THE TRUTH ABOUT RECORD CLUBS _eepage28

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A N ~ 'V:lUO 3~V ONV~K5JH 6t~a S ''''o'Ki 3 tl (}1n 1lS' 9 9 I I ~ The ICOLUMBIA ~ RECORD CLUB loffers new members superb high-fidelity records from every field of music REGULAR~ ANYS ~ SIEREO@ if you join the Club now and agree to purchase as few as 5 selections from the more than 150 to be made available during the coming 12 months The Columbia ([E) Record Club now enables you to acquire the world 's finest high-f idelity 12" long-playing records - either regular or stereo - at great savings! All 32 of the records shown here are available in both regular lo'ng play and stereo (e xc ept No. 24- 1. Night and Day, 2. A beloved 15. Broadway's Listening In Depth - stereo only). 8. What'li I Do, 7. Three brilliant 50. Where or When, plus 11 more hits American classic newest smash hit If you have a standard phono­ Warm, 10 more hi-fi showpieces Manhattan, 10 more graph, you may join the Club and REX HARRISON receive the re gular high-fidelity ,JULIE ANOREWS versions of any 6 of these records RLAOY _ .. up to a $29.88 retail value - ALL 6 for only $3.98! ~. .~ O'~~'~AL If you have a stereo phonograph, RECORDING . " t" MV REVERIE you may join the Club and rece ive 9 more the stereo high-fidelity versions of any 6 of these records ... up to ~ 19. No Other love, 37. lovely "musicalS. 16 favorites - a $35 .88 retail value - ALL 6 for 6. Complete score Our love 10 more portrait of nature" Sweet Violets, etc. only $5.98! of this hit mus ical Read below how the Club oper­ ates, then mail coupon - without money - for your SIX records!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Stereo records must be played only on a stereo record player. If you do not now own a stereo phonograph, you can continue 24. 16 selections 3. Didn't It Rain, 20. Come to Me, to acqu ire regular long play - STEREO only God Is Real, etc. long Ago, 10 more high-fidelity records with com­ plete confidence that they will always give you thrilling listen­ ing pleasure. They will play with true-to-life fidelity on your present phonograph ! and will sound even more brilliant oft a stereo record player if you pur­ chase one in the future.

HOW THE CLUB OPERATES _ •• SEND NO MONEY Mail Coupon Now to Receive Your SIX Records * You enroll in anyone of the six Club Divisions : If you have a regular phonograph you enroll in anyone COLUMBIA Qf) RECORD CLUB, Dept_222 -2 CIRCLE SIX of four Divisions: Classical ; Listening and Dancing; Terre Haute, Indiana NUMBERS BELOW: Broadway, Movies, Television and Musical Comedies; Jazz. I accept your offer and h ave cirCled at the right the numbers of the six (Also indicate here tecords I wish to r eceive. Bill me for $3 .98 for. six r egular long play whether you wont your If you own a stereo phonograph you enroll in either one of r ecords OR $5.98 for six stereo records - plus small malltng charge. Enroll me In the following Division of the Club: 6 records in regular two Stereo Divis ions : Stereo Classical or Stereo Popular. long ploy or stereo) I check one box only) * Each month the Club's staff of music experts selects out­ o REGULAR Qf) s.tanding rec?rdings - both r~gula r and stereo - from every REGULAR DIVISIONS , I , :S TEREO OIVISIONS ~ K·B6 o C~assi~al • 0 Broad.w.ay, Movi es, 0 Stereo Classical STEREO Qf) field of musIc. These selections are described in the Club o LIStening & Danung TeleVISion and 0 MagaZine, which you receive free each month. o Jazz Musical Comedies 0 Stereo Popular F·BS I 15 30 * You may accept the monthly selection for your Division ... I agree to purchase five selections from t he more than 150 regular long take any of the wide variety of other records offered in a" play and stereo records to be offered during the coming 12 months. at 2 16 31 the usua l list price plus small mailing charge For every two addition al Divisions .. or take NO record in any particular month . selections I accept, I am to receive a Columbia or Epic Bonus r ecord 3 18 33 ~ Your only membership obl igation is to purchase five selec­ (regular or stereo) of my choice FREE. tIOns from th~ more tha~ 150 Columb ia and Epic recordings 5 19 36 Name ...... •••••..•...•... • .. . •.• . •• • •.•• . .•. . • •...... • . •• . .• .. . . • •• to be offered I~ the cO.mmg 12 months. After purchasing five (Pleas e P rint) 6 20 37 records, you WI" receive your chOice of a Columbia or Epic Address ..••...... • ...... •...... ••.....•...... • Bonus record free for every two additional selections you buy. 7 21 40 However, you may discontinue membership at any t ime after City ...... • . •• ...... • ... .• •••.. , ... ZONE . . .. Stote ...... •...•.••• • 8 22 41 purchasin g five records. ALASKA and HAWAII: w rite for special membership oOeT CANADA : prices slightly higher; address 11-13 Soho St .. Toronto 2B 9 24 45 * The records you want are mailed and billed at t he usual list If you want this membership credited to an established Columbia or price: regular long play at $3.98 (Popular) and $4.9 8 (Classi­ Epic record dealer. authorized to accept subscriptions, fill in below: 10 25 49 cal) ; stereo records at $4.98 (popular) and $5.98 (Classical) ­ Dealer's Name , . • . • •. •• . •...... ••••.•.•...... • . •••• • ; •• 11 27 50 plus a small mailing charge . Dealer's Address ...... 281 12 28 * To rece ive your SIX records - mail coupon today! COLUMBIA Qf) RECORD CLUB, Terre Haute, Ind. @ Columbia Records Sales Corp .. 195 9 ®"Columbia," ~ . "EpIC, " Mal'cas Reg. the original and ppsitive sound reproduction techniques necessary for true high fidelity are presented on AUDIO FIDELIT~ RECORDS the highest standard in high fidelity

.u~ THa MI ......

to the me trumpet and mative and fasci wailing trombones of the latest demonstration of stereophonic and most phenomenal of Dukes reproduction including sounds of of Dixieland recordings cannons, fire engines and sports AFLP 1 cars. STEREO ONLY.

on are ideally suited for the rich - and graceful mood of the sophisti· cated tango. AFLP

l ngs s s ar· e a at made dixieland The brill ant hand tistry to the haunting beauty of as played by the Dukes of Dixie· lows of the theater organ are Italian song favorites for your land. You have to hear it to musically displayed by the versa· listening pleasure. - believe it! AFLP 1823/AFSD 5823 tile AI Melgard. AFLP 1871/AFSD 5871 ____ iIIII __ ~.h_!II ~."'-'C IIIIIIII. ·~ IIII,!I, I~'.~._._w_1 Complete illustrated catalogs of the entire Audio fidelity library are available from: Audio Fidelity, Inc., . Dept. HR759, 770 11th Ave., New York 19, N. Y. I .. ALL ALBUMS EXCEPT AFSD 5890 ARE AVAI1ABLf BOTH MONOPHONICALLY AND STEREOPHON I AUGUST 1959 ------­ 3 UNothing Short o' Superb," "Complaints .rom Garrard says Raymond E. Ward, Users? Practically Zero!" Distributor-Sales Mgr., Shure Brothers, Inc. says Joseph Pickert, "That's our unanimous verdict on the results we have Mgr., Service Dept., Shure Brothers, Inc. had with the Garrards used for laboratory testing of our new Stereo Dynetic Cartridges. Because we can rely on Garrard's precision construction and "That's right! Garrard owners who install the new consistently accurate performance, we have been able Shure Stereo Dynetic Cartridge get such perfect sound to concentrat.e fully on developing the exceptional sound reproduction that we rarely get a complaint. The exact reproduction Garrard and Shure users expect ... and get. Now, fit of the cartridge in the Garrard shell, the precision mounting our sales records show that more of our new cartridges are of the tone arm, the controlled arm action a nd tracking at being installed in Garrard Record Changers than in any other the lightest specified weight mean longe'!' life for cartridge changer or turntable. This is only natural, because they and records ... along with the finest audio for , work so well together." stereo and monaural." ~~ ~iii __•

cha:n.gers are eD1.i:n.e:n.tly superior 'W'ith I S I-t U ~ =: I stereo cartridges" What Mr. Ward and Mr. Pickert say about the Garrard Changer-for stereo-is typical of its universal acceptance by component manufacturers and high fidelity enthusiasts. In fact, more Garrard Changers are sold today as components for stereo-than all other turntables and changers combined! That's why-before you buy-you should see and hear stereo records played on a Garrard Changer such as the incomparable RCBB.

