for films before is all the stronger for the controlled understatements of writ­ -the 1929 short, Black and Tan Fantasy, to say nothing of ing and the playing. other short and featured sections in several full length pic­ Jimmy Woo de's full-toned, firmly pulsating bass opens a tures. But unaccountably, no producer until Preminger had solo section in "Hero to Zero" for Paul Gonsalves who plays asked Ellington to score a whole film. his brief role with control and taste on a most relaxing theme. Since it is the record album that is under review, and since "Low Key Lightly" has a rhapsodic piano introduction, with it is the music that will remain after the film has passed out a Ray Nance violin solo that is a little less schmaltzy than of circulation, I concentrate here on the music itself, rather usual. Piano and reed section open the bouncing "Happy than on its relationship to the film plot. Let it be said, how ' Anatomy," succeeded by exuberant brass punctuations and a ever, that in the film itself, the score is effective when it c clipped, wittily individual solo by Clark Terry, then followed be heard. A large part of "Anatomy" takes place in a 0 rt by conventional blowing by Paul Gonsalves. After what room and no music is used there. But elsewh ·e. Ellin gton-s ounds like a celeste (played by Ellington), bass clarinet score com plements the action well, with . underlining iro . (Harry Garney) sets off Midnight Indigo, which is an un­ that is th e basic emotional tone of the core. The 1I1 0vi ound hurried, reflective piece--the type Ellington can well. There is a considerably understated piano sol Stray­ horn) and more celeste. Another likeable and b au ifully constructed melod y is "Almost Cried" (an ext.e ion f the pe b H aHI: Baker who has, ~-...... ,.- .. pet

, or;;-n j/====::::;::::= n the undulating' IDlpe," qhnny Hodges is not con­ pi uously sensual. as he so often is in s ow empQ but is at er more thoughtful, contained, and genuinely sensitiv . "U ' per and Outest" starts with the persistent. ominous ree figure f" at of a Murder." brings back the floati g an. "Almost Cried," section of "Flirti 11' " an ti end \·i ~h hi 1- Quentin Jackson's vocalized w -wa trombone 0 ens the note specialist Cat Anderson edging the tension even hI h r, • record, and the orchestra builds t 'on until the reeds l:i e"i 'terally and figuratively. It is Duke's self-confidence on t lis to batter out an insistently aggressive " m: not unlike that as i-gmn nt that helps promote Anderson, who is a tast ess which the Count Basie band plays in the theme m i exhibitionist as a soloist and of value only in the section. TV series, M Squad. Ray Nance's incisive, virile trumpe No h T are there any drum solos. climbs over-and-around the massive reeds and slashing brass, se s to me that Ellington in recent years, when in followed by Jimmy Hamilton's clarinet which fli es over the doub , will keep an audience interested by juggling acts. wave-like reed almost as a gull. The tension declines gradual­ But here the work is without extraneous attention-getters. ly as Paul Gonsalves' breathy tenor with brass punctuations, Ellington, incidentally, is said to have done all the orches­ and Hamilton fade out to just piano and rhythm section. trating himself instead of sharing it with Strayhorn. There Duke closes the segment sparely. are few touches in this score of the self-consciousness that "Flirtibird" (one of the recurring themes in the film) is has crept into several of his larger works of the past. And personified by vigorous Johnny Hodges complemented by the orchestra-Ellington's best since his 194·0-4·3 peak, plays some deliberate, reflective piano commentary. With the or­ the music with as much zest and sense of drama as the com­ chestra swelling behind him, the Hodges' sax moves with poser must have felt when he wrote it. • SEPTEMBER 1959 55 Kinematix (right) Most versatile of ' the stereo balance meters has back-of-panel controls permitting compensation for room acoustics.

Argonne (below) has exceptionally . sensitive meter movement. Seven-step control switch permits use of meter' with lill types of power amplifiers.

· ereo balancing B,HA.SHFA~EL Accessories permit visual balancing for maximum stereo effectiveness

Park (right) ranks as only moderately sensiti ve, thus eliminating all controls seen on above two models. S'tereo is like a steak-it can be overdone or underdone; but somewhere there's a happy point where it's "just right". Reaching that point in your listening depends markedly on the "stereo balance" between your two speakers. Up to now, the balance control on a stereo system was usually adjusted by ear. You turned it until both left and right sound sources seemed equally loud-and that was it. Such an adjustment, however, involves a certain amount of guesswork. Stereophiles hankering for a more accurate method of balancing the two channels can now choose among several new models of stereo balance meters which pinpoint the "just right" setting on a meter. • Balancing by ear vs. balancing by meter can be compared to flying "by the seat of your pants" vs. flying by instruments. The seat of the pants or, in our case, the "naked ear", provides a rough approximation; instrument readings can be more accurate, but require judicious interpretation. The meter's main advantage is that it can save you the custom­ ary athletics of jumping up from your listening chair to adjust the stereo balance at the am­ plifier. You set it according to the meter when you first put on your record and then settle in your chair with confidence that the stereo will sound well "from where you sit."

As an incidental bonus, the stereo balance meter presents a visual display of the musical dynamics. Thumps and bangs or soaring crescendos leave their mark in the tremors of the pointer as it swings from side to side in keeping with the musical events, which should pro­ vide added pleasure to listeners who like to "see what they hear." This might also apply to those who require visual proof of their contention that there actually is a difference in the sound coming from the two speakers.

Basically, a stereo balance meter is a dual ammeter which measures the currents fed to the two stereo speakers. The "zero" calibration point or "perfect balance" is at the center of the scale. The instrument is so wired that if both speakers receive identical amounts of power, the pointer stays at zero. (In other words, when the two channels are in balance, the two signals cancel out and no deflection occurs.) However, if one side is louder than the other, the pointer swings either to the left or the right, depending on which side carries the excess power.

Operationally, this makes it very easy to balance the system. All you have to do is turn the balance control on the amplifier so that the pointer stays at zero and-stereophonically speaking-you're right on the beam.

But such simplicity seems almost too good to be true. So to reassure the doubter, we run off a few if's and but's. To wit:

These meters indicate electrical balance of the amplifier outputs. What listeners are really after is acoustical balance. The two are not always the same.

Electrical balance, as measured by the meter, is an accurate index of acoustical balance only under the following conditions:

(a) That the listener is equidistant from both speakers; (if your chair is closer to one speaker than the other, the nearer speaker will then sound louder to you even though both speakers have equal volume;

(b) That both speakers are equally efficient; (the meter measures current going into the 57 speaker-not the amount of sound coming out of it. If one flections of the meter. To compensate for such differences speaker gives more sound per watt than the other, the sound among various speaker installations, the Argonne Stereo output will be uneven despite the fact that the electric input Indicator has a switch for selecting various degrees of meter is balanced. sensitivity, assuring sufficient pointer travel. Naturally, the meter doesn't "know" where you sit or what Although the meter indication of balance is undeniably speakers you use. Consequently, these factors must enter into handy and unusually reliable, a final caveat should be posted. the interpretation of the meter reading. The Kinematix These meters, measuring current in each channel, operate makes provision for calibrating the zero center in accordance on the assumption that the channels ordinarily carry ap­ with these acoustic variables. On the other units, the neces­ proximately equal amperage. But what if the music itself sary "instrument correction for ambient conditions"-to put fails to follow that rule? What if all the heavy percussion, it in pilot's lingo--can be made mentally by the listener. For the bull fiddles, and other instruments generating a lot of instance, he knows from experience that his easy chair is, say, electrical "oomph" are located on one side of the orchestra "4 points off to the left on the meter" for perfect balance, or and therefore dominate one channel? Naturally, the meter that the louder of his speakers should be "3 points down" for will register imbalance. But in that case the imbalance is not optimum results. a distortion imposed by the sound system but a realistic The installation of the meters is simplicity itself. They are rendering of a musical fact. In other words, if the composer easily connected into the speaker lines between amplifier out­ or arranger deliberately chooses lopsided sound, the meter put and the two speakers. A separate set of terminals is pro­ follows it accordingly. Since orchestral groupings with the vided for each channel, and since within the meter both heavy bass all on one side are not uncommon, the listener channels remain electrically apart, separation is not impaired. should be aware of this possibility, otherwise, he might re­ Purists who normally object to the insertion of any device adjust the balance control to give balanced sound where none into the speaker lines may be reassured by the high imped­ was intended-which would just about kill the stereo effect. ance of these meters, which draw only negligible current and Not to be half-safe in such matters and resolve all possible leave the loudspeaker damping factor virtually unaltered. doubt, the audiophile may resort to a stereo test record con­ The amplitude of the pointer swings depends, of course, on taining a balance check in the form of test tones of equal the amount of current surging through the leads at a given loudness in either channel. If the meter reads zero while moment, and on the sensitivity of the meter itself. The these test tones sound simultaneously in both channels, it is efficiency of the speakers is also reflected in the behavior of positive proof that the entire system is in balance. The re­ the meter. An inefficient speaker (e.g., a bookshelf model of assuring center position of the pointer then is your cue to the "acoustic suspension" type) draws more power than a stop worrying-just relax and enjoy it. highly efficient horn or bass-reflex speaker. The inefficient speaker, requiring the heavier power output, causes wider de- -Hans H. Fantel

STEREO BALANCE METERS-QUICK DIGEST

These three meters are identical in principle but KINEMATIX STEREO BALANCE IN­ differ widely in their operating features. They func­ DICATOR (Kinematix, Inc., 1616 North Damen Ave., tion as dual-coil galvanometer movements, acting as Chicago 22, Ill. Price $14_95) "null indicators" under conditions of stereo balance. In a walnut case, this neatly ,styled unit blends with The a.c. signals from either channel are rectified by living room decor. Ranking second in sensitivity, it crystal diodes to properly activate the d.c. meter move­ has a unique feature in its potentiometer calibration ment. Thanks to the relatively high impedance of the controls (on back panel), which permit the listener device, this has virtually no detrimental effect on the to compensate for room acoustics, off·center listening signal reaching the speaker. positions, or equally efficient loudspeaker. Once .. the adjustment is made for a particular listening sit­ uation, it is no longer necessary to "count off" scale points for these variables (see text). The center zero ARGONNE STEREO INDICATOR (Ar­ then means that the stereo is "spot focused" for your gonne Electronics Mfg_ Corp., 165-11 South Road, Jamaica 33, New York. Price $11.95) particular listening position and for your particular pair of speakers. Of the three, this is the most sensitive stereo bal­ ance meter. Its unique operating features include a PARK STEREO MONITOR {Vokar Products, 7-step sensitivity switch for matching the meter sen­ Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan. Price $14.95) sitivity to the power consumption of the speakers. This simplest of the three confines itself to meter "Off·On" switches for each channel permit checking movement in a plastic case with no operational extras. of meter calibration through a stereo test record con­ A fair amount of power is required to obtain clear taining equal·amplitude test tones in either channel. indication. The unit is therefore handicapped in Damped meter action prevents "jumping" on tran­ use with efficient loudspeakers requiring little sient peaks. power from the amplifier.

BIFI REVIEW •

STEREO

FO R COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS WRI TE DEPT. V·9 SEPTEMBER 1959 59 or do both ... WIN $1,000 WORTH of WESTMINSTER RECORDS! You don't have to use the blanks above or buy a record 4. You may use the coupon provided on this page for your nome and address. If you send your entries separately on your own stationery or in order to enter Westminster's new contest. Any 8Jf" x 11" drawing material, print your nome ond mailing address plainly. sheet of paper will do. And, for inspiration, just listen to S. Moil 011 entries to: Westminster Contest, 275 Seventh Ave., New York Westminster's magnificent stereo and monophonic record­ 1, N. Y. Entries must be postmarked no loter thon midnight, September ings. Then use your talents to design a visual trademark 30, 1959, and received no later than midnight, October 3, 1959. that best expresses the superb •• ", .. ~....." 6. All entries are non-returnable and become the property of and may be used by Westminster Records in whole or in part free of any claims quality of Westminster records. ~ . other than the awards to the winners of this contest. Th e prizes will be awarded on the basis of originality of design and aptness of thought. Design must include the words I -1-".,.,., .4 :_~ One prize "-- consisting of $500 worth of any Westminster mono­ "Natural Balance." H ere is 'I!IJ,l/"WrW,f,f7l1 phonic and/ or stereo records at retail list price-will be awarded to the winning trade mark entry and a similar prize to the winning slogan what the present W estminster "."... HI Fl'"'''' . entry. Entries will be judged by Westminster Records. Decisions of 'the trademark looks like: - judges wil l be final. If you're better with words than pictures-see what you 7. Entries are limited to residents of continental United States (includ­ can come up with in the way of a 10 word slogan (or less) ing Alaska and Hawaii), except employees of Westminster Records, its adve rtising agencies and their families. This offer not valid in states that best expresses Westminster's superb sound and per­ where prohibi ted by law. formance. 8. The winners will be notified by mail after close of contest. Remember, you can win the prize in either-or both­ categories. Send your trademark and/or slogon entries to: Dept. MR-9 CONTEST RULES Westminster Contest, 27S Seventh Ave., New York 1, N. Y. 1. Your design for a Westminster trademark may be rendered in the space provided on this page, or may be rendered on your own material. NAME ______No specific size is required, but it is recommended that designs be rendered on poper no larger than 81/2" x 11 ", Any drawing or painting materials can be used. All trademarks must contain the w ords " Natural Balance." ADDRESS ______co 2. All slogans must be written in 10 words or less. 3. You may submit' as many trademark and slogan entries a s you '"~ w_ish if you comply with all the rules on each entry. CITY ______ZONE STATE ______60 HIFI REVIEW STEREO HIFI CONCERT

Rev iewed by BEST OF THE MONTH MARTIN BOOKSPAN WARREN DeMOTTE • Capitol's EMI series offers w ith its Brahms Violin Concerto " unquesti on­ DAVID HALL ably the finest playing Yehudi Menuhin has done for the phonograph GEORGE JELLINEK since his youthful prodigy days .••• A treasurable edition of an endur­ JOHN THORNTON ing masterpiece." (see p. 64)

• ADAM - Gise lle, Ball et Suite. Paris • Columbia brings us Eugene Ormandy and fi rst-chair Philadelp hia Conservato ry Orchestra, J ean Martinon Orchestra players in an unusual Mozart-Haydn Sinfonia Concertante con do London CS 6098 $4.98 Musica l Interest: Ball et favorite coupling. " Nice, easy treatment of the music .. . solo performa nces Perfo rmance: Superb of highest caliber • • • a most reward ing disc." (see p. 68) Record ing : Th e same . Stereo Directionality: Not overdone Stereo Depth: Just right • Angel's Callas Portrays Verdi Heroines marks not only her stereo debut About five years ago London issued a for the label, but singio g of " sweeping dramatic force . .• the d isc is monophonic recording of Giselle with Rich­ ard Blareau conducting (LL 869), and it very highly recommende d." (see p. 76) remained the definitive performance despite subsequent competition. Now, London re­ leases a stereo of the same score wi th J ean Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra had what was Kapp Records of New York, and it may Martinon and the Paris Conservatory Or­ generally considered the most satisfying ac­ re·appear on the latter label. If it does, chestra. History repeats itself! Here is a count of the Brandenburgs for London. In grab it. It was one of the fin est recordings reading that should remain unchallenged the stereo retake the elements are mixed of the Divertimento ever made, although in for a long time to come. It is amazing how basically as before. There are som e spots mono only. ·similar the two performances are. Mar­ of sluggish tempi but the overall feeling of By comparison, Silvestri 1QYes to linger tinon's way with Giselle is one of delicacy stylistic rightness remains strong enough over the pages of thiS magical' opus, that and charm, aided by some of the best play­ to make Miinchinger again the preferred are so fi lled with subtle color, so charged ing from the Conservatory Orchestra I've interpreter of these works. with nationalistic rhythms, and so attractive heard in a long, long time. If you want a Recording honors are about equally di­ in layout. If he seems to drag, he does remarkable exhibition of sensitive dynamics, vided between the two sets, with London's extract a marvelous variety of moods from then yo u will add this stereo disc to your having a slight edge in naturalness of the score, to which' the stereo adds much. collection. Technically it leaves nothing to depth. M. B . It sounds as though Silvestri uses a large be desired. Everything is spatially well-bal­ organization, but acoustical arrangement anced; all is cleanly articulated, wi th no • BARTOK-Dive rti mento for String O r­ of the microphones could be responsible. fuzziness in climaxes, no overloading and c hest ra; HINDEMITH-Mathis d er Mahler. Dorati's fine Mercury recording on mono no distortions. J. T . Philharmonia Orchestra, C onsta ntin Silvestri with the Philharmonic Hungarica (Epic condo Angel S 36543 $5.98 LC 3513) remains the more energetic, which is no surprise. • BACH-Brandenburg Concert os [Com­ Musical Interest: Im mense plete ). Boston Sympho ny Orchestra, Cha rles Perform ance : Interesting, volat ile In the Hindemith, Silvestri competes Munch condo RCA Victor LSC 6140 2 12" Recording: Superior with Ormandy on Columbia; and the com­ $ 15.98 Ste reo Directionality: Best in Ba rt6 k poser's own Decca issue, and with Stein­ Stereo Depth : Good berg on Capitol. There is little doubt • BACH-Brandenburg Concertos [Com­ There are now five recordings of Bar­ that it is Silvestri who delivers the most plet e ). Stuttgart Chambe r Orchestra, Karl dramatic and sensual punch to the "Mathis" Munchinger condo London CSA 2301 2 12" tok's remarkable score, and four of Hinde­ $14.94 mith's strange and powerful work. Angel music; and he wins on the technical end too. If you have ever held any doubt about Mu sica l Interest: Immense offers the first stereo of the pieces, although I suspect that Epic may shortly release its Silvestri's sensitivity, listen to the last sec­ Performa nces: Varia ble tion of "Mathis." It's a fine recording on Recordings: Good disc of the Bartok. (Capitol has just an­ all counts, highly recommended. T . Stereo Directionality: Both g ood nounced release of the Steinberg-Pittsburgh J. • Stereo Depth : More natural in the Symphony version of the Hindemith.) It is Mii nching er recordings sad to report that Unicorn's wonderful r e­ • BE ETHOVEN-Symphonies: No. I in The Munch performances are better than cording of the Bartok with the Zimbler C Ma jor, Op. 21 ; No. 8 in F Ma jo r, Op. 93. I remember them from their monophonic Sinfonietta is currently withdrawn. Uni­ Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer release. In general he favors brisk tempi, corn's catalog is under lease agreement to cond o Angel S 35657 $5.98 but he is not too successful in keeping the Mus ical In terest: H igh a nd mi g hty rhythmical impulse alive and vibrant. Even Performances: Exce ll ent , as before so, Munch evo kes clean playing from his Recordings: Good instrumentalists, and the whole is rather A ll record s reviewed in t his col umn as Stereo Directionality: Nice a nd norma l better than some of its parts. There is still stereo mu st be pl ayed on stereopho nic Stereo Depth : Fi ne the monstrous inconsistency of his using a e qui pment. Th e y CA N N O T b e In commenting on the monophonic re­ IHll'psichord as continuo in all the Concertos played on old style mono phonic [sin­ lease of these performances last mon th , I except the Fifth. Here, he then suddenly gle spea ke r) equipment wit ho ut per­ remarked that only a certain stiffness in gives way to a piano. Lukas Foss plays the ma nent ly da ma ging the record. Play the "Finale" of the Eighth prevented me solo keyboard in the Fifth Concerto with from writing an unequivocal rave review. at 33 113 rpm with the RIAA setting. spirit, but not too much shading. In stereo the performances take on an In pre-stereo days, Miinchinger and the added measure of confident authority, with S EPTEMBER 1959 61 solid and well-proportioned sound charac­ may well be considered a probing one. would be absolutely magnificent. By cut­ ting the right channel when the first strings teristics_ However, the music also has sparkle and Excellent notes by William Mann are humor which the players tend to overlook; are in command, during parts of the intro­ printed on the jacket of the disc. They are and so they convey a heavier feeling than ductory "Largo" and "Allegro," makes the models of annotation: informative, witty, they should. Stereo centers the piano be­ first sounds appear as if at the other end of and thought provoking. M. B. tween the violin (left) and cello (right). the hall. In a live performance, I'm sure, it W.D. would not sound like this. But then, is exact simulation what Audio Fidelity is • BEETHOVEN-Symphony No. 2 in D after? All is clean and bright, though, with Major, Op. 3b; The Ruins of Athens: Inciden­ • BERLIOZ-Overtures: Benvenuto Cel­ tal Music, Op. 113. Royal Philharmonic Or­ lini; Le Corsaire; Beatrice and Benedict: some distortion in the brasses during the chestra. the Beecham Choral Society. Sir Roman Carnival: The Damnation of Faust: "March to the Scaffold" and fuzz in the last Thomas Beecham condo Angel S 35509 $5.98; Rakoczy March. Paris Conservatory Orches­ pages of the final" Allergo." But let's not be Mono 35509 $4.98 tra, Jean Martinon condo London CS biOI too fussy. This is a splendid release-well­ $4.98 Musical Interest: Mainly the Symphony balanced, well conducted, and beautifully Performances: Excellent Musical Interest: Berlioz masterworks played. J. T. Recording: Good Performance: Compelling Stereo Directionality: Natural Recording: Tops Stereo Depth: Good Stereo Directionality: Fine • BIZET-L'Ariesienne Suites Nos. I & 2; Stereo Depth: Good CHABRIER - Espana Rhapsody; Marche Beecham's pre-war 78 rpm album of Bee­ Joyeuse. Covent Garden Royal Opera Or­ thoven's Second Symphony was one of the Jean Martinon, the accomplished French chestra. Jean Morel condo RCA Victor LSC outstanding accomplishments of its era. conductor who is so busy these days reo 2327 $5.98; Mono-LM 2377 $4.98 Here he is again, repeating his success with cording for London and RCA Victor labels, this too-often slighted work, making even leads the Paris Conservatory ensemble in Musical Interest: Pleasant coupling compelling performances of Berlioz over­ Performance: Extraordinarily good more of the robust qualities of the score Recording: RCA's overseas best than he did in the earlier version-or is it tures and the stirring Rakoczy March. He has a very tender way with the lyrical mo· Stereo Directionality: Classically spaced just that the superlative recorded sound Stereo Depth: Good makes it all the more vivid? In any case, ments in Berlioz, and the strings of the this is a marvelous performance which fully Conservatory Orchestra have seldom had a Bizet's incidental music to Daudet's captures the kaleidoscopic nature of the more vel?ety sheen. Tempos are just and drama of "The Maid of ArIes" has always music without over-driving it. Martinon brings to his readings a fine sense been a favorite of record manufacturers To round out the second side Beecham . of continuity. Only the celebrated Ra­ who count the suites a staple. Numerous gives us the "Overture" and five other num­ koczy March lacks in electrical impact. LP's have been made and withdrawn of bers from Beethoven's Incidental Music for but the rest is magnificent. J. T. these scores. Comes the a~e of stereo and the Ruins of Athens, a long-forgotten play RCA Victor's reason for ~ffering still an­ by August von Kotzebue. Four of the five BERLIOZ-Roman Carnival Overture (see other version is laid at the doorstep of numbers use chorus and orchestra. The LlSZT) spatial sound. Well, if that's the reason, Beecham Choral Society, singing in Eng­ let's be happy about it, for Jean Morel and lish, discharges its duties with distinction. • BERLlOZ-Symphonie Fantastique, Op. the Royal Opera House Orchestra of Covent 14. Virtuoso Symphony of London, Alfred But the music itself is pretty "pot boiler­ Garden breathe yet new life into these well­ Wallenstein condo Audio Fidelity FCS 50003 worn scores. ish." However, the well-known "Turkish $b.95 March" emerges newborn in Beecham's re­ Not only are the Suites refreshingly done, markable performance. The recorded sound Musical Interest: Of course! but Chabrier's Espana Rhapsody and Performance: Outstanding is full, vibrant and well-balanced. M. B. Marche ]oyeuse are fetchingly performed Recording: Close to perFect too. A disc that I thought would be boring Stereo Directionality: Too much to review now turns out to be an item that • BEETHOVEN-Symphony No. 7 in A Stereo Depth: Just right will occupy a prominent place in my own Major, Op. 92; Coriolan Overture, Op. b2. The most amazing thing about Audio Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Karl Bohm collection-one to keep, and play to remind condo Deutsche Grammophon DGM 12005 Fidelity's "Fantastique" is the excellence me that "you never can tell." Here it is $4.98; Stereo-DGS 712005 $5.98 of its performance, considering certain im­ then, the "best" of them all; nor is the disc portant facts. For one thing, no matter how handicapped by any technical weakness in Musical Interest: High and mighty good the "virtuoso" members of the orches­ Performance: Three-fourths earthbound the stereo processing either. J. T. tra are, nor how many top-notch orchestras Recording: Dull mono; vibrant and full stereo they were drawn from, a truly fine en­ Stereo Directionality: Good semble must be together a long time to be BIZET-Jeux d'Enfants (see STRAVINSKY) Stereo Depth: OK able to respond as a sensitive unit. Despite this, the Virtuoso Symphony of London, Not until the finale does this {:erformance • BRAHMS-LIEDER; "Mit Vierzig Jahr­ take wing and soar. If Bohm deliberately comprised of outstanding players from top en"; "Steig Auf, geliebter Schatten"; "Mein calculated the first three movements for ranking English orchestras, plays the Ber· Herz ist schwer": "Kein Haus, keine Hei­ understatement, then I think he miscalcu­ lioz like a thoroughly seasoned group. For mat"; "Herbstgefiihl"; "Alte Liebe"; "Abend­ lated, for what emerges is lifeless and un­ this quality of "togetherness" and for this dammerung"; "0 wiisst ich doch den Weg zuruck"; "Auf dem Kirchhofe"; "Verzagen"; interesting. But the finale is another story, superior reading, the conductor must take most of the credit. The rest of the respon­ "Regenlied"; "Nachklang": "Friihlingslied"; which in the stereo edition gives off ex­ "Auf dem See": "Feldeinsamkeit". Dietrich hilarating vitality and excitement. sibility goes to Audio Fidelity for a great job of production and organization. Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) with Jorg Demus Matters unfortunately, revert to the more (piano). Deutsche Grammophon DGS 712007 prosaic in the Coriolan Overture. M.B. Whenever a young independent decides to $5.98; Mono-DGM 12007 $4.98 chaIJenge the giants on repertoire with the calibre of the Berlioz masterpiece, it does Musical Interest: For Lieder specialists • BEETHOVEN-Trio No.7 in B Flat Ma­ so with the full knowledge that the com­ Performance: Masterly jor, Op_ 97 ("Archduke"). David Oistrakh petitive world of record selling is merciless. Recording: Clear and resonant Trio (David Oistrakh. violin; Sviatoslav Knu­ Audio Fidelity thought enough of its skill Stereo Directionality: Realistic Stereo Depth: Immaterial shevitzky, cello; Lev Oborin, piano). Angel to gamble. It turns out to be a successful S 35704 $5.98 one, artistically speaking. Sonically Wal­ In a generous exploration of the Brahms Musical Interest: Greatest trio of them all lenstein et al sail past all competitors, ex­ Lieder repertoire the unsurpassed recitalist Performance: Sincere cept for the London recording by Argenta. of our times combines some of the com­ Recording: Very good Here the battle is close, with a slight edge poser's best known songs (Feldeinsamkeit, Stereo Directionality: Very good to London for overall sound, while Audio Auf dem Kirchhofe) with others heretofore Stereo Depth: Very good Fidelity has the edge for articulation. It neglected and virtually unknown. A con· The players approach this music with seems that the microphones are too far templative, autumnal feeling pervades most high seriousness. As it is great music, this apart. The recording when played back of these songs (one rare and delightful de­ attitude has its merit, and the performance in a large room through a good system parture is the whimsical Kein Haus, keine 62 HIFI REVIEW ONLY ON RCA VICTOR THE FABULOUS ARTISTRY OF • • • •

IN LIVING STEREO AND REGULAR L. P. Beethoven-Concerto No. I, in C, Op. Concerto No.4, in G, Op. 58. Symphony tor. (5 L.P. package also available as ches tra, Fritz Reiner, Conductor. LM/ IS. Symphony Of The Air, Josef Krips, Of The Air, J osef Krips, Conductor. single L.P .'s). LM/LSC.6702 LSC·2068 Conductor. LM/LSC·2120 LM/ LSC.2123 Saint-Saens-Concerto No.2, in G Franck-Symphonic Variations. Con. Concerto No.2, in B-Flat, Op. 19. Sym­ Minor, Op. 22. Symphonic Variations Concerto No.5, in E·Flat, Op. 73 certo No.2, in G Minor, Op. 22 (Saint. phony Of The Air, Josef Krips, Conduc­ (Franck). Symphony Of The Air, Alfred (HEmperor"). Symphony Of The Air, Saens). Symphony Of The Air, Alfred tor. LM/LSC·2121 Wallenstein , Conductor. LM/LSC.2234 Josef Krips, Conductor. LM / LSC.2124 'Vallcnste in, Conductor. LM/LSC·2234 Concerto No.3, in C Minor. Op. 37 Schumann-Concerto in A Minor, OPt Symphony Of The Air, Josef Krips, Can· The Five Beethoven Concertos. Sym. Rachmaninoff- Concerto No.2, in C 54. RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra', ductor. LM/LSC·2122 phony Of The Air, J osef Krips, Con.duc. Minor, Op. 18. Chicago Symphony Or· Josef Krips, Conductor. LM/ LSC·2256 IN MONAURAL ONLY Beethoven-Sonata No. 21, in C, Op. in A·Flat, Op. 61. Andante Spainato Dance, Op. 47, No.6; Berceuse, Op. Vic tor Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Walt H 53 ("Waldstcin ). Sonata No. 18, in E · and Grande Polonaise in E·Flat, Op. 22. 3a, No.1; Folk Song, Op. 38, No.2; lenstein, Conductor. LM·2068 Flat, Op. 31, No.3. LM·2311 LM·6109 Papillon, Op . 43, No.1 i Spring Dance, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, OPt Sonata No. 23, in F Minor, Op. 57 ( " Ap. Nocturn es (complete). LM·6005 Op. 38, No.5; S hepherd Boy, Op. 54, 43. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz passionata"). Sonata No.8, in C Minor, Polonaises. Nos. 1 through 6. LM·1205 No. 1; Little Bird, 0". 43, No.4; Folk Reiner, Conductor. Concerto in A Mi. Op. 13 ( " Pathctique"). LM ·1908 Song, Op. 12, No.5; Elfin Dance, Op. nor, Op. 16 (Grieg). RCA Victor Sym. Falla-Nights In The Gardens Of Spain. 12, No.4; Album Leaf, Op. 28, No.4; Brahms-Concerto No. I , in D l\'linor, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, En· phony Orchestra, Alfred Wallenstein, Op. 15. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, March of the Dwarfs, Op. 54, No.3. Conductor. LM·2087 rique lorda, Conductor. Miller's Dance LM·1872 Fritz Reiner, Conduc tor. LM·1831 from "The Three·Cornered Hat." I\:Iusic Miscellaneous-Encores by Artur Ru. Rubinstein Plays Brahms. Intermezzi: of Granados, Albeniz and Mompou .. LM· Liszt-Concerto No.1, in £.Flat. RCA Victor Symphony Orches tra, Alfred Wal· binste in: Liebestraum, No. 3 (Listt); Op. 117, Nos. 2 and 3 ; Op. 118, Nos. 2 2181 Spinning Song, Op. 67, No. 4 (Mendels. and 6; Op. 119, Nos. 2 and 3. Rhapso. Grieg-Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16. lenstein, Conductor. Concerto No.2, in C Minor, Op. 18 (Rachmaninoff). Chi. sohn) ; Nocturne in E·Fla.t. Op. 9, No.2 dies: Op. 79, Nos. 1 a nd 2; Op. 119, No . RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra, Alfred (Chopin) ; Valse Oubliee, No.1 (Liszt); 4. Capriccio, Op. 76, No.2. LM·1787 Wallenstein, Conductor. Rhapsody on a cago Symphony Orchestra. Fritz Reiner, Conductor. LM ·2068 Impromptu in A·Flat, Op. 90, No. 4 Chopin-Concerto No.1, in E MinOT, Theme of Poganini, Op. 43 (Rachmani. (Schubert); La plu8 que lente-Valsc Op. 11. Los Angeles Philharmonic Or. noff). Chicago Symphony Or<; hestra, Rachmaninoff-Concerto No.2. in C (Debussy); Prelude in C·Sharp Minor, chestra·, Alfred Wallenstein, Conductor. Fritz Reiner, Conductor. LM ·2087 Minor, Ol}. 18. Chicago Symphony Or· 01" 3, No.2 (Rachmaninoff) i Fantaisie. LM·1810 Rubinstein Plays Grieg-Ballade, Op. chestta', Fritz Reiner, Conductor. Can­ Impromptu in C·Sharp Minori Op. 66 Mazu rkas (complete). Polonaise No.7. 24; Cradle Song, Op. 68, No . 5; Sp~ing ecrto No. I, in E·Flat (Liszt). RCA (Posth.) (Chopin). LM·1153 THE WORLD'S GREATEST ARTISTS ARE ON RCA VICTOR RECORDS u RCA~ liCTOR@ e T.-:' •• VR!oCORPORATIONOFA.ERICA ~ SEPTEMBER 1959 63 most intense personalities, he leads the H eimat-twenty seconds long in all). Stereo Directionality: Unobirusive Stereo Depth: Good Royal Philharmonic in spirited, if not great Fischer.Dieskau is in his customary form­ performances. In contrast to most of the poetic, eloquent and superbly polished. The Pennario plays these kaleidoscopic pieces shortened "El Sombrero" arrangements, with virtuosi musicianship. He is lyrical engineers present him with the excellent Rodzinski includes some of the opening bars Demus in a neatly balanced collaboration, and dramatic wherever the scores call for of the score. Argenta on London (SC 6050) though some muddiness in the piano tone these qualities, displaying ardor and im­ has recorded a more supple performance, becomes evident in Verzagen. petuosity in good supply. His technique but not as vigorous as Rodzinski's. Stereo reveals the piano, realistically, never falters, although there are a few The "Ritual Fire Dance," the familiar slightly to the left of the soloist. It also times when his right hand overshadows the "Andaluza" from Granados'Danza-Espanola offers a somewhat fuller sound, though the left. The stereo recording of the piano does (often heard as a guitar solo), the rarely alternate edition is also very good. Sur· seem like a case of painting the lily, but faces, however, are a bit noisy in both. It there is no gainsaying the actual effective· played Navarra transcribed by ArhOs from also offers full texts and excellent transla· ness of the sound captured here. W. D. Albeniz's last piano piece, and the festive tions. G. J. "Corpus en Sevilla" from Alheniz's Iberia • DEBUSSY-Preludes, Book I. William all emerge under the master's baton in • BRAHMS-Quintet for Piano and Strings Harms (piano). Boston BST 1010 $5.95; straightforward, crisp fashion. For a conduc­ in F minor, Op. 34. Janacek Quartet and Eva Mono-B 305 $4.98 tor of such great stature as the late Rodzin· Bernathovli (piano). Deutsche Grammophon Musical Interest: Basic impressionism ski, these may be trifles, but they are not DGS 712002 $5.98; Mono-DGG 12002 Performance: Fair triflingly done. The engineering is much $4.98 Recording: Very good better than previous EMI Capitol stereo re­ Musical Interest: Much Stereo Directionality: Reasonable cordings-with good bass throughout. J.T. Performance: Competent Stereo Depth: Good Recordi ng: Competent Perhaps if Gieseking, Casadesus and • FALLA-The Three Cornered Hat Bal­ Stereo Directionality: Good Novaes had not recorded these twelve Prel. let Suite; RAVEL-Bolero; Alborada del Stereo Depth: Good udes, this disc would be more impressive. gracioso; WEBER·BERLlOZ-lnvitation to This is a well·balanced performance of William Harms plays with sincerity and the Dance. Paris Conservatory ·Orchestra, an introspective masterpiece. Miss Berna· faithfulness to the printed score; but only Albert Wolff condo London CS 6077 $4.98 thova has a good command of the piano too often, these admirable traits have Musical Interest: Mixture of favorites and she furnishes a solid foundation for proved inadequate in the interpretation of Performance: Some superior the strings. The interpretation is reason· Debussy. What is needed is style. This, Recording: Very good able rather than inspired. There is com· the other three performers have in abun­ Stereo Directionality: Well-defined mendable, rhythmic flexibility and textural dance, differing one from the other as per· Stereo Depth: Good clarity. Climaxes are built logically, and sonality dictates, but supplying the magic Albert Wolff conducts this group of lyrical passages flow easily, but with that is of inestimable value in the presen· popular orchestral favorites evenly most of enough tension to avoid superficiality. Yet tation of these fugitive wizardries. By com­ the way, topped by an exceptionally fine there is not enough insight to extract the parison, the Harms disc suffers interpre­ "Alborada." The Bolero starts off with the ultimate poetry in the score. The recording tively, but it does have fine sound in both opening measures 50 soft as to be hardly slights none of the players, and stereo its incarnations. W. D. audible in the stereo version, and the beat provides them with a broader stage. W. D. is subtly flexible to allow expressive phras· • DVORAK-Symphony No. 4 in G Ma­ ing of solos. The Weber waltz and Falla's • BRAHMS-Violin Concerto in 0 Major, jor, Op. 88. Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Three Cornered Hat Suite are well played, Op. 77. Yehudi Menuhin with the Berlin Jonel Perlea condo Vox STPL 511,050 $5.95 just a shade above the routine level. The Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Kempe condo Musical Interest: One of the most under- sound is excellent. J. T. Capitol SG 7173 $5.98 rated symphonies Musical Interest: A violinistic titan Performance: Good • FRANCK-Symphony in D minor. Utah Performance: Wonderful Recording: OK Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel Stereo Directionality: Good Recording: Good condo Westminster WST 14062 $5.98 Stereo Directionality: Unobtrusive Stereo Depth: Fine Stereo Depth: Good This score has fared very well on discs Musical Interest: Still going strong Performance: Smooth I missed this performance when it was recently, beginning with Mercury's mono­ Recording: Excellent released monophonically some time ago. Its phonic release by Sir John Barbirolli and Stereo Directionality: Evenly divided stereo re·issue therefore, found me totally the Halle Orchestra last year. Shortly after Stereo Depth: Good unprepared for its many glories. Here, un· that came superb performances by Szell Westminster makes this No. 2 in the questionably, is the finest playing Yehudi (for Epic) and Silvestri (for Angel). The stereo Franck D minor Symphony sweep· Menuhin has done for the phonograph since present Vox issue is a good one, too; and stakes, and gives us an issue notable for his youthful, prodigy days. Present is se· in his own right PerIea gives a satisfying its smooth, even pacing. Abravanel and curity and drive mated to a sensitive, rna· reading. He does not challenge the over­ the Utah orchestra give a really sure ac­ ture concept of the score which together whelming Szell or Silvestri readings, how· count of this familiar old masterpiece. place this version among the select record· ever, nor is the recorded sound as warm Abravanel's intelligent and sane treatment # ings of this masterpiece. And Kempe, as I'd like it. M. B. (whose earlier recording of the Brahms is a relief from some other exaggerated Fourth Symphony with the same orchestra • FALLA-The Three Cornered Hat Suite; readings. He lets his orchestra produce a lovely sound, and he lets the score play I praised in these pages some months ago) EI Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance. GRA· again displays a reading of warmly lyrical NADOS - Andaluza. ALBENIZ - Navarra; itself. Westminster's sound is accurately s Iberia: EI Corpus en Sevilla. Royal Phil­ balanced throughout. J. T. ease. harmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski condo The stereo aspects of the record are satis· Capitol SG 7176 $5.98 fyingly unobtrusive, with a secure sense of • GILBERT & SULLIVAN OVERTURES depth. All in all, this is a treasurable edi· Musical Interest: Mixture of familiars and -The Mikado; The Yeomen of the Guard; rarities Ruddigore; Iolanthe; H. M. S. Pinafore; The tion of an enduring masterpiece. M. B. Performance: Energetic Pirates of Penzance. Symphony Orchestra, Recording: Good Alan Ward condo RCA Victor LSC 2302 CHABRIER-Espana; Marche joyeuse (see Stereo Directionality: Divided evenly $5.98 BIZET) Stereo Depth: Warm and full Musical Interest: G & S marvels • CHOPIN-Scherzi: B minor, Op. 20; The late Artur Rodzinski was the kind Performance: Spirited B Flat minor, Op. 31; C Sharp minor, Op. of conductor who improved with age, and Recording: Excellent in every way 39; E Major, Op. 54. Leonard Penna rio just before his unexpected and tragic death Stereo Directionality: Classic seating (piano). Capitol SP 8486 $5.98 he had directed a tremendous performance Stereo Depth: Fine balance Musical Interest: Much in Chicago of Tristun und Isolde. In this Alan Ward and the musicians deliver Performance: Very good recording, which consists of music that cer­ six of these G & S bon·bons with briskness, Recording: Very good tainly held no problems for one of music's aided by solid string sections, but handi- 64 BIFI REVIEW •