The same reasons why Garrard Change,'s perform so well with Sh1tre Dynetic Stil"eo Ca,·t,·idges account for Garm"d's popularity with all othe,' ,nanufact1t1'ers of fine stereo ca,·b·idges-Elect,·o-Voice, Fairchild, General Elecb'ic, Picke,'ing, etc. Vibration-free t urntable. Vertical and lateral rumble completely inaudible. Wow and flutter far below exacting " broadcast tolerance" standards. • Exclusive Aluminum tone arm precision·mounted at engineering works for optimum tracking angle. perfect sound reproduction. • Unrestricted choice of stereo cartridges-any of them will THE WORLD'S FINEST! track at the m anufacturer's lightest specifi ed weight. • Record handling gentler than the surest human hand. Send for free Garrard Compora/or Guide. • The important convenience of manual play plus completely automatic operation without compromise in performance. Your Name ______These are the FACTS, no one can deny them with authority­ and they a,'e backed by the 96 yea,'s of experience that havo created Garra"d's unique ",eputation [0" unsurpassed quality. ______5'o'e ______Mail to Dept. GK-129 01 oddress below.

There's a Garrard for every high fidelity system ••. all engineered and wired for Stereo and Monaural records.

~=r"""" ~ RCa~~..!.. ~ Inl,nalaRCl2lID " TPA/12St.reo ~C!) 301Truscrlptlon ~---.. ON'Transcription (5)-... . Manual...... , TID ,It C_ CbaftCtr To .. AM T""'tlbl. ~ ManUlI PI.y.r -..!.J' "')'1' ~ 569.50 $59.50 $42.50 $19.50 $89.00 $59.50 $32.50 GARRARD SALES CORPORATION, Division of British Industries Corporation, PORT WASHINGTON, N. Y. Canadian Inquiries to Chos. W. Polnton. ltd., 6 Alcina Ave., Toronto Terrllorle. olher than U.S.A. ond Canada 10 Garrard Engineering & Mfg, Co., Ltd., Swlndon. Wills .• England FEATURE ARTICLES HiFiREVIEW The Truth about Record Clubs 28 Barry Darrel August, 1959 Pros and cons of membership in the various mail-order Vol. 3 No.2 disc plans Cziffra Speaks His Mind 32 Gyorgy Cziffra Publisher Th is controversial pianist Oliver Read parries some critical thrusts aimed at hi s recordings

Editor Hang It All! Oliver P. Ferrell 35 Harold Holden A simple solution to the problem of quaking floors and jumping Music Editor tone arms DavId Hall Private and Panoramic 36 Hans H. Fantel Art Editor Stereo via earphones proves Saul D. WeIner exciting for the listener- s; lent for others

Associate Editors The Oldest Song of Christendom 38 Mother C. A. Carroll, Hans H. Fante' Rodney H. Wlll/ams A sp lendiferous presentation album R.S.G.J. reveals virtually unknown vistas of ancient church music Contributing Editors Martin Bookspan Catfish Row in a "Near Original" 40 Stanley Green Warren DeMotte Ralph J. Gleason Porgy and Bess soundtrack disc, Stanley Green no worse for substitute singers, Nat Hentoff develop s moving stereo drama George Jellinek Dcivid Randolph John Thornton Tape Cartridge Machines Arrive! 41 David Hall Bell Sound jumps the gun and enters Advertising Diredor the tape cartridge field John A. Ronan. Jr.

Advertising Manager REVIEWS Herb O'sow Stereo HiFi Concert 45 Martin Bookspan, Warren DeMotte, ZIFF· DAVIS PUB LI SH ING CO., One Park David Hall, George Jellinek, Ave., New York 16, N. Y. William B. Ziff, John Thornton Chairman of the Boa rd ( 1946·1953); Will iam Ziff, President; W. Bradford Briggs, Execu· Mono HiFi Concert 53 Martin Bookspan, Warren DeMotte, tive Vice Preside nt ; Michael Michaelson, Vice President and Circulation Director; Da vid Hall, George Jellinek, Hershel B. Sarbin, Vice President; Howard John Thornton Stoughton, Jr., Treasurer; Albert Gruen, Art Director. The Stereo Reel 61 David Ha ll. John Thornton BRANCH O FFIC ES: Midwestern Office, 434 S. Wabash Ave., C hica90 5, II I., Tom Berry, Midwest AdvertISing Manager; Western Office, Room 412 , 215 West 7th Stereo Entertainment 63 Ra lph J. Gleason, Stanley Green, St., Los Angeles 17, Calif., James R. Pierce, Na t Hentoff Western Advertising Manager ; Fo reign Ad· vertising Representatives: D. A. Goodall Ltd., London; Albert Milhado & Co., Ltd., Antwerp and Dusseldorf. Mono Entertainment 73 Ra lph J. Gleason, Sta nley Green, Nat Hentoff SUBSC RIPTION SERVIC E Forms 3579 a nd a ll subscription corre· spondence shou ld be addressed to C ir· COLUMNS AND MISCELLANEa u s culation De partment , 434 Sout h Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, Il linois. Please allow at least fou r weeks for change of address. Include you r ol d address as well as new HiFi Soundings 6 Musical Oddentities 24 - enclosing if possible an add ress label from a rece nt issue. CONTRIBUTORS The Basic Repertoire 10 Contri butors are advised to retai n a copy Advertisers Index 81 of fheir manuscript and illustrations. Con­ Sibelius' Second Symphony tributions should be mailed to the New York Editorial office and must be accom· panied by return postage. C ontributions are handled with reasonable care, but this 14 The Flip Side 82 magazine assumes no responsibility for their Just Looking safety. A ny acceptable ma nu script is sub­ ject to whatever adaptations and rev isions are necessary to meet requirements of t his publ ication. Payment covers all author's Cover illustration by Chuck McVicker rights, titles and interest in a nd to t he materia l accepted a nd will be mad e at our current rates upon acceptance. All p hotos and drawings will be considered as part of material purchased . HiFi REVIEW is published monthly by Ziff·Davis Publishing C~mp a ny, William B. Ziff, Chairman of the Board (1946· 1953), at 434 South Wabash Ave., ChIcago 5, III. Second class postage paid at Chicago, tllinois. Authorized by the Post Office Department, Otta,:"a, ant., Canada as second cl ass malter. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One year U.S. and posseSSIons, and Canada $4.00 ; Pan·American Union countries $4.50, all other foreign countries $5.00. =@; c7~~;:::~ " !.~ Copyright 1959 by ZIFF·DAVIS PUBLISHING Company , 0 123,287 ~~." .C""~~",, ;.y ' IN"'~ All rights reserved ABC Pu b lis he r's Stateme nt, 5 December 31 , 1958 the

9 By DAVID HALL seconds COMEBACK FOR PRE·RECORDED TAPE! By the time you read this, pre-recorded stereo tape and the machines for playing same will have undergone a remarkable facelifting operation. The magic key to this transformation and impending comeback as a medium for stereo music can be spelled out in two words-FOUR TRACK. A year-and-a-half ago, pre-recorded stereo tape was counted out of the running for home stereo. The public could see no sense in paying $15 for the same amount of music that could be had on disc for less than half the price-quality factors notwithstanding. Clearly something had to be done to make recorded tape available at a price competitive to disc. The bombshell

The manYifine features built iAto this superb AM-FM tUAer t1ave never befGre been available for under $200. Combined on one compact chassis are such famous H.H: Scott engineering feat!) Wide-Band FM circuitry to give you high selectivity with c~mplete freedor:nfrom drift; Wide AM circuitry for perfect reception of high fidelity AM broaacasts; atr'd

plated "front~end" for maximum sensitivity and reliability.