.J First from Everest-the electrifying fidelity of 35 mm magnetic film re­ cording. Here begins a new era in recorded sound. Designed and developed by Everest, built by Westrex, the new film technique gives more than three times the recording space of a stand­ ard 1,4" tape . .. allows full, three­ channel stereo recording without crowding, without sacrificing · the channel width so essential to total fidelity. Vaughan Williams: Job - A Mas que Strauss: Till Eulenspiege l, Don Juan, Mahler: Symphony NO.5 in C-Sharp Base material for Everest's rev­ for Dancing. A modern ma sterpi ece; Salome " Danc e of the Seven Veils." Minor. A majes tic symphony. Ru ­ olutionary new film is five times brillia ntly performed. Sir Adrian Virtuoso re adings . Leo pold Stokow­ dolph Schwarz conducting the reo Boult, the London Symphony Orch. ski, the Stadium Sy m. Orch . of N. Y. nowned London Symphony Orch. ** thicker than that of conventional LPBR·6019 SDBR-3019t LPBR-6023 SDBR·3023t LPBR-6014·2 SDBR·3014·2t tape-thus eliminating distortion Johann Strauss : HA Nig ht in Venice ." Eddie Foy, Jr. in "Minstrel Da ys." Gershwin in Brass. A spectacul ar as .. from "print-through." Sprocket­ Orig inal cast recordin g of Mike Th e good old days in song and story se mblage of the finest brass men in driven, magnetic film's superior ten­ Todd 's colorful Jon es Beach produc­ -a complete minstrel show. With th e country. " Amer ica n in Pari s," sile strength means the end of tape tion. Thoma s Martin, conductor. Davi d Burn s and Haro ld Adamso n. " Rhapsody in Blue " and others. LPBR·6028 SDBR·3028t LPBR-5039 SDBR·l039t LPBR·5047 SDBR-l047t stretch, the cause of "wow" and "flutter" distortion. Result of the whole-a new quality of sound that will delight you. In these a nd other albums, Everest is proud to present the world's finest music . .. performed by the most gifted musicians and conductors. Everest Records-in a growing library of popular, jazz, light-classical and classical music­ are replete with the musical and technical imagination that creates an unforgettable listening experience. EVEREST RECORDS Product of 8elock Recording Co., Division of Belock I nstrument Corp. t Stereo recordinl! * T.M. "Two-disc set SEPTEMBER 1959 65 'capped by wind players wbo err too often. Despite the modern makeup of the Am­ Mr. Ward must be a Savoyard himself for sterdam ensemble, its late leader achieved a th ere is obvious sympathy for these musical Baroque feel in this performance. The mu­ spark1ets. Isadore Godfrey on London (LL. sic glows with health and spirit, and the 398) reads the scores with more grace, but stereo recording gives it a spaciousness that then he of all musicians should direct G & S sounds as if out-of-doors. W. D. with authority since he is the regular con· ductor with the D'Oyly Carte. But RCA • HAYDN-Flute Concerto in D Major; Oboe Concerto in C Major. Kurt Redel Victor has the advantage of much better (flute), Kurt Kalmus (oboe) with the Munich sound, and to my knowledge London has C hamber Orchestra, Hans Stadlmair condo not yel issued a stereo disc of G & S over· Deutsche Grammophon DGS 71200 I $5.98; tures. Also add to the merits of this play­ Mono-DGM 1200 I $4.98 ing a fin e technical stereo job; this fares as Mu sical Interest: For the curious one of RCA Victor's best to date. J.T. Performance: OK Recording: OK • HANDEL-Judas Maeeabaeus: My Stereo Directionality: See below arms! Sound an alarm; Thanks to my breth­ Stereo Depth: OK ren; How vain is man; Jashua: So long the The renowned Haydn scholar H. C. Rob­ memory shall last; While Kendron's brook; bins Landon, has all but proven conclusive­ Jeptha: Deeper, and deeper still; Waft her, ly that neither of these scores is by Haydn. angels; For ever blessed; Ads and Gala­ (How many of you, incidentally, know that thea: Would you gain the tender creature; Landon is an American, still in his mid­ Alexander's Feast: War, he sung, is toil and trouble; Samson: Total eclipse!; Se­ thirties, although he has made his home in mele: Where'er you walk. Ri chard Lewis Europe for about a decade?) Truth to tell, (tenor), with the London Symphony Orches­ these concerti are both fairly undistin­ tra. Sir Malcolm Sa rgent, condo Capitol SG guished products of typical mid.eighteenth 7170 $5.98 century Mannheim style. The Flute Con­ certo was available on an early Urania re­ Mu sical Interest: Definite lease, and the Oboe Concerto appeared re­ Performance: Impressive cently on Mercury played by Evelyn Recording : Good, with some flaws Rothwell (Lady Barbirolli) with tlle Halle Stereo Directionality: None Orchestra under Sir John Barbirolli's direc­ Stereo Depth: Good . tion. Richard Lewis, one of England's best The performances on this Deutsche tenors, has been heard to good advantage Grammophon disc are neat and orderl y, on discs before, but this may be his most but very, very prim. Since Redel has been impressive effort to date. In these taxing making a name for himself as a conductor arias he displays secure . musicality, clear of Baroque repertoire, there is novelty in diction, and a fin ely ringing voice equally his appearance here as flute soloist. Despite effective in the rousing "War, be sung, is very pl"Ominent breath intake, perhaps toil and trouble" and in the exqUlslte, caused by too close a microphone, his play­ gentle music of the J eptha arias. Evidently ing is tasteful and secure, yet without any he has the style and technique of a true real character. And much the same is true Handelian singer and, to quote George of Mr. Kalmus, the oboe soloist. Gobel, "you can't hardly get them no Concerning placement of the soloists, more . . ." When his legato is polished to Redel is firmly placed to the left of center an even fin er degree-eliminating the oc­ throughout the Flute Concerto. In the Oboe casional "shakes" in the flor id passages, Concerto the left-side placement of the and when an even steadier tone in the soloist seems to have been just a bit over­ cantabile is achieved, he may give us in­ done. There is preciously little solo oboe terpretations in this Handelian year, and coming from the right channel. M. B. hereafter, performances that will be long remembered. If this be qualified praise, HAYDN-Sinfonia Concertante (see this is what comes from listening to John MOZART) McCormack discs all these years. • HINDEMITH-Concert Music for The sound, spacious and resonant, has no Strings and Brass, Op. 50; Symphony in B noticeable directionality. There are several Flat for Concert Band (1951) . The Phil­ noisy spots indicative of faulty processing, harmonia Orchestra, Pa ul Hindemith condo and the surfaces are not very silent. Still, a Angel S 35489 $5.98 I successful disc owing to a substantial de­ Musical In terest: Strong, modern gree, to Sargent's firm and vigorous back­ Performa nee: Authoritative ing. G. T. Recording: Excellent Stereo Directiona lity: Fair Stereo Depth : Good • HANDEL-Water Music (Complete). Although Hindemith is often considered Am sterdam C on certgebouw Orchestra. Eduard van Beinum condo Epic BC 1016 ruggedly abstract, if not academic in his $5.98 music, it is worth noting that he conducts it with more lyricism than many others. Mu sical Interest: High Compare this rendition of the Symphony Performance : Hearty with Fennell's on Mercury (MG 50143) . Record ing: Excellent The composer'·s version is far warmer and Stereo Directionality : Excellent more accessible. Hindemith is a fine con­ Stereo Depth: Excellent ductor, so both performances are entirely It would take a large barge to float the authoritative, and the recording allows orchestra involved in this recording. There them full opportunity to be heard in good obviously are more players here than were perspective. W. D. available to Handel when he made this HINDEMITH-Mathis de Maler (see BAR­ legendary peace offering to his monarch. TOK) 66 HIFI REVIEW •

•

SEPTEMBER 1959 • KODALY - Quartet No.2; VILLA· the Philharmonia, Les Preludes sounds as lent; their sentiment offers little conflict. LOBOS-Quartet No.6. Hollywood. String monotonous as ever_ Denis Matthews and Hans Swarowsky Quartet. Capitol Stereo SP 8472 $5.98 But that "Pines" music! The control seem completely as one in this conception. Musical Interest: Colorful moderns Karajan has over the - ensemble in the Their readings are silky, smooth, and re­ Performance: Superb _ long and overpowering finale, which builds fined. The piano tone and the orchestral Recording: Excellent from a whisper to a wild and wooly finish, tOIle vie with each other in polish, and the Stereo Directionality: Reasonable is a hair-raising experience. The reading resonant recording caresses the ear. In the Stereo Depth: Good rivals the best in the catalog, including sonatas, Matthews maintains his claSSIC This is the second time the Hollywood Toscanini's pre-stereo RCA Victor disc. poise. His rendition of the A mmor seems group has recorded the Villa-Lobos for And the stereo sound is a vast improvement less adventurous than the version he did Capitol. The earlier rendition was not over Angel's previous work. J. T. some years ago on an English Columbia played with the easy virtuosity and impec­ record that never was released here. There cable ensemble of this version and, of • MENDELSSOHN-A Midsummer is much beautiful playing in these two course, the recording, as such, lacked the Night's Dream: Overture, Scherzo, Nocturne, discs, with some of the beauty achieved at rich sonic quality of this one. There is a Wedding March; SCHUBERT-Rosamunde: the expense of emotional involvement. beautiful transparency in the sound that Overture, Entr'acte No.2, Ballet Music No. w.n. JI the engineers have engraved, with the stereo 2. Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, spatiality contributing much to the happy GeorgeSzell condo EpicBC 1023 $5,98 • MOZART-Sinfonia Concertante in E effect. Both the Hungarian and Brazilian M usica I Interest: Considerable Flat (K. 297b); HAYDN-Sinfonia Concer· compositions are immediately attractive, Performance: Highly efficient tante in B Flat, Op. 84. John de Lancie with modernisms that are more coloristic Recording: Excellent 10'Ooe), Anthony Gigliotti (clarinet), Ber­ than sheerly technical. The performances Stereo Directionality: Very good nard Garfield (bassoon), Mason Jones are sensitive, assured and fresh. W. n. Stereo Depth: Very good (hbfiJ), _Jacob Krachmalnick (violin), Lorne Szell is hardly the conductor to weave Munroe (cello), with the Philadelphia Or­ magic spells with fanciful music. However, chestra., Eugene Ormandy condo Columbia • KORNGOLD-Suite from "Much Ado MS 6()6t $5.98 About Nothing," Op_ II. AUSTRIAN he is a musician of rare competence, and CLASSICAL MARCHES-Beethoven, Schu· these familiar numbers are played with Musical Interest: Captivating bert, Krenek, Berg, J. Strauss. Boston Cham­ exciting precIsion and vitality. This stereo Porformance: Surprisingly good ber Artists and Boston Concert Band, Eric version has a decided edge in realism over Rllcording: Good Simon, condo Boston 1012 $5.98; Mono-B the previously issued monophonic disc; the Stereo Directionality: OK 411 $4.98 transparency of texture that the conductor Stereo Depth: Excellent Musical Interest: Delightful rarities achieves is conveyed without the slightest Despite the fact that the Philadelphia Or· Performance: Fine blur. w.n. chestra has what amounts to a Mozart-less Recording: Good tradition, this marvelous Sin/onia Concer­ Stereo Directionality: Just right ~'te has found favor with both the present Stereo Depth: A little shallow • MENDELSSOHN-Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 ("Italian"); TCHAIKOV. custodian of the Orchestra's destinies and Korngold's sparkling sketches for Shakes. SKY-Capriccio Italien, Op. 45. Orchestra his predecessor. If memory serves correctly, peare's comedy are given fine treatment by of the Vienna Music Society, Eduard van the Stokowski-Philadelphia Orchestra re­ The Boston Chamber Artists. This group Remoortel condo Vox STPL 511,210 $2.98 cording of this work, released by Victor in happens to be among the outstanding mu­ Musical Interest: Yes the summer of 1941 (and once available as sicians here or abroad as most of them hold Performances: Good an LP re-issue on Camden CAL 213), is the first chair positions with the Boston Sym­ Recording: A little too brilliant only sample of Mozart that Stokowski has phony Orchestra. Their musicianship is Stereo Directionality: Good ever recorded. impeccable. Thus, Korngold's attractive, Stereo Depth: OK The reason for the favor which the Sin­ and almost unknown score, sounds delight­ These are well-drilled performances, re­ Ionia Concertante has found in the City of fully fresh. It was originally written for leased for a limited time at the bargain Brotherly Love is not too hard to deter­ 19 musicians ( the size of the ensemble price of $2.98. Both scores are available mine. The four solo woodwind parts call which recorded it for Boston Records). elsewhere in more penetrating perform­ for virtuosity of the very highest order. Most of the Austrian Marches are reo ances. (RCA Victor's stereo of the "Ital­ Ever since one can remember, Philadelphia's corded for the first time: two by Beethoven; ian" by Munch, and Columbia's of the woodwind soloists have been masters of one by Schubert, that has a bucolic dance­ Capriccio Italien by Mitropoulos are exam­ their craft, and the quartet in the present like second section; three by Krenek; ples.) However, Remoortel presents them recording is no exception. (Mason Jones Berg's March from W ozzeck, and Strauss's both· in a forthright, honest manner. The is the lone hold-over from the 1941 quar­ Radetsky March. The sound of the marches sound is a little shrill for my taste, but tet.) What is rather unexpected is Orman­ is not quite up to that accorded the Korn­ otherwise it is well-balanced and has good dy's nice, easy treatment of the music, gold; but the playing is good, and the depth. M. B. which allows it to expand and breathe prop­ works rare-an item for the collector who erly. This is no souped-up, hard-driven likes the unusual on his shelf. J. T. reading, and for that, one is very thankful. • MOZART-Pian.o Concerto in C minor K. 491); Piano Sonata in B Flat (K. 333). Ormandy is similarly successful with the • LlSZT-Les Preludes; RESPIGHI-The 333). Denis Matthews (piano) with Vienna Haydn Sinlonia Concertante, which is an­ Pines of Rome; BERLIOZ-Roman Carnival State Opera Orchestra. Hans Swarowsky other of the gems that came into being Overture. Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert condo Vanguard VSD 2025 $5.98; Mono­ during the composer's sojourns in Eng­ von Karajan condo Angel S 35613 $5.98; VRS 1037 $4.98 land. Here, too, we have solo performances Mono-35613 $4.98 of the highest caliber mated to perceptive Musical Interest: Program chestnuts • MOZART-Piano Concerto inD minor and musical insight. It is a most reward- Performance: Spotty (K.466); Piano Sonata in A minor (K. 310). -ingdisc; M. B. Recording: Very good Same performers. Vanguard VS'D ' 2028$5~98; Stereo Directionality Expertly divided Mono-VRS 1040 $4.98 Stereo Depth: Just right • PROKOFIEV-Symphonic Suite of M usica I Interest: High Waltzes, Op, t 10; The Stone Flower Ballet, Admittedly, all of the music included Performance: Polished Op. 127; Gypsy Fantasy. Kansas City Phil­ hlue is essentially descriptive. But then, we Recording: Very good harmonic Orchestra, Hans Schwieger condo have good and bad theater, and, good and Stereo Directionality: Excellent Urania USf030:-$5:9S=' -- bad descriptive music. Karajan comes up Stereo Depth: Excellent Musical Interest: High with a stupendous reading of The Pines 01 The concertos are two of the most dra­ Performance: Outstandin, Rome, and a thrilling account of the Ro­ matic in the Mozart catalog. There are two Recording: Urania's best- man Carnival Overture, but sadly he ren­ ways to perform them: as forerunners of Stereo Directionality: Razor sharp ders a routine treatment of the old, tired Romanticism, or as examples of Classicism. Stereo Depth: Close-in but not shallow Les Preludes. Despite all of Karajan's The performances here incline to the latter Urania brings us -here, by far the best of I well-known abilities, and the expertness of view. They are more elegant than turbu- its stereo catalog to be heard by this re- 68 IIIFI REvmw I THE BALLAD THE SONNET

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kardon Westbury. N. Y. J MK·Z! This is not great Schubert, but it is good viewer. Musically, the repertoire is inter­ Stereo Directionality: Elusive Stereo Depth: Satisfactory Schubert. The performance is straightfor­ estingly conducted by Hans Schwieger, t~e ward, well sung and well played. Unfor­ Kansas City Philharmonic's regular mUSIC This Turandot has been with us-mono· tunately, the recording is substantially be· director. The Suite consists of selections phonically-since 1956. For a while it dom­ low Urania's usual standard. Balances are from various Prokofiev scores arranged by inated the scene, then became a strong sec­ awry and the recorded sound lacks clarity. the composer, and is cast in six movements. ond to Angel's more recent and even more If these faults are not in the original tapes, The Fantasy is an arrangement of a late successful presentation of Puccini's final the disc should be re-mastered. I fear, score (1950), from which several symphonic opera. The artistic values are thus well however, that they are and that good inten­ suites have been culled. established-Tebaldi's Liii is the cast's tions have gone down the drain because of The Kansas City Orchestra strings, in strongest asset, del Monaco and Borkh con­ inept engineering. W. D. particular, acquit themselves beautifully. tribute characteristic performances, unob­ Schwieger has been in this country for a jectionable but definitely not unsurpassable. • SCHUBERT-Rosamunde, Incidental score of years, eight of them in Kansas City. Nor is Erede's leadership the last word on Music (see MENDELSSOHN) Organizer of two orchestras-the Southern the subject. All things considered, however, Symphony and Fort Wayne Philharmonic, this is a good performance-I, for one, • SCHUBERT-Symphony No.9 in C Ma­ Schwieger is revealed on this Urania disc would gladly settle for its counterpart at as a musician of excellent taste and out­ jor ("The Great"). Vienna State Opera Or­ the Met. chestra, Rene Leibowitz condo Westminster standing ability. His beat is firm; he main· 1956 will probably not go down in his­ WST 14051 $5.98; Mono-XWN 18806 $4.98 tains a tightly disciplined control over the tory as a vintage year for stereo. This is ensemble; and he conducts with imagina. evidently an early and exploratory effort Musical Interest: Tops tion. Urania has turned out a superior re­ Performance: Enigmatic and comparison with the well engineered Recording: Clear cording. Accordingly, the improvement, "mono" edition failed to establish a distinct 50nically and musically, over many of its Stereo Directionality: Good enough superiority to justify the price Stereo Depth: Good foreign recordinf,!;s, is vast. J. T. difference. G. J. The tempi Leibowitz set, fit the music like a glove. The melodies purl along win­ • PROKOFIEV-Symphony No.7, Op. RAVEL-Mother Goose (see STRAVINSKY) ningly and the felicities of the score are 131; Russian Overture, Op. 72. The Paris pointed up knowingly. The over-all im­ Conservatory Orchestra, Jean Martinon condo pression, however, is one of lightness, and RC6, Victor LSC 2288 $5.95; Mono-LM RESPIGHI - The Pines of Rome (see this Symphony does have weight. More 2288 $4.98 L1SZT) strings might have helped, especially as the Musical Interest: High transparent recording does not strengthen Performa nee: Great SAINT·SAENS-Cello Concerto (see their tone. W. D. Recording: Tops SCHUMANN) Stereo Directionality: Exact Stereo Depth: Full • SCHUMANN-Cello Concerto in A mi­ • SAINT·SAENS - Samson and Delilah nor, Op. 129; SAINT·SAI!NS-Cello Con­ Prokofiev's last major work is given its (abridged). Rise Stevens (mezzo-soprano)­ certo in A minor, Op. 33. Janos Starker, first stereo release on RCA Victor and it Delilah; Mario Del Monaco {tenor}-Samson; with the Phil harmonia Orchestra, Carlo represents the first competition to Orman­ Clifford Harvuot {baritone)-The High Maria Giulini condo Angel S 35598 $5.98 dy's older monophonic version on Columbia Priest; Ezio Flagello {bass )-Abimelech; Musical Interest: Choice cello repertoire (ML 4683). The new edition wins all-the­ Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Performante: Expert Fausto Cleva condo RCA Victor LSC 2309 Recording: Fine way-around. It is one of RCA's best sound­ $5.98; Mono-LM 2309 $4.98 ing stereos, and Martinon's reading is Stereo Directionality: Good much more sensitive. His tempi are prefer­ Musical Interest: Rousing stuff Stereo Depth: Good able too, showing the difference between an Performance: Square As in the earlier monophonic issue, imaginative approach to the work, and a Recording: Good Starker's fine sense of style is readily ap­ routine performance by a greater orchestra. Stereo Directionality: Reasonable parent. His phrasing is elegant, his tone Stereo Depth: Good Martinon makes the Paris Conserva_ory Or­ full, and his intonation impeccable. Of the chestra sound the disciplined way it should, Del Monaco and the chorus are the stars two concerti, it is the Saint-Sa ens that is and gets the same warm response from the of this production_ They sing with vitality the more breathtaking performance--even Parisians as did the late Ataulfo Argenta. and power, and as they perform during Starker can't endow some of the longeurs Prokofiev follows somewhat Shostako­ most of the time allotted to these excerpts, of the Schumann with more genuine inter­ vich's lighter symphonic manner, eschewing this disc emphasizes the oratorio nature of pretation. The stereo sound is well-spread the large scale of his own Fifth and Sixth Saint-Saens' curiously constructed opera­ and solid. M. B. Symphonies_ The Seventh is nevertheless oratorio. Stevens sings two big arias, a score of charm and interest. The first and "Amour! viens aider rna faiblesse!" and • SHOSTAKOVICH-Symphony No_ I, last movements are splendid examples of "Mon coeur s'ouvre it ta voix" with dra­ Op. 10; The Age of Gold Ballet Suite, Op. Prokofiev's satiric way with the orchestra. matic fervor that somewhat lacks true sen­ 22. London Symphony Orchestra, Jean Mar­ The Russian Overture was written when suousness. Cleva conducts with little vir­ tinon condo RCA Victor LSC 2322 $5.98; the composer returned from Paris to his tuosity, not like that infused performance Mono-LM 2232 $4.98 native land in 1935; and it abounds in by Stokowski done a few years ago for RCA Musical Interest: Shostakovich, the prod- folklike tunes and dances, brilliantly and Victor (LM-1848). That was recorded be­ igy powerfully scored. The music will delight fore the days of stereo and RCA Victor's Performance: Excellent the hi-fi owner who longs for something association with the Metropolitan Opera. Stereo Directionality: Classic set-up new and exciting. J. T. The recording in the new disc has more Stereo Depth: Fine clarity, and in stereo has much more realis­ Two early works of Shostakovich are of­ tic spaciousness. W. D. fered under the tasteful direction of Jean • PUCCINI-Turandot (complete opera). Martinon, whose musicianship is quite Inge Borkh (soprano)-Turnadot; Renata something! The Symphony performance Tebaldi (soprano)-Liu; Mario del Monaco • SCHUBERT-Mass No.5 in A Flat Ma­ (tenor)-The Unknown Prince; Nicola Zac­ jor (D. 678). Anne Bollinger (soprano); Ur­ does not have the great muscularity of the caria (bass)-Timur; Fernando Corena sula Zollenkopf (alto); Helmut Kretschmar recent United Artists edition, which had (bass)-Ping; Mario Carlin (tenor)-Pang; (tenor); James Pease (bass); North German Stokowski recording his best effort in years Renato Ercolani (tenor)-Pong & others. The Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Carl with the Symphony of the Air. Martinon's Chorus and Orchestra of L'Accademia di' Bamberger condo Urania USD 1028 $5.95. way is deft where Stokowski is more dra­ Santa Cecilia, Rome, Alberto Erede condo matic. But both readings have great appeal. London OSA 13083-12" $17.94 Musical Interest: Relatively rare Schubert Martinon's treatment of The Age 0/ Gold is Performance: Good Musical Interest: High Recording: Poor quite revealing. Performance: First rate Stereo Directionality: Fair The biting orchestral satire, which pokes Reco'rding: Good Stereo Depth; Fair grotesque and acid fun at us miserable cap­ 70 HIFI REVIEW Get this stereo tape bonus ...

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But it's all yours, absolutely free, from your Four Mercury Stereo Records, worth near·ly Bell dealer when you buy a Bell 4-track Stereo $24.00, as a bonus when you buy a model 3030 Tape Transport. Rated best for stereo recording, Bell Stereo Amplifier-now priced at only $149.95* Bell gives you the best in performance and features 'slightly higher west of the Roclcies A.. 1..131=1_1_ Sound Division . Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc .. Columbus 7, Ohio J V In Canada: THOMPSON PRODUCTS, Ltd., Toronto SEPTEMBER 1959 71 italists, is presented in a dry style that is tellingly. The Intermezzo waltzes are played score such as in the "Snowflake Dance" or just right. Recently, Capitol recorded the with schmalz. W. D. "Arabian Dance." He hrings a keen sense same music with Kurtz and the Philhar­ of characterization to the various dances or monia. There is simply no comparison. The • RICHARD STRAUSS- Till Eulenspie­ potables. Where a light touch is required, Kurtz attempt made the music sound dull gel's Merry Pranks, Op. 28; Death and he is just what the doctor ordered. What Transfiguration, Op. 24. Vienna Philharmonic and old-hat, but Martinon, with his Gallic I miss, though, is the exuherance and "gee­ Orchestra, Fritz Reiner condo Victor lSC whiz" attitude with which Dorati infused sense of irony, makes it a fitting companion 2077 $5.98 for the more serious First Symphony. Sound most of the score, and which made his per­ is spread with well-balanced spatiality, Musical Interest: High formance such a spontaneous delight. with a nice bass pickup to give the orches­ Performance: Very good London's stereo sound is full-hlown and Recording: Very good tral line vast solidity. J. T. well-balanced, and the special sound effects Stereo Directionality: Good of the score come through vividly. Inci­ Stereo Depth: Satisfying dentally, even though Switzerland has a tra­ • SIBELIUS-Violin Concerto in D minor, The Reiner manner bears little relation Op. 47; TCHAIKOYSKY-Serenade Melan­ dition of neutrality, and all that, couldn't colique; Scherzo, Op. 42. Ruggiero Ricci with to the usual Viennese style. His conducting anyone in Geneva find a more frightening the London Symphony Orchestra, Oivin is crisper than that of most wielders of the weapon than the meek cap pistol, or what­ Fjeldstad condo london CS 6067 $4.98 haton on the hanks of the Danube. "Till" is ever it is, that is used during the hattle a rather purposeful rogue in this incarna­ scene in the first act? This is a very Musical Interest: Chiefly Sibelius tion; the final verdict against him is more Performance: OK pale noise, indeed, beside Dorati's formi­ understandable here than in those interpre­ dable weapon. M. B. Recording: Good tations where his antics are amiable. The Stereo Directionality: Good Stereo Depth: Natural hattle over the soul in the philosophic mas­ terpiece is on a heroic scale that is very • TCHAIKOYSKY-Overture /812, Op. One of the great recordings of the pre­ 49; Marche Slave, Op 31; Francesca da impressive. So is the recording. W_ D. Rimini, Op. 32. Royal Philharmonic Orches- LP era was the performance of Sibelius' tra, Paul Kletzlii condo Angel S 35621 $5.98 Violin Concerto by Heifetz with the Lon­ • STRAYINSKY-The Fire Bird Suite; don Philharmonic under Beecham-a defini­ BIZET-Jeux d'Enfants; RAYEL-Mother Musical Interest: Pops favorites tive performance if there ever was one. Goose Suite. Philharmonia Orchestra, Carlo Performance: Brilliant Other violinists have recorded the score Maria Giulini condo Angel S 35462 $5.98 Recording: Brilliant since then-notably Ginette Neveu and Musical Interest: Colorful fare Stereo Directionality: Fair Isaac Stern, but as good as these editions Performance: Sensitive Stereo Depth: Very good were, neither performance mustered the Recording: Mostly inadequate The performances of the two warhorses flair and penetration of the Heifetz. Stereo Directionality: Sharp Stereo Depth: Good and the frenetic tone poem that make up About the same thing may be said of the the program on this disc are superb. Kletzki new Ricci version. In and of itself, it is After a time gap of some months, Angel conducts with broadness, lyricism and ten­ a worthy performance. But beside the old has released the stereo version of this sion. His vigor is without bombast, while Heifetz edition (which was re-issued for a Giulini disc. A quick comparison showed his climaxes are extremely powerful. There short time in RCA Victor's Golden Treasury a serious deterioration from the mono ver­ is not much spread in the stereo, but there series as LCT 1113) it pales, especially in sion. Rough-sounding noisy grooves plus low is adequate depth, and the recorded sound the last movement where Ricci allows his volume level makes the going hard for the is satisfyingly full. W. D. rhythm to go just a trifle slack and much delicately wrought pages of these pieces. of the electric momentum of the music is King Kastchei's furious dance in Fire Bird dissipated. is thrillingly played and recorded, but the TCHAIKOYSKY - Serenade Melancolique (see SIBELlUS) The two Tchaikovsky trifles are handled "Dance of the Princesses" and the "Lulla­ with taste and poise; and the recording by" scenes must he amplified out of pro­ quality of the whole disc is first-rate. portion to overcome poor "signal-to-noise" • TCHAIKOYSKY-The Swan lake Ballet, You may be interested to know that in and groove swish. Likewise, in Bizet's Op_ 20 (Substantially Complete). L'Orches­ minor masterpiece the tre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet Chicago last February Heifetz made a new feux d'Enfants, condo london CSA 2204 2 12" $9.96 recording of the Sibelius Concerto for RCA "Berceuse" and "Duet" are seriously handi­ Victor with the Chicago Symphony Orches­ capped hy the same problems. Ravel's Musical Interest: But of coursel tra under Walter HendI's direction. Ap­ Mother Goose fares a little better. The Performance: Suave and stylish parently no final release date has yet been monophonic disc played through stereo Recording: Good fixed for the performance, so I advise any­ equipment will give you no true spatiality, Stereo Directionality: Good Stereo Depth: Fine body interested in the Sibelius Violin Con­ hut the sound will be a great deal hetter, certo to wait for the Heifetz recording­ and you will be better able to appreciate As with his new issue of The Nutcracker, assuming that Heifetz has not forgotten Giulini's fine hand on the podium. J. T. reviewed before, Ansermet's new Swan Lake what he once knew about this piece! M_ B. humps into competition against the earlier TCHAIKOYSKY - Capriccio Italien (see Mercury release by Dorati and the Minne­ • RICHARD STRAUSS - le Bourgeois MENDELSSOHN) apolis Symphony Orchestra. Where Dorati's Gentilhomme Suite; Intermezzo: Waltz Scene. recording is absolutely complete according The Philharmonia Orchestra, Wolfgang • TCHAIKOYSKY-The Nutcracker Ba/­ to the original score, Ansermet's omits some Sawallisch condo Angel S 35646 $5.98 let, Op. 7/ (Complete). L'Orchestre de la sections. Generally the new recording con­ Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet condo lon­ Musical Interest: Charming and witty don CSA 2203 2 12" $9.96 forms to the version danced by the Royal Performance: Flavorsome Ballet (formerly Sadler's Wells). Recording: Very good Musical Interest: Captivating Ansermet gives us a very stylish perform­ Stereo Directionality: Good Performa nee: A bit too meticulous ance replete with character and penetration. Stereo Depth: Very good Recording: Good Stereo Directionality: Fine The recorded sound, aside from some tight­ Strauss' Bourgeois Gentilhomme music Stereo Depth: OK ness in the fortes, is big and clean. The represents a fusion of romanticism and solo violinist leaves much to he desired, and Mercury, which has pioneered in record­ there are some patches of less than per­ classicism that has a distinctive nostalgic ing of complete ballets, some years ago re­ charm. Three of the nine sections are based fect ensemble; but Ansermet's illumination leased a complete Nutcracker by Dorati of the score is hoth valuable and penetrat­ on music Lully had written in 1670 for the and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. ing. M. B. same Moliere play. In this context, how­ The Dorati recording was and still is a ever, they become as "Straussian" as their "gassed" It has humor, fire, sparkle and fellow numbers. Sawallisch conducts with sensitive poetry, and Mercury's recorded • TCHAIKOYSKY - Swan Lake Ballet: verve and a light touch that never smothers sound is brilliant. Highlights. Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maur­ the wit of the score. The members of the The new Ansermet, then, has some stiff ice Abravanel condo Westminster WST 14064 orchestra perform with their reputed virtu­ competition. In general, Ansermet is most $5.98; Mono-XWN 18851 $4.98 osity, which the clear recording reveals successful in the delicate sections of the Musical Interest: Tops in ballet 72 HIFI REVIEW 92%. \K MORE EFFICIE...... , 'NT! ~'

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FISHER RADIO CORPORATION. 21-37 44th DRIVE • LONG ISLAND CITY I, N. Y. Export: Morhan Exporting Corp., 458 Broadway, New York 13, N. Y. SEPTEMBER 1959 73 Perfo rmance: Superior and lesser-known choral scenes from six BALANCE YOUR Reco rd in g: Adequate Wagner opems, and the only one of its Stereo Directionality: Too sharply divided kind. The Bayreuth F estival musician s STEREO SYSTEM­ Stereo Depth: Good' function as the well-coordinated ensemble ONCE- From th e viewpoint of orchestral virtu­ we'd expect them to be. There are some osity, Swan Lake must be considered the questionable moments~such as when the SO IT SOUNDS prize of Westminster's releases with the opening and closing choruses of Die M eis­ Utah Symphony, with the possible excep­ tersinger's final act ar e spliced in continui­ RIGHT. tion of the Gershwin Porgy and Bess Suite ty, or when choml concentrations obscure (WST-14063 and XWN-18850). The Tchai­ orchestral passages that should be more CENTER THE NEEDLE kovsky ballet scores demand a great deal prominent. But on the whole this is an ex­ from principal players, and the string cellent production. In the Gotterdamme­ OF THE NEW bodies have plenty of demands made on rung scene losef Greindl contributes a vig­ them in Swan Lake. It is pleasantly sur­ orous Hagen, though not without some prising that the Utah strings acquit them­ wobble in his sustained tones. k.,.e... a~'~ selves so nobly, and the sum total of efforts The recorded sound is excellent, and for there adds up to an impressive sound. The once, the stereo presents distinct advantages STEREO BALANCE METER performance does not crackle, nor does it not only in its richer and broader spread carry the impact of the Mercury edition of the tonal mass, but also in the very WITH SIMPLE with Dorati and the Minneapolis orchestra. effective handling of 'separation in the Got­ Section for section, neither can the Utah terdiinunerung and Lohengrin choruses. CONTROLS ON BACK­ Symphony compete with the Philadelphia The surfaces, however, are more silent in Orchestra, the Philharmonia, London Sym­ the mono, and the groove echoes are less ONCE- phony, nor should it be expected to. On audible. Full texts and good translations by the basis of engineering competence, things Maria Massey are provided. G. J. THEN YOUR SYSTEM become much more equal, and here, West­ ALWAYS minster does not have to play second chair • WAGNER-Die Walkiire: War es so to anyone, at least on the mono version. schmahlich; Deinen leichten Sinn; Leb'­ SOUNDS THE SAME­ Stereophonically speaking, the orchestra wohl du kuhnes, herrliches Kind! {Finale of seems spread out too much, and the divi­ Act III}; The Flying Dutchman: Wie aus SOUNDS RIGHT sion between channels too sharply etched, der Ferne {Act II , Scene 3}. Br igit Nilsson with not enough middle fill-in sound. J. T. (soprano) and Hans Hotte r (bass-baritone) with the Philh armonia Orchestra, Leopold FOR THE ROOM IT'S IN­ Lud wig condo Angel S 35585 $5.98 • TCHAIKOVSKY-Symphony No_ 3 in WHENEVER YOU D Major, Op. 29 {"Polish"} _ Vienna State Mu sica l Interest: Choice Wagner Opera Orchestra. Hans Swarowsky condo Pe rformance: Imposing Urania USD 1026 $5.95 Recording: Opulent CENTER THE NEEDLE. Stereo Directionality: Slight Musical Interest: Growing Stereo Depth: Effective SIMPLE? Performance: Very good Recording: Excellent There is little to add to my very favora­ YES! Stereo Directiona li ty: Considerable ble review of this issue',s monophonic alter­ Stereo Depth : Reasonable nate (February, 1959) _ Nilsson's star is on the rise, Hotter's is beginning to fade, but EFFECTIVE? Having done the First and Second Sym­ still radiates a majestic luster. The two phonies to the satisfaction of practi cally make a powerful combination. The volume DECIDEDLY! everybody, Swarowsky continues his tri­ level here is below the monophonic; fur­ umphal Tchaikovsky tour with the Third. thennore, the orchestra tends to engulf the This makes him probably the first con­ voices on occasion. The orchestra's cli­ d uctor to have recorded the first three maxes toward the end of Die Walk are, on Tchaikovsky symphonies. This is a good, the other hand, are registered with fuller strong performance. The work does not impact and more revealing detail in stereo. call for the emotional outpourings that were Still, essentially, the difference between the to come later in the composer's symphonic two, as played through two speakers, is very career and Swarowsky plays it with rhyth­ slight. G. J. mic vigor and impulse. The engineering has been accomplished with considerable skill. W. D. • BEN WEBER - Fantasia (Variations), Op. 25; Concertino for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and String Quartet, Op_ 45; Serenade for VILLA·LOBOS-Quartet No. 6 [see KO­ Strings, Op. 46. William Masselos (piano ), DALY} soloists and Galimir String Quartet. Epic Stereo BC 1022 $5.98 • WAGNER-The Flying Dutchman: Mu sical In terest : Important contempo- 95 Chorus of the Sailors; Spinning Chorus; rary fare $14 ot Better HI-FI Suppliers Chorus of Norwegian Sailors; Tannhauser: Performance: Authoritative Entrance of the Guests; Chorus of Pilgrims; Recording: Excellent Information Availahle. Lohengrin: Arrival of the Swan; Procession Stereo Directionality: Proper to the Minster; Bri'dal Chorus; Die Meister­ Stereo Depth: Considerable singer: Wach auf and Final Chorus; Die Write: Gotterdammerung: Hagen Summons the This record is one of the series sponsored Vassals; Parsifal: Entrance of the Knights by the Fromm Music Foundation to encour­ of the Grail. Bayreuth Festival Chorus and age an interest in contemporary music and Orchestra. Wilhelm Pitz condo Deutsche composers. The Fantasia is for solo piano Grammophon DGS 712000 $5.98; Mono­ and was written in 1946 for William Mas­ DGM 12000 $4.98 selos, who performs it here. St. Louis-born Mu si cal Interest: Specialized Ben Weber employs twelve-tone techniques, Pe rformance: First-rate and in this piece, he uses them in bravura Recording: Very good style, giving the performer plenty of oppor­ Stereo Directio nality: Effective tunity to display his keyboard virtuosity_ Stereo Depth : Excellent 1616 North Damen Avenue Masselos displaY'S musicianship as well. Chicago 22, Illinois Here's an interesting collection of well- Since Weber's music lacks neither melody 74 HIFI REVIEW A recording challenge! the magnetic tape engineered to help you meet it is

This is it . . . with the wild trumpet ride, but "SCOTCH" BRAND Magnetic Tapes or the fragile guitar idea, or the frenzied perceive sessions like this. Available on ensemble wail, or the piano gone intro­ acetate or polyester backings, they pro­ spective, or the knock-down-drag-out tect you from dropouts and response jam. This is it. This is JAZZ. variations. Come on in and be a quiet friend. See it, "SCOTCH" BRAND Magnetic Tapes, pio­ feel it, talk it ... and take it home on neered by 3M Research, offer: 1) pre­ tape. It won't be easy. There are sud­ cision oxide dispersion for flawless fi­ den switches from muted lows to delity; 2) controlled uniformity for per­ screaming highs. There are level fect response on every inch of every bounces from solo to ensemble. There reel; plus 3) dry silicone lubrication to is background sound that belongs. reduce recorder head wear. Your skill and equipment will be taxed, AND THE SOUND LIVES!