Easy-to -read expanded Convenient front-panel Monophonic - multiplex Heavily silver plated Electronic·eye indi­ Professional luning Selector switch for slide-rule dial for pre­ level control gives you switch gives front panel RF circuitry assures cator shows oplimum control with heavy choosing between FM, cise station selection_ accurate adjustment of control of multiplex high sensitivity, and luning point on both flywheel leIs you make AM normal and AM Separate linear log ging tuner audio output. output. Adaptor can be minimizes cross -mod· FM and AM. Indicator slalion settings with wide-range. Wide­ scale for accurate Separate output for added when multiplex ulation caused by can also be used for great accuracy and range setting is for l. .f charting of station tape recorder: standards are estab ­ strong local stations. adjusting anlenna speed. receiving wide-range settings. lished. orientation. AM broadcasts. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FM SENSfTIVITY: 3 microvolts for 20 db of quieting on 300 ohm antenna terminals. CIRCUIT FEATURES: 2-megacycle wide-band FM detector assures high selec­ tivity, high capture ratio and absolutely drift-free FM reception without need for troublesome AFC. RF stage assures high sensitivity on both AM and FM sections. Exclusive low-distortion AM detector for reception of wide-range AM broadcasts. New High-Q AM Loopstick Antenna. Folded dipole FM antenna. 10 KC Whistle .filter. OUTPUTS: Multiplex, Main, Tape·recorder. *Wes! of Rockies $1 1, 2.1,5. Accessory case extra.,

H.H. SCOTT INC. DEPT. MR-8 III POWDERMlll ROAD, MAYNARD, MASS. EXPORT : TElESCO INTERNATIONAL CORP., 36 W. 40TH ST., N.V. C.

SEND NOW FOR Rusk me complete details on your new Model 320 and your complete 1959 Hi Pi Guide and Catalog. MR-8

FREE HI-FI GUIDE Name~______) AND CATALOG Address: ______City ______State.______To introduce you to the RCA VICTOR POPULAR ALBUM CLUB •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• :• ANY FIVE :• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • 45. The original recordings of In 109. 12 all-instrumental Miller the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, "takes" from 1940-42 broadcasts. Kalama::oo. Tuxedo J unclion, Swingers and balJads include I Got Siring of Pearls, Pennsylvania Rhythm, Limelwuse Blues, My 6-5000, Little Brown Jug, St. LAu is Buddy, On the Alamo, Moonlight Blues, Farewell Blues, American Sonata, On Army Team, Anchors Patrol, King Porler Stomp, etc. Aweigh, Vilia, Sleepy Lagoon. OF THESE 29 UNIQUE

THIS IS am~ GLENN COLLECTOR'S ITEMS i MILLER ••• 110. The original versions of Mil ­ 97. Glenn with the Army Air $ ler's biggest dance hits. Serenade Force Band. Mostl y smooth bal­ ~%y 3 ~[~~9D in Blue, Adios, A t Last, Pavane, lads such DS My Ideal, People Will Danny Boy, Chattanooga Choo Say We're in Love, A Lovely Way Choo, Beautiful Ohio, Anvil Chorus, to Spend an. Evening, Star Dust, My Isle of Golden Dreams, Johnson Long Ago and Far Away, Holiday Rag, Sun Valley Jump, etc. for Strings, J Love You, more. . ••• if you agree to buy five albums from the Club during the · next twelve months from at least 100 to be made available

Historic recordings! Here are some of the greatest moments in the history of American popular music-jazz, swing, vocal-and they're available only on these RCA V ICTOR recordings. Now you can own these masterpieces at tremendous savings -thanks to a wonderful new RCA

116. Bing in the la te '20s and 120. The man who invented croon­ VICTOR Popular Album Club offer. And every month you early '30s with the W hiteman and ing and in troduced the biggest Arnheim bands. Swingin' rhythm :h its of the early '30s: Auf Wieder­ can also enhance your collection with some of the most versions or Ol' Man River, I'm sehen, My Dear; Sweet and Lovely; Comin' Virginia, Them There Eyes; Just Friends; A ll of Me; Time on exciting popular music being recorded today, in high first ballad h its: W rap Your Trou- My Hands; The Blue oj the Night; . bles in Dreams, It Must Be True. You're My Everything, etc. fidelity and stereo, by such top stars as HARRY BELA FONTE, f • PERRY COMO, THE AMES BROTHERS, THE THREE SUNS, · MARIAN ~ FRANKIE CARLE, HUGO WINTERHALTER, PEREZ PRADO, ANDERSON MELACHRINO, ARTHUR FIEDLER with the BOSTON POPS . ORCHESTRA and many, many more.

With thrs plan you pay far less for albums than if you I bought them haphazardly. You save more than one-third of the nationally advertised price during the first year of

54. One of the all-time great vocal 114. The greatest tenor of all membership. Thereafter, through the Club's Record-Divi­ collections. Sometimes 1 Feel Like sings sunny Neapolitan songs such a Motherless Child; He's Got the as Mauinata (with composer Leon­ dend Plan, you save almost one-third. After buying the Whole World in His Hands; No­ cavalJ o at the pian o) and Vieni sul body Knows the Trouble 1 See; mar! plus other favorites by five albums called for in this offer, you can choose a free Deep River; Roll, Jordan, Roll; Tchnikovsky, Tosti, etc. 14 his­ Plenty Good Room; 15 more. torical pre-1921 gems. 12-inch 3 3~ RPM album (nationally advertised for at least , il e AVICTOR I ~~ . $3.98) for every two albums you buy from the Club. You can choose from a wide variety of albums - at least 35 - each month (including a historic selection from the " Collector's Corner" ). One album will be singled out as the album-ofthe -month. If you want it, do nothing; it will come to you automatically. If you prefer an alternate- or nothing at all-simply indicate this on a form always enclosed. 117. 16 earthy songs of wander­ 91. Original recordings of roman­ You pay only the nationally advertised price of $3.98 (at lust and wo men-most of them tic hits, including recita tions by previously unreissued ---= by the Franklyn MacCormack. Josephine, fabu lous " fa the r of country I Love You Truly, None But the times $4.98) -plus a small charge for postage and handling. music." Blue Yodel No.5, H igh Lonely Hearl, Why Do J Love Powered Ma ma, No Hard Times, Yo u?, Because You Love Me, Let Me Be Your Side Track. etc. Alone, The Lamp of Memory, etc. ALL ALBUMS ARE 12-INCH 33% R.P.M. 8 HIFI R EVIEW 83. Artic's 12 biggest band hits, 106. Vin tage vocals by Billie Holi­ 105. Chamber.jazz masterpieces 101. 16 gems from the band's fi n· 119. The original (1 944) Black, 1938-43. Begin the Beguine, Star day, Lena Horne, Helen Forrest, by the 1940 (Uu llerfield, Guar ­ e s t per i o d , 1 940· 42 ( w i t h Brown and Beige Suite plus 10 Dus' (with Billy Butterfie ld, Jack ·'Hot Lir s" Page (also featured on nieri, e tc.) and 1945 (Eldridge, Webster, Hodges, Carney, !vie more in fat collection from the Jenney). Frenesi, Indian Love Call trumpet) plus swinging instru­ Kessel, etc.) Fives. Smoke Gets in Anderson, Herb Jeffries, etc.) . 1940·46 period. Creole Loue Call, (Ton y Pa s to r), Nigh tm a re mentals such as Concerto for Your Eyes. Special Delivery Stomp, Take the " A" Train, Cotton Tail. l ack the Bear, Do Nothin' Till You (theme), Temptation, Dancing in Clarinet, I'll Never Be the Same, My Blue Heaven, Summit Ridge Main Stem. Perdido, I Got It Bad Hearf romMe (Concertojor Cootie). the Dark, Traffic Jam, e tc. Keepin' Myselff or You, elc. Drive, The Sad Sack, ctc. and That Ain't Good. more. Warm Valley, Ko.Ko, morc_