~~- -""'-~ " SCOTCH'" and the Plaid Design are Registered Trademarks of 3M Co., Sl. Paul6. MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY ~1 Minn. Export:99 Park Ave. , New York. Canada: London, Ontario. © 1959 3M Co. • •• WHERE RESEARCH IS THE KEY TO TOMORROW~ ~>->w<-,4< SEPTEMBER 1959 75 nor emotion, the Concertino and the Ser­ • YIENNESE DANCES. (Yol. II) Waltz- The vocal characterization offered in enade are not at all forbidding. In fact, es: ZIEHRER-Wiener GUNGL- these three scenes is vibrantly three-dimen­ they are attractive, though not obvious. The Amoret - tentanze IV - Danube sional, from the coolly dispassionate read­ performances are assured and undoubtedly Waves; ZIEHR eln; LAN- ing of Macbeth's letter at the beginning NER-Die Schonbrunner; - Gold of the disc to the eerie ending of the sleep­ authoritative. W. D. and Silver. Philharmonica Promenade Orches­ tra, Henry Krips condo Angel S 35665 $5.98; walking scene. This is a carefully studied WEBER-Invitation to the Dance (see Mono-35665 $4.98 portrayal, full of revealing insight, and FALLA) meaningful shadings and inflections that go Musical Interest: High and handsome a long way to place a flesh·and-blood char. Performance: The best yet • WEBER-Overtures: Preciosa; Oberon; acter on the stage. And in projecting the Euryanthe; Abu Hassan; Der. Freischiitz; The Recording : Angelic Ruler of the Spirits. L'Orchestre de la Suisse Stereo Directionality: Very good scorn and venom that inhabit the hearts of Romande, Ernest Ansermet condo London Stereo Depth: Likewise the Ladies of Scotland and Babylon, Callas could not be more convincing if she had to CS 6074 $4.98 After reviewing many so-so Angel stereos address a cluster of opera managers from Musical Interest: Variable (mediocre for technical reasons not musi­ here to Milan. Performance: Detailed cal), it is a pleasure to report that Volume The vocal demands in this recital are Recording: Excellent Two of the series entitled "Viennese enormous. The tessitura embraces two oc­ Stereo Directionality: Excellent Dances" is a fine effort on all accounts. The taves, with crucially exposed passages at Stereo Depth: Excellent sound is Angel's soft-sheen type; the spatial both extremes. Two of the scenes Ansermet performs these overtures with spread is perfect; and the volume level is Macbeth and the and excerpts are impressive attention to detail. Nothing es­ up to normal. Furthermore, Henry Krips Nabucco Ernani of the construction, ending capes examination and it is indeed a won­ leads the Philharmonia in some of the best aria-cabaletta in a blaze of florid passages, extended trills, der that the music flows. Flow it does, and waltz performances ever committed to mi· that is the beauty of these interpretations. crogroove. At last, no huge dynamics, no chromatic runs-all of which Callas tosses The orchestra plays well and the recording great clashes, no overblown interpretation off with virtuoso accuracy. (There is a two· octave downward leap in the aria is superb, with natural spaciousness and that make the waltz sound like it should Nabucco depth. As to the desirability of hearing be danced by Gargantuans. Robust and that will remind some old-timers of Schu­ overtures one after the other, that is another delicate by turn, swirling and intoxicating, mann-Heink.) For me, it is one of Callas' matter. They are far more ' effective when bright, gay and flowing are these readings singular achievements that makes these dra­ heard individually at intervals. W. D. of Maestro Krips. As an added attraction, matically artificial cabalettas seem much much of the music is "new." J. T. less contrived than they usually are in other people's hands. COLLECTIONS • FOUR ITALIAN SONATAS. TARTINI The figure of Elizabetta di Valois does -"The Devil's Trill"; CORElLl-la Follia; not hold a similar dramatic challenge. Her • THE ORCHESTRA-Brass: DUKAS­ GEMINIANI-Sonata in A Major; VIVALDI aria is well sung but not particularly mem­ La Peri: Fanfare; Strings: BARBER-Adagio -Sonata in A Major. Nathan Milstein (vio­ orable. "Ernani, involami'~ has also been for Strings; Woodwinds: STRAUSS-Ga­ lin) and Leon Pommers (piano) _ Capitol SP heard with more neatness of execution, but votte from Wind Suite in B Flat, Op. 4; Per­ 8481 $5.98 seldom with such sweeping dramatic force. cussion: FARBERMAN - Evolution: First Musical Interest: Streamlined Baroque As to the soprano's vocal state, the oft· Movement; Brass & Woodwinds: Performance: Very good discussed strengths and weaknesses persist: VAUGHAN WILLIAMS-Symphony No.8: Recording: Very good haunting tone quality in the low and middle Scherzo alia Marcia; PERSICHETTI-March Stereo Directionality: Reasonable registers, lessening beauty and steadiness from Divertimento For Band; Brass, Wood­ Stereo Depth: Reasonable winds & Percussion: TCHAIKOVSKY­ of tone up to around A above the staff (but Symphony No.4: Scherzo. Full Orchestra: The emphasis here is on the violinist's very solid intonation on this record!) and MOUSSORGSKY-RAVEL-Pictures at an Ex­ playing rather than on an authentic re­ unpredictability farther upwards. The omi­ hibition: The Hut on Fowls Legs and the creation of Baroque music and style. Con­ nous D Flat at the conclusion of the sleep­ Great Gate of Kiev. Leopold Stokowski Or­ ceding this limitation, much pleasure can walking scene is rather unattractive. True, chestra. Capitol SSAL 8385 $5.98 be derived from Milstein's beautiful tone a sweetly floating pianissimo note at this Musical Interest: Varied and sensitive musicianship. His accuracy juncture would clash with the devilish char· Performance: Consistently good of pitch and control of the bow are virtual­ acter portrayed. But candor compels the Recording: Best Capitol sound ly perfect. He can spin a melody so that admission that the harsh sound we get here Stereo Directionality: Well-demonstrated it floats effortlessly and can play runs with is not the result of character study. Nor Stereo Depth: Close-in awesome virtuosity. Pommers gives him will the impact of these exciting interpre­ An album, dedicated to the pioneering able support and the recording is elegant. tations be lessened by eight or nine widely spirit of Leopold Stokowski, which doubles ly balanced. W. D. scattered questionable notes. The disc is in brass (no pun intended) as a stereo very highly recommended. It is, by the sampler, is now being offered. Included • CALLAS PORTRAYS YERDI HERO­ way, the artist's first appearance in an without charge is a twelve-page brochure INES. VERDI-Macbeth: Vieni! t'affrettal Angel stereo and a very respectable effort filled with fascinating information and pic­ (Act I); La luce langue (Act II); Una mac­ by all concerned. G. J. tures. As a "3-D" demonstrator, it is one chia e qui tuttoral (Sleepwalking Scene) (Act IV); Nabucco: Ben io t'invenni, Anch'io of the best of its kind; for not only does dischiuso un giorno (Act II); Ernani: Sorta • THE ART OF COLORATURA-J. Capitol do a creditable technical job, but e la notte; Ernani! Ernani, involami (Act I); STRAUSS-Voices of Spring; Tales from the Mr. Stokowski turns in a very creditable Don Carlo: Tu che la vanita. (Act IV). With Vienna Woods; Die Fledermaus: Laughing conducting job as well. The record is no the Phil harmonia Orchestra, Nicola Res­ Song; Spiel ich die Unschuld vom Lande; item for the casual collector, but rather for cigno, condo Angel S 35763 $5.98; Mono SAINT-SAENS-Le Rossignol et la Rose; the more serious fan who wants to learn 35763 $4.98 VERDI - Lo Spano-camino; GODARD­ all about this miracle of LP stereo, and Jocelyn: Berceuse; ARDITI-Parla Wain; Musical Interest: Grand scenes SUPPE-Boccaccio: Hab' ich nur deine who thirsts for additional knowledge to Performance: Exciting Liebe: DVORAK-Rusalka: 0 lovely Moon; help whet the edge of his perception. Notes Recording: First-rate MEYERBEER-Dinorah: Shadow Song. Rita are interesting without being verbose, and Stereo Directionality: Some Streich (soprano), with Berlin Radio Sym­ aimed at an average level, not on the "ex­ Stereo Depth: Good phony Orchestra, Kurt Gaebel, condo pert" plateau_ Of all the items, the Barber, Four Verdian heroines are portrayed in Deutsche Grammophon DGS 712004 $5.98; Farberman, Tchaikovsky, and Moussorgsky this gallery, neatly and evenly divided be­ Mono-12004 $4.98 scores receive the best treatment. tween good and evil. Among them, the Musical Interest: Hard to resist There is a world of fascinating listening noble, lovelorn figures of Elvira and Elisa­ Performance: Enchanting here. Constant exposure, not only for the betta command our sympathies_ But for all Recording: Satisfactory music's sake, but to train the memory to the Callas art and persuasion on their be­ Stereo Directionality: Hardly noticeable recognize characteristic color and timbre, half, it is the two hell-cats, Lady Macbeth Stereo Depth: Slight makes this Capitol demonstrator invaluable and her biblical predecessor Abigaille Few there are indeed, who can rival Rita as a tool for music appreciation. J. T. (Nabucco) who walk away with !he show. Streich in "the art of coloratura" today, and 76 HIFI REVIEW the "fourmost reasons" why Audax Paraflex· is not "just another speaker system." George Silber, as President of Rek-O-Kut and its new Audax Division has been a pioneer in the manufacture of the highest quality components. In Audax Speaker Systems. you will find the same uncompromising standards that have made Rek-O-Kut StereoTables the most respected brand in high fidelity. Saul White, well known design engineer and write?' on transducers and inventor of the patented Para flex foam compound suspension, the greatest step towards the reproduc­ tion of natural sound. Tom Mulligan, representing the great Union Carbide Company who researched and developed the Dynel fabric adapted by Audax for its "Acoustiscreen." George Nelson, one of America's greatest indttst1'ial designers, brilliantly styled the enclosures and developed the Dynel three-dimensional "Acoustiscreen" grille.

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Ex port : Morhan Ex porting Corp. , 458 Broad way, New Yo rk 13, N. Y. Canada: A t las Rad io, 50 Wingold Avenu e. Toronto 19, Ontario RA ·8 77 SEPTEMBER 1959 certainly few there are who can make such Arabe; LlSZT-Oh! Quand je dorsi RAVEL a program ullcea-singly enjoyable. She has - Ni colette; Kaddisch; POULENC-Violon; a small, but beautifully controlled voice BERLlOZ-Nuits d'Ete: L'Abse nce wi th P'aul with a fabulous range (up to F on this Ulanowsky, piano. Decca DL 7100 13 $5.98; record) and agility to burn. In a shrewdly· Mono-DL 100 13 $4.98 balanced program, where lyrical selections (Suppe, Dvorak and Godard) are added to Musi cal Interest: Rewarding prevent monotony, she offers much more Performance : Fai r to ve ry good than just a series of expert trills and flour­ Recording: C lear and full Stereo Dir ectional ity: Occasion al ishes. Most effec tive, however, are the Stereo Depth: Imm aterial Strauss excerpts, which are delivered with charm and unfailing accuracy, as befitting tbe virtuoso display pieces they are. Also Leave it to Jennie TOUl'el to come up with she creates impeccable, artistic phrasing a stimulating, unhack neyed program! The that appears to be an extension of the Rossini, Vivaldi and Stradella so ngs are, so orchestral framework rather than super­ far as I can determine, first recordings, and imposed vocal manneri m. the otbers are by no means :frequently The orches tral accompaniments are rather heard. "L'Absence" is, of course, part of the matter·oI-fact and not too well favored by Nuits d'Ete cycle while the Gluck excerpt the engineers. There is a somewhat fuller is from the opera Paride ed Elena. A point sound in stereo, but this slight advantage of interest, not communicated on the jacket, is offset by persistent groove echoes. G. J. is that the words to both the Bizet and Liszt compositions are by Victor Hugo. The French side of the program is the • SONGS O F ENCHANTMENT-Riddle more successful of the two. Its -selections Song; Aupres de rn a blond e; So ngs My Mother Ta ught Me; Th e Bird's Courtin' Song ; seem more congenial to the artist's tem­ Scarlet Ribbo ns; Mi ster Froggie Went perament and by deft tUl'ns of phrases, A'Courtin'; Prayer from Hansel a nd Gretel; meaningful inflections, and other devices Fidd le- De-D ee; Th e Fo x; Cancion De Cuna; of her encompassing craft Jennie Tourel Lull a by; Evenin g Prayer; All Th rough th e can communicate the essence of Nicolette Nigh t. Salli Terri (soprano) and Laurind o and Violon with particular effectiveness. In Almeida (guitar) wi th in strum ental and vocal the Italian repertory she is less felicitous. accompaniment. Capitol SP 8482 $5.98 Although her command of Rossinian fiori­ ture is almost as impressive as in her eal"lier Musical Interest: For a ll to enjoy Columbia recordings, the sustained, curving you may now select from Performance: Great two magnificent Recording: Tops lines of Gluck, Vivaldi and Stradella call Stereo Directionality: Interesting for tones of more velvety quality and sta­ SHURE Stereo Depth: Just right bility, and so ex pose the present weakness of the artist's technical equipment- at least Salli Terri, featnred soloist with the insofar as music of this type i con erned. ~~ Roger Wagner Chorale, and who just made The difference between the 1110no and PHONO CARTRIDGES a hit album with Guitarist Almeida (Duets stereo so und is infinitesimal. Full texts and Completely com patible .. . both play m ono with the Spanish Guitar- PAO 84,06), has translations are given. G. J. aural or stereo records, fit all 4- lead and now made an album in her own right, and 3-lead s tereo changers and arms. Available through responsible high fidelity consultants it is " wizard." Terri herself is possessed • MUSIC AT THE COURT OF THE dealers, servicemen. ' with a good voice, youthfully clean and CATHOLIC KINGS--MUSIC OF THE : ...... vibrant. But it is what she does with this SPANISH POLYPHO NIC SCHOOL. Anon · PROFESSIONAL instrument that establishes her as an artist - Flo r de Ro ma nces, Ma drig als & Vill anci­ MODEL M3D • of unusual appeal. Also, the arrangements cos; Enc ina-Songs of th e Pa lace; Victoria: are expertly co ntrived. Responsorium V; C abezon- Fantasia; Mo­ AT $45.00* Repertoire is well balanced, between rales ; Sanctus; La ssus-Echo Song ; Senfl­ "serious" songs and so ngs of humor, from Kl ing , Kl ang . Agrupaci6n Coral de Pam­ * audiophile net. plona de Espana, Lui s Morondo condo Co­ with 0.7 mil diamond • such familiars as the R iddle Song and lumbia Stereo MS 6057 $5.98 S carlet Ribbons, to the highly amusing ac­ Incomparable quality- the overwhelmi ng choice: count of the weddings of the frog and the of independent critics and experts. Floats at a • M usica I Interest: Cultivated • press u re of only 3 grams in transcrip tion tone mouse, and the fly and the bee. And if you • arms. Distort ion·free response fro m 20 to 15,000 • tbink for one moment this outstanding reo Perfo rm ance: Exce ll ent • cps. Unparalleled complianu. Superbly designed ' cording is meant for kiddies, you are quite Recording: Exce ll ent and built to perfectionist tolerances. Stereo Directionality: Sufficient mistaken. Stereo Depth: Sufficient Full use is made of stereo effects, with CUSTOM • Miss Terri appearing on one side of the · room, and th en tbe other. In Mister Frog­ There was a musical Golden Age in MODEL M7D Spain in the days when tlle land was a ·• gie Went A-ColLTtin' she does the spatiality AT $24.00* • act several times, adding neat showmanship melting-pot of many peoples. The anony­ mous songs tbat originated during those *audioDhile net. to the presentation. A clever Capitol i ss u~ with 0.7 mil d.iamond · ·• to be sure, but it also combines the ele­ days of the "Catholic Kings" are indeed Outclasses every cartridge except the Shure '!· ments necessary for any superior disc. It charming. The later polyphonic music­ • M3D- by . a~tua l listening tes t.'! Tracks per- : abounds with good solid musicianship; the chiefly by non-Spaniards, such as Swiss­ • fectly at minImum pressure avadable in record . born Senfl and Flemish· born Lassus- is : changer arms. Smooth from 40 ~o 15,000 cps. : so ngs are done with zest- a charming cover, too of Miss Terri (?) with an en­ neither as individual nor intri nsically as im­ chanting little girl on an old-fa hioned portant. This 16·voice chamber choir sings ------~ brass bed. (Say, Morn, where's your ring?) beautifully and expressively. The voi ces When Replacing Your Stylus: J. T. blend harmoniously and the interpretation : Insi s ~ on a. genuine Shure stylus. Don 't accept enjoy splendid vitality. The stereo record­ • inferior IIllHatlons. They can seriously degrade ing provides an aura of realism. W. D. : the performance of you r cart ridge. • J ENNIE TOUREL--A French-Itolian ·••••...... •••••.·• Progr am. ROS SINI-La Regata Veneziana (Three .Songs l ; GLUCK-Paride ed El ena: Literature available: Department 16-' • MUSIC OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHO­ o del mio dolce ardol; VI VALDI-Un DOX CHURCH-Divin e Liturgy ; Requi em SHURE BROTHERS, INC. certo non so ch e; STRADELLA-Per piet", Mass. Don Cossack C hoir, Serge Jaroff con do 222 Hartrey Ave nu e, Evanston, Illinoi s per . pieta; . BIZET-Adie ux .de . 1' HOtesse Decca DXD 7158 2 12" $11.96 78 HIFI REVIEW • CHORAL MASTERPIECES OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH-KRU­ PITZKY-JAROFF-By the Waters of Baby­ lon; WEDEL-Confession; RIMSKY-KORSA­ KOV {arr.}-The Only Begotten One; Thy Dwelling Place; TURCHANINOV-The last Supper; The Cry of Joseph; Arise, 0 lord; VOROTNIKOV-The Thief Forgiven. Don Cossack Choi r, Serge Jaroff condo Decca Dl 79403 $5.98

Mu sica l Interest: For choral buffs Performance: Extraordinary . Recording : Magnificent Stereo Directionality : Superb Stereo Depth: Cathedral-like

.. My first hearing of the Don Cossack Choir was in 1933, and it was the rendition of the First Psalm 0/ David which made far more impression on me than all the vir· tuosi folksong anangements. Though the Don Cossacks under their diminutive direc· tor, Serge Jaroff, have made many records, only a mere handful have done justice to the fabulous range of pitch and dynamics. This set of three Decca records immediately takes its place among a handful. We can be doubly grateful on two counts : 1. that they are available in stereo; and 2. that the repertoire is culled from the still too spo­ radically documented area of Russian Or­ thodox Church Music. Having experienced for myself several authentically sung Rus­ sian Church services (in the Russian Cathe­ dral at Helsinki, Finland), I am prepared to say that the liturgies sung on DXD 7158 are the real thing-a virtual re-creation, though somewhat heightened in dramatic terms, of what I heard in Finland. The voices at times, seem to come from nowhere and echo through infinitely vast spaces; and then one is suddenly aware of the chanting of Deacon or Priest before the sanctuary screen, while bassi pro/undi sus­ tain a long organ point and incredible male falsetti carry a sweetly harmonized melodic line to seraphic heights. Such is the atmosphere created from a hearing of these Don Cossack discs in stereo. The two-record set with the Requiem and Divine Liturgy is the more exciting, be­ cause one senses the drama of an actual service. The Choral Masterpieces set is very interes ting as historical material, show­ ing first the Italian influences on 18th and early 19th century Russian Church music (Turchaninov, Vorotnikov, Wedel), and then directing the trend toward rediscover­ ing the spirit of the early Chant (Rimsky­ Korsakov). Part of the problem with this set stems from the fact that almost all the music is from the Lenten liturgy, and there­ fore, tends toward the lugubrious. A little more contrast would have been welcome. The first stereo discs we received for re­ view were defective; but the second offered great improvement. Nevertheless, at the present state of the stereo disc recording art, we feel certain that only tape can presently do true justice to what was originally recorded here. We therefore con­ clude this review with two requests: firstly, that arrangements be made to issue a 4- track 7V2 ips stereo tape of the Requiem­ Divine Liturgy album; and secondly, that the Don Cossacks record the work which Sergei Rachmaninoff preferred to all his others, and which was sung at the com­ poser-pianist's funeral-his Vesper Mass. D.H. SEPTEMBER 1959 79 The Three Men on a Rescue Mission (Continuedfrompage6) three years-e~Qi;;pt maybe for some Toscanini items or Mercury's DUAL-I006 "mono" 1812 wilr cannon, which just keeps rollin' along." "In other words, we're coming to a point where one day people who satisfies want to know how Toscanini, Weingartner, and Furtwiingler conducted, how Szigeti and Busch played violin, how Chaliapin, Melchior, and Lehmann sang, how Rachmaninoff, Schnabel, and Cortot played piano, every need or Landowska played harpischord, will have to comb the collector's shops for secondhand copies, or else tape the recordings off the air when tbey ...as both a professional can catch a broadcast over their local good music station." single play turntable "That's one possibility. But it seems to me that there must be some other way of solving this problem, and solving it in a way that the and superior record industry is able to carry on its normal commercial·business oper· ations on the one hand, yet display some awareness that the best of its record changer product has lasting cultural and artistic value." Tracks-and operates automatically "That's a mighty tall order. How do we go about this?" -with stylus pressure as low as 1 V2 "I'm sure you know that for quite some years, and in quite a number grams! Minimizes all wear. of countries, attempts have been made to assemble complete archives of historically and artistically valuable phonograph recordings. There's the Library of Congress and New York Public Library in this country, DUAL-I006 UNESCO in Paris, as well as similar projects elsewhere." Built-in direct reading stylus pres­ "All right, fine and dandy, but how does anyone get to listen to a sure gauge. Easy to use, weight ad­ record in these archives? From what I gather, most of this stuff stays justment conveniently located. in air·conditioned vaults because no one's figured a way to set up a service, even for scholars." DUAL-I006 "When RCA Victor announced its tape cartridge, one thing that came Big, heavy 10%" turntable is lami­ right to my mind was the thought that this c.ould be the answer to nated and concentrically girded. servicing a record archive. Suppose you had a tape copying system at, Can't warp or become eccentric. say, the New York Public Library record archive? Presumably those who wanted to hear in their own homes a rare recording of Richard Strauss conducting his own Till Eulenspiegel could send in a cartridge DUAL-I006 of blank tape and have the music copied onto their tape." Rumble-free motor is so powerful "OK, but what about the rights to these historical recordings? I can't turntable reaches full RPM from see EMI of England or RCA Victor in this country-who, between dead start in less than ~ tum! them, originally recorded most of this stuff-being willing to just give up their rights to their product, even if they have kept it off the market DUAL-I006 for some time and don't intend to bring it back." All drive gears disengage automati­ "You've got something there.. And it's a knotty question to try to answer. We know of some smaIl record labels that have copied stuff cally-no "neutral" position to re­ onto LP, recorded by famous singers 30 years ago and more, for the member, no flat spot thump. big European labels."

"How do we stay within the law? Well, here's a thought. Why couldn't DUAL ... I006 the commercial record companies, who own masters of historically val· Obsolescence-proof intermix for all uable recordings, but who don't choose to keep the recording in their present or future record sizes. Stack active catalog, be persuaded to assign their rights to a special organ· -in any sequence. ization-perhaps even a foundation, established for the industry through the Record Industry Association of America or the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. This organization could take care of DUAL-l006 the whole business of supplying discs or masters to major record archives Elevator Action changer-spindle throughout the world and could collect for the original owners of the recordings an agreed percentage of revenues derived from the copying prevents damage to record grooves activities undertaken by each archive." and center holes. Truly gentle! "That sounds interesting and it might work. Maybe if it's too much for the record industry to set up its own historical recordings insti· DUAL-l006 tute, one of the existing major foundations working in the cultural field For the full story~ write ••• could get the ball rolling-Ford or Rockefeller, for instance." "Well, we've gotten this far in our discussion. Why don't we, each of us, see what we can do to get a little exploratory action started on some of these ideas. Speaking for myself, I just can't see most of the best recordings of the past 50 years going down the drain with no hope of united dio recovery just because stereo has introduced the element of technical obso· PRODUCTS OF DISTINCTION lescence." 202-4 East 19th St., N. Y. 3, N. Y. • 80 HIFI REVIEW Reviewed by BEST OF THE MONTH MARTIN BOOKSPAN WARREN DeMOTTE • Vox offers a best buy for cello fanciers with its /lVox Box/l of all the DAVID HALL Beethoven Cello Sonatas and Variations played by Joseph Schuster and .. GEORGE JELLINEK Friedrich Wuehrer.-/lThey play with insight, power and a deep regard DAVID RANDOLPH for the music./I (see p. 82) JOHN THORNTON • United Artists has another stunning Stokowski release in Ernest Bloch's impassioned Schelomo with George Neikrug as solo ceilist.-/lSchelomo • BACH-6 Brandenburg Conce rti. Mem­ bers of th e Paris Cento Sol i Orchestra, He r­ has never been recorded in such dramatic sound, nor in such vividly mann Scherc hen condo Omega OML-1039/ 41 3 12" $4.98 each articulate fashion./I (see p. 82) Mu sica l Inte rest: A fascinating d e mi­ doze n • Angel's long-awaited 2-disc set of Gyorgy Cziffra playing the fiendishly Perform a nce: Variable Recording: Likewise difficult Liszt Transcendental Etudes for Piano lives fully up to expecta­ The enigmatic Mr. Scherchen is revealed tion.-/lCziffra plays this music with real flair. He believes in every here at his most enigmatic. His perform. ances range from mediocre (in the Second note." (see p. 86) Concerto) to superb (in the Fifth). The chief complaint centers around erratic tempi which usually are on the impossibly C minor IS. 911); Italian Conerto in F Heintze (organ) . Deutsche Grammophon slow side (for example, the final move· Major IS. 971) . Paul Badura-Skoda (piano). A rchive ARC 31 18 $5.95 ments of both the Third and Sixth Con· Westminster XWN 18855 $4.98 Musical I nterest: Fo r specialists certi); and yet the opening movement of Musical Interest: Considerable Performa nee: Good the Second Concerto is taken at a jog·trot Pe rfo rm ance: Good for piano Reco rding: Varies with acoustics tempo which becomes ludicrous after a Recording: Very good Just as many of the greatest masters of while. Furthermore, in the Second Concerto Badura·Skoda plays these pieces with in­ the art of painting made copies of earlier the trumpet soloist, the res pected Roger sight, grace and facility. His tone is pleas· masterpieces in order to help develop fa­ Delmotte, goes completely to pieces; how ing and his dynamic scale obviously is held cility in their craft, so did the young this performance was approved for release within the bounds that are considered prop­ Johann Sebastian Bach at Weimar (1708- is a mystery. er for the performance of this music on 17) set to paper a whole series of keyboard On the positive side, though, in addition the piano. Therein is the rub. The music concertos based on the music of other men. to a brilliant account of the Fifth Concerto, sounds right on the harpsichord and no Six were for organ solo and sixteen were with some marvelous harpsichord work by allowances need be made for the instru­ for harpsichord. Some drew on masters Ruggero Gerlin, the First and Fourth Con­ ment. Despite the actual greater power of like Vivaldi, Marcello, and Telemann. certi also receive superlative performances the piano, harpsichord performances of this Others were based on compositions by that abound in re·creative episodes of sheer music sound more powerful. This begs the Prince Ernst, musically gifted so n of hi s magic (the Polacca section of the First, ques tion: unless a performance of these Royal employer at Weimar who died in for example). pieces by a specific pianist is specifically 1715 at the age of 19. The trouble with this set of three discs wanted, and considering the ease of record­ Quite naturally, the "Vivaldi" pieces are is that each of the excellent performances ing harpsichordists today, wh erein lies the the most interesting and vital-in particu­ is coupled with an irritatingly poor one. virtue of a piano recording? For me, there lar the brilliant work in C Major after The adage, "You can't win," was never is no logic in it. Which does not mean Vivaldi's Op. 7, No. 5 in D. Indeed, it was more applicable than it is here. In the that others won't prefer piano versions, through Bach's arrangements that interest bridge between th e two movements of the and this is well· played and well-recorded. in the work of Vivaldi was finally stirred Third Concerto, incidentally, Scherchen is W.D. to the point where efforts were made to content merely to play the two chords as locate and collate the original Vivaldi mss. • Bach wTote them, with some very minor in Italy, culminating in the current post· fili gree, rather than allowing his harpsi­ • BACH-Organ C oncertos after Vario us Composers: No. 1 in G Major (Prince Jo­ World War II Vivaldi boom. chordist, the highly qualified Gerlin, to im­ hann Ern st of Sachsen-Weimar) ; No.2 in Herr Heintze turns out nea t and straight· provise the cadenza, as Bach surely in­ A minor (Vivaldi, Op. 3, No.8) ; No.3 in C forward performances, using two fin e ba­ tended here and as Couraud does in this Major (Vi va ld i, Op. 7, No.5); No. 4 in roque instruments at Ottobeuren- the bi g month's other integral edition of the Bran­ C Major (Pri nce Johan n Ernst of Sachs en­ St. Trinity Organ and the more intimate den burgs reviewed in the stereo section of W eimar) ; No. 6 in E-Flat (unknown) . H ans Holy Ghost Organ. The big instrument this issue. sound superbly in the "Vivaldi" scores, A word about the recorded sound: in notably where echo eff ects are caJl ed for; general it is bright and clear, with good All records reviewed in this column but there is less blurring of texture where bass, but there are occasional spots of mud­ may be played on either single speak­ the Holy Ghost Organ is used, thanks to diness (the opening of the jinxed Second er monophonic or two speaker stereo­ more intimate acoustics. A fin e record for Concerto, for example). M. B_ organ fanciers, Vivaldi enthusiasts, baroque phonic equipment . Th ey are 33 113 rpm music specialists. D. H . records that should be played with • BACH-Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor IS. 903); Concerto No. 3 in D the RIAA setting. !JEETHOVEN-Bagatell.es in C minor minor after Marcello IS. 974); Toccata in • 81 SEPTEMBER 1959 1797; C Major, 1804; "Fiir Elise"; Seven machine· like preCISIOn, articulation, and From Israel, Suite for Orchestra. Symphony Bagatelles, Op. 33; Eleven Bagatelles, Op. crispness of attack. The other elements of of the Air with George Neikrug (cello), Leo­ 119; Seven Bagatelles, Op. 126. George Ban­ his performances are on an equally high pold Stokowski condo United Artist UAL halmi {piano} . Vox PL 10.680 $4.98 plane. He invests the music with a con­ 7005 Musical Interest: little-known gems of a trolled power which is very much in keep­ Musical Interest: Very high well-k~own master ing with the character of the two works. Performance: The best of Stokowski Performa nee : Expert Gilels makes it abundantly clear that the Recording: Tops Recording : Very good indeed composer of these concerti is the same man Stokowski, who has just made a sensa­ The jacket notes of this disc quote the who later gave us the poetry and nobility tional recording of the Shostakovich dictionary definition of the word "bagatelle" of the Emperor Concerto. I would especial­ Sym­ 1 for United Artists with the as "trifle, negligible amount; short unpre­ ly call to your attention the extraordinary phony No. Symphony of the Air, has done it again tentious piece of music . .." Do not be drama which Gilels conjures up in the with this-the coupling of Bloch and Ben· misled by that definition, however. While opening movement of the First Concerto Haim. The performances are ice-clear, ex· some of these works are light in feeling, in the bridge passage which leads from the citing and carried off with the polish and even including the well-known Fur Elise, development into the recapitulation. After discipline of a great orchestra. For the life there are among them some that bear the the quiet rumination of the solo piano .. of me, I don't know how the Symphony of powerful stamp of the late Beethoven. As against the repeated horn notes, the stento· the Air retains its ensemble perfection. To such, they are a welcome excursion into the rian quality of the eX!Jloding headlong-rush my knowledge it does not function as a full· lesser-trod paths. down the scale made me bolt upright in my time concert and broadcasting organization. I must confess that I had never heard seat. of the pianist. That in no way lessens my The orchestral performance under young Let's be grateful for large favors, however, and sound a hosanna for a record that of­ respect for his artistry, which strikes me Vandernoot seconds Gilels' superlative reno fers magnificent playing and equally mag· as completely admirable. The recording, ditions with similarly excellent results, and also, is outstanding for the fidelity to real the recorded sound is a joy. This is a nificent sound. Ben-Haim's Suite for Orchestra, From piano tone. D. R. marvelous disc! M. B. Israel, is his first major orchestral work to be recorded. He does not indulge in • BEETHOVEN: Music for Cello and • BEETHOVEN-Triple Concerto in C tonal abstracts; there is very little disso· Piano (Complete)-Sonatas: No. I in F Major, Op. 56. John Corigliano (violin), nance. Ben-Haim obviously has gone to Major, Op. 5, No. I; No.2 in G minor, Op. Leonard Rose (cello), Walter Hendl (piano) 5, No.2; No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; No.4 Israeli folk material and has expertly with N. Y. Philharmonic, Bruno Walter, condo adapted it to his own orchestral palate. in C Major, Op. 102, No. I; No. 5 in D Columbia ML 5368 $4.98 Major, Op. 102, No. 2;-Seven Variations The suite, scored for medium orchestra, is on Mozart's "Bei Mannern"; Twelve Varia­ Musical Interest: Fragile cleverly instrumented, with a large percus­ tions on a Theme from Handel's "Judas Mac­ Performance: OK sion section, and a harpsichord, which is cabeus"; Twelve Variations on Mozart's "Ein Recording : See below used sparingly. Divided into five sections­ Madchen oder Weibchen." Joseph Schuster The disc raises serious questions con· "Prologue," "Song of Songs," "Yeminite {cello} and Friedrich Wuehrer (piano) . Vox Melody," "Siesta," and "Celebration," the VBX 8 3 12" $6.95 cerning the ethics involved in its release. Here is Columbia ostensibly with a "new" suite is cast into a mold one might call Musical Interest: High recording of Beethoven's Triple Concerto. romantic. By whatever title, it is pleasant, Performance: Very good straightforward music, heavily flavored with Recording : Excellent Actually, it is not new at all; it is the same performance which began its career oriental color. Ben·Haim fled Nazi Ger· This is a real bargain-three records filled in the middle 1940's as a 78 rpm release many and settled in Palestine, and is today with good music and good music-making. and was later one of the earliest of Co· the leader of what is known as the Mediter­ Beethoven's five sonatas for piano and cello lumbia's LP transfers (where it occupied ranean School of Israeli composers. He has span almost his entire career as a composer. a lO·inch disc). Yet nowhere in the docu· devoted himself to the study of oriental folk The very early Op. 5, No.2, was probably mentation that accompanies the record will music-Jewish, Yeminite and Arabic. the first of his works to foretell his future you find this information; rather, the im­ Bloch's Schelomo has never been record­ greatness-a composition of character and pression is clearly created that this is a ed in such dramatic sound nor in such power. Op. 69 is an excellent example of new recording. Of course, all you have to vividly articulate fashion! This version his lyrical middle period, and the Op. 102 do to dispel this impression is to play the goes to the top of a roster of fine recordings pieces partake of the seriousness and exalta­ record and out comes the dry, unresonant, that have preceded it, and becomes easily tion of the last period. As he originally boxed-in sound which was typical of Co­ the choice of the lot. George Neikrug plays conceived the sonatas with the piano up' lumbia's product a dozen years ago. The with great passion, secure if not brilliant permost in importance, tbey are the first sound of the Ttird Leonore Overture, which technique, and a lovely tone. Since Sto· sonatas for this combination in which both fills out the second side, is better because kowski loves to conduct scores of such im­ instruments have an equal opportunity to it is a more recent recording, but this per­ passioned color as Schelomo, I was a bit shine. These performers and the recording formance, too, is a re·issue. Why shouldn't afraid at first that he might indulge in maintain this equality. Wuehrer is a fine something be done to compel the industry overblown theatrics. He does not. The con· pianist and Schuster is an excellent cellist. to identify re·issues as such? Columbia is ducting is Stokowski at his best, full of his They play with insight, power and a deep a consistent violator in this respect, and inherent good musicianship. This is cer­ regard for the architecture of the music. is far from being the only one to engage tainlya record to own. J. T. The cello tone is attractively singing and in this highly suspect practice. the piano tone has compelling solidity. The The performance, a basically good one, • BRAHMS-Lieder: Op. 94; Op. 105; Variations are performed with ample vir­ is now superseded by the excellent Angel Op. 106 (Complete). Heinz Rehfuss (bass) tuosity to round-out a highly commendable performance reviewed in the stereo section and Erik Werba (piano). Westminster XWN release. W. D. of this issue. M. B. 18846 $4.98 Musical Interest: For lieder specialists • BEETHOVEN-Piano Concertos: No. I Performance: Low plateau in C Major, Op. 15; No.2 in B Flat Major, BEETHOVEN-Symphony No.2; Ruins of Recording : Very good Athens (see p. 6.2) Op. 19. Emil Gilels with the Paris Conserva. Each of these three sets consists of five tory Orchestra. Andre Vandernoot condo An­ gel 35672 $4.98 songs. Op. 94 : Mit vierzig lahren; Steig BEETHOVEN-Symphony No.7; Coriolan auf, geliebter Schatten; Mein Herz ist Musical Interest: Very high (see p. 62) schwer; Sapphische Ode; Kein Haus, Performances: Marvelous keine H eimat. Op. 105: W ie M elodien Recording: Good BERLIOZ-Roman Carnival Overture (see zieht es mir; Immer Leiser wird mein For my money these are Gilels' most suc­ p. 62) Schlummer; Klage; Auf dem Kirchho/e; cessful recordings of Beethoven. From a Verrat. Op. 106: Stiindchen; Au/ dem See; purely technical angle his playing here is • BLOCH-Schelomo (Hebrew Rhapsody Es hing der Rei/; Meine Lieder; Ein Wan­ extraordinary: nimble finger work with for Cello and Orchestra). BEN·HAIM- derer. 82 HIFI REVIEW This is not, unfortunately, as wi se a meas­ ure as it seems, for there is a sameness of !Il~" SEPTEMBER: IN STEREO ON r"'> :c'~'i mood in most of them, and the expressive range of the vocalist is too limited to infuse ~ ~ [l:!% ~! ~ them with consistent interest. A few are very fi ne, indeed, but they are too scattered n. to lend signifi cant variety to the program ~ ~ ~EL [::: ~~~ (~ llJI! ~~ .w.1! ,,7~:lJ without more assistance from Rehfuss_ The ;:~ : ~ : :r.-::>K?E3~ ======;:~ :~~K?~~ recorded balance between singer and pian­ ist is excellent. W. D. ~ 'THE GIRL' ~ The "Wild West," as Puccini saw it after his first visit BRAHMS-Lieder (see p_ 62) m M ~ to the U.S. in 1905, was more exciting than "Gunsmoke" W T.· -certainly more melodic! In this "golden" new La Scala ~ W Opera recording for Angel of "Girl of the Golden Wes t," BRAHMS-Piano Quintet (see p_ 64) i Birgil Niluon si ngs Minnie, the saloon-keeper, with Jono .w • "\ Gibin as Bandit Dick J ohnso n, Andrea Mongelli as Sherifl' ., lJ J ack Rance. "Excellent production ... to be accepted as ). eOlGRASS-Variations (see GOULD) ~ .'".;;]'. authoritative" (G ramophone). La Scala Orches tra and W...',]·. Chorus conducted by Louro vo n Malacic, who makes hi s U.S. debut this fall. • • DEBUSSY-Jeux: Poeme Danse; Images ~ pour Orchestre: Rondes de Printe mps; ~ 3 records, with li bretto An~el (S) 3593 C/L ~ Trois Chansons de Charles d'Orleans; Trois Ballads de Fran'i0is Villon. Freda Betty (contralto ), Bernard Plant ey (baritone) with Chorale Sympho nique de la Radiodiffusio n F ran~aise and O rchestre National d e la Ra ­ ~: RKLEMPERER'Seviewers on two continents hav 'NINTH'e acclaimed Kle mperer's ~~:'.~~w·':::;':; diodiffusio n F ran~aise. D. E. In ghe lbrecht, recording of The Ninth as "a great recording of the cen- condo Angel 35678 $4.98 ~"" tury" (Brit. Record News) ... "Homeri c! What more can '11.' one want, except slereo?" (H i-Fi Music Review) . NOW- Musical In terest: Considerable [# H EAR IT IN ANGEL STEREO! Klemperer, at the Perform ance: Brilliantly executed ~,.. '. pinnacle of his art, conducting the Phil harmonia Orch. [.;;.\ Record ing: Sharply defined and Chorus. Soloists: Liivberg, Ludwig, Kmentt, Hotter. Bonus: Music from "Egmont," Birgit Nilsson, Soloist Listening to Inghelbrecht's exquisitely ~ controlled performances makes the reviewer 00 An~e l (S) 3577-B [~.~.,:... . wonder why Angel has not issued more ~ More Klemperer in Angel Stereo: Beethoven Symphonies No.1 and No. 8 (S) 35657 ~ record ings under his direction, for he re­ mains one of the world's foremost interpre­ ters of the music of Claude Debussy. De­ spite the fact that his J eux is brilliantly and ~ T=:m~~:';I:~ 200 (S)"~ ~ perfectly executed, and th at th e same cold, ffi J ust about the lustiest bunch of bassos, brasses, bala- [1 relentless light of perfection is apparent in ar every measure of Rondes de Printemps and W ~1 i ka s ,a~d ~bu.ll i e n ce YOf' lil ever ht lin stereo! The ,~ ,:. '. oV let s , an -pIcked, care u y sc 100 ed c lOTUS and band W.,· Cigues, Inghelbrecht faces stern competi­ are conducted by Col. Boris Alexandrov in 13 so ngs, in­ r tion from two sources. Argenta and the cluding the Volga Boatman, Russian love so ngs, and a Sui sse Romande Orchestra on London offer ~~.". .] thunderous Soldier's Chorus from Russian opera. Worth ~" ",. a tremendous performance of the complete _ the price of the wIlDIe albu m is their treatment of Tippe- _ Images (CS 6013/LL 1735), while Manuel ~_ rary, in bouncy Engli sh music-hall style, with tremolo Rosenthal on Westminster (XWN 18871- m "intros" by the balalaikas! An~e l (S) 35t11 U1 mono) has etched a remarkable reading of Jeux. Obviously then, the added attraction of this release is the inclusion of the rarely heard Trois Chansons for chorus and the ~ GILBERT & SULLIVAN-IN STEREO! ~ Villon Ballades. Trois Chansons for a cap ­ "What, never? Hardly euer" ... such a treat as this! pella chorus is very pleasing and cheerful m ~:~.',:;l music, beautifully delivered by the Chorale M.".;.. ]:. H.M.S. PINAFORE Brand new, full of fu n! Starring George Baker, Symphonique. Trois Ballades de Franqois ~J J ohn Cameron, Richard Lewis, Owen Brannigan, J ames Milligan, Villon is music of more substance, featuring '1 ~~;~e ~uo;,i,)~ n, Marjorie Thomas, and Monica Sinclair (as "poor t.~. baritone Bernard Plantey, who sings the • solo role firmly, with good tone, and secure ~ Sir M alcolm Sargenl conducting nil-sial' all-Brilish casl, plus the ~ ;" . Pro A I''' Orc/ltsll'll and the famed Glyndebollrne Feslival Choms ~["";.•• control. (wh ich ex pertly provides sisters and cousins and aunts by the dozens). Certainly this new Angel release belongs 2 records with delightfully illus. libretto An~el (S) 3589 ~~® with the better recordings of the music of • Debussy. Collectors will want to add it to ~" their library for two reasons: Ingh el brecht's ~ . AND MORE ... R ECORDED IN EUROPE FOR ANGEL STER EO W marvelously co ntrolled readings, and the ~ rarity of the vocal literature. The sound, incidentally, is unusually bright and clear ~.:.'. ~~S~~~:i~t HOFFNUNG INTERPLANETARY MUSIC FESTIVAL ~.'. for Angel. J. T. Time Magazine call ed Gerard H ojjnzl11g • ~ ~ With the Philh armonia Orchestra. " highbrow Spike J ones ." British audiences ']~.., '. Mozar' Concerlo NO.3 in G) K. 2I6 roared at his 'Extra vagant E ucning of Sym- f.~t· [_ Russia's greatest violinist plays his own pho/iic Cnricalure.' You wi ll , too. Here it is, • • DEBUSSY-La Mer; Nocturnes: Nua­ Cadenzas and conducts! d d' I f R I F St'l al H all ~ ges, Fetes, Sirenes. Pa ris' C o nservato ry ffi.:'. Prokofiev Concerlo No.2 ill G minor, Op. 63 ~~~~o~ . I;as:~f; ~~n~v h ::': in e st:re fr~~ ~·:".,:'i_: Orc hestra, Constantin Silvestri cond o Angel W Alceo Gallier. conducting. An~el (S) 35714 P unch cartoonist, satirist, painter, and tuba 35688 $4.98 ~',.'. player Hofl'nung-"Lel's Fake nil Opera. " In the David Oistrakh Trio Cast includes Azucena, Otell o, Brunnhilde, Musi cal Interest: Naturally Schuberl Trio No. I ill B flnl Manrico, etc. Scene opens outside a ciga- Pe rfo rm ance: Ramarkable ~. Oistrakh with Lev Oborin, piano, and i_~~:;·. Sviatoslav Kriushevitzky, 'cell o. rette factory in old Nuremberg. Recording '. />-mazing m W W An~el (S) 35713 Enough said. Hear it. An~el (S) 35800 Is Angel changing its engineering ap- I Stereo albums also available 1II0Ilop/lOllicn//y. Omit prefix S. SEPTEMBER 1959 proach? The customary and quite satisfac· death" in spite of some pretty incriminating with similar perception and strength. The tory "softsound" usually associated with circUmstantial evidence. (She has!) This recording is engineered with ' laudable this label has been replaced here with a may seem like slender material for three clarity of detail. W. D. "new" sound that is startling. Microphones long acts, but Gaetano Rossi had no trouble whatever contriving a charming "Mad have been moved in much closer, and the GIANNINI-Taming of the Shrew (see results are interesting. La Mer emerges as Scene for Act II," and making Linda just PUCCINI) the most dynamically exciting version yet as charmingly recover her ambUlatory recorded. Silvestri's treatment strips away senses an act later so that once all shadows all semblance of the vague colors we have are removed her unsullied virtue can shine • GOULD-Concertette for Viola and been accustomed to in La Mer. Debussy's again for in to admire. Band; COLGRASS-Variations for Viola and sea under his baton is a nervous ocean. His No one ih , the impressive cast of princi· Four Drums. Emanuel Vardi and Michael Colgrass with MGM Orchestra, Arthur Win· reading is restless, quick, and"muscular. "pals needs lin introduction to American ograd condo MGM E 3714 $3.98 There is no more cleanly articulated La 'audiences. · , :iilntirelf <~ove ,' reproach are Mer anywhere, on any label. Of the four· Renato Capecchi in the role of 'the lecher· Musical Interest: Considerable teen or so LP's available, this new Angel ous Marquis-capturing the character's . -l'ertormsflce:-:'Eiccellent must certainly go to the top of the list menacing undertones just as aptly and con· Recording: Very good for engineering accomplishment. If Angel vincingly as its buDo aspects-and Fedora The Concertette is a lively and colorful is going to continue this kind of monitoring, Barbieri, who sings the music of Pierotto, composition. Written in 1943, it displays we are in for many new exciting releases. Linda's faithful friend, with tonal security the Gould combination of dance rhythms Nocturnes is highlighted by a blazingly and velvety richness. In the title role, An· and vivid orchestration. The viola stands delivered "Fetes", a very clean account of toinetta Stella is not too happily cast. Since out .against the winds and percussion with "Sirimes," and a good if not top performance she is not a coloratura, the florid passages far more clarity than it would against a of "Nuages," wherein Silvestri's ice clear ap· are not negotiated with the required agility, conventional orchestra, a nice touch of per· proach robs the music of some of its essen· and she omits most of the trills. Also, her ceptivity on Gould's part. tial warmth. This recording is altogether a voice frequently takes on an edgy quality, The Colgrass is a more unusual piece. "cracking" good release, and one of the noticeably in the famous first act aria "0 This young composer seems to specialize in most brilliant sounding I've ' ever heard. luce di quest 'anima." To be sure, she is an the use of percussion melodically as well J.T. intelligent dramatic artist who understands as rhythmically. Prior to 1957, when these the role and endows it with sensitivity and Variations were written, he achieved suc· poignancy (the Mad Scene is very appeal· DEBUSSY-Preludes (see p. 64) cess with a percussion nonet, entitled Three ingly sung). But there's just not enough Brothers (Urania lO07-stereo & mono), dramatic interest here to make this part and a Chamber Music for Four Drums and • DONIZETTI-Linda di Chamounlx fit her considerable talents. String Quartet. (c:omplete opera). Antonietta Stella (so. Carlo, the object of Linda's affections, is Both compositions recorded here are prano)-Linda; Renato Capecchi (baritone) the well·known spineless and slow·witted played with skill and conviction. Vardi, -The Marquis; Cesare Valletti (tenor)­ variety-and a mama's boy to boot. All one Carlo; Giuseppe Modesti (bass )-Prefect; now Audio Fidelity's classical A & R man, can expect of Cesare Valletti here, is to plays a rhapsodic viola. Winograd conducts Giuseppe Taddei (baritone )-Antonio; Rina sing beautifully, which he does, except for Corsi (mezzo-sopranoJ-Maddalena; Fedora with energy, and Colgrass is no slouch on Barbieri (contralto) - Pierotto; others. an occasionally strained high·note or two. the drums. Good recording, not as dry as Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro San The' flowing romanza "ti: la voce" (Act III) many other MGM records, rounds out an Carlo di Napoli, Tullio Serafin, condo Colum. is one of the high poiIits of the perform· intriguing off-beat release. W. D. bia M3L 403 3 12" $14.94 ance. In the part of Linda's father--once a Battistini specialty-Giuseppe Taddei must Musical Interest: For Bel canto fanciers shoulder a good deal of melodramatic eye· • HANDEL - Eight Overtures: Terpsi­ Performance: Expert and stylish rolling and posturings, but vocally his is a chore; Rodelinda; Theseo; Ariadne; &io: Recording: Satisfactory sturdy and stylish characterization, as is Jephtha: II Pastor Fido; Alexander's Feast. Modesti's mellifluous Prefect. Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Rolf Rein· Linda di Chamounix (Vienna, 1842) was hardt condo Vox PL 11.300 $4.98 the sixty·first in Donizetti's total of 67 The amazing Serafin, who presided over operas. Long a repertory staple as one of the Metropolitan's last staging of Linda di Musical Interest: A sum smaller than its the redQubtable coloratura "vehicles," it Chamounix in 1934, conducts with his cus· parts has been relegated since the turn of the tomary sense of balance and consideration Performance: Competent century to occasional revivals in Italy and for the singers. If the music does not Recording: Good sparkle under his guidance, it certainly very few·and·far·between elsewhere. It is Played individually, these overtures con· flows and undulates elegantly. The record· an ideal opera for a revival via records, and vey some grand Handelian moments. ing is not up to the American Columbia Columbia is entitled to a hearty round of Played through one after the other, as the level-insufficient clarity in the highs­ applause for such an enterprise-and par· LP format compels, monotony tends to set but it is generally satisfactory; the illus· ticularly; for the good sense in entrusting in. The LP record just isn't suited to trated booklet and libretto that is provided the task to such a well-chosen conductor lengthy programs of similarly styled short with the set is most attractive. G. J. and ensemble. pieces. It is too bad that the record manufac· "Linda" suffers from opera's deadliest dis· turers bungled the production and distribu· ease-"librettitis." This particular handi· • FAURti-Piano Quartet No. I in C mi­ tion of classical extended·play 45's; they work of Signor Gaetano Rossi is, apart nor, Op. 15; MARTINU-Piano Quartet are ideal for pieces like these overtures. from being dramatically full of holes, down· No. I, (1942). Mieczyslaw Horszowski (pi. Reinhardt conducts in forthright fashion, right embarrassing in its old· fashioned na· ano), Alexander Schneider (violin), Milton Katims (viola). Frank Miller (cello). Colum. and the recorded sound is big and bright. ivete. There's nothing whatever wrong with W.D. the music. Donizetti, as ever, the astonish· bia ML 5343 $4.98 ingly fertile fountainhead of melody, pours Musical Interest: Uncommon chamber out one appealing tune after another; some works HAYDN-Flute Concerto: Oboe Concerto reminiscent of his earlier scores; some en· Performance: Virile (see p. 66) hanced by a fresh melodic turn; some a Recording: Very good little obvious or trivial; some with the po· T.he Faure was written about sixty years • HAYDN-Theresa Mass. Catherine Rowe tential of "unforgettability". The overall im. before ·the .Martinu. It remains the more (soprano), Margaret Tobias (alto), Donald pression is something like a Lucia di Lam· lyrically attractive work, and a more sen· Sullivan (tenor), Paul Matthen (bass) M.I.T. mermoor with a happy ending. Only "Lin· sitive, expressive composition. The four Choral Society and Graunke Symphony da" lacks the fire and passion that enlivens instrumentalists have played together many Orchestra, Klaus liepmann condo M.I.T. the earlier score. After all, the all·consum· tiInes during the past several years. Their CS·58 $3.98 ing central issue here is not hatred, rivalry ensemble work is smooth and flexible. They Musical Interest: High or greed, but whether or not the heroine perform the Faure with affection and un· Performance: Very good has managed to escape "a fate worse than derstanding, and the more athletic Martinu Recording : Very good 84 HIFI REVIEW maybe you've seen such quality before but never • at these I low