• I 'CAV' ';;''' ' I~I Dlan90 , Reinhardt

TOMMY DORSEY and his orchestra

48. With Sinatra, Sta fford, Pied 111. 1938·46 Dorsey trensures sta r 112_ 1936·46 TD rh ythm anthol­ 115. The fabled jazz guitarist's 87 . Highligh ts of historic 1947 Pipers, Be rigan , Rich . All big S ina tra, Sta ffo rd, Berigan, Elman, ogy with Tough, Rich, Elman, best recordings from the late '30s concert with Teagarden, Hackett, ones. Marie, Song of India, I'll Sha vers, e tc. Ease of the Sun, DeFranco, etc. Vocals (and most - 7 wi th the Quintet of the Hot etc., plus others (Ory, Byas 9 Never Smile Again, Boogie Woogie, Embraceable You, Blue Skies, W hat of the arrangements) by SyOJiver. Club of France, 3 with U. S . stars Hodges. etc.) from same period. Little Wh ite Lies, Star Dust, Opus Is This Thing Called Loue?, Tea/or On the Sunny Side of the Street; (Hawkins, Stewart, etc.) 2 un­ Rockin' Chair; St. James Infirmary; No. I , Who?, I'm Gettin' Senti­ Two, The One I Love. Chloe, For Chicago; Swanee River; W ell, Git accompanied. Georgia, Avalon, Pennies f rom Heaven; Save It, mental Over You. 3 others. You, Violetsf or Your Furs. 6 more. It!, Deep River; 7 more. Shine, Rose Room, Star Dust. Pretty Mama; Sugar-12 in aiL

92. The origin al recordinf,;s of 107. Original pre.1940 big.band 108. The original Goodman Trio, 8 5 . 16 classic Chicago-Dixieland 104 . Jelly's richest legncy, 16 BG's bi.sges t hits, with Krupa, "killer dill ers." Features Krupa, Quarte t and Quintet (wi th \Vil­ ja zz sid es cu t in 1939. Personnel 1926·28 collector 's dreams with Elma n, James, Derigan, Hampton, James, Br.rigan, Elman, Stacy, son, Krupa, Hampton, Tough, includes Drunics and Cless. Sister S imeon, Dodds, Ory, Mitchell, etc. Sing Sing Sing, Don't Be That . Freeman, Musso, etc. Swing time in e tc.) play 12 of their 1935·38 Kate, A, 'he Jazz Band Ball, Black etc. Original Jelly Roll Blues, 'Pay, One O'Clocl. Jump, Bugle the Rockies, Big John Special, best. Body and Soul, Tiger Rag, and Blue, Th at Da Da Strain, Grandpa's Spells. Black Bottom CnU Rag, Down South Camp Sugarf oot Stomp, Lif e Goes to a Runtlin' If7ild, Th e Man 1 Love, Dinah, Riverboat Shuffle. Relaxitt' Stomp, Doctor Jazz, The Pearls, Meetin\ And th e Angels Sing. Party , IPrappill' [t Up, 7 more. Sweet Georgia Brown, etc. at the Touro , Eccentric, c tc. Kansas City Stomp, The Chant. etc. • ••••••••••••••• 00 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• , ·: TH E RCA VICTOR POPULAR ALBU M CLUB , P.O. Box 80 , Village Sta., New York 14, N.Y. P1 46-B :~ • Please register me as a member of The RCA V ICT OR Popular Album Club and • : send me th e fi ve albums I have circled below, fo r which I will pay $3.98; : ." plus a small charge for postage and handling. I agree to buy five other albums • : offered by the Club within the next year, for each of wh ich I will be bill ed • • at the manufacturer's nationall y advertised price: usually $3.98, at times : • $4.98 (plus a small charge for postage and handling) _ Thereafter, I need buy • : only fo ur such albums in any twelve-month period to maintain membership. : • I may cancel my membership any time after buying fi ve albums from the 64, The jolly jazz genius, vocals 113. Lttest group of \Valler re­ • and piano with his combo- the issues, 16 selections. Porter's Love : ~:~hb p~~ c ~~~!:i ~; I t ~o~ht~~~ei,n~~ ~ dee:e :; t~~!s :l~~~~ut~~~ ~!e~ -tteftgu:i • cream of his repertoire. It's a Sin Song to a Chambermaid, Lulu's • to Tell a Lie, Your Feet's Too Big, Back in Town. Us on aBu's, III may choose a third album free. • Honeysuckle Rose, Hold Tight, Georgia on my Mind, Carolina t'> • Two Sleepy Peop le, The Min.or Shout, My Very Good Friend the eo 45 48 54 62 64 • Drag, Th e Joint Isl umpin', 5 more. Milkman I'm Oft a Seesaw, etc. • • Name • -.o • 83 85 87 91 92 • •t'> A ddress • & 97 101 104 l OS 106 • • City Zone_'_ State • • NOT E: If you wish your mem bersh ip credited to an 107 108 109 110 11 1 • authorized RCA VICTOR dea ler, pl ease fill in belOW: • • • • 113 114 115 116 • Dealer Address 112 • 41 Send no money. A bill will be sent. Albums can be sh ipped only • is to U. S., its territories and Canada. Albums for Canad ian mem be.rs A 117 11 8 11 9 120 • •.. are made in Canada, and are shipped duty f ree from Onta rio. • • ATTENTION, S T EREO OWNERS: T hese collector's items are n ot .and n ever can ..• 118. 14 va ried 1930-57 versions 62. Monumen tal a nthology of 16 • be available in stereo, but. they belong in every well-balanced record h brary. Most of of St. Louis Blues by Goodman, traditional jazz classics selected III The RCA VICTO R Popular Album Club's n ew selections and alternates, h ~w- D • Wall er.Payne piano duct, Lena by French critic PanassiG from ever, are available in s tere o versions at $5.98 p er a lbum. If you p refe r to ~ ece l ve • Horne, Armstrong, Ellington . Gil­ RCA Victor archives. Armstrong, • the stereo version whenever you order an album, please check box at n ght. • lespie, Prado, Maxine Sullivan, Basie, Bechc t, Dodds, Ellington, • Teagarden, Tex Beneke, Hines, Hampton. Ha wkins, He nde rson, • !~ e o o •••• John Kirby, Eartha Kilt, etc. Hines, Luncefo rd, Mortoll, e tc. •••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••• e • • Qo •• A UGUST 1959 9 Martin Bookspan RATES THE BASIC REPERTOIRE

Item 10 of the "First Fifty"

Sibelius' Second Symphony

Ormandy for stereophiles-Collins for good mono-Koussevitzky for collectors

: ~Iiiji;i?l I SIBtll\J~ . SYMPHONY NO.2 IN 0 MAJOR. OP 43

_ A THONY COLLI fU IWImGN SOP•• NY OBtImmlA

./illJOr ffrrr 'ffrr~~ u,n r Lon t playln ll: 'UCfo~rllov e 'ulllrCIIUenCy rar.!;e rBt crd 'ng

EUGENE ORMANDY'S Philadelphia Orchestra ANTHONY COLLINS' 1953 recording sounds presents Sibelius in rich-hued stereo sanies. surprisingly well for its age.

T may come as a shock to the average listener, but Jean the folklore of Finland for his musical inspiration. In the I Sibelius, as he is painted in Karl Ekman's excellent bio­ Finnish national legend, Kalevala, he found the impetus for graphy (Knopf, New York, 1938), was something of a " beat­ such works as Kullervo, En Saga and the Lemminkainen nik" during his late twenties! Around 1890, when he was tone poems. The First Symphony of 1899 and the Second twenty-five, Sibelius was drawn into a youthful circle in Symphony of two years later may be considered to be the Helsinki which boldly waved the banner of Swedish and culmination of this romantic and highly charged emotional Finnish solidarity against Eastern influences. Young intel­ period in Sibelius' life. lectuals they were, who met regularly to debate the problems The Second Symphony is in bold, heroic vein. Like Bee­ which seem to be the perennial concern of their kind: politi­ thoven in the "Eroica" or Tchaikovsky in his Fourth Sym­ cal freedom, the individual versus the mass, the place of the phony-both, incidentally, composed at similar age periods artist in society, and so forth. They were authors, poets, in their composers' lives-Sib eli us in this Second Symphony teachers and painters and they called themselves "The Sym­ speaks with a supremely self-confident voice; here is the posium." A painting by one of the group (Gallen-Kalela) artist in full command of his resources and hurling his thun­ once shocked all Helsinki because of the frank "Bohemian­ derbolts with devastating accuracy. It is a Symphony burst­ ism" of its subject: the members of "The Symposium" are ing at the seams with irrepressible vigor and strength. shown sitting gloomily around a restaurant table brooding In his analysis and description of the Sibelius Symphonies over their wine gla~ses. In the foreground is to be seen a Cecil Gray writes: "In outward appearance the Second disheveled, scowling Sibelius and around the figures there Symphony would seem to conform to the traditional four­ hover ghostly wings and a partially obscured moon. movement formula of allegro, andante, scherzo and finale, If all this sounds terribly arty, the fact remains that the but the internal organization of the movements reveals many association with "The Symposium" was a vital and dynamic important innovations, amounting at times, and particularly one for Sibelius. "The Symposium evenings were a great in the first movement, to veritable revolution, and to the in­ resource to me," he once said, "at a time when I should troduction of an entirely new principle into symphonic form otherwise have stood more or less alone. The opportunity of ... Instead of presenting definite, clear-cut melodic personal­ exchanging ideas with kindred souls, animated by the same ities in the exposition, taking them to pieces, dissecting and spirit and the same objects, exerted an extremely ~ timulating analyzing them in a development section, and putting them influence on me, confirmed me in my purposes, gave me con­ together again in a recapitulation, which is roughly speaking fidence." the method of most 19th century practitioners of symphonic The group broke up in about 1895, but not before the form, Sibelius inverts the process, introducing thematic frag­ stimulation from "The Symposium" had turned Sibelius to ments in the exposition, building them up into an organic 10 HIFI REVIEW HAR~

104. NAT "KING" COLE. 1. GERSHWIN. Hi, two most 117. THE NEW JAMES. Twelve "real song. in the famous compositions­ Harry's greatest band in 0 unique Not Colo "ylo, He Rhapsody in Slue and An brand new collection of ,ings The Pa"y's Onr, lUd American in Paris. leonard polished ballads and songs On. of Those Things. Who', Pennario with the Holly. to swing lo-'or doncing or Sorry Now. etc. $4.98 wood Sow I Symphony. $4.98 listening. $3.98

112. LA BELLE FRANCE . Carmen Drogon conducts 0 concert 0' Fronco' s groole,t musici La Marseillo;se, foull Woltz. mUlic from Con·Can ••tc. $4.98

n' choose any four records (Total retail value up to $19.92) and pay only $1.97 when you became a 108. fRANK SINATRA. Fronk 102. CAROUSEL. Movie 105. TENNESSEE ERNIE tI~. 107. JUNE CHRISTY. June', s i nQ\ 1o those who know soun4, trock, with Gordon sing, inspiring hymns wHh member of the Capitol Record Club and agree to buy as ,.olly got rhythm In this the sweet lodneu of being MacRae and Shirley Jones. beauty and ,everence: Now new group of hitll Wh.n alone. Heor alu.. In ,h. They ling If , t.o .... d You, the Day is Over. Jesus. few as six future record selections at the usual retail price during Lightl Are Low, They Can" Nigh" Ebb Tid., On. for M", Misler Snow, You' ll Never Savior, Pilot Me, a"d ten Talee That Away From M., lIoby, soven others , $4.98 Wolle Alone. 9 olhers. $4.98 othor (avorlte,. $3.98 *the next 12 months. nine mar.. $3.91 jVIRTUOSO!l tH[ t. ROGER , ; WAGNER 't> ' CHORALE '\ . .- ,,', ,r- ttJ A· <- , 106, RAY ANTHONY and his 103. JUMPIN' WITH 89. THE SOUNO OF WAG· 110. GAITE PARISIENNE. 111. ROGER WAGNER 99. FRED Groot daneo bond feature The Jonah Jones combo In NER. Erich loinsdol' con. Offenboch's '!!tuberon' bol. CHORALE. Breathtaking per- directs the Pennsylvanians 10niU with young Ideol­ a .wingln' new.et of tunelt ducls excerpts from WOg. 1.' mUllc btll .antly p.,. formanc •• of Hand.I's Hal- In your favorit.'1 You'" Thor Old Fuling. Just One Jusl A Gigo'o, NiShi Train. ner', most thrilling works I formed by felia: Slatkin an,d leluloh Chorus, music from Nenr Walle Alone, 01' Man A Kill to luilcl 0 Dream lohen9rinl Meistersinger. the Hollywood 80wl Sym. Prince Igor. workl by Moz_ River. $molce Gets in Your ~~n~h~'th:;ihi~:: Mooni~~9i On# nine more. $3.91 Tannhouser. others. $4.98 phon., Orchestra. ~.9' or'. and others. $4.91 Eyes. 'wei.,. others, $4.98 HOW TO SAVE MONEY on the Albums you want •••. r ------, from the greatest of classics ••• to the biggest of hits! CAPITOL RECORD CLUB Dept. 5006. Scranton 5, Pa. Please accept my appllcation tor membership In the Capitol Record Club and send me at once the 4 ALBUMS which I have indicated below. Tho first 3 are Free. YOU GET FOUR ALBUMS-WORTH UP TO $19.92 (retail value) as a new All you will b!ll me Is $1.97 plus a small shipping and handling charge. member of the Capitol Record Club and pay only $1.97. As a During the next 12 months I agree to buy 6 additional records. at the rate or new member you agree to buy six additional records during the at lcast one c"ery two months. at the usual retail prire or $3.98 or $4.98 (plus next 12 months from over 200 to be offered! After that you may shipping and handling) . I will send payment 7 days alter rece ipt of each record. resign, or retain your membership by buying as few as 3 albums I may cancel membership after buying 6 additional records. Or. it I then remain a annually with full bonus credit. member I will select a FREE BONUS album each time I purchase two records. MORE FREE ALBUMS! For the records you buy'-by top recording THESE ARE THE FOUR ALBUMS I CHOOSE D D D 0 ! artists. from Stokowski to Sinatra to Nat King Cole-youpay (write numbers In boxes) 101. CONCERT RUSSE. WU. only the usual retail price plus a small shipping and handling CHECK THE DIVISION IN WHICH YOU WISH TO 8E ENROLLED 110m Steinberg and the charge. And each time you buy two more records after your I. 0 Best Sener Hit Albums (Dancing. Listening. Mood 2. 0 Classical Albums PittsbUrgh Symphony Music and Show Albums from Theatre. Scre.n and TV) 3. 0 HI·FI Jan Orch • .,ra. ploy works by agreed upon six future selections. you may choose immediately Tchaikovsky. Mouuorg,ky. a 12" long.play BONUS ALBUM worth $3.98 or $4.98. from a Glinka and 8otodln. $4.98 list of current Capitol best seliers ... FREE! o ~e~:~~lohri~el~f l~~~~'h~ :Jc~Rt~~ ~I::r~s ~o~ ac~:oes;oa~~:e Y~~r16b~U!~~~ in STEREO for only $1.00 more (~ 2. 97). Future selections and Bonus AI· UNLIMITED CHOICE! Enroll in one division of the Club: Classical ... bums will be STEREO Albums which retan for $1.00 more than monaural. Best·Selier Hita and Show Music ... or Hi·Fi Jazz. Each month NOTE: Stereo records can be played only on stereo equipment. you receive the Record Club Review. describing the month·s selec· NO. RISK GUARANTEE: It not delighted. I will return these 4 ALBUMS tions. If you want the selection in the division you t' oined. do within 7 days and my membership and all charges will be cancelled without nothing; it will come automatically. If you wish any 0 the other further obligation. selections-or wish no record at all that month-simply notify the Club on the fonn always provided. PRINT NAME .•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