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Hear Sonic stereo components at your local hi-fi dealer today, or write I I ( I SONIC INDUSTRIES, INC., 19 WILBUR STREET, LYNBROOK, NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 1959 85 Last year, the members of the M.I.T. KO RNGOLD- Much Ado A bout Nothing ; Choral Society saved theil' pennies, and by STEREO-FAX July, had enough money to finance an AUSTRIAN CLASSICAL MARCHES (see Provides Stereo Realism economy tour of Europe. They sang in p.68) From Monaural Source Paris, at the Brussels World's Fair, and in several German co mmunities. In Munich, • LISZT- Etudes d' E".k utfo n Tra nscend­ their concert co ncluded the city's Interna­ ante (Complete). Gyorgy Cziffra (piano) . tional Choral Week, and happy to relate, 2 12" Angel 359 1·8 $9.96 it was wholly lTiumphant. Musical Interest: The pia nistic ga mut Hayd n's great Theresa Mass concluded Performance : In the vein their Muni ch program . With KJ aus Liep­ Recordi ng : Excellent mann, Director of Music at M.LT., wi eld­ Now, here's somet'h'i ng . U szt n eld these ing the baton, and assisted by the Graunke pieces in hi gh regard; he turned to them Symphony Orchestra of Munich, the Chorus on-and-off for a quarter of a century, polish­ and its able soloists sang magnifi cently, to ing, pruning and perfecting them. In a H ear new d epth a nd brilliance fro m your the enthusiasti c approval of tbe critical sense, they constitute a monument t.o what m o n aural t ape and reco rd collection by in ­ audience. stalling t he STEREO-FAX in your hig h fid el­ he accomplished in developing the art of ity stereo system. T h is network component Fortunately, tbe performance, or a re­ piano playing-and nobody quarrels with p ermits you to take full adva ntage o f your hem'sal, was taped, and this is tbe disc de­ stereo system with a ll monaura l progra m his pre-eminence in that field. Cziffra plays m at eria l by introducing p h ase displace­ rived therefrom . The interpretation is live­ this music wi th real flair. He believes in m ent between amp lifiers. The result is ex­ traordinary rea lism. Get new enjoyment ly and sensitive and the recording is well every note. The mighty chords are thun­ from ALL radio broad casts. Written up in balanced. (It was mastered by Peter Bar­ Hi -Fi Directory and other leading publica­ dered out wi th passion; the pearly runs are tions. Unit comprises a p assive RLC circuit t6k. ) The amazi ngly polished professional­ delicately strun g with intense affection. He requiring no power source. Easily insta lled is m achieved by the choir is a tribute to without disruption of existing hook-up. senses the poetry in the music and plays it the training and standards of Dr. Liepmann. with feeling. He justifi es these pieces mu­ The "Music at M.LT." series seems to sically as well as technically. In this, his have come back home since Unico rn Rec­ rendition differs from that of J orge Bolet, Ol'ds is no more. This brilliant, and only who did most of these Etudes on a Victor avail able record of one of Haydn's fine st disc (LM 2291) a few months ago. Bolet's Available on ly by mail, pbstpaid if cash with order, or C.O.D. plus postage. (Ca lif. Masses, is obtainable only by mail for $4.15 version wa s played brilliantly, but it was resident s add 4 % t ax.) Shipping weight (postage included) from the Massachusetts all technique, with littJe poetry and less approx. } 1/2 Ibs. ·for either mode l. Complet e technical data, simple inst a llation instruc­ Insti tute of Technology, Cambridge 39, heart. Cziffra's has the poetry and the tions. a nd sch em atic included with each Mass. W . D. order . Satisfaction g u aranteed. heart. Angel's recording is very fine, but AUDIOPHILE MODEL U-3 A $ 19.95 four si des do seem rather over-generous for STANDARD MODEL U-4B $16.9 5 • HERBERT-Pan Americana; A merica n these twelve pieces. W . D. ORDER NOW or write fo r full inform ation Fantasy; Iris h Rha ps ody; Selections from D ept. Gaylor Products C o. SA- 99 "Naug ht y Marietta"; Selections from t he • Ll SZT-Six Pa ga nini Et ud es; A nn ees de "Fortune Te ll er." Ph ila delphia Orchestra, Pe lerinage; Three Petra rch Sonnets; Tara n­ 11100 Cumpston St., No. Hollywood, Calif. Eugene Ormandy cond_ C olumbia ML 5376 tella. Alfred Brendel (piano )_ Vox PL 10.800 $4.98 $4.98 Musica l Interest: Sentimental ma ster­ Mu sica l Interest: More for pia no fa ns pieces Performance : A near miss Perfo rm ance : Terrific Recording : Very good Recording: G reat Brend el is the Vox entry in the Liszt One of the best symphony orchestras in sweepstakes, running against Angel's Czif­ the world, under an intelligent and often fra and Westminster's Farnadi. This is th e inspiring conductor, takes seriously the fifth LP in his series, titled "Brend el P lays job of playing the sentimental scores of Liszt." The music here is a decided cut Herbert. The result is magnificent. There above much of Liszt's output. The Petrarch have been scads of records made of Her­ Sonnets are among his most poetic com­ hert's music-transcriptions of all kinds, positions, while the Paganini Etudes are but when you assign the magic of his highly successful pianistic transformations splendid period pieces to an orchestra of of the demon-fiddler's Caprices, plus a th e caliber of the Philadelphia, yo u get movement from his B minor Violin Con­ some of the most bea utiful so unding senti­ certo. Brendel has technique, style and ment ever committed to mi crogroove. sweep, but not very much fire. Without this American Fantasy was conducted by last ingredient, there isn't as much point Herbert at the Broadway Theater in 1893 to t.h e music as there could be. The record­ when he led the Gilmore Band. The work ed piano tone is creditable. W. D. when it 's in an enclosure. So why make was overwhelmingly rcceived-a hit of the it with fancy frills that may look good, time. It is nothing more than an expert LlSZT-Les Prelud es (see p. 68) but costs more and adds nothing t o t he arrangement of old American tunes : Swanee River, The Girl I Left Behind Me, • MANFREDINI: Six Concertos, Op. 3. and Dixie leading up to a rousing Star I Musici with Roberto Mich e lucci (violin ) _ p'rl"m~~gQ Spangled Banner final e. The score brings Epic LC 351 4 $3.98 back those gay old times with splendidly Musica l Interest: Li ttle·known fare but dramatic so nics. pleasa nt listening Perform ance : First rat e SPEAKERS put t he emphasis on quality, Pan Americana is not quite on the same Recording : Exce ll ent which is on the inside where you can 't musical level as the rest of the repertoire, see it, but can sure hear it. See what we but the Irish Suite will surely raise some Again we are indebted to this enterpris­ mean? For literature, write ... goose-bumps. Selection s from Naughty Ma­ ing group of players for giving us lesser­ rietta and Fortune Teller round out a rec­ known early Italian music. Allhough t.h e ord of surprisin gly sup erior qualities. It is date of Manfredini's birth cannot be de­ sentimental, and somewhat dated to be termined with certainty, it is believed to be united sure; but what is wrong with that? Her­ about 1685, which would make him a COll­ PRODUCTS OF DISTINC T ION bert must rank with Porter, Gershwin, temporary of Bach and Handel. 202·4 Easl 191h St.,N. Y.3, N. Y. Kern, Foster, Berl in, as one of America's All the concertos are for strings, for the popular greats, and mu ch of his best music most part with solo violin. To these ears will be al'ollJ1d for decades to come. J. T . the Concerto No. 10 is the most impressive 86 HIFI REVIEW 12 MONTHS SUBSCRIPTION LOWEST PRICE EVER TO BARGAIN BULLETINS $7950 Page- after-page, month - after­ FOR A 40-watt $8 DOWN month. 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SEPTEMBE R 1959 87 of the six works on the disc, not merely Recording : Bright beautifully clear, but Westminster's bass is a little shallow. D. R. because it employs two solo instruments, The ceremoniously style Divertimenti for but because of the music itself. Also note· Flutes, Trumpets, and Timpani are the main worthy is the Concerto No. 12-easy going, items of interest here, for there are better • MOZART - (Piano Music: for Four gentle music, with a "pastoral" opening competitive versions of both the Horn Con· Hands)-Sonata in C Major (K.521): An­ movement suggestive of the Pastoral Sym· certo (Brain-Angel 35092) and the dante with Five Variations (K. 501 ): Sonata in F Major (K. 497). Ingrid Haebler and phony in Handel's Messiah. Serenade (Klemperer-Angel 35401). For All the performances are impeccable, as Ludwig Hoffmann (pianists). Vox DL-432-2 all the soloist's unerring agility, the saxo­ $5.95 the recording is spacious, yet clear. D. R. phonelike tone characteristic of Parisian French horn remains discomforting to my Musical Interest: Moderate Performance: Amiable MARTINU-Piano Quartet (see FAURE) . ears; and the Serenade performance has Recording: Very good none of the vitality of Klemperer's and several other versions. The Divertimenti Four·hand piano music undoubtedly is • MASSENET-Manon (complete opera). more interesting to the performers than to Victoria De Los Angeles (soprano)-Manon; are intriguing curiosities, scarcely major Henry Legay (tenor)-Des Grieux; Michel Mozart, but fascinating as sheer sound­ the listener. It has an informality about it Dens (baritone )-Lescaut; Jean Borthayre especially if one imagines them being that tends to relax the players and the (bass·baritonel-le Comte Des Grieux; played out of doors far from the staircase audience to the point where the listener's Rene Herent (tenor}-Guillot; Jean Vieuille of a great rococo palace hall. Bright and attention wanders. These two' sonatas are (baritone I-De Bretigny and others. Chorus clear recording with performances to match. among the best Mozart wrote for the key­ and Orchestra of the Theatre National de D.H. board-for two or four hands-and they are l'Opera Comique, Pierre Monteux condo played nicely, with an easy give·and-take Capitol-EM I GDR 7171 4 12" $19.92 and ample technical proficiency. There is MOZART-Piano Concerto in C minor (K. Musical Interest: High 491 ): Piano Sonata in B Flat (K. 333): Piano more excitement in this music, however, Performance: Excellent Concerto in D minor (K. 466): Piano Sonata than the amiability of the performers indi­ Recording: Good in A minor (K. 310) (see p. 68) cates. Perhaps it is the medium itself that This is a most welcome return to the militates against a performance of passion active catalog of an exceptionally fine per· • MOZART-Church Sonatas for Organ and intensity. However, that may more formance first released in 1956 by RCA and Orchestra (K. 67: K. 68: K. 69: K. 144: properly be a subject for psychologists or Victor. Captured in this set is the unsur­ K. 145: K. 212: K. 224: K. 225: K. 241; philosophers. The music· making here is passably authoritative treatment of this K. 244: K. 245: K. 263: K. 274: K. 278: pleasing, and the recording communicates most Gallic of French operas by the Opera K. 328: K. 329: K. 336). Christiane Delisle it truthfully. W. D. Comique, enhanced by the formidable con­ with Instrumental Ensemble Sinfonia, Jean Witold condoWestminster XWN 18804 $4.98 tributions of two distinguished non·mem· • MOZART-La Finta Giardiniera, K. 196 bers, Pierre Monteux on the podium and Musical Interest: Fair (Highlights). Dodi Protero (soprano)-San. Victoria De Los Angeles in the title role. Peformance: Good drina/Violannte; Andor Kaposy (tenor 1- It is undoubtedly to Monteux's credit that Recording : Good Belfiore; Ruth Nixa (soprano )-Arminda; the individual virtues of his cast are fused These Church Sonatas are hardly show­ Thea lovrencevic (soprano)-Ramiro; Kurt into a splendid ensemble and that the entire pieces. More often than not, the "King of Seywald (tenor)-The Podesta; Walter Ran· performance radiates the charm, spirit and Instruments" just plays along while the inger (bass)-Nardo; Karin Kuster (so· orchestra leads the way. They are short, prano )-Serpetta. Camarata Academica of tenderness that the opera reveals to those the Salzburger Mozarteum, Bernhard Paum· who have long and lovingly lived with it. single.movement pieces, at times resem· gadner condo Epic LC 3543 $3.98 Half of the battle is won, of course, when bling overtures or movements from' a sym­ you have an artist of the De Los Angeles phony. They were composed to be played Mus ical Interest: Minor Mozart during High Mass, between the Gloria and Performance : Capable but unexciting caliber to portray Manon-both in charac· Recording : Satisfactory terization and tonal beauty this is an the Credo, so that the priest and the con· achievement one wouldn't know how to im· gregation might rest for a few moments and Mozart composed this three·act opera prove upon. Henri Legay triumphs over gain inspiration for the remainder of the buffa for the Munich Carnival in 1774 on his considerable vocal limitations with service. Most of the Sonatas are rather commission of the King of Bavaria. He miraculous skill. "Ah! fuyez douce image," lightweight, but a few of the later ones was in his eighteenth year and could al· with its high tessitura, causes a few uneasy are examples of Mozart at his best. Witold ready look back on a number of fairly sue· moments, but these are easily forgotten. conducts with spirit and an understanding cessful operas, among them the astonishing Here is a Chevalier of taste and elegance of Mozartean style, while the recording Bastien and Bastienne, written at the age whose phrasing is a delight and whose balances orchestra and the organ effcctively. of twelve. La Finia Giardiniera occupies a respect for the composer's markings is ex· W.D. modest niche in the Mozartean output, but ceptional. His duets with Manon (the St. it shows considerable invention, wit and SuI pice scene, the final farewell, to say • MOZART-Sonatas for Piano, Four musical characterization in addition to the nothing of their first meeting) are, in my Hands in F Major, (K. 497) C Major, (K. felicities we have come to expect in even opinion, the peaks of the entire perform­ 521 ). Paul Badura-Skoda and Joerg Demus . the least significant Mozartean trifles. The ance. Westminster XWN 18813 $4.98 libretto, written by Ranieri di Calzabigi, With a strong supporting cast, an over· Gluck's expert collaborator, is a compli· all dramatic presentation that suggests a • MOZART: Piano Music for Four Hands cated but thoroughly predictable succession remarkable degree of stage illusion for a (Vol. I)-Sonatas G Major (K. 357): D of situations arising from the usual mis· Major (K. 381): B Flat (K. 358): C Major monophonic set, and a recorded sound that taken identities. (K. 19d). Ingrid Haebler and Ludwig Hoff­ This Salzburg performance guarantees is above reproach, this, clearly, is pretty mann. Vox DL 432-1 3-12" $19.50 much an unqualified triumph. G. J. careful scholarship under the authoritative Musical Interest: Delightful baton of Paumgartner, but fails to bring Performances: Both sensitive sparkle to the proceedings. The singers, MORENO TORROBA-Guitar Suite (see Recording : Vox bass better RODRIGO) all of whom are unfamiliar, perform their Along with Schubert, Mozart was re­ tasks with earnestness but prove inade· sponsible for a considerable body of litera· quate to the challenging opportunities. This • MOZART-Horn Concerto No. 3 in E Flat is most flagrant with the interpreter of Ar· (K. 447): Serenade No. 6 in D Major (K. ture for four·hand piano. Both discs con· 239) ("Serenata Notturna"): March in D tain delightful examples of his output. minda, whose Donna Elvira·like bravura Major (K. 445): Divertimenti for Flutes, The performances can all be recom· aria in the second act is clearly out of her Trumpets, and Timpani in C Major (K. 187): mended without reservation. There is ex­ reach. Nor is Kurt Seywald able to sum· C Major · (K. 188). Jean-Marie Leclair In­ cellent ensemble and a wonderful affinity for mon the requisite subtleties, or humor for strumental Ensemble, Jean-Franc;ois Paillard Mozart's style. Since the records contain that matter, in the delicious buffo aria condo Westminster XWN 18833 $4.98 no duplication of repertoire, there is noth­ "Dentro il mio petto." Musical Interest: Diverting ing to prevent the lover of four·hand music In addition to the leading arias-one of Performance: Competent from acquiring both recordings. They are which {Nardo's indictment of the fair sex 88 HIFI REVIEW "A forza di martelli") is a precursor of Fi· . garo's "Aprite un po' quegl' occhi"-these highlights include the finales of all three acts in which the ensemble work is very creditable. Libretto is not provided and, whil e the notes and synopsis are helpful, the similar vocal characteristics of the prin­ cipals make it difficult to keep up with the situations. The sound is occasionally thinnish, generally acceptable hut below the good Epic standard. G. J.

• MOZART-Symphonies: No. 29 in A Major (K . 20 I); No. 36 in C Major (K. 425) ("Lintz") . Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter condo Columbia ML 5375 $4.98 Mu sical Interest: And how! Performances: Affectionate Recording: OK • Here Columbia goes again, passing off a re·iss ue as though it were a new perform­ ance. This recording of the "Linz" Sym­ phony is the same one that was released about four years ago in Columbia's Birth 0/ a Performance album (which also in­ cluded a large chunk of the rehearsals at which the performance was prepared). Are we to assume, then, that the perform­ ance of the A Major Symphony was also recorded at about the same time? The performances are typical of Walter's way with Mozart symphonies : warm and affectionate and perhaps a shade overripe according to the contemporary view of the music. But Walter is a persuasive spokes­ man, and it is hard not to be charmed by his attitude. The recorded sound in both cases is clear and bright. M. B.

• OFFENBACH-Gait.. Parisienne (Com­ plete). Th e Ph iladelphi a Orchestra, Eu gene Ormandy condo Columbia ML 5348 $3.98 Musical Interest: Bright ballet fare Performance: Good Recording: Good, not brilliant Categorically speaking, Manuel Rosen­ thal's ballet score to Gaite Parisienne ar­ ranged from Offenbach belongs in the class TONEARM CONTROL of music.to-listen.to·high-fidelity-by. In con­ trast to those who try to overwhelm the If the tonearm slips out of your fingers and listener with breakneck speed in this bril­ bounces over the record-the record is liant score, Mr. Ormandy takes his time, lowers the ruined! If you're unlucky, you will also and he allows Offenbach's melodies to exert need a new stylus and possibly a np.w their full measure of provocative enchant­ cartridge. ment. Engineering is adequate-good, solid, Why take a chance? DEXTRAFIX® TONE­ if not stunning. All told, an excellent per­ tonearm ARM CONTROL prevents such accidents! It formance of "Gaile," but I still think the places the stylus in the lead-in groove­ recent relea·se on Capitol is the best both monophonically and stereophonically by gently and accurately. Then, at the end into the of play or at any point on the record, it virtue of better balanced sound (PAO 8405; SP 8405). J. T. lifts the stylus from the record. And the stylus cannot touch the record until the .. PROKOFIEV-Symphony No.7; Russian lead-in lift bar is again lowered for the next play . Overture (see p. TK) The DEXTRAFIX® TONEARM CONTROL also • OPERA WITHOUT WORDS-PUC­ facilitates "cueing" at any point on the CINI-II Tabarro; GIANNINI-The Taming record. of the Shrew. Rome Symphony Orchestra. groove ... Domenico Savino condo Kapp KCL 9026 A must for turntables-and record $3.98 changers with manual operation! Mu si cal Interest: Moderate Iifts it Performance: Competent Recording: Sharp and clear Another quality product My preference distinctly calls for opera by the manufacturers of with words. Evidently, however, there is a after play! LEKTROSTAT® public for these Kapp series, and Savine's Record Cleaning Kit orchestrations are both well-intentioned and well executed. In the present disc the lively '"~ and extremely melodious Giannini score dexter chemical corp•• consumer products div.• 845 Edgewater Rd •• N. Y. 69 Q SEPTEMBER 1959 89 comes off more effectively than It Tabarro because the instrumental treatment tends to dull the edges of Puccini's sharp realism and the prettified violin and cello solos are no substitute for the raw passion inllerent in the vocal writing. The Taming 0/ the Shrew, which had a resounding success at its 1953 premiere and at subsequent show­ ings, deserves to be heard and recorded­ with words. G. J.

RESPIGHI-The Pines of Rome (see p. 68) WELLCOR CONTINENTAL SERIES grill cloth will not muffle or retard sound. Acoustically Masterpieces of fine furniture design, in rich natural padded interiors. Speaker boards are pre-cut for woods (mahogany. walnut, or limed oak), engineered mounting 15" speaker; removable adapter ring for 12" • RIMSKY-KORSAKOV - Capriccio Es­ for the most demanding stereo or hi-fi fan. speaker supplied. Additional covered cut-outs for pagnol; Russian Easter Overture. TCHAI· mounting tweeters and horns. Mounting hardware KOVSKY-1812 Overture; Capriccio Italien. EQUIPMENT CABINET MODEL E-l supplied. This luxurious cabinet accommodates changer or MODEL CS 12-15 may be used for corner placement or Vi enna State O pera Orchestra, Mario Rossi professional tur.ntable, tuner, amplifier and/or pre­ as a free-standing unit as it is finished on all sides. condo Vanguard SRV 110 $1.98 amp. shelf and/or panel mounted. Portable tape Bass reflex principle. Accommodates IS" or 12· recorder mounts on slide-out shelf. Ample record speaker; over 6 cu. ft. tonal compartment capacity. Musical Interest: Colorful sampler storage space and unique separate tape storage com­ Speakers installed through removable boltom. NET partment. Turntable compartment is top loaded, has (mahogany) $72.00 Performance: Fine capriccios all position lid support. Recessed precision hinged .MODEL 512-15 employs ducted port principle, pro­ Recording: Superior doors have magnetic catches and distinctive door pulls. vides over 6 cu. ft. tonal compartment capacIty. For NET (mahogany) $157.50 J 5' or 12' speakers. NET (mahogany) $72.00 Vanguard turns out a record clearly de­ SPEAKER ENCLOSURES MODEL 58-12 is smaller version of S I 2-I 5; houses 12' signed to stimulate mass interest in their or S" speaker, has over 3~ cu. ft. tonal compartment Companions to the E 1t these enclosures are of % II veneer plywood construction throughout. Rich looking capacity. NET (mahogany) $51.75 label and equally interesting catalog. They have put together a quartet of chestnuts served up with plenty of sonic steam. Mr. Rossi turns in the right kind of perform. ances, too-in the 'hi-fi' sense of the word. If you have a friend who is new to music, and whose eyes lightup with the mere men­ tion of "high- fi delity", then this is certainly his cup of tea. This is a unique "demo" record in that it offers so much for so little cost. The playing is pretty good, too, and includes a really superior performance of the Capriccio Espagnol. J. T.

• RODRIGO-Concierto De Araniuez for Guitar and Orchestra. MORENO TORROBA WELL COR COSMOPOLITAN SERIES and efficiency of operation. At home ill any decor, the "Cosmopolitan" is a fitting cabinet for the very finest -Suite Guitarra Espanola. Renata Ta rrago Especially designed for people whose taste is dis­ ill hi-fi components. NET (mahogany) $57.50 wi th Orquesta de C o nciertos de Madrid. criminating, yet who do not want to make a substantial Odon Alo nso condo Columbia ML 5345 $4.98 investment in furniture. Available in natural veneers SPEAKER ENCLOSURE MODEL LSI2-1S of mahogany, Jimed oak, or walnut. Musica l I nterest: Fascinating Accommodates 15 " speaker, removable adapter ring Performance : Clean, subtle EQUIPMENT CABINET MODEL LE-S supplied for 12" speaker. Additional covered cut-outs for mounting tweeters and horns. Mounting hardware Recording : Marvelous This handsome cabinet looks more expensive than it supplied. This 'unit employs the ducted port principle is. Houses amplifier and/or pre-amp. tuner on upper to give you full acoustical efficiency and excellent bass Some years ago the Rodrigo Co ncerto ap­ shelves, changer or turntable on sli de-out lower shelf. reproduction. Rich looking grill cloth will not muffle Precision hinged door has a magnetic catch for ease cIr retard sound. NET (mahogany) $46.50 peared on the London International label, coupled with Falla's Nights in the Gardens MODEL BS-8 of Spain, with the late Ataulfo Argenta For bookshelf installation or table top u se. Accommodates 8-inch conducting. The issue sold exceedingly speaker. Covered tweeter cut-outs well, caught the attention of English Decca, provided. Three quarter inch finest ve neer plywood con s truc tion which in time recorded it anew-mono and throughout. Ducted port principle, stereo-for the London label. Again the acoustically padded interior. Furni­ ture hand rubbed fini sh in genuine LP (LL 1738) sold in large quantities, and mahogany. walnut or limed oak in due course London released it in stereo woods. NET (mahogany) $29.00 (CS 6046). It has still remained one of MODel 55-8 is a smaller bookshelf or table top unit of ~ It plywood the most interesting in the catalog. Now, construction, leatherette covered. at last, the recording companies are aware Available in Mahogany or Blond. Same price. NET $16.70 that this Guitar Concerto by Spain's blind MODel FS-12 is a bass reflex speaker contemporary master is a delightful score enclosure for a 12- speaker that gives you over 3\-2 cu. ft. tonal of decided commercial value. The Colum­ compartment capacity. Acoustically bia release may be late, but it is top-notch, padded interior. Covered cut-outs for mounting t weeters and horns with a brand·new and quite attractive gui­ and all mounting hardware sup­ tarist in Renata Tarrago. In 1951 she was plied. NET (mahogany) $29.20 awarded the Premia Extraordinario, an award for extraordinary achievement, by r t·~_ I I: WELLCOR INC. 1214-18 N. Wells St., Chicago 10,111. I the Conservatory of the Lycee, where she ------.,·, Please send me FREE your colorful illustrated ca talog giving full details and I teaches. She plays with co mpetence and specifications on WELLCOR hi-fi equipment cabinets, speaker enclosures, ba ffles , I and turntable-changer bases. I icy-bright technique in the Rodrigo, and with much greater subtlety and warmth in I NAME I the Moreno Torr6ba Suite. By comparison with the London LP, Senor Narciso Yepes I ADDRESS I renders a more thoughtful performance; I CITY STATE I but Argenta and the National Orchestra of Spain are a little overshadowed by the magnificent playing of Orquesto de Con­ ~------~------~VISIT US AT THE NEW YORK HI-FI SHOW, ROOM 500 ciertos de Madrid. On side two, in the 90 HIFI REVIEW ten·part Moreno Torroba Suite, Renata • VIVALDI-Concert o' in A Major, Op. 3, known, mainly through the fact that it had Tarrago reveals fully the reason for her No.5; Concerto in D minor, Op. 3, No. II; been played by full symphony orchestras. Conservatory award. Here, in a score that Conce rto in F Major I P. 320); Concerto in It is gratifyi ng to hear it played by a D minor I P. 280); Concerto in F Major (P. calls for greater virtuosity, she is magnifi· smaller group, approximating the number cent in technique, and her "reading" is 321). Vi rtuosi di Roma; Renato Fasano conci. Angel 45030 $3.98 of performers that must have been em· sheer poetry. J. T. ployed in earlier times. As a result of the M usical Interest: First-rate use of reduced fo rces, the ear is able to SAINT-SAENS-Samson and Delilah Pe rformance: Exquisite hear the individual lines of the score. In Recording: Exce ll e nt (Abridged) (see p. 70) the playing of this well schooled group, Along with all the unfa miliar works of moreo ver, those lines emerge with beautiful • SCHUBERT-Wanderer Fantasie, Op. Vi valdi that are now appearing on discs, to ne, as welL Lest anyone think that these 15; 3 Klavierstiicke, (D. 946) Claud io A rrau thanks, in part, to the efforts of this group, are mere scholarly recreations, I call to your I piano ) . Angel 35637 $4.98 there now appears what was perhaps the attention the romantic feeling with which Musica l I nterest: Considerable most familiar of the works of this composer, the solo part of the slow movement is Pe rfo rm ance: Excellent before the era of the long.playing record. played. Recordi ng : Excellent The Co ncerto in D minor, Op. 3, No. 11, is The other concerto from L'Estro Armon· The piano music of Schubert does not the on e that had previously become well· ico- the Op. 3 No.5, while it is less fa· reveal its secrets readily to all who play the notes. I t demands a rapport on the part of the performer that is as urgent as Chopin's, if not of the same type. Judging from his success with this program, Arrau possesses that rapport. He is entirely con· vincing in these compositions, which can be obdurately uncommunicative, indeed, in less sympathetic circumstances. He plays the Schubertian measures with warm tone and granite strength, phrasing and organ· izing along the way so that each work is a unity. The performances have spirit, and th e spirit is Schubert's. The sound of the piano is in no way falsifi ed by the record· ing. W.D.