~~e H:!~Y~Je~lJ',~:;' ~?:!:0~u~~~~;!'h1c~"ZillJ:: e~~ ADDRESS ...... when you purchase your second. fourth and sixth additional albums

aD 0 And designed for a long future!

FISHER DOES IT AGAIN! Year after year, tuner after tuner, there is only one best-THE FISHER. Today, the leader is the FM-100, latest in a series of FISHER FM tuners now used by radio stations, the Satellite Tracking Project of Ohio State University and by many government agencies. The reason is simple­ these tUners meet the exacting standards of performance and reliability required by professional users . • And where standards are concerned, the audio enthusiast is, in his OWn right, a professional. He desires maximum sensitivity for optimum reception of stations near and far. FM-l00 SENSITIVITY is 0.8 microvolts for 20 db of quieting! • The audio enthusiast-wants an FM tuner that permits simple adaptation to stereo. THE FM·l 00 IS CUSTOM·DESIGNED FOR STEREO. It has space directly on its OWn chassis for installa· J tion of a multiplex adaptor. Moreover, it includes feed·through facilities for FM-FM and FM-AM stereo as well .• The audio enthusiast expects maximum fidelity. THE FM·l00 OFFERS FOUR WIDE-BAND IF STAGES, uniform frequency response (20 to 20,000 cps) and less than 0.5% harmonic distortion. • The audio enthusiast wants an FM tuner that eliminates noise when tuning between stations. THE FM-l00 EXCLUSIVE INTERSTATION NOISE SILENCER automatically eliminates noise, side-band response and unwanted weak and noisy signals. For the audio enthusiast who buys the best at the outset, there is only one truly logical "choice-IT IS THE FISHER FM-100 TUNER. $159.50 Cabinet, $15.95 Slightl" Higher ;11 the Far West ..

AUGUST 1959 13 DYNAKITS look Best - Test Best - Sound Best

NEW STEREO 70 KIT

c • Allec Lansing has a new IS-inch tions. Low distortion circuitry permits AM speaker, the Model 605A, which replaces reception of exceptionally high quality. A the famil iar 604D that for fourteen years traveling "exclamation point" tuning indi­ held sway as one of the most respected cator makes it easy to pinpoint stations. members of the coaxial ilk. Dubbed a The kit price is 39.95; factory-wired $65.95. "Duplex" speaker to deno.te the mechanical (Electronic Instrument Co., Inc., 33-00 *Dual 35 watt super-quality amplifiers as well as electrical independence of woofer Northern Blvd., Long Island City, N. Y.) -70 watt continuous monophonic and tweeter within the common frame, the rating-I60 watt peak. 605A covers the range from 20 to 22,000 *All critical parts on prefabricated cycles with crossover at 1600 cycles. It han­ • Ekotape is launching new tape decks printed circuit assembly reduces wir­ dles 35 watts, has 16 ohms impedance, a (Models 360 and 362) for 2 or 4 channel ing time to five hours. 3-inch edge-wound woofer voi ce coil, and playback, 2-channel stereo recording or *Premium quality parts conservative­ sells for $175.00. (Altec Lansing Corp., playback, 4-channel playback (only), or ly operated permit one year guar­ Anaheim, Calif.) mono operation. Mounting either vertically antee. or horizontally, the decks feature dual-speed *Uncompromised design for finest (3%, and 7Yz ips), a channel selector ad­ performance-usable with all speak­ • CoIlaro's new stereo changer, called justing heads for either half or quarter ers. th e Constellation Model TC-99, is heavy­ track operation. Model 362 differs from 360 weight challenger in its fi eld with a 6112 lb. *Only $99.95* net including all parts, by having an automatic end-of-reel stop as instructions, and protective cover. non-magnetic turntable that minimizes wow, well as a program selection finder. A com­ flutter, rumble, and magnetic hum pickup. plete portable stereo recorder (Model 350) Driven by a precision-made, dynamically based on this deck with built-in recording Step up to STEREO balanced 4-pole motor, th e CollarD Constel­ amplifiers is also available. (Webster lation also has provisions to keep stylus Elec u'ic Co., Racine, Wis.) Superb Dynakit Quality Is Fully Com­ pressure co nstant within one gram as the patible with Stereo Requirements stack of records builds up. Price: 59.50. (Rockbar Corporation, Mamaroneck, N. Y.) • Electrical Chemical Specialty Company makes a tape conditioner that removes· dirt and other contaminants from enters a trim and compact ad­ • DeWald the tape and reduces friction on heads and dition to the growing family of integrated guides. A "Tower Applicator" that applies stereo amplifiers. Dubbed the "Concerto," a measured amount of Long Life Tape Con­ the new Model N-I200B is rated at 30 watts ditioning Fluid as it is played through the per channel and incorporates com plete con­ *Famous Dynakit Preamplifiers-Dis­ machine is now sold as an attachment to fit trol facilities including pea keI' phasing and tortionless and noise free - stack all tape recorders and decks. Price : $3.98. harmoniously for stereo. $34.95 '" each. input l'eversal switches and inputs equalized (Electrical Chemical Specialty Co., St. Paul, for cerami c as well as magnetic cartridges, Minn,) *Add DSC-I Adaptor unit for com­ sells for $99.95. (DeWald Division, United plete flexibility. Includes blend, bal­ ance, dual volume controls plus loud. Scientific Laboratories, Inc., 35-15 37th ness, tape monitor, and reversing Ave., Long Island City I, N. Y.) switches. Only $12.95 ':' net. • Fisher's latest item, the FM-IOO tuner, is des igned with an eye to the future and *PM-2S Panel mount kit provides in­ features power connections on the chassis tegrated handsome appearance plus • Eico has announced a new AM tuner, , mounting facilitY-$5.95':' net. Model HFT94, designed to match its popu­ to accommodate the Fisher MPX-20 Plug-in lar Model HFT90 FM tuner. The new de- Multiplex Adaptor, enabling the unit to *CM-2S Cabinet Set includes single receive FM multiplex stereo transmitted front panel and walnut table top under the Crosby system. The tuner cir­ cabinet. $17.95* net. cuitry includes a cascode RF stage of Fisher's special MicroGap design, a bridge­ Available from leading HI-FI dealers everywhere. connected mixer and oscillator, four wide­ Descriptive brochure available on request. band IF stages with limiters and a ratio * Slightly higher in West detector. Price: $159.50. (Fisher Radio Corp., 2121 44th Drive, Long Island City I, New York.) DYNACO INC. sign fea tures a "hi-fi wide" 14 kc bandpass Dept. HR, 617 N. 41st St.. Phila. 4. Pa. with an alternate narrow 7 kc bandpass for greater selectivity in pulling in distant sta- • General Electric's long dynasty of 14 HIFI REVIEW -

..

VR·225 .5 mil diamond stylus. For pro· . fes sional·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-Compllance-Tracks precisely, not a trace of stiffness. Channel Separation-Up to 30 db for maximum stereo effect. Nothing higher on the market! Respons e-Smooth and flat for superior sound from 20 to 20,000 cycles (VR-225), 20 to 17,000 cycles (VR-227l. Virtually hum-free-triple shielded against stray currents. This is our masterpiece. We urge you to hear it GENERAL ELECTR.IC

Audio Components Section, Auburn, N. Y. AUGUST 1959 15 famous phono cartridges now has a stereo scion in its newly created VR-22 series_ In terms of response, separation, compliance and hum elimination, the VR-22 series sur­ passes its forerunners, though the essential magnetic principles and outer appearance remain similar. Two models are available: the VR-225 with a _5 mil stylus, intended for use in professional-type tone arms is three somewhat superior in performance to the elegal~tly ""_1IIiIIIIIIiiIIl styled /ultra

spe VR-227 (with a .7 mil stylus), intended chiefly for record changers. Price $27 .95 for syst the VR-225, $24.95 for the VR-227. (Gen­ eral Electric, Specialty Electronic Compo­ of superb nents Dept., Auburn, N. Y.)

~uality ______~ _____M __ od_ e_I_R_R_L_-_12__ 12_ "_3_-s_p_e_a_ke_r_R_R_L__ S_ y_st_el_1l • HarIllall.Kardoll has reduced the entry fee to so nic paradise for the small­ pursed multitudes with a complete inte­ at grated stereo amplifier priced at 79.95. modest Named "The Lute," the Model A220 serves

either in stereo at 10 watts per channel or as a 20-watt mono unit. (Hannan-Kardon, Inc., Westbury, N. Y.)

The' ssible becomes real An 8" system • Heathkit offers kit builders excellent witlw ull bass response dollar value with its new FM-4 Tuner Kit. down to below 40 cps! With 2.5 microvolt sensitivi ty and defeat­ 22 '/.," x 12W' x 10 ¥S" deep. Model RRL-8 S" 3-Spea1&er RRL System able a.f.c., flywheel tuning, pre-wired front From $95.50 ~tnfinished. --:-______MODEL S-80 Excellent wide-range l'esponse from a system rneasuring only 21 v., " x 11112" x 9114" deep. From $56.95 ~t.nfinished . A LL THREE MODELS finished on f01tr s·ides for use as highboy or lowboy. Beautif ul o·iled walnut finish end and prealignment and a $34.95 price for RRL-12 and RRL-8 tag, this kit replaces the old FM-3. In addi­ in addition to lnahogany, tion to the normal audio output, a multiplex walmtt and limed oak; 8-80 in lna71Ogany, output is provided for use with an adapter walnut and fruitwood. to receive multiplex stereo broadcasts with­ out altering the present circuitry. The fiv e­ tube circuit features a generous power sup­ ply utilizing a silicon diode rectifier for Model S-80 8" 2-Way High Efficiency 8yste1l1 cool-running operation with low power con­ sumption. (H eath Company, Benton Harbor, ~ITE FOR FREE LITERATURE. DESK D-S UNIVERSITY LOUDSP EAKERS, INC. W H ITE PLAINS, N. Y. Michigan.) 16 ' HIFI REVIEW ..

A recording challenge!

the magnetic tape engineered to help you meet it best is

The low, round, billowing notes of the tuba flawless fidelity; 2) controlled uni­ as a band swings out on "EICapitan."Try formity for perfect response on every to capture them on tape without the inch of every reel; plus 3) dry silicone rhythm going muddy! At the same time lubrication to reduce recorder head wear. catch the shrill staccato of the piccolo! "SCOTCH" BRAND Magnetic Tapes are It's a challenge to your recording skill, products of 3M Research, the only your equipment and most of all to the pioneer of magnetic tape in all its appli­ tape you use. It takes tapes that are cations: audio, video and instrumenta­ engineered for professional require­ tion. So whatever your recording chal­ ments-"SCOTCH" BRAND Magnetic Tapes lenge, look to "SCOTCH" BRAND Magnetic available on acetate or polyester back­ Tapes for the engineered fidelity that ings. These tapes protect you from can help you capture the "living" sound. dropouts and response variations. They And remember-stereo music sounds "SCOTCH" BRAND Magnetic Tape have: 1) precision oxide dispersion for best on tape! -the memory of tomorrow

"SCOTCH" and the Plaid Design are Registered Trademarks of 3M Co., SI. Paul6, MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY Minn. Export: 99 Park Ave., New York. Canada: London, Ontario. © 1959 3M Co. • .. WHERE RESEARCH IS THE KEY TO TOMORROW

AUGUST 1959 17 • Pilot has begun production of its new Model 216-A "deluxe professional" stereo­ phonic preamplifier, whose features include two illuminated VU meters to indicate tape recording output level or to visually balance both channels of a stereo system or to moni­ I tor tape recording gain individually on each channel. The 216-A has a total of 14 inputs -two each for record changer, turntable, tape head, microphone, FM·AM, multiplex and tape recording. The four outputs con­ sist of two audio outputs (cathode follower) and two outputs for tape recording_ Twelve ~Fairchild is ,a way of sound front panel controls assure maximum flexi­ bility of operation_ Price: $199_50_ (Pilot Radio Corporation, Long Island City I, Model SM-1 Rotating Magnet Stereo/Mono­ phonic Cartridge. Rotating ball magnet for New York.) permanent channel separation; wide, smooth response. Complete mu·metal shielding. Easi ly replaceable 0.6 mil diamond stylus. • Sela has a strobe fla sher, about the size Extremely high output .. . 16.2 'mv @ 7 of a pen light, incorporating a gas dis­ cm/sec and 1 kc. Complete with install-a­ screw driver and gram gauge. $34.95 charge bulb in conjunction with a germa­ Replacement stylus assembly $15.00 nium diode rectifier operating off 6O-cycle house current. With a flash duration of only 100 microseconds it produces a sharp bar image from rotating strobe discs to indicate proper turntable speed. Price (in­ cluding 4-speed strobe disc) : $4.89. (Sela Electronics Company, 545 West End Ave., New York 24, N. Y.)