TCHAIKOVSKY-1812 Overture; Capriccio Italien Isee RIMSKY-KORSAKOV)

• TELEMANN-Concerto for Four Vio­ lins in D Major; Concerto for Flute, Oboe d 'amore, Vida d'amore in E Major; Concerto for Three Oboes and Three Violins in B Flat; Concerto for Recorder and Transverse Flute in E minor. Ka mm e rmusikk reis Em il S e ile r. produced for connOIsseurs ... Archive ARC 3109 $5.95 Musica l Int e rest : Both rare and delightful priced for everyone ... $19~1"lP"S $29~ " lP 'S Performance: Spirited MonophoniC Stereo Re co rding: Good

Here is a gem of a record ! Telemann, Tchaikovsky: NUTCRACKER SUITE; SERE· W ALTZES O F JO HANN STR AUSS. Artist's Life, who was four years older than Bach and NADE FOR STRINGS. SY lllp bo ny O"beslrll of 'Jbe Ulu e DtU lld}(.; ; EUI/ )eror 1t' aIt z; 1Ville. 1"0",ell a much more widely known personality in 'Jbe Belgian :National Radio - 1"III z Andn;. and SO ll g. Bamberg Symphony Orchestra - Jo seph his own time, certainly wrote some delight· Mon, TC8001 Stereo, TCS 18001 Keilberth. Mon, TC80 18 Stereo, TCS 18018 ful music. He also enjoyed exploiting in· Respighi : THE PINES OF ROME; THE FOUN· strumental color, as the listing of solo Beethoven , SYMPHONY No. 3 (Eroica). }Ialll"u r!! TAINS OF ROME. SY lll pbollY Orcbestra of 'Jbe instruments indicates. The sound of the Slcl te Pbilbarlll onic Orcb"trll - Josepb Xeil bertb. Belgian :Nll tiolwl Radio - 1ranz Andn;. Slereo, TCS 18003 four solo violins, and of the three oboes, as Mon, TC8002 St.,eo, TCS 18002 well as the bl end of the flu te and the reo . Wagner: LOHENGRI N; DIE MEI STERSINGER corder are completely captivating. Delibes : SYLVIA AND COPPELlA - O rcbestrlll _ Preludes to )/cts t and 3. Hamburg State Phil· There is also a stroke of originality in the Suites. SYlllpbony O rcbestrll of 'lbe Belgic,,' :Na· harmonic Orchestra - Joseph Keilberth. fact that the concerto fo r four violins begins tional Radio - '1ranz A ndre. Ste reo, TCS18006 Mon, TC80 19 Stereo, TCS 180 19 with the four solo instruments unaccom· panied. What's this we hear about Beetho· Dvofak : SLAVONIC DANCES. O p. 46 , :NoS. 1, POLKA AND W ALTZ TI ME IN BOHEM IA. 'Jbe ven's Fourth Piano Concerto being the first 3. 4, 6. S, O p. 72, :Nos. I . 2. ·1. 7. 8. Bntn berg 111inning Band, ~"oo nli g bt O n 'lbe Ege r , O nly a il e instance in which a composer began a SYlllpbony O rcbestra - Josepb Xeilbertb . } Ialf J lour, O derfurter Prolll ell ade I TI Mtenber ge r Slereo, TCS 180 15 concerto wi th the solo instrument? Po lkll , 1" 'Jbe J learl , 1-I0lll elalld greelillgs, Sweet · beMt , A/noli 1l1a ltz , 'Jbe 'V illage Blackslllitb. Ernst Nothing can hide the fact that this is MARCH TI ME IN GERMANY. O ld CO lll rades,. g lory Of Prussia, Radelzky ·~" arcb, Regilll ental Mosch and His Bohemian Band. Mon, TP25 11 completely appealing music-not even Ar· ~"arcb, 1-Iocb - und De ul scblll eister, } Ii s ~ I ajes l y' s chive's frighteningly scholarly packaging, y uard ; '}focb l leidecksburg; Bavariall P"rllde Beethoven: SYMPHONY No. 5. " llI lII burg Stll te with complete musicological details down ~" " r cb , Lieder""trsc/J, 'lbe Rijlelllnt\' Balld Of The Pbil bllrlll onic Orcbestra - Josepb Xcilbert b. to the date of manufacture of every solo Berlin G uard. Mon: TP2508 Ste reo, TCS18005 instrument! Musicology be hanged! This is music to enjoy ! For proo f, listen to the 10r cO III/llefe cil lalog of Po pular and Cl assical records wrile 10: rollicking fin al movement of the Concerto for recorder and flute. Mr. T elemann was obviously a man who enjoyed life. TELEFUNKEN RECORDS A div ision of LOll dolt Records, 'llc. And a word of thanks to the performers Dept. N K 140 Wes t 22nd St., N. Y. 11, N. Y. for thei r readings, which leave nothing to be desired. D. R.

VERDI ARIAS-Callas Isee p. 76) 91 SEPTEMBER 1959 miliar, is no less appealing. It has a jaunty posed in an infinite variety of moods. Sing­ first movement and a very expressive slow er and pianist adjust readily to the mood movement. There is nice interplay of the of the moment and each song becomes an two violins in the fin ale. individual little tone-poem. As the words The two concertos in F Major both fea­ are so important in these lyrics, it is grati­ ture a pair of horns in solo capacity. In­ fying to note the clear diction of the vocal­ terestingly, though, despite the fact that ist and the uncanny way in which the Vivaldi gives prominent parts to the horns words come through the web of piano tone 22 in the lively outside movements, the solo which Wolf has woven around them. W. D. WAYS role in the slow movement of the P. 320 is given to a cello! And what a beautiful • ZANDONAI-L'Uccellino d'Oro "The Little Golden Bird" (Complete opera). On­ solo it is! To ENJoY dina Otta (soprano)-The Li ttle Gold en The performances are all that we have Bird; Nino Adami (te norl-Riccardino; Lu­ come to expect from this expert group, and ciana Pi o- Fu magalli (soprano)-Rosabella; T~E the recording is up to Angel's high stand­ Giuliano Ferrein (bass )-King of Terziglio; ards. D. R. Wanda Madonna (contralto )-The Step­ R9BE~TS mother & others. Angelicum C horus and Or­ chestra of Milan. Silvio de Florian condo • WAGENSEIL- Concerto for Cello, Westminster OPW 11034 $4.98 Strings, and Continuo in A Major; HAYDN -Cello Concerto in 0 Major, Op. 101. En e Musical Interest: Light rico Mainardi with the Munich Chamber Or­ Performance: Fair chestra. Archive ARC 3110 $5.95 Recording: Poor Mu si ca l In terest: Slightly disappointing Riccardo Zandonai (1883-1944) was one for Wagenseil; High for Haydn of tbe major fi gures of modern Italian opera Performance: Excellent in Wagenseil; whose works are still frequently played in stodgy in Haydn his native country (two of them, Conchita Recording: Good and Fran. cesca da R imini appeared briefl y In view of the fact that Georg Christoph in the Met repertory a generation ago)_ Wagenseil is supposed to be one of the more L'UcceZZino d'Oro was his first effort (1906) important but forgotten pre-Mozart com­ and is so little known that its reactivation posers, and in view of the additional fact by conductor de Florian is something of a that the manuscript of this Concerto came discovery. to light as recently as 1953, it would be In this melodious, unpretentiously appeal­ nice if I could report a masterpiece_ Un­ ing score, spoken dialogue alternates with fortunately, however, I found the first and set musical numbers of songlike simplicity. third movements quite !'Ouline_ Even the The story, a fairy tale of the Sleeping somewhat more expressive slow movement, Beauty-Cinderella variety, would make an and the fine performance, do not make the ideal presentation for children. Musically, Concerto more than historically interesting. aside from pleasant listening, it offers little HOW TAPE Hayd n's familiar Concerto emerges as the of substance; and the singing, which moves EQUIPMENT SERVES far supel'ior work. But here, the slow tempo along on a "workshop" level, fails to make MANY AUDIO NEEDS at which the first and third movements are it more memorable. played make for a not-too-exciting perform­ The weakest factor of all is the record­ ing-distant, indistinct, and mystifyingly 22 are discussed in new ance_ The slow movement, though, is very short of today's standard. G. J. Roberts booklet expressively played. D. R. Roberts Electronics Inc. has prepared this 20 page booklet to demonstrate WAGNER OPERATIC CHORUSES (see COLLECTIONS the wide versatility and high quality re­ p, 74) production ~f monaural and stereo tape equipment. Eight ways to record live or • A MODERN RUSSIAN CONCERTO from broadcasts and to dub or copy from • WOLF-Heiss mieh nicht reden (Mig­ FESTIVAL: GLiERE-Concerto for Voice disks and tapes are discussed, including the non I) ; Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt (Mignon and Orchestra, Op. 82; PAKHMUTOVA­ correct way to tape stereo broa dcasts. II); So lasst mich scheinen (Mignon III); Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra; MA­ Kennst du das Land (Mignon) ; Anakreons NEVICH-Concerto for Clarinet and Or­ Also included in this informative booklet Grab; Blumengruss; Oer Schafer; Epiphanias; chestra ; GORDELLI-Concerto for Flute and ~re ten methods to play back through Nur bin ich dein; Fiihr' mich, Kind, nach Orchestra. Members of Le nin grad Ph ilhar­ high level and low level external ampli­ Bethlehem!; Miihvoll komm' ich und beladen; monic and State Radio Orchestras. Monitor fier Ispeakers in both monaural and stereo. Acli, wie lang d ie Seele schlummert!; Herr, MC 2030 $4.98 Sugge sti ons are given for the use of tape was tragt der Boden hi er; Morgentau; Wie­ Musica l Interest: Not much equipment to "dub in " voca l or instrumen­ genlied. Hilde Roessel-Maidan (contralto) tal accompaniment by mixi ng' and multiple Performance: Good and Erik Werba (piano ). Westminster XWN Recording: Inferior recording. 18847 $4.98 The booklet treats with the general use and' The old master Gliere, contributes a too­ care of tape equipment and instructions for Musical Interest : For lieder specialists long concerto for coloratura voice and or­ tape splicing, microphone placement and re­ Perform a nce: Very good cording procedure. A complete index and bib­ Recording: Very good chestra, a vocalizing without words, con­ liography are included. sisting of some ravishing melody that fin ally The first eight of these fifteen songs are Before 'yo u buy a tape recorder , you will want to just gets wearisome, with a soloist who read thiS valuable booklet, "22 Ways to Enjoy the settings to Goethe, while the following five possesses lovely tone but who delivers it Roberts. " For your copy, just fill out and mail are from the Spanisches Liederbuch. Hugo with an unsure technique. All the rest is the coupon below. Wolf had excellent literary taste and a sen­ nondescript, with just fl ashes of superior sitive perception of the inner meaning of a music making_ An interesting compilation j------l poem_ His songs, probably more than those of scores, this-that would have worked I ~?5~~s~~~or~~~~rg~?s~: ,~~ i lND~Pt. B I of any other composer, are true duets for wonders if the performance standard had I Please send me a copy of "22 Ways to Enjoy the I voi ce and piano. The pianist must he more been higher, the engineering better. Solo­ I Rob erts." I than an accompanist; he must be a collab­ ists for the most part are adequate, with I NAM E I orating artist if the music is to be effec­ trumpeter Popov the best of the quartet. I ADDRESS I tive. Fortunately, Werba's playing is fi ne Much is lost through a recording that artistic company for the intelliO'ent sin O'inO' r eveals limi ted response. I hope it is tried I CITY ZON~STAT~ II of Ro essel-Majdan. These songs"'are som"'be;' again with better literature and with the I En close 10c (stam ps, cash) for handling & postage ------~ gay, dramatic, sad, happy; for Wolf com- advantage of superior engineering. J. T. 92 HIFI REVIEW (Continued from page 45) For some unknown reason, nearly all of the important record collectors are men. The only woman who ·has been found to own a sizable collection is Aida Favia. Artsay, of Valhalla, N. Y. Mrs. Favia.Artsay, who describes herself as a housewife, singing coach, and writer on vocal music, possesses som e 6,000 records, nearly all of which are 78's. In the best discophilean tradition, she is a hunter and will travel anywhere within reasonable dis· tance to augment her collection. "Once," she recalls, "a woman calJed up at 11 p.m. offering some choice items. My husband and I immediately started on a 20·mile drive to get th em." The most valned records on Mrs. F avia­ Artsay's shelves are a set of recordings by the baritone Titta Ruffo. She also prizes PACO is the kit division of PRECISION Apparatus Co., Inc., world famous manufacturers of laboratory electronic her private pressings of Gerald in e Farrar, instruments for over a quarter century. The new Model Francesco Tamagno, and Emmy Destinn, SA-40 is the first of a series of component high fidelity kits and a set of Mapleson cylinders, recorded A new from P ACO ... engineered for utmost performance and last­ at the Metropolitan during performances in 40-watt ing value - designed for maximum eye-appeal. the very early part of the century. "I like Whether you're an experienced audiophile or a newcomer the satisfaction of having thousands of stereo to the thrill of high fidelity, the factors you must consider performances at my fingertips," she says. "I preamp-amplifier in choosing the amplifier you need are: love records, and good singing to me has POWER, DISTORTION, FLEXIBILITY and VALVE. always been a most satisfying form of art." - in kit form The P ACO SA-40 offers you greater reserve power capacity Not all of the great collectors, of course, than any other preamp-amplifier in its category. Its excep­ for only tional circuit design assures highly stable performance with stick to the classics. The area of jazz has extremely low distortion. Step-by-step assembly instructions prod uced a number of important collec· $79.95 and giant-size wiring diagrams are so clearly detailed and tions. And although the jazz buff enjoys by simple that the technical difference between expert and a different type of music, his way of li fe novice disappears. And ... the SA-40 provides maximum differs Ii ttle from that of his longhair col­ [p.·.·rA"?C-= flexibility in any stereophonic high fidelity system ... present leagues. .. :~",~t~,w or contemplated. Most jazz collectors seem to live in a also For those interested in engineering details, some of the world of statisti cs. They thrive on the available more important technical specifications are listed below: knowledge of recording dates, sizes of factory wired band s, and pseudonyms used by famous and !for $129.95 POWER OUTPUT: obscure sidemen. They also thrive on shar­ Steady State Power Output: 20 watts per channel, ing their jazz lore wi th other collectors. 40 watts total. Music Waveform Power Output: 25 watts per channel, Until recently, there was no central infor­ 50 watts total. mation agency where the jazz follower co uld Peak Power Output: 40 watts per channel, pick up data on his special interests. To· A sk your own 80 watts total. Audio-Radio-TV RESPONSE: 30 cps to 90 Kc, ± 1.0 db. day, however, there is the Institute of J azz DISTORTION: Studies, in New York City, which owes its Serviceman about Harmonic: Less than .2% at 20 watts per channel output. existence to Marshall Stearns, a college pro­ PACO and PRECISION Less than .1 % at 10 watts per channel output. fessor and perhaps the most respected of all products. He'll tell you that Intermodulation: Less than 1 % at full rated output. they always live up to their FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND SWITCHES: 14 controls jazz collectors. including separate bass and treble controls for complete Stearns began collecting in 1922 and specs. That's why we can flexibility with any monophonic or stereo program source. steadily built up a library which now boasts say that the PACO SA-40 INPUTS: 14 total; 3 dual high·level and 4 dual low·level. is the last preamp-amplifier OUTPUTS: Dual tape outputs, separate preamp output as more than 15,000 78's and 5,000 LP's. He well as standard dual speaker outputs. also has accumulated thousands of jazz you'll ever have to buy HUM AND NOISE LEVEL: articles and photographs. Available at leading electronic High Level Input: 80 db below rated output. parts distributors and Low Level Input: 70 db below rated output. Stearns has donated nearly all of his jazz Tape Input: 65 db below rated output. records and material to the Institute, of wherever good sound is sold. SPEAKER CONNECTIONS: 4, 8, 16, 32 ohms. which he is president. His avid interest in SENSITIVITY FOR RATED OUTPUT: For complete in/ormatioll Aux Input: .75 V Phono 1: (Magnetic) 5 Mv. jazz has inspired a variety of other projects, write to: Tuner: .75 V Phono 2: (Magnetic) 5 Mv.orCeramic.3V including the writing of a very well-re­ INVERSE FEEDBACK: 25 db ceived book, The S tory 0/ Jazz, and a series fp ,A ~ C-' 0 DAMPING FACTOR: 22 of lectures on the subj ect at N ew York t. _ ,,->...... , .... J BASS TONE CONTROL RANGE: ± 15 db at 50 cps. TREBLE TONE CONTROL RANGE: ± 15 db at 10 Kc. Uni versity. Electronics Co., Inc. 70-31 84th Street · RUMBLE FILTER: 6 db per octave below 50 cps. Although Stearns takes a scholar's inter­ Glendale 27, L. I., N. Y. EQUALIZATION: Phono: "RIAA"; "EUR"; est in his recordings, his reasons for col­ Tape: 3% and 7'h ips, NARTB A Division of lecting are simple. "You find yo u have a TAPE OUTPUT LEVEL: 2 volts per channel. PRECISION POWER SUPPLY: Silicon diode, low impedance for minimum passionate interes t in the music," he ex­ distortion on extended high level passages. plains, "so you amass as many examples as Apparatlls Company, Inc. EXTERNAL DESIGN: Gold and satin black hooded case, with possible. Pretty soon yo u have a collection Export: panel illumination and satin gold panel. DIMENSIONS: 15%" wide x 11%" deep x 5%" high that's quite valuable." Morhan Exporting Corp. 458 Broadway Model SA-40: Complete with case and step·by-step F ew men have more to say about records N. Y. 13, N. Y., U.S.A. assemblY' operating manual ...... Kit Net Price $ 79.95 Model SA-40W: Factory Wired ...... Net Price $129.95 and colJ ectors than M. J. Prospect, of New Canada: York City. "I am prepared to match my Atlas Radio Corp., Ltd. knowledge of record collec ting, my 45 years 50 Wingold Ave. . COMING SOON - MODEL ST of experience, and my personal collection Toronto 19, Ontario . AM/ FM STEREO TUNER KIT against anyone," he asserts. "I am ready matching companion for the SA·40

SEPTEMBER 1959 93 The largest private collection of phono­ for all comers." and record collecting further back than any­ Prospect's first encounter with phono­ one else in America. I have brought more graph records in the world is housed in a graph records was in 1910. His family was records of international rarity to this coun­ double basement beneath the offices of a composed almost entirely of opera-lovers. try than anyone else I know." New York City attorney, Jacob Schneider. One of his uncles ran a record store. The One of these records of international It is a collection so large that it almost other was a shoemaker who supplied foot­ rarity is a disc which Prospect values ahove staggers the imagination. Schneider owns wear for Caruso and other stars of the all others. It is a 1900 recording by the 450,000 records. Metropolitan. Both uncles owned sizable Russian tenor, Joachim Tartakoff. "I have It would be assumed that such a gigantic record collections, and when they died they been offered $1,300 for my Tartakoff," he accumulation would not lend itself to spe­ left them to Prospect. Later, Prospect says, "but I would never sell it. Last year cialization. Stretching the point, somewhat, worked for Charles Schwab, founder of the (Vladimir) Horowitz visited me and I Schneider does specialize. Except for 10,- Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and also an played the record for him. He couldn't be­ 000 or so classical items, all of his records avid collector. Schwab, too, left his col­ lieve I had it. He'd been looking for it for are popular numbers pressed between the lection to Prospect. With these collectio ns years." years 1880 and 1946. They are all 78's and serving as a nucleus, Prospect plunged into One of Prospect's greatest hopes is to includes jazz, swing, hillbilly, marching his hobby with a passion. Today he pos­ see record collecting eventually rank in stat­ bands, theatre, and the spoken word. sesses between 40,000 and 50,000 78's. Al­ ure with the collecting of rare books, paint­ Schneider travels all over the country in though he specializes in serious vocal music, ings, stamps, and antiques. "This is where," search of records. " Most of the time," he he also owns a substantial number of jazz he says, "it most honorably belongs. Inter­ says, "I go and get nothing. P eople either and perso nality items. "I don't know of a est in rare and historical records is greater don't know what they have, or don't know more valuable collection," he says, "and I than ever_ They preserve our history and what I want. A mediocre item to me is a have been closely associated with records culture." big find for most people." There are, of conrse, many duplicates in Schneider's colJ ection. H e can't avoid this, since he must often buy up huge collections at a time to achieve his goal. And Schnei­ der's goal is "to own 100% of everything made by any artist of importance since 1900." Often, there are a dozen duplicates of the same disc. In the case of one record -Sophie Tucker singing "Some of These Days" with the Ted Lewis Orchestra­ Schneider has more than 100 copies. Few of the important collectors have go ne into personality recordings. But Schneider has, and his non-musical numbers are per­ haps th e most distinctive part of his collec ­ tion. His most prized record contains the voice of Kaiser Wilhelm. It was taken off an old recording made in the early 1900's. Schneider also cherishes a record of Charlie Chaplin, taken from a personal appearance, and Qne of the Dionne Quintuplets singing on a Canadian charity program. If all of his records were played con­ tinuously, it would take Schneider more than five years to hear every item in his collec tion. A few years ago, he was forced to move his records to a new location. Al­ Audiotape IIspeaks for itself" in a spectacular recording though the distance was a mere twenty -available in a money-saving offer you can't afford to miss! blocks, the move took four months and cost him $2,500. Today, Schneider isn't sure : ...... whether he owns a collection or whether • DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM a collection owns him. "My way of life is The program includes these HERE'S a reel of musical excitement that completely changed," he admits. "I have colorful selections: belongs on every tape recorder_ "Blood no social life to speak of. I used to go to Tschaikowsky • • Russian Dance the theatre and visit friends. All that has and Thunder Classics" is a program of Sibelius .• _•• _• . from Finlandia been eliminated until I can get my collec­ de Falla • • _•• _• Dance of Terror, great passages of fine music, specially Ritual Fire Dance tion in order. I catalog Monday, Tuesday, (EI Amor Brujo) selected to show you how vibrant and color­ Brahms . " • _••• from Symphony No. and Thursday evenings and all day Satur­ 4 in E Minor ful music can be when it is recorded on day and Sunday. All my records are in my Khatchaturian •• Saber Dance AUdiotape_ office. I have no records at home, so I'm Stravinsky ••••• Infernal Dance, Finale (Fireblrd never home. Record collecting is something Suite) "Blood and Thunder Classics" is avail­ that gets into your blood. There are a lot Beethoven ••. •• Ode to Joy able RIGHT NOW from Audiotape dealers (Symphony No. 9 of things illogical about it, but at the time in D Minor) everywhere. (And only from Audiotape it seems the thing to do. Why do I keep DETAILS OF THE OFFER dealers_) Ask to hear a portion of the pro­ buying records? It's like drinking. You This exciting recording is gram. Then, take your choice of a half­ say you won't do it any more, but continue available in a special bonus doing it. I need more records like I need a package at all Audiotape deal­ hour of rich stereo or a full hour of monau­ ers. The package contains a ral sound-both at 7% ips. Don't pass up hole in the head." 1200-foot reel of standard this unusual opportunity. Although Schneider trades with and sells Audiotape (on 1'12 -mil plastic to other collectors, he refuses to call himself base) and the valuable "Blood a dealer. "I can't make any money out of and Thunder Classics" pro­ gram (professionally recorded this," he says. "I'm a lawyer, and that's my on standard Audiotape)_ For profession. My records are a big so urce of the entire package, you pay satisfaction. If someone offered me a sub­ only the price of two boxes of stantial sum for my collection, I wouldn't standard Audiotape, plus $1. AUDIO DEVICES, INC., 444 Madison Ave .. N. Y. 22, N. Y. sell. If I did, all the fun would be gone." ...... In Hollywood: 840 N. Fairfax Ave . • In Chicago : 5428 N. Milwaukee Ave • 94 -Frank Jacobs HIFI REVIEW Jazz, Pops, Stage and Screen BEST OF THE MONTH Reviewed by RALPH J. GLEASON • World Pacific's prize jazz combo, The Mastersounds, has come up with another of their outstanding discs-this one of Ballads and Blues ... STANLEY GREEN "pretty, also strong and gutty." (see p. 96) NAT HENTOFF

.. • RCA Victor strikes TV jazz gold again with More Music from Peter Gunn . JAZZ -"There is no denying the very strong musical impact and feeling of ex­ citement throughout." (see p. 102) • CANNONBALL'S SHARPSHOOTERS featuring JULIAN "CANNONBALL" Adder­ ley. Our Delight; Fu ller Bop Man; Stay On • Carlton Records-known best for its pops-offers something offbeat, the It; If I Love Again & 3 others. Mercury SR 80018 $5.95 Laurence Rosenthal music for the Japanese play Rashomon. "A strik­ Mu sical Interest: Strong ingly atmospheric score that stands up remarkably well on its own." Performance : Excellent Recording: Top-notch (see p. 102) Stereo Directionality : Fine Stereo Depth: Excellent "Cannonball" is the best young altoist in beat, this vibes player does not have much Former Kenton arranger P ete Rugolo, jazz today and plays with enviable individ­ to say. Also, the rhythm section is stiff, has re-orchestrated songs June Christy used uality. His brother Nat, who is a fascinat­ which hampers him even more than usual to sing with the Kenton band. A number ing cornetist, and the rest of the grou pare The recording, however, is good. R. J. G. of Kenton alumni are in the orchestra as well suited to the blues-oriented approach, well as several other crack Hollywood ses­ which they obviously prefer. Junior Mance's • IN PERSON featuring TONY BENNETT sion men. The results are thoroughly pro­ piano solos are a delight. Sam Jones on his with Count Basie and his Orchestra. J ust in fessional, and should certainly be warmly Time; Taking a Chance on Love; P enn i ~s bass solo on Straight, No Chaser, is master­ received by most collectors of the original ful. This is a fine jazz LP. The stereo is from Heaven; Fir efly & 8 others. Columbia CS 8104 $4.98 records. However, in the perspective of good, and tbe illusion of presence is of re­ jazz history, the siI) ging and writing can markably high degree. R. J. G. Mus ica l Interest: Limited Performance: Uneven scarcely be called original or lastingly in ­ flu ential. N. H. • RAY ANTHONY SOUND SPECTACU· Recording: On location LAR-Ray Anthony (trumpet) and orches­ Stereo Directionality: Good tra. Deep River; Dry Bones; Swin g Low & 9 Stereo Depth: Good • SWING AROUND ROSIE featuring others. Capitol ST 1200 $4.98 When Nat Cole recorded with Basie, the Rosemary Clooney with the Buddy Cole Trio. Musica l Inte rest: Moderate result was an unusually good Nat Cole rec­ 'Deed I Do; Bl ue Moo n; Too C lose fo r Com­ Perform ance: Crisp and efficient ord. He seemecl spurrecl to greater heights fo rt; Th is Can't Be Love & 8 others. Coral Record ing : First-rate by proximity to Basie. Bennett, however, CRL 757266 $5.98 Stereo Directionality: Excellent firstly does not have what it takes to be a Musical Interest: Good pop singing Stereo Depth: Well planned jazz sin ger, ancl would be better off with Performance: Excellent In an album specially prepared fOl' stereo, the usual studio accompaniment. The re­ Recording: Excellent Stereo Directionality: Too sharp Anthony heads a band that ranges from cording is good, and the stereo version is a Stereo Depth: Shallow 22 to 25 pieces with two separate brass sec­ lot livelier in sound than the monophonic. The voice is too much restricted to the tions, right and left. Soloists are Ray An­ R.J.G. rio-ht channel and the trio background thony, an undistinguished trumpeter, and m:kes the left seem weak. As fa r as the Plas Johnson , a "booting" tenor saxophone. • JUNE CHRISTY RECALLS THOSE sin o-in o- O'oes I'll agree with Earl Wilson, The uncredited arrangements vary from KENTON DAYS-June Christy (vocals) with Orchestra dir. by Pete Rugolo. The ;n;'te ;he notes, and say that Mrs. a good straightaway swinger of the Tommy wh~ Lonesome Road; Willow Weep for Me; How F errer never did anything better. But Dorsey kind to the rather cute scoring in High the Moon & 7 others. Capitol ST 1202 so mehow, even in her best work th ese days, which the overall form is distorted. The $4.98 she lacks the fire of, say, Come On-a My playing by a crack-pickup band is excell ent Musical Interest : Stereo nostalgia HOl£se . These are songs of th e s,ving era. as the musicians are better than the ma­ Performance: Well done by all The accompaniment is organ and rhythm, terial. It might have also helped had An­ Recording: Superior and the result is mu sically good. R. J. G. thony allotted more solos to his sidemen. Stereo Directionality: Convincing N.H. Stereo Depth: Very good • WHY TRY TO CHANGE ME NOW • THE VI BE SOUND OF PETER APPLE· featuring the CY COLEMAN JAZZ TRIO . This Time the Dream's on Me; Smile; Tan ­ YARD Strike Up the Band; Just in Time ; All records reviewed in this column as Sa tin Doll; Get Happy & 8 others. Audio gerine; Crazy Rhythm and 6 others, W est­ Fidelity AFSD 590 I $6.95 stereo must be played on stereophonic minster WST 15037 $4.98. Mono-WP 61C'5 $3.98 Mu sica l Interest: Slight equipment. They CAN NOT be Performance: Slick played on old style monophonic (sin­ Musical In terest: Slick, cocktail piano Recording: Good gle speaker) equipment without per­ Performance: Tinkling Recording: Bright Stereo Directionality: OK manently damaging the record. Play Stereo Depth: Thin Stereo Directiona lity: OK at 33 113 rpm with the RIAA setting. Stereo Depth: Shallow Although he has good technique, and now and then manages to set a swinging Cocktail-lounge background lllU sic with SEPTEMBER 1959 95 no jazz content whatsoever, but quite pleas· up to the level of their King and 1 LP ant to hear and which does not dull when (405), which was one of the best in recent audited at length. The piano is on the years. R. J. G. left; the rhythm on the right and the sound coming soon ... is good throughout. R. J. G. • MUSIC FROM "SOME LIKE IT HOT" -LOU McGARITY QUINTET_ By the Beau­ tiful Sea; Sugar Blues; Some Like it Hot & 8 • UP THE MISSISSIPPI WITH THE others. Jubilee SDJLP 1108 $5.98 PHENOMENAL DUKES OF DIXIELAND. The Big, Exciting RIGO South; Old Man River; Down by the River­ Musical Interest: Spotty side & 9 others. Audio Fidelity AFSD 5892 Performance: Barnes mars unit $6.95 Recording : Good Stereo Directionality: Acceptable Musical Interest: Thin Stereo Depth : OK Performance: Just competent Recording : First-rate Lou McGarity is a warm, fluent trom­ Stereo Directionality: Tasteful bonist with a tone that is lusty but also Stereo Depth : Fine sings. Dick Cary is a consistently tasteful of The theme for this ninth Dukes of Dixie­ pianist. Electric guitarist George Barnes, land.album ties together a dozen tunes more however, is not in context. While tech­ or less connected with rivers. There's con­ nically accomplished, his jazz conception siderably less hokum than in several pre­ is much less attractive than McGarity's or vious sets by the Dukes; but when they are Cary's. Barnes lacks subtlety and his ideas left to largely musical concerns, the Dukes are too often obvious and not freshly devel­ indicate tpey are undistinguished jazzmen, oped. The uninventive arrangements also no matter ho,,'; successful they are with the limit the album's interest. N. H. general public. None of the soloists has dis­ tinctively individual imagination and the • THE PIANO SCENE OF DAVE Me:­ group as a whole drives more than it KENNA. This Is The Moment; Fools Rush In; swings. While there is no denying that the Secret Love; I Should Care & 8 others. Epic BN 527 $4.98 Dukes seem to have a message for a lot of people, I doubt that rriany serious jazz col­ Musical Interest: Broad lectors are among them. N. H. Performance: Brilliant Recording: Excellent public Fri., Sat., Sun., 1 to 10 P.M. Stereo Directionality: Very good • THE CHICO HAMILTON Cj)UINTET Stereo Depth: Fine Admission 75c, children free. -ELLINGTON SUITE. Take The "A" Train; Perdido; Lucky So and So & 7 others. World This is the first piano-with-rhythm stereo Pacific 1016 $5.98 LP that has made sense to me. With closed Musical Interest: Better go to Duke eyes one can imagine the three musicians Performance: Polished in the room. There's no ping-pong and no MILWAUKEE-Sept. II, 12, 13 Recording: .Good . sharp split-just a gradual melding of di­ Pfister Hotel Stereo Directionality: Well balanced rection~ Aside from the excellent stereo, Stereo Depth: Rather shallow the music itself is top-notch. McKenna is a ROCHESTER, N. Y.-Sept. 25, The original Chico Hamilton Quintet highly individual musician whose approach to ballads and standards is fascinating. 26,27. Sheraton Hotel (with alternate Paul Horn) was reunited to perform a series of Ellington composi­ R.J.G. tions. The :result is disappointing because BUFFALO-Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1 the chic, salon-music approach of Hamilton • 12TH STREET RAG featuring Jad Statler Hotel Paul's Banjo' Magic. Ballin' the Jack; lime­ misses the vitality and high humor of much house Blues; Alabamy Bound; D;ga Diga Doo Ellington. Even when Ellington is being and 8 others. Liberty LST 7107 $4.98 sensuously romantic, his scores aren't so SEATTLE-Nov. 6, 7,8 self-consciously perfumed as some of Hamil­ Musical Interest: Academic New Washington Hotel ton's. Performance: Adequate The playing is good-particularly Jim Recording: Adequate Stereo Directionality: Good PORTLAND, ORE.-Nov. 13, Hall's, but the arrangements are more Stereo Depth: Adequate 14, 15. New Heathman Hotel akin to mood music than jazz. Nobody yet has been able to interpret Ellington's works The label says this is "the ultimate in with anything like the flavor and strength transistorized stereophonic high fidelity PHILADELPHIA-Nov. 20, 21, of the men for whom Duke wrote them. sound." Goodness! It sounds just like the 22. Benjamin Franklin Hotel This attempt scores one of the larger misses, others: the drums on the right; the bass although it is pleasant enough as back­ in the middle and banjos all over the place. ground music. N. H. It's pleasant enough if you can take banjo albums and the tunes are interesting and RIGO Enterprises, Inc. • THE MASTERSOUNDS play ballads even, on occasion, unusual. R. J. G. & blues. Bluesology; Solar; Monk's Ballad ; 500 N. Dearborn St. The Champ & 6 others. World Pacific 1019 • BOB PRINCE TENTETTE-CHARLES­ Chicago 10, Illinois $5.98 TON 1970. Ain't She Sweet; My Charleston; Heebie Jeebies; Black Bottom & 9 others. Musical Interest: Broad Performance: Top-notch Warner Bros. WS 1276 $4.98 Recording: Beautiful Musical Interest: Negligible Stereo Directionality: Excellent Performance: Imaginative Stereo Depth: First-rate Recording: Notable This is a fine stereo jazz LP as well as Stereo Directionality: Noticeable Stereo Depth: Not noticeable being one of the most pleasant and pleas­ THIRD ANNUAL DETROIT ing collections of ballads and blues to ap­ As the liner notes admit, this is a hybrid HIGH FIDELITY SHOW pear in some time. The Mastersounds can creation: the mating of mid-Twenties rag­ be pretty, also strong and gutty with their time with modern jazz. It is clever enough Oct. 16, 17, 18 playing; and this collection is designed to at times, even fun, and the players are all Statler Hotel give them all the best of it so far as ma­ expert. But a gimmick is a gimmick, and I terial is concerned. The recording is fully doubt if it will satisfy either the hip or the 96 HIFI REVIEW hip-flask set. The stereo is pretty well de­ fined_ S. G. flJcItok4 • COMPULSION TO SWING. Henri Build This Superb Rene and his Orchestra featuri ng Hymie Sh ertzer (alto saxophone); Doc Seve rin se n (trumpet); Urbie Green (trombone); Walt Levin sky (clarinet); AI Caiola (guitar). RCA Organ From Simple Kits and Victor LSP 1947 $4.98_ Mono-LPM 1947 $3 .98 Musica l Interest: Moderate Performance: Expert Recording: Very good SAVE OVER 50%! The Beautiful Smreo Directionality: Excellent Stereo Depth: Superior fJJcItoMt .. There may have been a "compulsion to swing" in Mr. Rene's mind, but it was not CONSOLETTE fulfIlled in this album_ These are highly - tile only small or­ gan with two full 61- profes ional, polished big-band arrange­ note keyboards and ments, skillfully played_ They involve only 22 stops. Requires th e surface of the emotions, however, and only 2' x 3'2" floor space ! Commercial are rarely memorable in terms of imagina­ value approximately tiveness_ Sonically, the stereo version is $1600 or more - yet cl early the more sati sfying experience_ Rene LET US you save over 50% is a careful orchestrator and his continu­ when you build this SEND YOU thrillinginstrqment! ous use of varied devices to brighten and ex- and the instrumental colors are much more e "ective in a stereo achievement as well­ FREE alanced as this_ Some of the occasional, obviously com­ DETAILS n ercial touches like the "over-echoey" alto HOW TO ASSEMBLE A s xophone, and the keening electric guitar c uld have been omitted. There is, inci­ 9/fYhokit ( en tally, vigorous drive in some of these ELECTRONIC ORGAN p~ rform ances, but they hardly ever pulsate IN SPARE TIME! ilr the jazz sense of swinging_ N. H.

• ANNIE ROSS SINGS A SONG WITH MULLIGAN. I Feel Pretty; Give Me Th e Simple Life; It Don't Mean A Thing & 7 oth­ ers. World Pacific 1020 $5_98 Mu sical In terest: Entertaining Perform an ce : Annie can do better Recording: Good Give Your Family A Lifetime of Musical Joy Stereo Directionality: Effective Stereo Depth: OK With A Magnificent Schober ELECTRONIC Organ! An nie Ross, currently a member of the Now you can build the brilliant, full-range Send For Complete Details On Schober Organs exuberantly skilled Lambert-Ross-Hend­ Schober CONSOLETTE or the larger CONCEHT and For Hi-Fi Demonstration Record ricks Singers (Sing A Song 0/ Basie, etc_, MODEL with simple hand tools. No skills T he coupon will bring you a handsome 16- on ABC-Paramount), is heard in a solo are necessary to construct an instrument with page booklet in full color d escribing ·Schober recital backed by th e Gerry Mulligan Quar­ ~~~on~ ~l:~tlfio~~~t ~·~:'~~~1.ti ~1~ .-'--C-O-N-C-T-~-~-;-R-~-A-~-D-E~L-- h~~~I:~~~ ~~~'l ~I~~~}~:~lfl~~~~e;~ ~~ tet_ A'ltho ugh the performances are attrac­ woodworking nccessary - con- build your own organ and how ti ve, there is the feeling of this reviewer soles cO ln e cOlnpletcly asse n1- meets specifications of pleasant and quick it is to learn that Annie's fIrs t American solo album bled and fin ished. All you do is American Guild to play the organ. In addition , co ul d have been more memorable_ Here, asscmble d early marked elec- of Organists we have prepared an exciting Annie sings with her customary musical in­ tronic parts guided by clcar il- 10" hi-fi LP record demonstrat- telligence, urbane charm, and a sensitive lustrations and detailed stcp-by-stcp instruc- ing the full range of tones and voices avail­ actress's co ncern for the sense of the lyrics_ tions. Even teen-agcrs can assemble the able on the Schober, which you may have There are wholly beguiling high points, Schober! You build from kits, as fast or as for only $2.00 ( refunded when you order a slowly as you IJlease ... at home, in spare kit ). Literature on the Schober is FREE! but by and large, Annie has shown herself time - w ith a small table serving as your There is no obligation; no salesman will call. elsewh ere to be capable of more than most entire work shop! on this album. More stimulating arrange­ ments might have hel ped beca use Annie has Poy As You Build Your Organ; Mail This Coupon incisive imagina ti on when properly chal­ Start With As lillie As $18_94! For FREE literature lenged. It should be noted, however, that You may start bllilding your Schober at once and Hi-Fi Record w ith an investment of as little as $18.94. The this is a warm, entertaining album. The in­ musical instrument you assemble is as fine, Today! strumental backing is good, but there could and technically perfect, as a commercial I!...'~,~." ------, have been more interplay between Annie organ buil t in a factory - yet YOll ~ave over The Schober Organ Corp_. Oept_ HR-l I and the musicians_ 50% on top-quali ty electronic parts, on 2248 Broadway, New York 24, N_ Y- N.H. high-priced labor, on usual retail store mark- 0 Please send me FREE full-color booklet and I up! In your own home, with your own hancls other literature on the Schober organs. I you build an organ w ith genlline pipe organ 0 Pl ease se nd me the 10" hi-fi Sc hob er demo n- I • HOLIDAY IN BRAZIL featuring BUD . tones in an infinite variety of tone colors strat ion record. I enc lose $2.00 (refundab le on receipt of my first kit order)_ I SHANK. Simpatico; Li ttle Girl Blu e; Lonely ; to bring into your home the full grandeur I Didn't Know What Time It Was & 6 others. of the Emperor of Instruments_ You may Name ... ' ...... ' ... ______' .. _.. . . _... . _' .. .. _. _ I World Pacific 1018 $5_98 build the CONSOLETTE for your home, or you I may want to build the great CONCEHT Addr ess __ _... . _...... _,_ .. ____ . __ ._._ . ___ ...... I Mu sical Interest: Broad Perform ance : Slick MODEL for home, church , school or theatre. Recordinq: Top-notch You save 50% and more in either case, L~y,.;,,;,:,;.;.:,'~.,;.:;.:.:,'.:.:.:~ · ,;.;.;~':!:. · .:.!t~ ..:.:..;:.:.::~, S EPTEMBER 1959 97 control is a four.section variable resistor; the balance control, a Stereo Adapters two-section unit. In the KN.7S0, stereo functions are worked out (Continued from page 41) on three separate slide switches. In the lower·priced kit, a twin· fairness to G.E., it must be emphasized that the RG·1000 is not wafer rotary switch is used instead. Each appears equally effective being offered as an adapter, but rather as a multipurpose device. and convenient. In view of its higher power.handling ability, the Yet it does lend itself to use as a stereo adapter of a limited lower-priced 83-Y-778 would appear to be the better buy of the sort. It must be connected into the tape output jack (or jacks) two, at least for a kit builder who doesn't mind spending a couple of the amplifier (or amplifiers) in question. Obviously, during of hours (at most) putting it together. a recording session in which those jacks have to be used, the A unit that appears to perform in exactly the same manner as RG.1000 must be disconnected. Aside from this, the remote con­ the KN-7S0 is the Audiotex "Stere·O-Sound." Cat. No. 30·286, trol idea may appeal to many. list price $39.S0. The functions are divided among four identical, The most advanced and versatile of the "inside.the.amplifier" high-styled knobs, appropriately labelled. This adapter. too, con· adapters is the Model KT.31S, offered as a kit for $27.S0 by nects between the amplifiers and the speakers. Lafayette Radio. This adapter can be used between any pre· Any of these adapters can be used at some distance from the amps or power amps. It can a1£o be used with single.chassis rest of the system, since this type of adapter is actually termi· amps having tape output jacks with the monitor-play facilities. : nated by the low impedance of the speakers. In this regard, the (If the integrated amps do not have those facilities, they must same general wiring distances can be obtained (up to 70 feet) be modified by a technician to be used with the KT·31S.) The as in regular speaker hookups. But remember that the distance two mono amplifying channels do not have to be identical. from amplifiers to adapter is part of the total distance covered­ The KT·31S is unique in being an e!ectronically active, rather and the distance from the adapter to the speakers must be added than a passive device. It uses two type 702S twin-triodes (these to it. are the new, improved version of the 12AX7), plus a selenium One criticism leveled against the kind of stereo adapter inserted rectifier for its power supply. The output impedance of these into the speaker line is that it may reduce the damping factor, stages is very low and permits remote operation for distances which, in turn, may impair the sharpness of transient response exceeding SO feet. Additionally, the tubes permit stereo control and the clarity of the bass. of a very advanced sort. The stereo function switch is a dual­ Now to nail down a point left unresolved a little earlier, none concentric type. Provision is made for mono signals from either of the "outside·the·amplifier" adapters provides the function of channel to go through either or both channels; for combining combining the output signals of a stereo cartridge for playing both input signal~; for normal stereo; for reverse·channel stereo; mono records. Actually, they can't since this function must be for phase reversal (as well as the unusual switch position that accomplished before amplification. provides both channel and phase reversal at once!). An equally The answer to this one is the Model SOS by Electro·Voice useful and unusual feature is a "calibration" setting which en­ ($11.S0). This tiny unit is intended for use before the preamp ables the user to balance the two channels electronically by means inputs, just after the cartridge itself. In fact, it is so constructed of an aural null, i.e., zero output obtained as a result of equal that it may be installed flush on the mounting board or base of but phase·opposed signals in both channels. turntable or changer. or alternately in any convenient spot. The Finally, the KT-31S has a "bridge" control and a third·chan· cables from the tone arm plug into it; its single knob then selects nel output. With the former, variable amounts of signal may be mono, stereo, or reverse stereo. The 50S works with crystal or cross·fed between the two channels to fill the hole·in.the·middle. ceramic cartridges. It happens to be a very neat and an essen· With the added output, a b!ended signal may be fed to a third tial, supplementary unit for use with any of the "outside·the­ amplifier and speaker-and the level of that signal may then be amplifier" adapters. With it, and one of those, the converted controlled by the front panel "bridge" control on the adapter. stereo system attains an impressive degree of flexibility and con· This adapter has no provision for furnishing power to the am­ venience. plifiers under its control; they must be turned off and on in This completes the present roster of adapters. It contains a the usual manner. The Lafayette KT-31S, by the way, is a replica sufficiently wide variety of units so that any mono hi·fi system version of the last stages of the Lafayette KT-600 stereo preamp. can be converted to stereo without becoming obsolete in any If anything could be called a "best buy" this adapter-in view of sense. The kind of mono amplifier presently in use and the type its price and performance and actual adaptability-would merit chosen for the second channel determine which adapter will best that label. Remember, though, it is a kit and will take S to 7 do the job. hours to assemble. Useful as they can be, stereo adapters as a class of components are by no means universally admired. Many companies steadfastly "Outside-the-Amplifier" Adapters refuse to produce them, contending that-in the long run-it is For those whose mono amplifiers won't permit the use of these easier and only a shade more expensi'1'8 to buy a dual·channel adapters, there are other kinds of adapters that connect at points amplifier or preamplifier in which all control functions are com· outside the amplifiers. First is a very serviceable Knight adapter, bined in a single unit. There is no denying that a stereo adapter the $14.9S model KN.7S0 sold by Allied Radio. This is a compact plus two amplifiers takes up plenty of space and increases the device that is connected into the speaker leads. The only limitation profusion of knobs, wires and switches. Undoubtedly, many buy· here is that the KN-7S0 may be used only on low·powered am· ers would find a single, unitized, and neatly styled stereo control plifiers, specifically those rated up to 12 watts output. Connected panel much more to their liking. to such amplifiers. the KN-7S0 does a creditable job. It provides However. those now owning a good mono system might favor for stereo balance, master volume, channel reversal, phasing, and the adapter because it permits them to retain the mono system in a choice of stereo or mono signals. It does not provide for com· its entirety and still have the facilities for enjoyment of the bur­ bining the output of a stereo cartridge when playing mono records geoning world of stereo. (but there's a solution for this one. too!), and it does not furnish operating power to the respective mono amplifiers. • Norman Eisenberg was one of the editors of Popular Very similar is the Knight·Kit model 83-Y-778, also from Allied. Electronics (another ZiD-Davis publication) when he fell so Priced at $9.9S, this adapter comes as an easily built kit (one completely under the spell of high fidelity that he now devotes hour at the most). It connects into the system exactly as the himself fully to free-lance writing (Saturday Review, Elec­ KN-7S0. It has the same functions, with the addition of being tronics Illustrated. Living for Young Homemakers, etc.) on his favorite subject. Crowded out of their home by a mount· able to play either channel through one speaker or both. And it ing heap 0/ assorted hi-fi hardware. Norman and his wife are can be used with amplifiers in the 20·watt class. Both this adapter taking temporary refuge in Europe, reporting on sound over­ and the KN-7S0 appear to be similarly made. In each, the volume seas. 98 HIFI REVIEW Stereo Directionality: Good Stereo Depth: Good D esp i te the sound, it is NOT Paul Des­ mond but rather the Latin accompaniment that makes Bud Shank sound ten times as good as usual. In fact, this is the best Shank I have heard in years. The so und is very good throughout. The stereo effects are sharp and enhance the mu sic. The tunes ESL Dust Bug are interestin g, and the treatment of them ESL Gyro/balance arm fresh and bright. R. J. G.

POPS

• CONTROLS • MARTIN DENNY GROUP-AFRO­ AIIAVHS DESIA. Jungle Drums ; Aku Aku; Simba & 9 others. Liberty LST 71 I I $4.98 M us ica I I nterest: Not much Performance: Stereophonic J Recording : Clean Stereo Directionality: Sure it has DISC DIRT Stereo Depth: No it hasn't ' SlOHINO~ Martin Denny, that intrepid explorer, has invaded the heart of Africa (located some­ where near Hollywood and Vine), and has come up with some rare musical specim ens. They include all kinds of noises, of course -from a tsetsefiy buzzi ng from speaker to speaker to what so unds like Catalina mat­ ing calls. And while its musical value may be slight, this is still a pretty colorful stereo package. Incidentally, the African theme is broad enough to take in music by Cuban, Brazilian and Hollywood composers, and even includes one item, Ra/tero , named for old "bwana" George Raft himself. S. G. ~ If your stereo system often sounds unbalanced, .. Hav e you solved the problems of dust, I~~t, • THE DO·RAY·MI TRIO-AI Russell the fault may lie in the arm. In many cases, and static buildup on records and styli . More (piano), Buddy Hawkins (drums J. AI Moore proper channel balance can be. achieved by than f)DD DOD delighte d users throughout the (bass ). My Lucky Day; Little Girl ; Blue Sk ies replacin g your present arm With the world ha~e -with the inge nious ESL Dust Bug, & 9 others. Ste re-O-Craft RCS 508 $5.98 superlative new ESL Gyro/ balance. which cleans the record as it is being pl aye d. Musica l Interest: Slim ~ For balanced playback of stereo discs, !he ' Pe rformance: Cocktail lounge experts ~ As dust is always present in the air, it sett les stylUS must be kept in perfec! contact With the Recordi ng : Good record groove. No turntable IS level; on records as fast as it can be removed. Any Stereo Directionality: Distinct al w~ys Stereo Depth: Shallow with a conventional arm , even a tmy tIlt wi ping of a record grinds dirt into the groove may result in gravitational pull which adds and also increase s the charge of static This trio is composed of Philadelphians pressure on one side of the groove. ThIS electricity normally present, and attracts more who do a co nsiderable amount of work at uneven pull deteriorates the sound, and and more dust to the record. home as well as in Las Vegas, Toronto, and greatly increases wear on valuable records other places. Buddy Hawkins is the fea­ and styli. ~ No longer is it necessary to place fond hope s tured vocalist with occasional assists from in inadequate or injurious attempts at cleaning his coll eagues. This is an innocuous unit. ~ A Gyro / balanced arm can eliminate gravitational pull caused by an unlevel records, such as liquids, sprays, brushes, It often doubles for dance and show music turntable, and only the ESL arm is . cloths, and sponges. in the lounge of a night club whose main at­ Gyro / balanced. Even with the turntable tIlted tractions are downstairs or nearby. The ninety degrees, the ESL Gyro / balan.ce arm ~ The ESL Dust Bug installs instantly on approach is frothy, bouncing, and essential­ turntables or record changers, gently removing keeps the stylus perfectly centered 10 the ly empty. This is not a record to live with. groove , and the output of both channels all dust and lint at the moment of playing, N.H. balanced! and reducing surface noise (especially evident on stereo discs). • PERCY FAITH AND HIS ORCHES· ~ Join the thousands of musicians, engineers, TRA-A NIGHT WITH SIGMUND ROM­ and mu sic lovers whose records sound better. ~ It prevents distortion caused by stylus BERG with vocals by Earl Wrightson and Lois and last longer with the ESL Gyro / balance clogging , and dramatically improves the sound Hunt. Song of Love; Golden Days; One Kiss arm. Only $34.95 at your dealer's. & 9 others. Columbia CS 8108 $4.98 of old records. Every point on a twelve-in ch ~ It's no secret that the most advanced stereo stereo or mono lP record is cleaned by the Mu sical In terest: Romance a la Romberg pickup-for the Gyro / balance or anx other Dust Bug approximately one hundred times Pe rformance: Faithful arm-is the world-famed ESL Gyro / Jewel during a single play! The Dust Bug also Recording: Satisfactory electrodynamic cartridge. At only $69.95 (far minimizes static which would attract more Stereo Directiona lity: Good enough less than the cost of a comparable stereo dust. Only $5.75, complete (record changer Stereo Depth : Not too much amplifier or pair of speaker systems), ?can model only $4.75), at your dealer's. Apparently inspired by the series of pro­ you really afford not to own the fmest. grams at the Cotillion Room of New York's FOR LISTENING AT ITS BEST FOR LISTENING AT ITS BEST Hotel Pierre, P ercy Faith lushes up a dozen Romberg melodies, and Earl Wrigh t­ Electro-Sonic son and Lois Hunt are on hand to give Electro-Sonic Laboratories,II1c. them their proper interpretations. There Laboratories,II1c. are no unusual items here, but if you're Dept R· 35-54 36th Street Dept R· 35-54 36th Street looking for a recording of the basic Rom­ L.c:ng Island City 6, NY Long Island City 6, NY berg this one has practically all of it. S. G. 99 •SEPTEM BE R 1959 • Musi cal Interest: Disa ppointing This trio of electronic harmonicas works • DO YOU WAtUU, OANCE'? featuring cleverly and achieves more diversity of BOBBY FREEMAN. When You're Smiling; Pe rformance: Pr ecise Ebb Tide; On Th e Sunny Side of the Street; Recording : Good sound than one would expect from this in­ Because of You & B others. Jubilee SDLP Stereo Directionality: Competent strumentation, even though more than three 1086 $5.98 Stereo Depth: Ve ry good different kinds of harmonicas are used. Es· sentially, however, this is more "gimmick· Musical Interest: ??? In th e late forties, Machi to and hi s Afro­ ry" than music making. People who "dig" P'erforma nce : Energetic! Cuban band was often so polyrhythmically Recording: O verwhe lmed exciting and played with such an exhilarat· harmonicas will, however, be overjoyed. N. H. Stereo Directionality: Bifurcated in" drive that it attracted many jazz Stereo Depth: Questionable li s~en e r s as well as Latin audiences. The If you have a friend .who hi's stereo and group that plays this program (presumably • THIS COULD BE THE START OF a rock-and-roll fan in the house, he might a characteristic one for its dates at the SOMETHING featuring MARK MURPHY. co nceivably want this demonstration of Co ncord a resort hotel outside New York Th e La dy Is a Tramp; Just in Tim e ; That O ld Black Magic; J ersey Bounce & 9 others. strength of voice. On the other hand, he City) is' a shadow of the older band. Capitol ST 1177 $4.95 might not wi sh to either alienate his neigh­ Everything is performed cleanl y and the , bors or blow his tubes. Better inquire first. music is easy to dance to , but much of the Musical Interest: Good repertoire R.J.G. former zest and abandon have been diluted Performance: Ma nnered into polite smoothness. Maybe that's the Recording: Exce ll ent Stereo Directionality: Good • BETTY HUTTON AT THE SAINTS & way Concord guests want it, and perhaps Ste reo Depth: Good SINNERS BALL arranged and conducted by the band lets go more before more·hip t Jerry Fielding. Chicken H awk; Ba sin Street audi ences. Included are examples of the Murphy is a Sinatra-styled singer who Bl ues; Blackberry Boogie & 7 others . War­ cha cha samba and mambo. For listening, will be well worth hearing once he avoids ne r Brothers WS 1267 $4.98 the s t e J ~e o version is preferable because of , the tricks and the mannerisms of his idol. Mu sical Interest: Very mi xe d the clarity with which one can follow the Here, they merely sound aff ected when Performance : Self-conscious interweaving of the rhythm on the right, done by someone else. It is too bad that Recording: Best for Betty the reeds on the left, and the brass in the young Murphy hinders the effectiveness of Stereo Directionality: Intelligent middl e. N. H. his warm, perso nal sound by th is fault. Stereo Depth : Very good R.J.G. The liner notes make much of the long • SOUNDSVILLE-SWINGING SKETCH­ ES by JACK MARSHALL and his music. Hot and careful preparation for this album, in­ • THE WALTZ QUEEN-PATTI PAGE Sombrero; Mimi; C louds & 9 others. Capitol cluding location study in New Orleans (vocals) with Vic Schoen and his Orchestra. because it "gave birth to more saints and ST 1194 $4.98 Me mo ri es ; Th e Boy Next Door; W o nd e ring sinners than most." The singing nonethe­ Musica l Interest: Slick & 9 others. MI>l' c\l~ ':,\\ bl}M9 $5.95 less, sounds like Lindy's. This is a "show­ Perfo rmance: Expert biz" approach 1.0 both legitimate blues and Recording : Up to C apitol standards M usical Interest : Respecta ble pops gos pel songs and it offers some new imita­ Stereo Directionality: Se nsible Performance: Efficient li ons of both. Stereo De pth: Very good Recording : W ell balanced Whatever she sings, Miss Hulton unde­ Stereo Direction ality: Excelle nt Guitarist·arranger Jack Marshall has ni ably projects much bounce and force, but Stereo Depth: O e 6S1onally sha ll ow wrilLen a "stereo showcase" that does in­ almost always the seams show. The exuber­ deed indicate the added breadth and depth PalLi Page treats a dozen pop waltz ance so unds calculated, and some of the of stereo. He al so has a band of superior standards ~.it l~ c1arit.y ot dlc,'lon, respect phrasing is all too exaggerated. A stunni'1g sidemen, but his arrangements, while clever, for the composers' intentions, and a cer­ contrast to the straining Miss Hutton is the are emotionally and imaginatively bland. tain amount of verve. As is customary with one number in th e album on which she's There are some pleasant moments, but the Miss Page, there is technically little with absent-a gospel performance by Odessa overall result is more that of hors d' oeuvres which to quarrel, but emotionally, this lis· McCastle and Catherine Burks with the than a main course. N. H. tener is left with no burning desire to hear Antioch Evangeli·st Temple Choir. H ere tbe the album again. For example, the differ­ emotion rises naturally in glowing freedom ence between Judy Garland and Miss Pag ~ and the beat is contagiously gladdening. • SWING WITH JIMMY MUNDY AND is the difference between Al 101son and any Most of Miss Hulton's backgrounds, by the HIS ORCHESTRA-PLAYING THE NUM­ number of proficient but forgotten pop way, are aggressively commercial. N. H . BERS. 16 19 Broadway; Three O'Clock in the sing.ers of his time. Patti will add little to Morning; O pus # I & 9 others. Epic BN 526 show-biz history. Co nscientious though she $4.98 • YOU ARE MY LOVE featuring is, that ineffable added dimension is miss­ FRANKIE LAINE, with Orchestra condo by Mu si cal Interest: Attractive writing ing. N.H. Frank Comstock. You Are My Love; Side by Performance: First-rate Sid e ; Th e Touch of Yo ur Lips; Try a Little Recording: Unusua lly alive Te nderness & 8 others. Columbia CS 8119 Stereo Dire ctionality: Clearly set • TAKE A NUMBER featuring MAVIS $4.98; Mono-CL 1317 $3.98 Stereo Depth: Very good RIVERS with Orchestra condo by Nelson Rid­ dle. One Minute to One; Three Coins in the Musica l Interest: Good pop vocals Jimmy Mundy, a veteran big band ar­ Founta in; Five 0 ' Clock Whistle; Dinner at Performance: Slickly professional ranger (Hines, Goodman, Basie, etc.) has Eight & B othe rs. Capitol ST 1210$4.98 Recording: Top-notch scored twelve tunes with numbers in their Stereo Directionality: Good titles. The writing for the most part, while Musi cal In terest: Limited Stereo Depth: Good slick and of little jazz interest, is tastefully Performance: Uneve n conceived. There is also some expert play­ Recording: Exc e llent Frankie Laine's voi ce, while never par­ Ste reo Directiona li ty: Good ticularly pleasant, is individual and some­ ing, but it is unfortunate that none of the Ste reo Depth: Good times striking in its ability to transmit emo­ sidemen are named. Much of this is good tion. Given the good accompaniment that for dancing, but skillful as the writing is, This young Samoan girl may yet become Frank Comstock provides on this LP, the little of it can stand repeated listening. a top·notch singer, but at this point she is result is an excellent popular rendition of N.H. merely an unusually good beginner who ballads. The monophonic and stereo ver­ does have a feeling for phrasing and lyrics as well as warmth in her voice. The Nelson sio ns lack suffi cien t difference to make • DOLLS, DOLLS, DOLLS-JERRY MU­ either one preferable. Each is quite ade­ RAD 'S ELECTRONIC HARMONICATS. The Riddle accompaniment helps make her quate. R_ J. G. Toy Trumpet; Dance of the Dutch Do ll ; Doll sound her best. R. J. G. Dance & 9 others. Mercury SR 60008 $5.95 • VACATION AT THE CONCORD­ Musical In terest: For "harmonicats" • " SOME LIKE IT HOT" CHA CHA MACHITO AND HIS AFRO-CUBAN OR­ Pe rfo rma nce: Agile CHA-SWEET SUE AND HER SOCIETY CHESTRA. Pa t ri cia ; To rero; C otilli o n Record ing: Sharp and clear SYNCOPATORS. Sugar Blues ; Am I Blu e; Ma mbo and 9 ot he rs. Coral CRL 757258 Stereo Directionality: Good Sweet G eorgia Brown and 9 others. United $5.98. Mono-CRL 57258 .$3.98 Stereo Depth: Effective Artists UAS 6029 $4.98 100 HIFI REVIEW Music al Interest: For dancers only r-~~~~--~----~,,~. ----~9m~~ ----~~------~------_ Performance : Competent Record ing: Clear and bright ra U~ retie, Superior;Quality Hi:.Fi Kits Stereo Directionality: Effective Stereo Depth: Good Marilyn Monroe is on the cover-as are her name and those of her co· stars in the Some Like It Hot film. Neither she nor KT·250 50 WATT INTE­ they, however, are inside. More's the pity. This is a quite ordinary instrumental pro· TED STEREO AMPLIFIER gram of cha chas. It's dull to listen to but A completely new stereo high fidelity amplifier may be good for background music at with a high quality of "reproduction, versatility of parties. N. H. operation, and distinctive styling. A full range of controls enables you to enjoy the utmost in listening pleasure in any situation. De· luxe features include: unique "Blend" control • FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYL. for continuously variable channel separation­ VANIANS-DO YOU REMEMBER? Dream; from full monaural to full stereo, 4-position Selector, Mode, Loudness and Phase switches. The Nearness of You; You Walk By & 9 Also provided are outputs for 4, 8 and 16 ohm others. Capitol ST 1208 $4.98 speakers. Hum-free operation is insured by the use of DC on all preamp and tone control tubes. Harmonic distortion, less than 0.25%' 1M distor­ Musical Interest: Submerged % WAns tion, less than 1 , Hum and noise, 74 db below Performan ce: Soporific EACH STEREO CHANNEL • RESPONSE 17- full output. Designed . with the kit builder in Recording: Splendid CPS DB mind, assembly is simple-no special skills or 21.,000 ±1 (at normal Ibtenlng tools required. Complete with deluxe cabinet and Stereo Direc'ionality: Well surrounded level) • UNIQUE "BLEND" CONTROL legs, 011 parts, tubes ond detailed instruction Stereo Dept', : Satisfactory • ~REMIUM "EL86 OUYPU! TUllES .•'/1 . SEPA. manual. Shp9. Wt., 26 Ibs. RATE BASS AND TREBLE CON"'TROLS KT.250 Stereo Amplifier KiI ...... 6.4S Down Fred Waring has plucked a dozen rich, Net 64.50 • CLUTCH-OPERATED VOLUME CONTROL LA·250 Stereo Amplifier, wired ...... 8.95 Down ripe choral pieces for his K eystone State 3rd CHANNEL OUT Net 89.50 crew to sink its teeth into, but they ar e all taken at such a plodding pace that at times (as in Jad a) he seems to be kidding in the KT -500 FM-AM whole idea. Gordon Goodman's pleasant vo ice is the featured attraction on six num· STEREO TUNER KIT bers. The stereo sound has abetted the More than a year of research, planning and en­ program admirably. S. G. gineering went into the making of the lafayette Stereo Tuner. FM specifications include grounded­ grid triode low noise front end with triode mixer, • RUTH WELCOME-AT A SIDEWALK double-tuned dual limiters with Foster-Seeley dis­ CAFE with the Milt Shaw Trio. Anima e core; criminator, less than 1 % harmonic distortion, full 200 kc bandwidth and sensitivity of 2 microvolts J'attendrai; Non dime nticar & 9 others. for 30 db quieting with full limiting at one mi­ Capitol ST 1209 $4.98 crovolt. The AM and FM sections have separate 3'9ang Musica l Interest: Harry Lime-stuff tuning condenser, separate ·flywheel tuning and Performa nc e: Expert separate volume control. Automatic frequency Recording: Very fine control "locks in" FM signal permanently. Two separdte printed circuit boards make construction Stereo Directionality : Good enough and wiring simple. Complete kit includes all parts SJe.re.a Depth : So is this and metal cover, a step-by-s tep instruction man­ ual, schematic and pictorial diagrams. Size i5 13'A" W· X TO'/. " 0 X 4%" H. Shpg. wI., 22 Jbs. { tl1ls'a ' t nd 't 'be prima,rily back· Kr.500 ...... 7.45 Down ...... Net 74.50 a 1T-50. Same as above, completely factory wired d rl'runlff ml1 ~ 1 (!- H. z i tl1er " rjtJJ ~ l' jo :l C C?ln ~ and lested ...... 12.45 Down ...... Net 124.50 pnnim nt, I'm not exactly sure why CapJtol hothered to r elease it in stereo. Anyway, it's sort of intimate stereo, and it makes for KT ·600 PROFESSIONAL very pleasant listening. Miss Welcome is a sensitive zitllerist, and her repertoire is STEREO CONTROL CENTER well calculated to put you in the proper SDlves Every Stereo/Monaural continental mood. S. G. Control Problem! Provides such unusual features as a Bridge Con­ trol, for variable cross-channel signal. feed for elimination of "ping_pongfl (exaggerated separa­ THEATER, SCREEN, TV tion) effects. Also has full input mixing of monau­ ral program sources, special "null" stereo bol­ ancing and calibrating system·. Also has 24 equal­ ization positions, all-concentric controls, rumble • DESTRY RIDES AGAIN (Harold and scratch filters, loudness switch. Clutch type volume controls for balancing or as 1 Master Romel. O rigina l cast recording. Decca DL Volume Control. Has channel reverse, electronic 79075 $5.98 phasing, input level controls. Sen~itivity 2.2 mil­ livolts for 1 volt out. Dual low"mpedance out· Musical Interest: Competent job A REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT puts (plate followers). 1500 ohms. Respon se 5· Performance : Top-notch IN STEREO HIGH fiDELITY. 40000 cps ± 1 db. Less than .03"/0 1M distor· 1 tio~. Uses 7 now 7025 low-noise dual triodes. Recording : Needs bass • UNIQUE STEREO & ·MONAURA-L , n~.NTROiL' Size 14" x 4'{," x 10'!.". Shpg. wt., 16 Ibs . Stereo Directionality: Well done FEATURES • AMAZING NEW BRIDGE CIR­ Complete with printed circuit board, cage, pro­ Stereo Depth: Fine fusely illustrated instructions, all necessary parts. CUITRY FOR VARIABU 3d CHANNEL OUTPUT LAFAYETTE Kr .600-Stereo Preamplifier kil- & CROSS.CHANNEL FEED • PRECISE. "NULL" 7.95 Down ...... : ...... Net 79.50 On th e whole, Decca gives us a good BALANCING SYSTEM • RESPONSE 5·40,000 LAFAYETTE LA·600-Stereo Preamplifier, Wired -13.45 Down ...... Net 134.50 stereo treatment of Destry R ides Again, CPS ± 1 DB which was reviewed last month in its mono· r--.::.:~~~:::;::~::::=:.:~==::::::::::::=;:;------:-".- -- --I phonic version. "Are You Ready, Gyp Wat· DEPT. H MI·9 I son?" comes across th e most effectively by I placing the male membeJ's of the chorus o Send FREE LAFAYETTE Catalog 600 I at the ex tremities, with the girls in the CUT OUT I middle. I al 0 like the instrumental de· Name ...... , ...... AND I ployment on "Every Once In a While." PASTE ON I S.G. I Address ...•....•.•. , ...... • ...... • . . • . • . • POSTCARD I • EL 'EMIGRANTE. Juanito Valderrama I City . Zone .... State...... I con la Orquesta Montilla, Maestro Solano L~~~~~~~------~ SEPTEMBER 1959 ..

Dirigida. C omo Cadiz ni Hablar; Vali e nte and they wear well. Capitol's stereo, how­ Castigo; EI Em igrante & II others. Montilla ever, is little more than a slight emphasis JAZZ/HI-FI NOTES FMS 2044 $5.95 on the leading instrument. It sounds al­ most the same on either channel. J ones is from CONTEMPORARY RECORDS, INC. Mu sical In terest: Mucho Pe rformance: Con fervor a very good pianist; tasteful , swingin g Recording: Muy bueno with bursts of lyric feeling. The guitar of producers 0/ Ste reo Directionality: Izquierda prevale CONTEMPORARY RECORDS Kenuy Bun-ell is utilized occasionally, and GOOD TIME JAZZ Stereo Depth: Suficiente is also quite nicely handled. R. J. G. CR COMPOSERS SERIES CALIFORNIA RECORDS Juanito Valderrama has a high, whiny SFM (Society !OT Forootten voice that is perfectly suited to the Fla­ • RASHOMON (Laurence Rosenthal). MU8 iC) , STEREO RECORDS menco melodies he sings on this record, Conducted by Laurence RosenthoL Carlton though I don't quite understand why he STLPX 5000 $5.98 We've just celebrated our 10th should be confined so exclusively to the left Musical I nterest: Fascinating anniversary. Our Good Time Jazz speaker. There isn't much information on Performance: Equally label began operations May 1949 the jacket regarding El Emigrante which, Recording: Great clarity with the first Firehouse Five Plus in addition to being the name of a well­ Stereo Directionality: Imaginative Two session, and the FH5+2 still known Spanish song, is apparently also the Stereo Depth: Enough records exclusively for GTJ! name of a movie. S. G. In 1951 we started the Con­ The trend toward recording music from temporary label to do modern • MY FAIR LADY (Frederick Loewe>. non-musical Broadway attractions continues. classics (we still do them), and in Wild Bill Davis Quartet. Everest SDBR 1014 For the Japanese play Rashomon, Laurence 1953 began recording modern jazz. $5.95. Mono-LPBR 5014 $3.98 Rosenthal has composed a strikingly atmos­ Our fi rst exclusive CR recording pheric score that stands up remarkably well Musica l Interest: High Loewe stars were Shelly Manne and Bar­ on its own. The back of the record jacket Pe rformance: Uninspired contains enough of the incidents of the ney Kessel, and we are happy to Recording : Loverly report they have just signed new Stereo Directionality: Too pronounced story to make things easy to follow, and long-term recording contracts. Stereo Depth: Fine stereo enhances the drama immeasurably_ The big news this month is that Incidentally, in addition to the musical in­ Shelly Manne & His Friends are I'm afraid that no matter how gifted the sU'uments native to Japan, Rosenthal -san back with a new album, Bells Are player may be, a Hammond organ still re­ has used a pretty wide variety of others, in­ R inging. The Friends are Andre mains a lumbering, unswinging instrum ent. cluding items from such far off places as Previn and Red Mitchell. Anyone Mr. Davis evokes little lightness from it, Nigeria, Bali, Burma, China, and Turkey. who digs Shelly & Friends' My and the generally plodding nature of the S.G. Fair Lady will certainly want this recital is further emphasized by Maurice latest collaboration. (Contem­ Simon's puffing away at his tenor saxophone • VICTORY AT SEA, Vol. I (Richard porary M3559 & Stereo S7559). as if it were a meerschaum pipe. Rodgers!. The RCA Victor Symphony O r­ With such a small group, the stereo effects chestra, Robert Russell Be nnett condo RCA On Good Time Jazz, The Fa­ Victor LSC 2335 $5.98; Mono LM 2335 $4_98 mous Castle Jazz Band of Port­ seem unnecessarily too directional, with the land, Oregon, comes up with 12 drums to the left, the saxophone to the right Musica l Interest: Aye Aye happy and hi-fi Dixieland perform­ and the organ somewhere between the Performance: Shipshape ances of tunes featured in the drums and a point midway between the Recording : Top. id e new Danny Kaye picture The speakers_ There is a far greater feelinrr of Stereo t)1T'ettiona lity: Impr ulv Five Pennies. Four new tun~s and rapport in the monophonic release. S. G. Sfereo Del' fh : ~~c9 11 " 1\ ~ eight old favorites: My Blue H eaven, Indiana, J a-da, That's • MORE MUSIC FROM PETER GUNN For the sake of historical accuracy, this release should be labe1ed Victory at Sea, A Plenty, etc. (Good Time Jazz (Henry Mancini!. Orchestra conducted by M12037 & Stereo S10037). Henry Mancini. RCA Victor LSP 2040 $598- Vol. T, No.2, as it is nothing more than a brand-new recording of the venerable Vic­ Sonny Rollins, the "colossus" of Mono LPM 2040 $3.98 . , tory at Sea, Vol. J, No.1, which was all the tenor sax, is back for his sec­ Musica l In terest: Well maintained of six years old when RCA Victor decided ond Contemporary album this Performance: Expert time with the top stars who {.ecord to scuttle it. Well, it's still a good, rousing Recording: Great piece of music, expertly performed, and fo r CR : Shelly Manne, Barney Stereo Di rectiona lity: Very effective there is no doubt that the addition of stereo Hampton Hawes, Leroy Stereo Depth: Sufficient K~ssel, greatly heightens its power and effective­ Vmnegar, and Victor Feldman (on one tune). Naturally the If we are to have television's private eyes ness. In case you're worried, at this writing album is called Sonny Rollins & responsible for the return of big jazz band, Victory at Sea, Vol. II, No_ 1, (LSC/LM The Contemporary Leaders. Sonny there can surely be no objection-especial­ 2226) is still very much alloat. S. G. picked eight tunes, all standards. ly if it is in such expert hands as Hank It's a must for Rollins fans Mancini's. There i ; of course, a hi ghly Our latest issue of the GTJ & polished professional sheen to this kind of MISCELLANY CR NEWS, now in its fourth year thing, but there is no denying tile very is being mailed to 85,000 friend~ strong musical impact and the gen uine • lES BALLETS AFRICAINS DE KEITA throughout the world. It will keep feeling of excitement throughout. RCA FODEBA-Nina; Aloa; Diaka & 9 Others. you posted on our new releases Victor has obliged by listing the perform­ Coral Stereo CRL 757280 $5.98; Mono­ and the doings of our artists. It's ers on the back of the jacket, though it's a CRL 57280 $3.98 free! Simply mail the postage­ little confusing trying to figure out who Musical I nterest: Intriguing paid card from any of our factory­ does what on what. S. G. Perfo rmance: Easily assimilable sealed albums. Recording: Good Our records are available at • PORGY AND BESS featuring HANK Ste reo Directionality: Skilled record stores everywhere, Nation­ JONES. Summertime; Bess, You Is My Stereo Depth: Good ally advertised manufacturer's W o man Now; It Ain 't Necessa rily So; I G ot Pl enty 0' Nuttin' and 6 others_ Capitol ST This is a chaTming collection of gentle list prices are $4.98 for all our 12" 1175 $4.98 but ardent music from Guineau, Casamance, monophonic albums, and $5.98 for Dahomey, the Sudan and the Congo per­ all our stereo albums. Musical Interest: Mild jazz formed by singers and musician of those Perfo rmance: Slick aTeas who were collected by Keita Fodeba Recording: Good ItwJ~ Stereo Directionality: Indistinct for his troupe which has been very success­ Editor. GTJ & CR NEWS Stereo Depth: Sha 1I0w ful in Europe and this country_ Unfor­ PUBLISHED BY CONTEMPORARY RECORDS INC tunately, the notes are not complete. There 8481 Melrose los Angeles Californi~ These are quite pleasant piano-with­ are no full translations and far too little of rhythm versions of the Gershwin numbers regional background for the material given. 102 HIFI REVIEW Special to our readers for only ...

As a man who is seriously interested in hi-fi, you will certainly want to be among the first to take advantage of this new and Special Features of ELECTRONICS WORLD 7" Stereo-Monophonic Test Record important test record. It will enable you to know your system • Four bands for stereo checks only­ inside-out. As a result, your listening enjoyment will be even plus three bands for checking stereo greater than ever before. or monophonic equipment! • Made of- top·quality virgin viny l for Here are some of the questions traordinary 2-way value you get from long wear! this special test record. First, it guides • Specially·reinforced 'center resists this record will answer for you! you in evaluating the quality of repro­ wear! ' . duction your equipment now produces . . ;How good is my stylus? Is it worn? S econ d, it s pecifies the a djustment s • Delivered in special polyethylene en· V W ill it damage my records? necessary to get the best recorded sound velope-dust and dirt are sea led out! V W hat about my stereo cartridge? you have ever' heard! Add up the ad­ Does it have enough vertical compli­ vantages! Check the special low price! • Fully glJaranteed! ance so that it won't ruin my expen­ This is easily the best value of the year sive stereo records? for everyone who owns a hi-fi system- 0 s my turntable running at the right either monophonic or stereo! speed? Is it free of rumble, wow, and flutter? Supply limited- Order your Test Record for just $1 now! This stereo -monophonic test record mulated know·how into this project for V What sort of standing waves do I get in my listening room? will only be sold to you by mail, at the a period of many, many months. But special reader-price of just $1. You the supply is limited , so it will have to V Are my speakers hooked up core ca n be sure that it comes as close to rectly? Are they phased properly, be first-come, fi rst-served ! Avoid dis­ and is the correct speaker connected perfection as is humanly possible, be­ appointment - place your order right to the right stereo channel? cause the editors of Electronics World now. Fill in and m ail the coupon, to­ VRow p e rfe ctly i s m y sys t e m - leading technical magazine in the fi eld gether with your check ($1 per record) equalized? of electronics-have poured their accu- today! V What about separatio n? Is it .. _- -- .. ------adequate? HiFi REVIEW. P.O. Box 523, New York 8, N. Y. You'll get on-the-spot-answers to these Plea se send me_ _ test records at $1 each. My check (o r money ord er) and many other questions when you use f o r $ is encl osed. I und ersta nd tha t y ou will pay the postage a nd this Stereo-Monophonic Test Record. It's the most complete test record of its that each reco rd is fully guaranteed. kind-contains the widest range of es­ sential check-points ever incorporated Nome' ______into one test disc! And, best of all, you Pl ease print need no expen'i'>ive te'i'>t equipment when you use this record! Just listen and get Address; ______the thorough results you want - all checks can be made by ear! City, ______Zone __Stot e ______As a man who is seriously interested in H9 hi-fi, you can immediately see the ex- SO RRY - no chorges or C.O .D. ordersl S EPTEM BER 1959 103 The music, therefore, is bound to be super­ fi cially understood by the non·expert lis· tener. It makes little sense to release a set of such unfamiliar music for the American market without the kind of detailed notes WHERE and translations that F olkways could have provided. In any case, the mu ic is melo· THERE'S dically appealing and the performances, both by soloists and chorus, are warmly re­ A FINE laxed. The impression persists, however, TAPE that some refining of rough edges has been RECORDER ••• done. N. H . • EMIL DECAMERON AND HIS OR­ CHESTRA-TUMBALALAIKA ; Bu lbes ; C hanuke 0 C hanuke; Margaritkes; Yome Yome & 10 others. Vanguard VSD 2024 $5.95; Mono-VRS 9045 $4.98 M usica I I nterest: Frequently affecting Performance : Pleasant, but hokey Recording : No complaints J Stereo Directionality: Tasteful Stereo De pth: Very good There is a nice spread ou t stereo so und note to here, wi th the strings coming at you from all sides. This compilation of Yiddish folk PENTRON owners songs performed by a rather flamboyant group may not be to everyone's taste, but To insure optimum re­ the basic, frequently moving spirit of the cording quality with original melodies is hard to eclipse. S. G. y our machine, the • THE KINGSTON TRIO AT LARGE. recommended tape All My Sorrows; Blow Ye Winds; G ood is irish Long News; Early Morning & 8 others. Capitol ST Play # 602. Send 1199 $4.98 for technical ORR INDUSTRIES Mus ical Interest: Nearly universal Opelika, Alabama Performance : Excellent bulletin. INC Recording: Excellent Stereo Directionality: Very good EXP:458 B'way, N. Y. C. CAN: 50 Wingold Ave., Tor. Stereo Depth : Adequate This group of collegiate-styled ToYk sing­ ers has the AlI·American sound ; whatever tbey do is pleasan t, in good taste-artisti· PURCHASING cally sterile but beautifully contrived. "Brooks Brothers folk singers," one man A HI-FI calls them. Nevertheless, they are pleasant STEREO HIGH-FIDELITY to hear, offer a fin e voice blend, and pick splendid repertoire. The Capitol record· WITH KOSS DYNAMIC SYSTEM? ing is fi ne. R. J. G. PARTIAL LIST ~ STEREOPHONES OF BRANDS • THE SOUND OF NEW YORK IKen­ IN STOCK Send Us Altee Lansing yon Hopkins-Creed Taylor Orchestra. El e etrovoiee ABC Paramount ABCS 2269 $5.98; Mono­ Jensen ABC Paramount ABC 2269 $4.98 Your Hartley University Mus ical Interest : Holds it Aeoustie List Of Researeh Performance : Effective on stereo Janszen Recording: Sple ndid Wharfedaie Stereo Directionality: No doubt of it Karlson Components Viking Stereo Depth : W ell done MODEL Coneertone SP-3 Bell. G. E. An aural portrait of New York with this .' For A Weathers combination of music and sound is made· Harman-Kardon Eieo • Pilot to·order type of programming tha twas • Frequency response Package Sherwood made for stereo. What arranger and part­ 30-15000 Flat, impedance Acrosound ) Fisher co mposer Kenyon Hopkins has done (along 4 ohm Quotation Bogen • Leak wi th special effects man Keene Crockett) is • Excellent response from any Dynakit to utilize the musical settings for various WE WON'T BE H. H. Seott Stereo or Monaural system. Ferrograph locations in the city more or less as a frame­ UNDERSOLD! Tanberg Organs, Hi-Fi, etc. Pentron work for the actual (or studio·made) All m ercha ndise Ampro • VM sounds usually emanating f!'Om between the Complete separation of the two i s bra n d ne w, Revere • Chal- speakers. For example, the Take the "A" f a ctory fresh & lenger channels gives the realism and fine Wollensak Train music is heard from the left and the tonal qualities that are unobtain­ gua r a n teed. Garrord Miracord right, while a suln ay u ain comes crashing able by any other method regard­ Glaser-Ste ers up to us through the center. Another num· less of cost. Price $24.95 Rek·O·Kut ber, Penthouse Serenade, begins with the AIREX Components Available at your Local Hi-Fi Store Noreleo voices of people in a between·the-speakers or Write Direct. Fairehild elevator; then, a'S the car reaches Ih e pent· - Piekering • Gray RADIO Audio Tape house, we hear the chatter and noise at a Full Lineof KOSS INCORPORATED CORPORATION gay party spilling out all over. 2227 N. 31st ST., MILW. 8. WIS. Welleor Cabinets 64-MR Cortlandt St., N.Y. 7, CO. 7-2137 A word of caution: the mono set does not contain all the sound effects. S. G. 104 HIFI REVIEW Jazz, Pops, Stage and Screen BEST OF THE MONTH Reviewed by • Epic's 2-disc Lester Young Memorial Album is the obvious pick this RALPH J. GLEASON month from a half-dozen really nne jazz LP's.-"Certainly the best single STANLEY GREEN collection of the invaluable work of the late Lester Young." (see p. 110) NAT HENTOFF

• Atlantic's latest offering from night club diva Mabel Mercer-Once in a JAZZ Blue Moon- is another notable prize.-"A lesson in the nne art of singing popular art songs." (see p. 112)

• BLUES SUITE, featuring Nat Adderley, Phil Woods, Seldon Powell and 6 others. 7 blues numbers composed a nd cond o by A. K. • The enterprising Kapp label scores a real hit with its original cast record­ Sal im . Savoy MG 12132 $4.95 ing of Once Upon a Mattress (based on Andersen's "Princess and the Mu sical Interest: Fine, mod ern jazz Performance: Excellent Pea").-"A charming, witty score for an offbeat, off-Broadway musical." Recordi ng: First-rate (see p . 114) This is another good example of how the folk tradition of the blues can be reworked in skilled hands into vital and fresh-sound­ ing material. Although this is a small band (9 pieces) it has a full sound and the ar­ on high wires instead of concenu'ating on • A MESSAGE FROM BLAKEY-HOLI­ rangements strike one as being, like Basie, making well-proportioned music-a some­ DAY FOR SKINS. Art Blakey (drums); Ph illy based on the blues but utilizing more mod­ what harder task. There are several mo­ Joe Jones (drums and tympani); Art Taylor ern harmonic concepts. There are excellent ments during which "Cat" indicates he (drums and gong) ; Sabu Martinez (bongo solos throughout. R. J. G. and conga) ; Ray Barretto, Chonguito Vicente could be a very pl easing, {at-toned trum­ (congas); Victor Gonzales (bongo) ; Andy peter, in a somewhat modernized Louis De la nnoy (maracas and cencerro); Julio • CAT ON A HOT TIN HORN - THE Armstrong tradition- if he would only for­ Martinez (conga and treelog); Fred Pagani, "CAT" ANDERSON ORCHESTRA-"Cat" get his skywriting. N. H. Jr. (timbales) ; Donald Byrd (trumpet); Ray Anderson (trumpet) with Ernie Royal, Ray Bryant (piano) ; Wendell Marshall (bass). Copeland, Reunald Jones and on four, Clark Chants by Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Sabu Terry (trumpets); Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Martinez, Austin Cromer, Hal Rasheed. Th e Rehak, Henderson Chambers (trombones ); • CHET-featuring ballads by CHET Feast; Agh3no; Lamento Africano; Mirage. Earle Warren, Ernie Wilkins, Jimmy Forrest, BAKER. Alone Together; It Never Entered Blue Note 4004 $4.98 Sahib Shihab (reeds); Jimmy Jones (piano) ; My Mind; September Song; Time o n My George Duvivier (bass) ; Panama Francis Hands & 5 others. Riverside RLP 12-299 $4.98 Musical Interest: Buoyant rhythmic fun (drums) . Little Man; June Bug; Nina & 6 Musical Interest: Broad Performance: Zestful others. Mercury MG 36142 $3.98 Perfo rm ance : Good Recording: Excellent Mu sical Interest: Disa ppointing Reco rdi ng: Good This is the first of two volumes recorded Performance: Slick This is the best Baker LP in some time. at one all-night jam session involving three Recording: Adequate His ballad work has always been his strong­ jazz and seven Latin-American drummers. It's long been evident that the least taste­ est point and this LP offers him a chance to The pia nist and bassist are jazzmen and ful soloist in the Duke Ellington orch estra work on some of the best. His inclusion of trumpeter Donald Byrd fits in with verve is trumpeter "Cat" Anderson whose special­ If You COldd See Me Now, that haunting and rhythmic drive on two numbers. Rudy ty is high register acrobatics. I n his own jazz ballad of the 40's, is particularly felic­ Van Gelder's engineering captures in vivid album, he has even more room than usual itous. There are good solos, too, from Bill clari' y the wide range of percussion colors for his narcissism, and manages to mar the Evans, pianist and Herbie Mann, fluti st. churned up in this polyrhythmic roundelay. session. The pickup band is a reasonably R.J.G. As Ar t Blakey says in the notes, much swinging one with effective section work. mor e remains to be done to broaden the The writing a pproach of composer-arranger rhythmic possibilities of j azz. "Do you ever Anderson (Ernie Wilkins scored two) pro­ notice how a band will play a tune that All records reviewed in this column has a very complicated rhythm, but when duces relatively uncomplicated, h ard-rock­ .may be played on either single speak­ ing big band jazz. Appropriate to the texts it comes time for the solos, they go back er monophonic or two speaker stereo­ is an earthy, booting tenor saxophonist. into straight four? Why? Because they phonic equipment. Th ey are rpm Jimmy Fonest is the most frequent solo­ 33'13 can't play it, they aren't rhythmically ad­ ist next to the leader. It is the leader records that should be played with vanced enough." J oe Goldberg's liner is an illuminating in­ t'noug'h, who destroys the shape a nd fl ow of the RIAA setting. terview with Blakey, but he should have a performance again and again by walking 105 SEPTEMBER 1959 commented in detail on each selection. It Wild Bill Davison is apparently some­ little blues feeling in the playing, the kind would be valuable to know what rhythms what out of fashion, but he remains one of that can turn almost any material into are being used, which drummers are in the the most uncompromisingly inflammatory blues·nourished jazz. The arrangements are foreground, and what if anything the chants improvisers of the Dixieland persuasion. stiff, and for the most part, are stiffly played. signify. N. H. He interprets here a dozen tunes associated None of the soloists indicate any particular with various famed trumpeters from King individuality. Some perhaps may be better Oliver to Bobby Hackett. He doesn't try than they sound here, but they're forced to • EASY NOW featuring RUBY BRAFF to emulate the style of each, and it's playas if they were wearing a too tight and his MEN. My Walking St:ck; Willow Weep for Me; Someday You'll Be Sorry; This doubtful if he could. He blows through all shirt. The album is of no basic interest Is My Lucky Day & 7 others. RCA Victor the numbers with his customary gusty to jazz buyers. N. H. LPM 1966 $3.98 abandon, alternated occasionally with sur­ prising tenderness. There is discreet but • BAGS' OPUS featuring MILT JACK· Musical Interest: Quite firm accompaniment by a rhythm section Performance: Freshly Lyrical SON. 111 Wind; Afternoon in Paris; I Remem­ that is anchored tastefully by the welcomely & Recording: Good ber Clifford; Whisper Not 2 others. United un amplified guitar of George Van Eps. Artists UAL 4022 $4.98 This is a very pleasant album of mod· N.H. M usica I I nterest: High erately intense jazz in which the players Performance: Excellent are more concerned with melodic interpre' • LORRAINE GELLER AT THE PIANO Recording: Very good tation than anything else. Ray Eldridge with Leroy Vinnegar (bass). Lawrence Mara­ Six of the best modern jazz mUSICIans, joins Ruby Braff and his assistants now ble or Bruz Freeman (drums). Clash by and then and the result is some sparkling Night; The Blue Room; Poinciana & 7 others. which includes Art Farmer, Benny Golson, trumpet exchanges. One can grow very Dot DLP 3174 $3.98 Paul Chambers and Tommy Flanagan, join fond of this sort of LP. It does not demand, Jackson in working through a fine program Musical Interest: Warm, modern jazz of originals by Golson, John Lewis, Jack­ but gives; this alone is a relief from much Performance: Honest, swinging of the jazz heard today. R. J. G. son, Harold Arlen and others. All the mu­ Recording: Good sicians are particularly well equipped to Last fall 28·year·old Lorraine Geller play ballads. The originals by Golson, espe­ • PIECES OF EIGHT-EVANS BRAD. died suddenly. She had gradually been ac­ cially I Remember Clifford, are among the SHAW TRIO. The Trolley Song; Mangoes; quiring a reputation as one of the most Blues for Jim & 6 others. Riverside RLP best jazz ballads of the decade. This LP 12·296 $4.98 consistently reliable jazz pianists on the is a rare combination of good taste and an west coast. While she hadn't yet developed all-around superlative performance. Musical Interest: Fragmentary a strikingly personal voice, her work was R.J.G. Performance: Too much rhetoric always warm, direct, and pulsating. These Recording : Good piano sound qualities are also evident in this album that • SOME LIKE IT HOT featuring BARNEY This is the second album by a young is newly released but which was recorded KESSEL. Stairway to the Stars; Sweet Sue; Memphis·born pianist who has gained much four years ago. Sweet Georgia Brown; Runnin' Wild & 6 of his experience in Flint, Michigan. Evans She had not yet solved the problem of others. Contemporary M 3565 $4.98 sustaining ideas with freshness as well as Bradshaw possesses considerable technical M usica I Interest: Broad fluency and plays with vitality, but he very drive, especially at up·tempos; but her Performance: Excellent often substitutes finger dexterity for ideas. work was spirited and intense without be­ Recording: Top-notch His conception is brittle. He rarely sus· ing neurotic, and very much alive. It is It may be the presence of two such un· tains ideas interestingly, and frequently be· shocking that she was prevented so soon compromising jazzmen as Art Pepper and comes .quite dull. Bradshaw is more flash from achieving more, but it is good to have Joe Gordon, or it may just be a happy co­ than substance. He has to learn the values this as a document of a girl who received incidence; but this LP is among the best of space and of construction that involves much sustenance from jazz, and gave much of the showtune·jazz packages. It has the personal, and musical ideas rather than to it. Good, sympathetic rhythmic section basic jazz feeling and good solos to match. concepts that could just as easily be piano support. N. H. It swings all the way. The tunes themselves, exercises. And he certainly has to dive except for the. title song, are all classics. deeper into his own emotions, if he can. • DUKE'S IN BED featuring JOHNNY This LP should be around for quite a N.H. HODGES and the Ellington All-Stars without Duke. Just Squeeze Me; Black and Tan Fan­ while. R. J. G. tasy; Take the "A" Train & 6 others. Verve • ALONE WITH THE BLUES featuring MGV 8203 $4.98 RAY BRYANT. Lover Man; Me and the • JAZZ IN RETROSPECT featuring Gene Blues; Rockin' Chair & 4 others. New Jan Musical Interest: Medium Mayl's Dixieland Rhythm Kings. Original 8213 $3.98 Performance: Good Dixieland One·Step; Caravan; Limehouse Recording: Excellent Blues; Solitude & 8 others. Riverside RLP Musical Interest: Fine blues piano 12-289 $4.98 Performance: Excellent Even with Ellington's alter-ego, Billy Musical Interest: Limited Recording: First rate Strayhorn, substituting for the Duke on the Performance: Dull piano, this album fails to jell. What the .9 Not many pianists can be as effective, Recording : OK Duke's men can accomplish in small group­ even with the help of a rhythm section, as In so~e ways even the Dukes of D:xie­ Ray Bryant is all by himself on this LP. ings is apparently outside their scope in larger units. Nevertheless for the beautiful land make for better listening than the He is a full bodied. forceful pianist with a wholly spurious "authenticity" offered in sound of Johnny Hodges' alto and the wit­ ) keen feeling for blues. This is one of the this revivalist music. The lack of humor most satisfying piano LP's of the year. ty violin of Ray Nance, this disc is worth owning. R.J. G. is maddening, and a basically square R.J.G. rhythm makes it even harder to take. The tunes are all good ones, and even include • CY COLEMAN JAZZ TRIO (see p. • THE BLUES A LA DIXIE - PEE WEE some Ellington. R. J. G. 95) HUNT:-Pee Wee Hunt (trombone); Lee CummIns (clarinet); Andy Bartha (cornet); Jack Condon (piano); Gene Dragoo (bass); • MARIAN McPARTLAND AT THE • WILD BILL DAVISON PLAYS THE Bucky. Pinarelli. (guitar);. Cody. Sandifer LONDON HOUSE. Eas'l B!ues; Like Some­ GR~ATEST OF THE GREATS-Wild Bill (drums). St. Louis Blues; Wabash Blues' one in Love; Give Me the Simple Life ; Sweet DaVIdson (trumpet). Stan Wrightsman (pi­ Wang Wang Blues & 9 others. Capitol end Lovely & 6 others. Argo LP 640 $5.95 ano), George Van Eps (guitar). Nick Fatool T 1144 $3.98 (~rums), Mo~y Korb (bass). Ida; Mood In­ Musical Interest: Broad dIgo; I Can t Get Started with You & 9 Musical Interest: No jazz value Performance: Sparkling others. Gene Norman Presents OJ 508 $3.98 Performance: Deliberately safe Recording: Excellent Recording: Good Musical Interest: Very hot jazz Not that Marian McPartland will turn Performa nce: Bristling In the first place, many of these son o"s the heads of jazz pianists with this LP, but Recording : Good aren't blues at all. More important, there\ she should intrigue the ears of anyone who 106 HIFI REVIEW COMING IN OCTOBER HIF! REVIEW..• .TWO CONTROVERSIAL FEATURES ON THE WORLD OF MUSIC!

IS "ARTY" MUSIC BEING SHOVED DOWN YOUR THROAT?

"Yes" says Vernon Duke-famed composer of "April in Paris"! "No" says the hardy band of intellectuals who continue to pour forth with such offerings as atonal electronic music. In "Whither the Self-Supporting Composer?" , Duke tells about these composers who write for "art's sake" yet are disappointed when the public fails to accept them. You'll want to read more about the current tug of war between some modern composers and the suffering ears of the audiences-coming up In October HIFI REVIEW.

ARE THE CRITICS RUINING JAZZ?

This is the age of the fanatic jazz critic, say-s expert Don Gold-and they may well be on the way to destroying this important form of music. In next month's HIFI REVIEW, you'll meet "The Jazz Dissectors" ... see who they are ... what they write about ... what they are trying to do! And you'll be amazed to find out the lengths to which some of them go. Here's an unusual look into the world of jazz criticism that will help you decide for yourself if it's really valid or merely "iashionable."

PLUS-Authoritative equipment features such as: * THE SILENT PARTNERS- The latest developments in the field of stereo tone arms and cartridges- bringing you up to date in the best equipment for stereo playback. * STEREO POWER AMPLIFIERS-Learn why your main power amplifiers should be mounted near the speakers- away from the amplifier control section. You'll also profit from six laboratory tests on stereo power amplifiers.

!

CURRENT SUBSCRIPTION RATES $4 ONE YEAR $7 TWO YEARS $10 THREE YEARS HIFI REVIEW 434 S. Wabash Avenue

SEPTEMBER 1959 107 likes good, pleasant, swinging jazz. She is very unladylike as a pianist. Her "tough­ only 15¢ for this ness" makes her solos more interesting than one might expect, and her agile mu­ authoritative guide How can two sical mind keeps one listening constantly. stereo speakers R.J.G. to building • A MODERN JAZZ SYMPOSIUM OF an MUSIC AND POETRY WITH CHARLIE cost so little? MINGUS. Scenes in the City; New York Sketchbook & 3 others. Bethlehem BCP 60·26 InexpenSIve $4.98 Musical Interest: Good, modern jazz record Perfo rmance : Spotty Recording: Excellent library! The writing and reading of words to the reprinted from strongly earthy, directly emotional music HiFi REVIEW that Mingus produces runs the hazard of being corny. Unfortunately, neither narra­ N ow-you can build a record library tor nor words on Scenes in the City escape Made in England of hi-fi classics from the steadily No ... you heard the price correctly! this. As to the other tracks, they are excel­ . It's unbelievable because you'd expect to lent examples of the sort of highly individ­ growing catalogue of $1.98 releases! pay so much more for just one superb high fidelity speaker. How much does R&A cost? ual, openly traditional sound that has be­ More than half a dozen big record Let your dealer tell you the price twice come Mingus' trademark. Each of them companies are re-issuing great per­ (you'll raise your eyebrows the nrst time). is rewarding on several levels and bears But it's true! Compare. R&A's ufull_spec_ formances on the new $1.98 labels. trum-of-sound" performance with higher­ repeated listening. The album title is priced speakers. Convince yourself that your singularly inappropriate. R. J. G. You can have a guide to the best of stereo speaker investment can be minimized without sacrificing quality. If stereo is in these for 15¢-by ordering this reprint your future plans, single R&A speakers offer superb Hi-Fi enjoyment at a most • ON THE TOWN with the OSCAR of a recent article in HiFi REVIEW. sensible price. Coaxial construction! PETERSON TRIO. Sweet Georgia Brown; Complete with catalogue number, art­ 8". 10" and 12/1 models . . • Alcomax When Lights Are Low ; Easy Listen in' Blues; III Aniso-tropic Magnet system of The Champ & 3 others. Verve MGV 8287 ist, orchestra and conductor informa­ 12,000 Gauss Flux Densities. $4.98 tion-it's a fabulous guide to building At better Hi-Fi dealers. Buy it ... tTY it ... 'money back guarantee." Musica l Interest: Swinging jazz up a high fidelity library of basic Performance: On location £RCONA CORPORATION Recording: Good classics! (Electronic Division) 16 W. 46 Street, Dept. 43, N.Y. 36, N. Y_ That this trio can generate an amazing In addition, HiFi REVIEW's Music swing beat while continuing to be melodic Editor, David Hall, gives you the and even delightfully pretty at times is no news. Despite these virtues, there is a background of the $1.98 market ... monotonous feeling now and then, as evaluates the discs being offered at though being placed in high gear while this price . .. pinpoints the future of the speed never increases. Still, as an in­ high-quality, low-price records. troduction to the trio's work, this LP will do nicely. R. J. G. If you've been thinking of starting a record collection or adding to the one • BLUES IN TRINITY-DIZZY REECE -Dizzy Reece, Donald Byrd (trumpets), you have-this reprint is your best Tubby Hayes (tenor saxophone), Terry Shan­ gUide! Order your copy today-sim­ non (piano), Lloyd Thompson (bass) ; Art Taylor (drums). Blues in Trin ity; I Had the ply mail 15¢ in coin or stamps with Craziest Dream; Close-Up; Shepherd's Sere­ the coupon below. But the supply is nade; Color Blind; 'Round about Midnight. limited, so order now! Blue Note 4006 $4.98 Musica l Interest: High ------~ Performance: Hot Record ing: Very live HiFi REVIEW H99 : Jamaican-born Dizzy Reece, 28, is one of Box 1778R I the most fiery jazz trumpeters in Europe. Church Street Station He is identified ,vith the London jazz scene, Here are performance and control features but has also worked often on the continent. New York 8, N. Y. found only in amplifiers much higher in Reece has impressed visiting American Please rush my copy of the HiFi RE­ price. Some of these are: each amplifier jazzmen. The rea$ons are clear in this re­ on a . single chassis provides 30 Stromberg­ cording. He s,vings hard, plays with sizzling VIEW reprint on building a library of Carlson watts* of clean balanced power; emotion, and is developing a personal con­ $1.98 records. I enclose 15¢ to cover exclusive Stereo Tone Balance Signal; chan­ ception. Also, he is well supported by an postage and handling. nel reverse switch; separate volume, bass Anglo-American unit, recorded at a session ond treble controls on each channel; master in Paris. British Tubby Hayes, 24, plays a blister­ gain control. Price $169.95 ' (Audiophile Naxne ______ing tenor saxophone and appears to be cur­ Net, Zone 1) . Your dealer is listed in the rently influenced largely by both Sonny yellow pages or write for specifications. Rollins and J obn Coltrane. He has a big " Our deliberately conservative ratings exceed published tone, good beat, and belies the usual image Addl·ess ______specifications, bosed on ASRE measurement procedures. of the emotionally inhibited Englishman; STROMBERG-CARLSON so does pianist Terry Shannon, a hard­ A O,V'",ON OF GENERAL OYNAMICS driving, if still derivative jazzman. Cana­ 1448 N. Goodman street. Rochester 3 , N.Y. dian Lloyd Thompson is the efficient bassist. City _____Zone __State ___ L ______~ • The American trumpeter Donald Byrd 108 HIFI REvmw Joms in spiritedly on two numbers; the drummer throughout is th e American, Art Taylor, who provides some of his most stimulating work on records so far. This is an often exciting album, and in­ dicates that from the newest generation of European jazzmen there may emerge some who can convincingly challenge a number of the better American players. It is still wise, however, for European jazzmen to spend some time in America to absorb the raw sources of this idiom. Reece certainly wants to come here. It would be nice if he could come to America soon. N. H.

• HENRI RENE - COMPULSION TO SWING (see p. 97) .4

• INTRODUCING THE GENE RODGERS TRIO-JAZZ COMES TO THE ASTOR. Minor Impressions; Whisper Not; Fran ki e and J ohnny & 6 othe rs. Mercury MG 36145 $3.98 Mu sica l Interest: Fleet, pleasant jazz Pe rfo rm ance: Rodgers is in full command Recording: Bright and clear Gene Rodgers is 44 and although not well­ known to jazz aficionados, he has an hon­ orable background. He recorded with King Oliver at 16, was on Coleman Hawkins' You've dreamed of "picture on the wall television". It's yours now with Body and Soul, and played with Benny the new Fleetwood da Vinci ... the set designed for custom installation Carter. He has obviously been influenced by Art Tatum, and has a technical facility . .. designed to be framed, as a picture, in a frame just right for your that is all the more impressive because it is decor. Fleetwood's new slim design lets a bookcase give a perfect " built­ exercised without fanfare and with flowin g in" appearance without actually building in. sensitivity. In all, his playing is highly expert, with a touch that is much less per­ Revolutionary new 2I-inch* Fleetwood picture tube has non-glare cussive and more pianistic than is the fash­ ion among many younger jazz pianists. safety glass laminated to tube face. Picture is brighter, viewing angle is Rodgers lacks a strongly individual -style. wider, reflections are virtually eliminated. Wide band pass and excellent He tends frequently to use technique to circuitry ... with no manufacturing shortcuts ... gives picture detail fill in when his imagination fla gs. Often his work misses the intensity tbat might that allows you to see an individual eyelash on a pretty girl. have propelled Rodgers into more incandes­ cent company. Nonetheless, he is worth The Fleetwood da Vinci is available in two models. Model 900-a two hearing, and listeners fond of beautifully chassis system that features the lazy luxury of full electronic remote played piano will find this disc entertaining. control, and Model 9I0-with self contained controls. He l'eceives reliable rhythmic support from his colleagues. N. H. 'Diagonal measure.

• CHANCES ARE IT SWINGS­ SHORTY ROGERS. C hances Are; 1 Don't Know; Come to Me & 9 others. RCA Victor BEAUTY LPM 1975 $3.98

Mu si cal Int e r e~ J-: Swinging pops THAT BELONGS Perform ance: Skillful Recording : First-rate See it at your Robert Allen, a former pianist-turned hi fi pop song writer, has provided all the basic material here. Shorty Rogers did the ar­ dealer rangements. The clean, cohesive perform. you'll ances are by a band whose members are not identified, apparently for contractual want it in reasons. Judged as a pop album, it is pleas­ your home. antly "jazz-based" and more tastefully scored than most pop sets. Rogers' trumpet is also more preferable than the mannel'isms of most of the singers who usually become involved with tunes like these. As straight jazz, however, the album is marked by Rogers' characteristic shallowness, although he is a polished writer and player. N. H. Write for name of dealer nearest you.

• TEN SHADES OF BLUE-HAL SCHAEFER. Hal Schaefer (piano), Marty gPEEtWOOJ®CUSTOM TELEVISION Lewis ttenor saxophone and bass clarinet), Crafted by Conrac, Inc. • Dept. Z • Glendora, California Chet Amsterdam (bass), Charlie Persip SEPTEMBER 1959 109 (drums), Ted Sommer (percussion) . Blues fo r laxed, thoroughly tasteful , and in guitarist My Leah; Bye Bye Blues ; Blues for Goin' Duran's case, 'superior. The pieces are Home & 7 others_ Un ited Artists UAL 3021 pleasant, and occasionally are quite ingra­ $3.98 tiating_ The total effect is a little bland, Musica l Interest: Spotty but if yo u sample the set from time to time Performance : Best on romance instead of absorbing it all at once, the al­ Recording: Good bum can be a refreshing change of mood and atmosphere from the many more ag­ As a player and writer Hal Schaefer is gressive items on the market. N. H. at his best on impressionistic, romantic moo d pieces like Blues jor My L eah and On sale at Blues fo r Goin' Home_ Even on these, how­ • BOBBY TROUP AND HIS STARS OF ever, there is little of the rhythmic strength JAZZ_ Free a nd Easy; Back in You r O wn newsstands or pungent emoti onal depth of the tradi­ Backyard; Oh ! You C razy Moon ; As Long As I Li ve & 8 others. RCA Victor LPM 1959 tional jazz blues. His approach is more August 25 $3.98 that of jazz-tinged pop music rather than Or use coupon the direct line of the back-country blues Musica l Interest : Pl easant jazz .) wanderers, or finally to the styles of Charlie Performance: Slick below today! P arker and T heloni ous Monk. Recording: Brittle Only $1.25 On the other numbers, Schaefer too often Troup's voice is pleasant, he has a good in troduces effects for their own sake. He sense of phrasing and lends a quasi-jazz has a penchant for fili gree work in va rious fl avor to whatever he does. The band is You'll enjoy such features as: degrees of cleverness that is more self-con· composed of top-notch 'studio jazzmen and scious than an organically growing part of the arrangements offer clean, swinging • STEICHEN'S MIGHTY SHOW- the performance. He would have been wise, writing that allows lots of room for solo "PHOTOGRAPHY IN RETROSPECT" incidentally, to have used Morty Lewis ex­ statements. RCA Victor seems at home in Brilliant 42- page portfolio on Edwa rd clusively on bass clarinet. N. H. Steichen's panorama of photographic this particnlar genre of commercial jazz achievement - selected from the perma­ and is rapidly developing a strong cata­ nent collection of New York's Museum of • TOP AND BOTTOM BRASS--CLARK log of this sort of thing_ It is easy to listen Modern Art_ TE RRY. C lark Terry (trumpet and fluegel­ to, and all intents and purposes a superior ho rn), Do n Butterfield (tuba) , Jimmy Jones form of popular music. R. J. G. • COLOR ESSAY OF THE YEAR-Marilyn (piano) , Sam Jones (bass), Art Taylor Monroe portrays the movie sirens of yester­ (drums). Mili-Terry; Th e Swi ngi ng Chemise; yea r in Richard Avedon's spectacular colo r My Heart Belongs to Da ddy; Blues fo r Etta ; • THE SWINGIN' STATES -- THE KAI presentation_ Top 'n ' Bottom ; "1 27"; A Sun day Ki nd of WINDING ORCHESTRA--Kai Winding , Love; Mardi Gras Waltz. Riverside RLP - Frank Rehak, Dick Hi xon, Tommy Mitchell or • GIANT ADVERTISING AND ILLUSTRA­ 12-295 $4.95 Dic k Leib (tromb ones ) ; Hank Jones (piano); TION SECTION - The top advertising and Ed DeHaas (bass); Gus Johnson (drums). magazine editorial pictures of the year! Musica l Interest: On e of season's best Louisiana; Stars Fell on Alabama ; Mississip­ Performance : C lark Terry is delightful pi Mud & 9 ot hers_ Columbia CL 121>4 $3.98 Recording : Aptly wa rm • INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLlO-70 pages Mus ic al Interest: Fo r novelty fans of outsta nding color and black-and-white This is an exceptionally relaxed, unpre­ Performance: Accomplished shots from a ll over the world! tentious and gentle album. The play of Record in g : Fi rst-rate • PRIZE WINNERS - Th e best from the timbres between tuba and trumpet (or H ere's an example of cleverness triumph­ year's outstanding contests_ flu egelhorn ) is unique and intriguing. The ing over content. This is a collection of original themes--mostly by Terry--are in­ slick Winding arrangements for two tenor • COMPLETE TECHNICAL DATA ON ALL gratiating and the two standar ds are treated and two bass trombones (mostly playing PICTURES-and much much more! imaginatively. Don Butterfield continues to together ) with rhythm secti on. It's all vel'y prove his point that the tuba is capable of expertly done, but the emotional level of much more than grunting at the bottom of the proceedings resembles tbe faces of the Now in its tenth straight year-here's the a rhythm sec tion. This rhythm 'section is mannequins in the high fashion magazines_ world's most eagerly awaited photographic tasteful and Jimmy Jones' soft but distinct­ Winding here has gone thoroughly commer­ ly individual piano adds a solo voice of publication! It's the 1960 PHOTOGRAPHY cial, and while the results may be welcomed charm and intelligence. ANNuAL- a handsome showcase of the year's by trombone manufacturers, they are of Most memorable of all, however, is Clark little importance to jazz lis teners. There greatest photographs. Terry whose recent work on Riverside is are, to be sure, some solo moments of jazz among the best of his career. A member interest- these are good pl ayers-but they Reserve your copy today at your of the Duke Ellington trumpet section, he are quickly lost in the sea of cuteness which newsstand-or use this handy coupon is too seldom featured by Ellington. H ere also extends to Kai Winding's liner notes. he seems to take particular delight in being to bring the brilliant 1960 PHOTOGRAPHY N.H. able to stretch out and give full play to his ANNUAL right to your doorstep. rare combination of mocking, irrepressible wit and deeply felt lyricism. As a stylist, • LESTER YOUNG MEMORIAL ALBUM with the COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA. --- - ADVANCE ORDER FORM Mr. Terry is very much his own man, and Pound C ake ; Broadway ; Loui sia na ; I Left My a valuable one. N. H. Zift-Davis Publishing Company Baby & 20 othe rs. Epic SN 1>031 2 12" LPs Department H 99 $7.91> 434 S. Wabash Ave. • SAN FRANCISCO MOODS--CAL Mu sical Interest: Indispensable Chicago 5, Illinois TJADER QUARTET--Cal Tja der (vibes and Pe rfo rmance: Some of the best in jazz piano); Edd ie Duran (guitar); John Mark­ Recording: Good enough Please send me a copy of the 1960 ham (drums); John Mosher or Anson Weeks PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL. I enclose $1.25, the (bass) _ (On Viva Cepeda, a previous Tjad er This two-pocket Lester Young memOl;al cost of the PHOTOGRAPH Y ANNUAL plus 10¢ quintet is heard.) Coit Towe r; Union Squa re; set is made up entirely of selections from to cover mailing and handling charges. G rant Aven ue Suite & 7 others. Fantasy three previously released Epic albums (LG- (Foreign $1.25 plus 25¢ mailing charges) 3271 $3 .98 3107, LN-3168, LN-3169) . If you don't have them, this is certainly the best single col­ name' ______M usica I Int erest: Reflective jazz Perfo rma nce: Beautifully integrated lection of the invaluable work of the late Lester Young. It takes him from his fil'st address, ______Recordi ng : Very good record date with a small combo, from the This attractive collection consis ts of a Basie band in 1936, to such other major cily______-"zone_state __ _ low pressure set of impressions, mainly of events in his and Basie's car eer three and San Francisco scenes. The playing is re- four years later as Tickle-Toe, L ester Leaps no HIFI REVIEW In and Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie. Pu rple; J'attendrai & 8 others. Victor LPM There is not a poor record in the lot. And 1933 $3.98 these are performances that, as this listener Musica l Interest: Moderate can testify, lose no interest over literally Performance: Harmless Unbelievable! scores of playings. They are among the Recording: Very bright most enduring recordings in jazz history. The Crew-Cuts have grown up, to some Here is the Basie band at its most col· degree, since their first hits in pidgin Eng­ lectively " floating" with the best soloists lish. (Remember Sh-Boom?) In this set the in its history-Buck Clayton and Dickie lyrics are at least understandable; and Wells among them. And here is Lester Young, breaking bar lines, presaging what there are implications that visually the boys was to become the tenor sax tone for many may have an entertaining act. In terms of modern jazzmen, and phrasing with a recording, however, they're just another pop natural beauty of line and a wholly convinc· vocal unit with little musical distinction. ing sense of time that few soloists have It's adequate listening, I imagine, for teen­ agers who haven't yet discovered the more 1 ever matched. It is too bad that the cover notes fail to supply full solo credits. N. H. stimulating pleasures in jazz, folk, classi· cal music or the better pop groups' like the Axidentals and the Hi-Lo's. N. H . POPS • THAT'S ALL-BOBBY DARIN with Or­ chestra, Richard Wess condo Beyon d the Sea; She Needs Me; So me of These Days we deliver "Scotch" • BLUE VELVET featuring TONY BEN­ & 9 others. Atco 33-104 $3.98 postpaid to your door NETT. I Won't Cry Anymore; While We're Young; Until Yesterday; May I Never Love Musical Interest: Mostly standards (recordin g tape, that is), Again & 8 others. Columbia CL 1292 $3 .98 Performance: Mostly with a beat Reco rding : All OK Musical I nterest: Broad Prices ???? Performance: Good A reformed rock-and·roll singer, Bobby Recording : Excellent Darin takes off after a formidable array of superior numbers including Kurt Weill's This is a very adequate collection of bal­ send for catalog. lads by a singer who now and then can Mack the Knife, Gershwin's It Ain't Neces· infuse his performance with particularly sarily So, Charles Trenet's Beyond the Sea, • , . you'll be glad you did! good emotional quality. His singing is bet­ and Through a Long and Sleepless· Night, ter than the usual balJad style. Here he based on a Gregorian chant. Darin has a has good, and relatively different material slight, reedy voice but he knows how to with which to work, and the result is fine. make the most of it, particularly in the J.R. G. more exuberant expressions. S. G. i608·A CENTINELA AV E., INGLEWOOD . CALif. OR 4·8866 • ALL ALONE BY THE TELEPHONE­ • GEORGE DE WITT SINGS THAT Polly Bergen (vocals) with Orchestra Con­ TUNE-George De Witt (vocals) with Mu­ ducted by Luther Henderson. Spring Is sic Arranged and Conducted by Ray Ell is. Here; By My self; Not Like Me & 9 others. Volare; That Old Black Magic; Fever & 10 Columbia CL 1300 $3.98 others. Epic LN 3562 $3.98 HiFi REVIEW HAS Musical Interest: Below average Musical Interest: Tasteful song choice Perfo rmance: Undistinguished Performance: Capa ble A BUYER for YOUR Recording: Good Recording: Good Miss Bergen has a moderately pleasant George De Witt, best known as master­ USED EQUIPMENT voice, but she lacks imaginativeness of con· of-ceremonies of the TV musical quiz show, If you have hi-fi equipment, acces­ ception and a resilient beat. Her phrasing Name That Tune, performs a variety of bet· is often too careful as if she were reading ter than average pop material, some of it sories or records to sell, look to the the lyrics from a blueprint. When a whole standard. While his style is not especially classified columns of HiFi RE­ album, furthermore, is taken at slow tempo, arresting nor individual, he sings warmly VIEW for fast results. as this is, the singer must have a stronger and, for the most part, attractively. The sense of rhythm than Miss Bergen to keep diversified, background groups are all help­ Your message, placed in our classi­ the music alive. Otherwise, the album be­ ful, more so than most accompanists in pop fied columns, wi ll be read by more comes very bland, and that's what happened packages. N. H. than 123,000 hi -fi faBs. Best of all, here. N.H. your class ified ad costs you only 1 • LES ELGART ON TOUR featuring Les 35c per word (including name and • HOLLYWOOD IN RHYTHM-RAY Elgart and his Orchestra. Strike up the address) . For further in/ormation CONNIFF AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Easy to Band; It' s the Talk of the Town; Whisper­ write: Love; Please; Yesterdays & 9 others. Colum­ ing; That Old Black Magic & 8 others. Co­ bia CL 1310 $3.98 lumbia CL 1291 $3 .98 Marlin Lincoln. HiFi REVIEW Musical Interest: For dancing Musica l Interest: Good dance music One Park Avenue. New York 16. N. Y. Performance: Easy to follow Perfo rmance: Clean and sprightly Recording: Good Recording: Top-notch In a program of songs from motion pic· This is a colJection of good numbers reo tures Ray Conniff leads an orchestra and corded on location, designed for dancing UNHAPPY a wordless chorus in an amiable dance set. and played in a clean, lightly swinging style A modified rock-and-roll beat is at the base by one of the few new dance orchestras of WITH "HI" of the performances, but it is kept under any real class. R. J. G. HI-FI PRICES? control; and the combined voices, horns Write tIS your hi-fi needs and strings blend above the beat to pro­ • THE FOUR SERGEANTS AND - 'You'll be pleasantly sur· vide what the notes accurately call an MASSED CHORUS-SONGS OF FREE­ prised. Ask for ou, f,ee audio catalog, too. "airy" setting for the home ballroom. N. H. DOM, Creed Taylor musical director. God Save the Queen; Your Land and My Land; KEY ELECTRONICS CO. Finlandia & I I others. ABC Paramount ABC 120 Liberty St. N.Y. 6, N.Y. • CREW-CUTS SURPRISE PACKAGE­ 283 $3.98 The Crew-Cuts (vocal group) with Joe Reis­ EVergreen 4-6071 man and His Orchestra. Shine; Pretend; Deep Mu sica l Interest: Grab bag SEPTEMBER 1959 III Performance: Proper spirit gift of wringing special meaning from any buyers, and I think those looking for dance Recording: Fine lyric she sings. For example, listen to the music could do better with Urbie Green, way she does the line "I've been choking to cite one example. N. H. From various sources-military, religious, on my heart" from Bob Merrill's Look At and even operetta-the Four Sergeants have 'Er, or, for that matter, the way the entire assembled an international compendium of song becomes her own very personal ex­ THEATER,SCREEN,TV songs dealing in one manner or another pression merely by changing the gender in with different struggles for freedom. It's the title. As usual, too, the current offer­ a fairly dedicated show they put on, though ing contains samplings of some lesser­ • HIT THE DECK (Vinc:ent Youmans­ why they should have lapsed into an out­ known composers with the most original Clifford Grey-Leo Robin): THE CAT of-place touch of syncopation in the middle AND THE FIDDLE (Jerome Kern-Otto melodies being the products of Alec Wilder Harbac:h). Doreen Hume, Denis Quilley, of Romberg's Your Land and My Land is (In the Spring of the Year), Willard Rob­ a bit of a mystery. Also on hand is David The Michat;>1 Sammes Singers, with Orchestra, ison (Guess I'll Go Back Home), and Cy Johnny Gregory condo Epic LN 3569 $3.98 Ross, a very "actory" actor, who intones Coleman (Isn't He Adorable?). S. G. passages from the Gettysburg Address, the Musical Interest: Theatre classics Preamble to the Constitution, and the 137th Performance: OK (economy package) Psalm. S. G. • THIS THING CALLED LOVE-TOM­ Recording: Fine MY SANDS. Don't Blame Me: I'm Yours: This is Epic's second in their series of Sunday and 9 others. Capitol TlI23 $3.98 back-to-back matings of musical comedy ~ CLAUDE GOATY-CHANSONS DE hits (the first one paired Show Boat with PARIS avec Gerard Calvi et son orchestre. Musical Interest: His best yet Le doux caboulot: Si petite: Un souvenir & Performance: Shows potential No, No, Nanette), and while I'd still wel­ 13 others. Decca DL 8849 $3.98 Recording: Very good come complete scores of each show, the half dozen selections culled from Hit the Tommy Sands is not only one of the very M usica I Interest: Certainement Deck and The Cat and the Fiddle make few rock-and-roll favorites who appears to Performance: Sincere for some delightful listening. The voices have acting ability, but he has also indi­ Recording: Splendide are fine, the arrangements are tasteful, and cated in the past that he may also be able the music, of course, is a treat. S. G. One of the pleasures in listening to this to sing. This album of love songs and me­ non-stop recital by the metallic-voiced Mlle. dium-tempo jump numbers adds more evi­ Goaty is to discover old favorites in either dence in his favor. He will never be in • THE HORSE SOLDIERS. Soundtrack new or original versions. Le chaland qui Sinatra's class, but he sings warmly, nat­ recording with Orchestra and Chorus, David passe turns out to be Tell Me That You Buttolph condo United Artists UAL 4035 urally, and with some insight into the lyrics. $4.98 Love Me Tonight, and La valse au village is The predictably commercial backgrounds­ none other than the old toodle-uma-Iuma including a superfluous vocal unit-don't Musical Interest: For Civil War buffs saga of The Umbrella Man. The rest com­ help. Sands might do well with strings and Performance: Bit overblown, but OK Recording: Excellent prises a sufficiently varied collection, and a drummer who lays off the back beat. the chanteuse acquits herself quite well N. H. Though this might be considered a West throughout. The back cover of the jacket Coast idea of the songs of the North and is unsullied by any pertinent information South during the Civil War, the melodies whatever. S. G. • SOUNDS LIKE GENE VINCENT with are almost all authentic, and the use of a the Blue Caps. I Might Have Known: In Love Again: Maybelline & 9 others. Capitol T male chorus is extremely effective. I Left My Love (apparently the only ringer) and • JON I JAMES-IOO STRINGS AND 1207 $3.98 JONI with Orchestra, Acquaviva condo My Lorena are especially attractive pieces, Heart Tells Me: Too Young: Wait and See & Musical Interest: Minor while among the more familiar items are 9 others. MGM E 3755 $3.98 Performance: Exaggerated the Hibernian-derived Bonnie Blue Flag Recording: Aggressively clear and Henry Work's rouser, Kingdom Come. Musical Interest: Standard Rock-and-rollsinger Gene Vincent pro­ S. G. Performance: Placid Recording: Well done jects an occasionally convincing earthiness on his medium and up-tempo numbers, but • CONSTANCE TOWERS sings to THE Joni James has a small, undistinguished is saccharine on ballads. His accompani­ HORSE SOLDIERS with Orchestra, Irving voice that glides from one song to the next ment is grindingly mechanical. There are Joseph condo My Johnny: God Bless the with such a bland sameness that they all times, however, when Vincent's emotional Child: There's Something About a Soldier & sound alike. The 100 strings glide right force cuts through his mediocre material 9 others. United Artists UAL 3036 $3.98 along with her; they neither hamper nor and backing. It might be worthwhile to Musical Interest: Quite an assortment ~~ &~ hear him in a musical setting with more Performance: Welcome newcomer substantial songs and somewhat less "show­ Recording: Satisfactory boating" on his own part. N. H. • FRANKIE LAINE - YOU ARE MY For some time now, I have been awaiting LOVE (see p. 100) the recording debut of Constance Towers, • THE KAI WINDING TROMBONES­ and now that she has made it I wish she DANCE TO THE CITY BEAT featuring Kai hadn't-at least not with the unnecessarily • MACHITO - VACATION AT THE Winding (trombone) and unidentified per­ gimmicked repertory of soldier-type songs CONCORD (see p. 100) sonnel. Moon over Miami: Charleston: Mo­ they've given her to tie in with her new bile & 9 others. Columbia CL 1329 $3.98 movie. The voice, however, is still warm, J ~ MABEL MERCER-ONCE IN A BLUE Musical Interest: Dull true, and appealing; I do hope that next MOON with Orchestra, George Cory condo Performance: Insistently slick time United Artists will make better use of I'm Glad I'm Not Young Any More: When­ Recordi ng: Bright it. S. G. ever Winds Blow: Sunday in New York & II others. Atlantic 130 I $4.98 The Kai Winding trombone unit has be­ come increasingly commercial, and this al­ • M SQUAD. Orchestra conducted by Musical Interest: High Stanley Wilson. RCA Victor LPM 2062 $3.98 Performance: Class bum is perhaps the logical end of the road. M usica I Interest: More TV jazz Recording: Good It may be as good a dance set as the liner notes proclaim, but I doubt it, if only be­ Performance: Slick Her always serene highness, Mabel Mer­ cause the trombone-heavy sound becomes so Recording: Tops cer, is here once more to give her periodic oppressive. There are two tenor trombones, The nature of the dramatic conflicts in lesson in the fine form of singing popular art two bass trombones and a rhythm section; such a television program as M Squad lim­ songs. Hers is, as it has probably always and the ubiquitous use of the trombone sec­ its the musical creations to a fairly steady been, a voice somewhat limited in range, tion as a whole does not provide the "great diet of the ominous, the frenetic, and the but this is noticeable only on rare occa­ flexibility" as the notes claim. Besides, bluesy, but there still seems to be room for sions. What is always noticeable is her the arrangements are often too determined­ an occasionally inspired solo, and it adds style, her complete understanding, and her ly cute. The album is of no interest to jazz up to an easy to take (and take off) recital. 112 HIFI REVIEW RATE: 35¢ per word. Minimum 10 words. November issue closes Septembor 2nd. Send order and remittance to : HiFi REVIEW. One Park Ave., New York 16. N. Y. SINATRA Collectors: Let's exchange via tape. Want pre·1955 TV·broadcasts. Also appearances outside U. S.-Peter M. Bardach, 210·16 Grand Central Pkwy., EQUIPMENT and Queens Village 27, N. Y. TAPE re co rd ers, Hi-Fi components , Sleep Learning RECORDS ACCESSORIES Equipment, tapes. Unusual value s. Free Catalog. Dressner, 69·02HF 174 Street, Flushing 65, New York. PROFESSIONAL Recording Tape-First Quality of a RECORDS & Tapes-Factory Fresh-All Labels-Dis­ SEALED Cartons: Madison·Fielding 320 Stereoamp Prime Manufacturer. Full Frequency Response . Finest count Prices-Free Catalog. G.T.R .S., Box A-102, "1 $119; Bogen FM-50 $61; RC·98 /4L $47; Metzner 60 Lubricated and Poli shed Tape Available Regardless of Wantagh, N. Y. $42; Ampex A121 $466, Catalog Free , Hi·Fi, Roslyn, Pa. Price. Money back guarantee. Acetate 1200' 11/2 M!I 4/$5 .20, 1800' 1 Mil 4/ $6.76. Mylar 1200' 1'12 Mil WEATHERS ML·1 turntable, Audak KT·12S arm, Sana· 4/$8.00 1800' 1 Mil 4/ $9 .00, 2400' '12 Mil 4/ $13.00. tone 8T4--$(9 with Stereo·mode switch, cables. Postage 15¢ Per Reel. Hi-Sonic, Box 86R, New York Whittemore, 92 Carlson, Milford, Conn. 63, N. Y. COMPLETE WMS1 background music studio eqpt. FREE Stereo Phono Turn table if you buy Recordio . MISCELLANEOUS with 816 Magnecord reproducers. 1 yr. old cost stereo tape Recorder. PeeWee's, R. 1, Box 21-b, $2,400.00 for quick sale. $1,200.00. Business Music Lansing, Mich. Co ., 101 E. Main St., Blytheville, Ark. RECORDERS~,~H~i~F~i~Co~m~po~n~e~n7ts~,~F~0~u~r~T=ra~c~k-'S~t~er=e~o HI-FI Salons and Record Stores! Someone "borrowing" HI-FI Components, Tape Record ers . Special quotes Replacement Heads. Cata logue, Efsco, 270-H Concord, your personal copy of Hi-Fi Review each month? You Bell, Wollensak Equipment. Bayla Co., 1470 Elmer West Hempstead, N. Y. ought to be taking advantage of Hi-Fi Review's con­ Rd ., Wantagh, l. I., N. Y. RECORDS Masters, Stampers, Pressings, Tapes (Stereo venient re-sale plan. Sell copies in your store ... or Monaural) from your tapes or di.scs. High speed perform a good service for your customers ... with SOUNDTASTIC-That's what our customers are saying tape copying on I~ te st Am~ex duplicato rs. Quantity no risk involved. For details, write: Direct Sales De­ upon receiving our price sheets on our latest Hi gh discounts, speC ial ized services. Merle Enterprises, partment, Hi-Fi Review, One Park Avenue, New York Fidelity Stereo and Monaural, amplifiers. tuners, turn­ Bo x 145, Lombard, III. 16, New York. tables, speakers, tape recorders, kits. All brand new wi th factory guarantee. Prompt in-stock service. Free selector and planning booklet #M, available on re­ quest. Audio World, 2057 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn 23, N. Y. SHOPPING GUIDE AMPEX , Concertone, Crown, Ferrograph , Presto, Tand­ berg, Pentron, Bell , Sherwood, Rek-O-Kut, Dynak it, others. Trades. Boynton Studio, Dept. HM, 10 Pennsyl­ Classified vania Ave., Tuckahoe, N. Y. WRITE for quotation on any Hi Fi components. Sound A HANDY REFERENCE TO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES NOT NECESSARILY PHOTOGRAPHIC, BUT OF WIDE GENERAL Reproduction Inc., 34 New St., Newark, N. J. Mitchell INTEREST 2-6816. 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Stereo Center, 51 West 35 St., N. Y. C. 1. , DISGUSTED with "HI" Hi-Fi Pri ces ? Unusual Dis­ BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES co unts On Your High Fidelity Requirements. Write Key Electronics, 120 liberty St., New York 6, N. Y. M1SCElLANEOUS . EVergreen 4-6071. FOREIGN Employment Information-$1. Parks, Box CROSSOVER network kits. Custom and contract coil 1665A, Lake City, Seattle 55, Wash. Winding. Write Watson Industries, 110 Mildred, Venic e, California. MAKE $25-$50 Week, clipping newspa per items for publishers. Some clippings worth $5.00 each. Par­ ELECTRONIC And Aeronautical Engineering Technology. ticulars free. National, 81-DG, Knickerbocker Station, Two Year Courses. Bachelor of Science Degree in New York . three years. Northrop institute in Southern California prepares you for highly paid positions in A.viation EARN Extra money selling advertising book matches. and Electronic industries. Employment assistance Free samples furnished. Matchcorp, Dept. 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Write for free Complete Hi-Fi Catalog. Florman & HiFi REVIEW, Babb, Inc., 68 W. 45th St., N. Y. 36, N. Y. 113 SEPTEMBER 1959 U nlike brother Peter Gunn's single-com· Anne J effreys with H en ri Re ne and his poser score, this one was the work of O rc hestra. RCA Victor LOP 1505 $4.98 Co unt Basie (he did the theme), J ohnny W illiams, Bennie Carter, and conductor Musical Interest: Ke rn 's mast e rpiece Performance: Satisfa ctory Stanley Wilson. S. G. Heavy IUUR~ black Record ing : Tops wrouRht iron_ Te n ~~pa r a te comparl ­ ments, design ed by We are surely not lacking for discs of an outstanding art i­ • MY FAIR LADY (see p. 102 ) san 10 acco mmo­ Show Boat. The Schwann Catalog now lists d.t. 150 l i p . 1· bums; fea tures I fo ur in addition to the cU.n ent one which lop sh elf lor the • THE NERV O US SET (Tommy W olf· jackets at records essays an approach midway between the _in us e_ Measures Fran Land esma nl. O ri ginal cast recording theatrical fl avor of Columbia's with the 1946 27 Yt x 24 x 10". A with Richard Hayes, Ta ni Seih, Del Close, must tor the ded i­ revival cast, and the more operatic interpre­ caled audio phile . Gerald Hiken & others , with Jazz Quartet, Completely assem­ tation given on the Victor release with R ise bled, Nom inal Ex~. Tommy Wolf d irector. Columbia OL 5430 Ch,. $4.98 Stevens, Pau'ice Munsel and Robert Mer­ rill. The new disc makes for a well-rounded Musical Interest : Brig ht and ori g inal collection with Howard Keel's big, muscular Pe rformance : En ergetic crew Nagoya Associates Inc. P.O . Bo x 7192 Elkins Park, Pa. baritone sounding especially good on Ship my Re cor d Rack! I enc lose $9 .95 ck . or M.D. Recording: A bit close NAM E______~ " Where's the Mate for Me?" and "T ill Good ·"OORES S ______:z: Broadway's first musical on the "beat" Luck Comes My Way". Miss Grant turns CITY H _ genera tion was none too successful, but the Bill into real handkerchief twister, while recording turns out to have 'some fresh Miss J effreys manages to dispel some of musical ideas, and it is performed fo r all the mustiness from Charles H arris' inter­ its worth by an enthusiastic group of young polated " After the Ball." S. G. singers. Actually, the score, tbough it em­ Audiomaster ploys the service of a jazz quartet rather TO P than a pit orchestra, is not really far ou t. • SONG OF NORWAY (Edvard Grieg. in British leads wi th better stereo per­ It is brash and engaging in much the same Robert W r ight-George Forrest) . J ones fo rmance, b etter stylin g. Beach Ma rine Theatre cast with Brenda Write now for leafl ets and manner as Rodgers and Hart once were. Lewis, J ohn Reardon, H elena Scott, Sig A rno, full s pecificat ions of the " How Do You Like Your Love?" is quite craftsman-built Stereo Con­ Muriel O'Malley & William Olvis, with Or­ STEREO trol Unit. Prices fro m $79. possibly the most daring number of the chestra and C horus, Lehman Enge l cond., season, and "Party Song" ("America, what featuring Stan Freema n ( piano). Columbia Designe d and built for t he enthu­ have yo u done to John Osborne?") gets off CL 1328 $3 .98 siast. fa cts prove that Audiomas­ some wonderful bits of conversation heard ter gives you exceptional value, Musica l I startling performance! at a Greenwich Village party. But the tal­ nterest: Considerable ents of Tommy Wolf and Fran Landesman Performance: Attra ctive voices W rite now t o: Recording: Satisfa ctory are not limited to comic pieces. Their Henry Davies Ltd., "Night P eople" and "The Ballad of the The original Broadway production of ( H o I born} Sad Young Men" are to uchi ng, imaginative Song of N orway ran for 860 performances % DE NMARK HOUSE , DENMARK RD . pieces which will probably soon be found EALI NG, LONDO N, W. 13. beginning in 1944. For the past two sum­ in the permanent repertory of supper-club mers, Guy Lombardo and Leonard R uskin torch singers. Altogether it is an engaging have successfully revived i t at the J ones disc. S. G. Beach Marine Theatre on L ong lsland. It' s a grandly romantic score that R obert • O NCE UPO N A MATTRESS ( Mary Wright and George Forrest have pasted to­ Rodger s-Marshall Bared. Original cast gether out of musical themes by Edvard record ing wit h J oe Bova, C a rol Burnett, Al len Grieg, with an abbreviated version of the & T HE FINEST OF ITS K IN D . • • Case, Anne J ones, Ma tt Mattox others, "A minor Piano Concerto" tacked on at the with O rchestra and C horus, Ha l H astings Get more FM stations with the w orld's most end for some very good measures. Thel'e powerful FM Yog i Antenna systems. condo Kapp KDL 7004 $4.98 are also some fin e voices in the present cast--most notably that of Brenda Lewis To be fully in for med, Musical Interest: A d elight Performance: Tale nted compa ny who does a particularly exciting job on se nd 25 ~ for bo ok Recordin g: Exce ll e nt "Now." Decca's original cast release (DL "The me An d Va ria· 9019) suffers by comparison because of its tions" by L F B- Carini Mary Rodgers, as almost everyone knows, dated so und. S. G. and containi ng FM is Richard Rodgers' daughter ; Marshall Station Directo ry. Barer, as far too few peo ple know, was reo sponsible for the lyrics of some of the best • VICTORY AT SEA (se e p. 102 ) APPARATUS DEVELOPMENT CO. numbers in N ew Fa ces of 1956. Together, Wethersfi e ld 9 , Connecticut this new team has composed a charming, witty score for an offbeat, off-Broadway • ZARZUELA-MADRID CONCERT OR­ musical version of the ancient fairy tale of CHESTRA, F. More no Torr6ba condo Themes the princess who slept on a pea (Once f ro m Giga ntes y Cabezudos; Ag ua , Azucaril­ Before you buy a COUNT THE LEGS los y Agua rd ie nte ; La Ve rbena de la Paloma ; RECORD RACK Upon a Mattress, get it) . Rodgers and La Revoltosa; Do na Fra nc isquita ; Luisa Fer­ Barer first set the scene with a remarkably na nda . ABC Paramount 292 $3.98 clever narrative, " Many Moons Ago," and then provide all sorts of appealing num· Musica l Inte rest: Great appeal bers--among them Carol Burnett's house­ Performa nce : Right flavor blasting confession "Shy," the superbly or­ Recording: Satisfactory chestrated "Man-to-Man Talk," and the The Spanish Zarzuela is a native fo rm of J ester's song "Very Soft Shoes," in which musical theater that is roughly equivalent he nostalgically reminisces about the dear to the Viennese operetta or the Am erican Rack with I... than 8 legs. Lesli. Creation. Rack.ha. 8 legs! old days when his dad played the palace. A sinltle LP record weigh! 12 or.. Our rack Il o ldB 200 of them. Thnt's 150 musical comedy, and this LP of extracts PO.UN DS! A rcco:rd rack must be l!tronvly made to s upport. a ll thut dead S. G. .... e1lthtl In select.mg a ruck to hold your p rceious Ll"s, be l!U r e it haB from six of them is an attractive, well­ EIGHT LEGS, so t.he center won't. SAG nnd WARP YOUR RECORDS! l\'l akc certuin it. has II Bt.eel re inforced support.ing shelf DOW N BELOW performed appetite·whetter. Senor Moreno where it'll need ed! Be enough to hold 12'" record s' OUf8 is 25'W. 22' H. 12'0. y l!.8.gembled, 10 compl!.rtmc nts. Black steel rod • MORE MUSIC FROM PETER GUNN Torr6ba is not only an old hand at conduct­ ~h;~t~I'~,~:~ ~ :~~k~b~;a5~ t~~lc~~'I~~lf&8~~c~~·ASDEN Exp. $ 9.95 (see p . 102 ) ing and arranging Zarzuelas, but he is also FREE CATALOG! 17 DIFFERENT RACKS ! responsible for the music of Luisa Fernan­ EACH HOLDING UP TO 500 RECORDS • S H O W BOAT (Jerome Ke rn-Oscar da, one of the brightest attractions in this © LESLIE CREATIONS, Dept. 11 P, Lofayette Hill, Pa. Hammerstein II). Gogi Grant , H owa rd Keel, package. S. G. 114 HIFI REVIEW HiFi Review September 1959 ADVERTISERS INDEX CODE PAGE NO. ADVERTISER NO. 69 Airex Radio Corpo ration ...... 104 iFiREVIEW 3 Allied Radio Corp...... 22 2 Altec lansing Corporation ...... 15 172 An gel Records...... 83 100 Apparatus Development Co ...... 114 173 Audax Division ...... 77 INFORMATION 5 Audio Devices, Inc...... 94 83 Audio Fidelity, Inc...... 3 Beginner's Luck Reprint...... 108 SERVICE 6 Bell Sound Division...... 71 150 Belock Recording Co ...... 65 7 Bogen-Presto Company ...... 32 Het'e's how you can get a dditional inform a­ 60 Book of the Month Club-R.C.A. Victor t ion , p r omptly and a t no charge, concerning Popular Album Club ...... 3rd Cover t h e prod ucts advertised in this issu e of H i , 39 Book of the Month Club-R.C.A. Victor . Society of Great Music ...... 11 F i REVIEW. This free information will a dd 9 British Industries Corp...... 4 to your understan ding of h igh fi delit y and 114 Capitol Re cords ...... 19, 20 t h e equip m.ent, r ecords and tape n ecessat·y 37 Clevite 'Walco' ...... 24 111 Columbia lP Record Club ...... 7 for its fullest e njoyment. 157 Conrac, Inc ...... 109 167 Contemporary Records, Inc ...... 102 166 Davies, ltd., Henry ...... 114 Print or type your name and address on 75 Dexter Chemical Corporation ...... 89 the coupon below. 146 Dynaco Inc...... • • ...... 30 1 10 EICO ...... 36 115 Electro-Sonic laboratories, In c...... 99 Electronics World Stereo Disk ...... 103 Check in the alphabe tical advertising index, 11 Electro-Voice, Inc ...... 4th Cover 2 left, for the names of the advertisers in 62 Ercona Corporation ...... 108 whose products you are interested. 13 Fisher Radio Corporation ...... 16, 17, 73 9 Garrard Sa les Corporation ...... 4 92 Gaylor Pro ducts Co...... 86 134 General Electric Company . .. . • . .. .. 33 In front of each advertiser's name is .a 14 Glaser Steers ...... 6 3 code number. Circle the appropriate num­ 141 Gray High Fidelity Divi sion ...... 10 ber on the coupon belo.w. You may circle 99 Harman-Kardon Inc...... 69 41 Heath Company ...... 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 as many numbers as you wish. Hi Fi Review Classified ...... 111 HI FI REVIEW-October Issue ...... 107 Hi Fi Revie w Subscriptions ...... 113 Add lip the number of req uests you have 77 JansZen Loudspeakers ...... 14 made and write the total in the total box. 118 Jensen Manufacturing Comp any ... 34, 35 4 86 Key Electronics Co ...... 111 174 Kinematix, Inc ...... 74 169 Koss Incorporated ...... 104 Cut out the coupon and mail it to: 45 lafayette Radio ...... 101 5 88 leslie Creations ...... 114 132 Miller International Co...... 79 50 Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Hi Fi REVIEW Company ...... 75 P.O. Box 177B 162 Nagoya As sociates Inc ...... 114 CHURCH STREET STATION 77 Neshaminey Electronic Corp...... 14 53 OR Radio Industries Inc...... 104 New York 8, New York 176 PACO Electronics Co., Inc ...... 93 Photography Annual ...... 110 62 R & A Speakers ...... •...... 108 Hi Fi REVIEW 54 R.C.A. Victor ...... 63 Box 1778 TOTAL NUMBER 109 Radio Shack Corporation ...... 87 CHURCH STREET STATION OF REQUESTS 66 Rek-O-Kut Company, Inc ...... 31 New York 8, New York RIGO Shows ...... 96 Please send me additional information concerning the products of the advertisers 91 Roberts Electronics Inc...... 92 whose code numbers I have circled. 105 Rockbar Corporation ...... 9 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 11 13 14 29 30 31 177 Schober Organ Corp ...... 97 29 Scott, Inc., H. H...... 2nd Cover 34 37 38 39 41 45 50 53 54 60 62 66 68 30 Sherwood Electronic laboratories, Inc. 59 31 Shure Brothers, Inc...... 78 69 75 77 83 86 88 91 92 98 99 100 101 105 180 Sonic labs...... 85 155 Sonotone Corporation ...... 12 109 111 114 115 118 122 132 134 137 140 141 146 150 98 Stromberg-Carlson ...... 108 155 157 162 166 167 169 171 172 173 174 176 177 178 178 Tapeco ...... 111 171 Telefunken Records ...... 91 180NAME: ______140 United Audio Products ...... 80, 86 34 University loudspeakers, Inc...... 23 122 V-M Corporation ...... 13 ADDRESSi______137 Warner Brothers Records ...... 66, 67 101 Weathers Industries ...... 8 38 Wellcor, Inc...... 90 CITV______ZONE ___STAT£ :______68 Westminster ...... 60 S EPTE MBER 1959 115 I

Semi-Stereo Just Put It Over Here

• Just about a year ago we published a short story on • We have never been one to assume iliat speaker place­ ; the gadgets that claim to make mono (single channel) ment for optimum stereo is a problem with an easy recordings sound like stereo. This article ("Semi·Stereo solution. On the other hand, we were astonished by the ... Now or Never?", October 1958, page 55) pointed landslide of stereo speaker placement suggestions as a out that there are two methods of electronically achieving result of our "Stereo All-Around" story in the July issue pseudo-stereophony. One of these is to take a mono (page 36). Just in case you did not see that short short, signal and frequency divide it so that most of the bass another appears in this issue on page 53. Particularly and some of the mid-range is fed through one amplifier/ note that we pay (good American dollars) for informa­ I speaker system. Most of the highs, practically none of tion on how you solved your own speaker placement the bass, plus the remainder of the mid-range, is then problem. Simply describe the room, the equipment, the fed through the second amplifier/speaker system. In it­ stereo effect you wanted and how you overcame any self, this technique is not new, and quite a few experi­ obstacles. Make a pencil drawing of the room and menters llave used it to good advantage in an attempt to indicate where the important furniture items, including 1 "broaden the sound front." Obviously, the same effects the stereo speakers, are located. No photographs are can be achieved with suitably designed crossover net­ required to make your manuscript acceptable. works and a single amplifier. A sidelight to this rather unexpected rash of short manuscripts has been the observation that people are The second technique used in the semi- or pseudo­ not sticking to just two speakers for two-channel stereo. stereo world is an attempt to fool the ear. It involves Most stereo systems with peculiar speaker placement introducing a time delay or phase shift in the "second problems are being solved with the aid of from three to channel." The ear then "knows" that the character of five speakers scattered around the room. the sound has been altered and decides that there has been a new spatial effect added to the mono program. The 1958 article concentrated on the commercially Something Old , Something New \ available phase shifting and time delay units. The one with the greatest promise-the Xophonic- had built-in • Several new names appear on the masthead of this electro-acoustic feedback problems that limited its use issue-if you are one of those very thorough readers who to rather low volume levels. In addition, its frequency pay attention to such things. Joining the staff as Asso­ response and fidelity characteristics left a lot to be de­ ciate Editor is Nancy Lang, recently (for the past six sired. The Holt was a strictly electronic device as com­ years) at New York's fine music station WQXR. Re­ pared to the Xophonic, and, if used as the manufacturer placing Saul Weiner as Art Director is Al Gruen, re­ instructed, did add some "liveness," or "presence," to cently of the POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY staff. Saul, who a mono program. had been with HIFI REVIEW since its first issue, has moved on into the world of promotional advertising art At the time when ilie earlier article was written, hope (still with Ziff-Davis Publishing Company) . AI, who left was held for the Stereophoner being developed by Dr. POP PHOTOGRAPHY to become a free-lance art director/ Hermann Scherchen. Those who have heard Dr. Scher­ photographer, accepted as one of his first assignments chen's device operate have all been favorably impressed, the art makeup of this magazine. By the way, if this but as far as can be determined, the past year has not sounds like a game of "musical chairs", it really was­ refuted our earlier opinion that this is a "one-of-a-kind" Mr. Gruen's successor was Mr. Weiner's predecessor. device. Otherwise, passive time delay and frequency dividing networks are still being offered to the general • Next month, our hi-fi equipment editorial will be built public. That they add some slight " dimension" to a around three topics: stereo cartridges, stereo tone arms, mono program cannot be denied. The illusion of in­ and stereo power amplifiers. The exceptionally favorable creased depth is overly dependent upon the speakers reaction to my article on Stereo Receivers (July issue, and their response characteristics. Regardless of what­ page 26) convinces me that the majority of our readers ever developments are forthcoming, the old dictum still want equipment editorial coverage in depth. Our power holds : "You can't create something out of nothing." A amplifier article will discuss the Dynaco, Fisher, Knight, true stereo system provides two channels of information. Leak, and Pilot. Because of the lack of standardized Chopping up a mono program into two channels does testing procedures, we do not anticipate a qualitative not create stereo. If you are inclined to doubt this­ evaluation of either cartridges or tone arms, but will How could a pseudo-stereo arrangement simulate the make every effort to familiarize you with the good and left-to-right, or vice versa, realism of a locomotive pass­ bad features, as well as incorporating sufficient back­ ing through your living room? This type of directional ground information as to why some designs work better I information is not imparted to a mono recording. than others in certain situations. 116 PRINTED IN U.S.A. HIFI REvmw I To introduce you to THE RCA VICTOR POPULAR ALBUM CLUB CHOOSE FROM 39 ALBUMS

1. Melnehrino plays 2. Hottest album of 3. Blu es t y p es, 4. Original sound· A iliu m ", Leaves, Star year! All·star mod­ rh y thm bac kin g . track recording from Dllst, JPhile W e're e rn "mo od" jazz Hallelujah, J Love Rodgers and Ham­ ~O~!"TI~P~'!O~UP;:~~OO~ 3 98 Y OImg, Estrellila. from NBC·TV series. Her So, 11 others . mcrslcin film hit. . . . if you agree to buy five albums from the Club during the next twelve months from at least 100 to be made available

HIS new plan enables you to albums called for in this offer, Thave on tap a variety of popu· yo u will receive a free 12·inch 33 Y:i lar music . . . and, once and for all, R.P.M. album, with a nationally takes bewild erment out of build· advertised price of at least $3.98, ing su ch a well-balanced collec- for every two albums purchased tion. You pay far less for albums from the Club. A wide choice of 5. All-time classical 6. 18 evergreens. 7 . Breath-taking new 8. Ne w recording this way than if yo u buy them hap. RCA VICTOR albums will be de­ best selle r by most It Could Happen. to recording of best­ of Kern-Ha mme r ­ haza rdly. For ex ample, the intro- scribed each month . One will be talked-about pianist You, Love Letters, selling suite from stein classic. Gogi ductory offer described above can singled out as the album-aI-the. of the ge neration. Birth of the Blues. dra matic TV score. Grant, Howa rd Keel. represent as much as a 40% month. If yo u want it, yo u do saving in your first year of mem- nothing; it will come to yo u auto· bership. Thereafter, by means of matically. If you prefer an alter. th e Club's unique Record-Dividend nate-or nothing at all-you can Plan, you will be able to obtain make your wishes known on a form select ed R C A VICTOR r ecords always provided. You pay th e na­ at about one third less than the ti onally advertised price-usuall y manufacturer's nationally adver- $3.98, at times $4.98 (plus a small tised pri ce. After buying the fi ve charge for postage and handling) . 9. Ope r e tta film 10. Lanza !jings 12 11. Mille r- s ty le d 12. New remakes of stars remake their Ita li a n c lass ics. modern repertoire, their biggest hits. 12 biggest hits. 111.­ Funiculi, Funicula ; Ray McKinley. Bird­ Jalo usie, Ska te rs ALL A .LBUMS ARE 12-INCH 33% R. P. M. diar ~ Love Call, e tc. Santa Lucia; Marie. land, 11 others. Waltz, Liebestraunl . .v...;21 ,.,0"'" 'ordandng Fra nkie Carle , a nd iris rhythm

13. His latcst and 14. Fresh vcrs ions 15. Lil tin g versions 16. Key hi ghlights 17. On-the-spot re­ 18. 17 swaggcring 19. Lush, rhythmic, 20. Hi, 12 bigge,t most danccablc se t of 12 harmony hits . of T he Blue Danube, fr om Tchaik ovsky's co rdin g. Yes, in . marches: El Capitan, e xo tic ins trumen­ hits, newl y remade. ye t. Ballads, lind ys, Paper Doll, To Each Artists' Lif e. Em peror cnchanting master­ c1 udes Day In - Day Semper Fidclis, On tals. Valencia, Gra­ Green Eyes, Linda waltzes, Lntin, c tc. H is O Wfl , Cool Water. IVall=. 9 othcrs . piece for ballc t. Ollt plus 14 others . the Mall, On Parade. nada, DelicaJo. Mui er, Adios, etc. ,;;:=;.;>(,

21.Compote of La tin 22. New Broadway 23~ e ha-cha ver­ 24. 12 pop favorites 25. Absolutely the 26. La MacKenzie 27. 12 dance-m ood 28. Plush, romantic r h ythms , cha, chas. sta r, top tunes from s ions of La tin tunes. and light classics . last word in sound sings 12 ballads. Hey favorites by trio plus mood setter for a jazz . Lullaby 0/ Bird­ top musicals, Flower Per/idia, Frenesi, September So fl C, W ar­ a nd pe rfo rma n ce. There, Ebb Tide, Too strings. I'll Get By, bachelor apartment. land, 10 more. Drum Song, etc. ]"fLmpico, Yours, etc. saw COll certo, Dialle. The greatcst Ga ile! Young , Moonglow. Dream. etc. 12 top standards. l! . ~~.~~j.

29. Prom king in 31. Lilting S traus 32. Li quid sounds 33. Hi ch ba ritone of 34. Fa ntasti l; sound, 35. M" Man, Young 37. P ia nist's trio beatful selection of ~~~k I~~~h ~~~ dis~ opere tta. Ri se Ste­ from Hammond or- Ih e Gra ham Crusade realistic atmosphere, and Fooli5h , They pla ys S ummertime. ballads, lindys, cha a sock sonic treat! ve ns, Robert Me rrill , ga n . Over th e Rai,,- s ings s o mc mos t- familia r songs, virile Say It's W onderful, The Man I LoI'e, All chas. Tea/ or Two. Ma rches, folk songs. Jo Sulli van, others. bow, Ebb Tide, c tc. requested songs singing. Din'crent! Yesterday, 8 more. 0/ You, Cherr)" elc. ~I!!!\'!~~r!'!~=r~ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• : THE RCA VICTOR POPULAR ALBUM CLUB , P. O. Box 80, Village Station, Hew York 14, H. Y. P146-9 Please reg ister Ole as a member of The RCA VICTOR S3.98, a t times S4.98, stereo versions 54.98, a t Popular Album Club and send me the fi ve albums times $5.98 (plus a small postage and handling whose numbers I have circled at lowe r right, for charge on all prices) . Thereafter, I necd buy only which I will pay S3.98, ($4.98 if sterco), plus a fo ur such albums in a ny twelve-month period. I may small postage and handling charge. I agree to buy cancel membership after buying fiv e albums from fivc other albums offered by the Club within the thc Club (in addition to those included in this offer). next twelvc months, for each of which I will he After my fifth purchase, if I continue, for every two 38. Sta nda rds pl us 40. \Vacky, ba njo­ 42. Modern bi g- billed a t the nationally advertised price: usually albums I buy I may choose a third album free. special material, fun­ pi ck in' country com­ Check which type of recordings you want: REGULAR L. P. 0 STEREOPHONIC 0 fill ed ad Ji bs. Dilly ics raise havoc with ~~I~~ tj :::;s .t Ot" :~:! May arra ngements. hits and specials. A re, other hits. Nalne ______234 567

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IF YOU HAVE A STEREO PLAYER Address ______Stereo ve rsions of these 39 albums are also available 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 • -any five for $4.98 (nationally adve rtised prices • City Zone __ State : total as high as $29.90) . The plan is the same as outlined above-except that the additional stereo • ~u~~:r:iz~/~~Aw~rCtgW d~:~~,e~~~~eC~rl~i}~db~~O!~ 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 • albums you buy during the year will be at the nationally • • advertised price of $4.98, at times $5.98. Most of the • Dealer Address 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 : Club' s n ew selections and alternates are available • Send no money. A bill will be sent. Regular L. P. albums can be shipped • C only to U. S., its territories and Canada. Albums for Canadian me'!!· 37 38 40 42 ! in stereo versions. Check box in coupon . • bers are made in Canada, and are shipped duty free from Ontano. '\I" •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • By Adding

Super-Sonax Wide-Angle Tweeter you can DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE VOUR HIGH-FIDELITV SVSTEM

Only from the widest-range reproduction can you fully feel the emotional impact of sound reality. Simply by adding the E-V Super-Sonax Tweeter to your present speaker system, you extend high frequency response smoothly and efficiently beyond the last audible octaves ... including the subtle overtones and delicate harmonics of the fundamentals of all the instruments in the large concert orchestra. What's more ... the Super­ Sonax is also your first step to the vibrant sound of true stereo in your living room.

ONLY E-V gives you Sonophase* and Diffraction ONLY E-V gives you all-important

FOR ALL-POSITION STEREO LISTENING

For enjoyment of true stereo without hole-in-the-middle, ping-pong, one-position listening, E-V Super-Sonax VHF Tweeters give all­ important FUSION, by completely dispersing higher-frequencies throughout the room. This makes the significant stereo sounds from one speaker fuse with the sounds from the other speaker in varying and controlled proportions . . . gives proper depth and placement to the musical instruments simultaneously, without spatial distor­ tions. You can feel free to sit anywhere in the room or move about for true stereo listening from any angle, without directing the speakers. Flat-extended very-high-frequency response is made possible only with the exclusive E-V Sonophase* throat design. This assures the smooth, brilliant highs so necessary for blend and balance. Wide-angle (180°) dispersion achieved through exclusive E-V Dif­ fraction spreads the sound throughout the entire listening area smoothly and evenly. Working together, these and other E-V features combine to assure accurately-proportioned direct and indirect widely dispersed stereo sound as in the original recorded spatial relationships. This is FUSION. This is true high-fidelity stereo as only Electro-Voice can bring it to you. Get full advantage of Super-Sonax in the wide choice of complete E-V multi-way speaker systems- or add it on to your present system for improved reproduction, on money-back guarantee.

Model T350 Ultra-Sonax VHF Tweeter. For deluxe-efficiency systems. Has reserve power and extra sensitivity. Response to 21 kc.1 lb. magnet. 16 ohms. Recommended crossover 3500 cps. Net, $60 Model T35 Super-Sonax VHF Tweeter. For medium-efficiency sys­ tems. Response to 19 kc . 1/2Ib. mag.16 ohms. Recom. crossover 3500 cps. Net, $35 Model T35S Sonax VHF Tweeter. For lower-efficiency systems. Response to 18 kc. 1/4 lb. magnet. 16 ohms. Recommended crossover 3500 cps. .Net, $22 The above tweeters are also available as Building Block kits complete with crossover, level control, and wiring harness, for only $15.00 more. See Your E-V High-Fidelity Dealer or Write for Catalog No. 134 to Dept. 99-F

No Finer Choice than

'Oesign Patent No. 182351' ELECTRO.VOICE, INC.' BUCHANAN, MICH .

.,