• Sherwood just introduced a multiplex adapter, called the Model SMX, which "per­ mits reception of the various stereo multi­ plex FM programs now being u'ansmitted experimentally in many localities. Matrix circuitry, switching and balance adjust­ Model 282 Stereo Arm. Mass and spring counterbalanced for maximum tracking ac­ ments are included for both the Crosby curacy. Two plug-in cartridge slides provided. sum/difference system and split-channel sys­ Universally adaptable contact block permits all lead ing cartridges to plug in without tems. The subchannel bandpass extends soldering. Complete with integral 6-foot plug- ' from 22112 kc. to 120 kc. and is adequate to terminated leads. $42.50 • receive transmissions with up to 60 kc. bandwidth. Normal monophonic FM tuner

Model 412-1 Double Belt·Drive Turntable. 33 113 rpm, Resilient- double belts on large pulleys eliminate drive slippage, and keep rumble to a minimum of 100 % better than the NARTB standards for professional tables. Speed constant ±O.3 %. $79.50 '

FAIRCHILD is a-way of sound ... a pattern for listening ... a f)assport to musical enjoyment. All this il? YOHrs with the acquisition of three pieces Of fine FAIRCHILD, equip­ ment: revolutionary rotating-magnet cartridge, double belt-drive turntable and doubie counter-balanced arm. reception is possible with the Model SMX power switched off without upsetting either Engineered by the pioneer in monophonic and stereo­ the adapter controls or interconnecting ca­ phonic recording and reproducing equipment, these three, bles. The controls on the adapter include a either alone or in concert, will add new dimension to stereo balance (or dimension) control which your system. They will distinguish you as a person of adjusts the degree of separation, a selector musical discernment, for FAIRCHILD up front puts your switch for choosing between on Crosby enjoyment way ahead_ sum-and-difference or split-channel systems, Write for complete specifications or consult your selected a multiplex level control and a power switch. FAIRCHILD dealer. The Model SMX is self-powered and can be operated with any FM tuner. Installa­ tion is only a matter of minutes where a "multiplex output" jack is available on the FM tuner. Price: $55.50. (Sherwood Elec­ FAIRCHILD RECORDING EQUIPMENT CORPORATION tronic Laboratories, Inc., 4300 N. California I 10-40 45th Avenue, Long Island City 1. N. Y. Ave., Chicago II, Ill.) 18 HIFI REvmw I I

....

MODEL SE-1 (center unit) $14995 Shpg. Wt. 162 Ibs. (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-I), stereo preamplifier (SP-I & 2) and record changer (RP-3). Blank panels also supplied to cut out for any other eq uipment 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 lA" 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 go ld fi nish. Rich tone grille cloth is flecked in gold and bl ack. Maximum overall dimensions (all three pieces) ; 82%" W. x 361/2" 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 lbs. /

MONAURAL·STEREO PREAMPLIFIER KIT MODEL SP-2 (stereo) (TWO CHANNEL MIXER) $5695 Shpg. Wt. 1511)s. Complete control of your entire stereo system in one com­ MODEL SP-1 (monaural) pact package. Special "building block" design allows you to purchase instrument in monaural version and add stereo or $3795 Shpg. Wt. . . . 13Ibs. second channel later if desired. The SP-I monaural pre­ amplifier features six separate inputs with four input level MODEL C-SP-l controls. A function selector switch on the SP-2 provides (converts SP-l .to SP-2) two channel mixing as well as single or dual channel monaural $2195 Shpg. Wt. and dual channel stereo. A 20' remote balance control is I l 5 tbs. provided. I AUGUST 1959 19 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 performance with the automatic convenience of a record changer. Flutter and wow, a major problem with automatic changers, is held J! to less than 0.l8% RMS. An automatic speed selector posi­ tion' allows intermixing 33 V3 and 45 RPM records regardless of their sequence. Four speeds provided: 16, 33l!J, 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-I1 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 Ibs. 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 fidelily applications this functions you want. Buy the new half-track (TR-lAH) or AM tuner will .give you reception close to FM. A quarter-tIack (TR-IAQ) versions which record and play­ special detector is incorporated and the IF circliits are back stereo and monophonic programming, or the half­ "broad banded" for low signal distortion. Sensitivity track monophonic record-playback version (TR-l A). and selectivity are excellent al'ld 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" ip · an tape handling functions. Each tape preamplifier features A M tuner. Shpg. Wt. 9 Ibs. NARTB playback equalization, separate record and play­ back gain controls, cathode follower output, mike or line r input, and two circuit boards for easy construction and high stability. Complete instructions guide assembly.

MODEL TR.IA: Monophonic half·track record I play back with $99 fast forward and rewind fu nctions. Shpg. Wt. 24 Ibs. 95 TR·1A SPEC IFICATIONS-Frequency res ponse: 7.5 IPS ±3 db 50·1 2,000 cps. 3. 75 IPS±3 db 50·7,000 c ps. Signal ·la-noise ratio: Better than 45 db below full output of 1. 25 volts/channel. Harmonic distort ion: Less than 2% at fu ll output. Bias erase HIGH FIDELITY FM TUNER KIT frequency: 60 kc (push-pull oscillator).

MODEL TR .. 1AH: Half-track mono ph onic and stereo record /playback with fas t MODEL FM-3A $2695 ~hr;; ~ tvat~;~~~~d functions. $14996 For noise and static-free' sound reception, this FM TR·1 AH SPECIFICATIONS-Frequency response: 7.S IPS ±3 db 40·15,000 cps. 3. 75 tuner is your least expensive source of high fidelity IPS±3 db 40: 10,~ q~s. Signal-to-no ise ratio: 45 db below full output of 1 vo lt/chan. ~e~ ~h~;~~oo~l~il1~~!~)~ l on: l ess than 2% at full output. Bias erase frequency: 60 kc material. Efficient circuit design features stablized oscillator circuit to eliminate drift after warm-up and

MODEL TR-1AQ: Quarter-track monophonic and stereo with record /playback fast broadband IF circuits for f\lll fidelity with high sensi­ tivity. All tunable components are prealigned and ~h';; ~ '0~ n ~;~:; ~d functions . $14995 front ~nd is preassembled. Edge-illuminated slide rule TR·1 AQ SPECIFICATIONS-Frequency response: 7.5 IPS ±3 db 40 ·1 5,000 cps. dial is c1eady 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 \08 mc. Shpg. Wt. 8 lbs. ~~~~s~.~~~ ~ ~=~'il~~~~~ nic distortion: l ess than 2% at full output. Bias erase: 60 kc.

20 HIFI REVIEW 14-WATT HI·FI ECONOMY AMPI.,IFIER (EA-3) Top performance at budget cost! From HEATHKIT audio labs comes an exciting new kit . , . New Styling, New Features, BriHi.ant Per­ formance! Designed to function as the "heart" of your hi-fi system, the EA-3 combines the preamplifier and amplifier into one compact package. Providing a full 14 watts of high fidelity power, more than adequate for operating the average 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 control. A hum balance control is also provided. The con­ venient neon pilot light on the front panel shows when .instrument is on. Styled to blend 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-fi instruments. The MODEL EA-3 .panel is satin bla(:k with brush-gold trim strip, while $2995 the control knobs are · black . with gold inserts. NOTE THESE OUTSTANDING SPECIFICATIONS: HARMONIC DISTORTION, less th an 2% (20 cps·20 kc) at 14 watts. I. M. DISTORTI ON, Shpg, We 15 lbs . . less th an 1% (60 and 6,000 cps, 4:1) at 14 watts. FREOUENCY RESPONSE, 20 cps·20 kc , ± 1 db at 14 watts. HUM &. NOISE, mag. phono input. 47 db below 14 wa tts, tuner and xtal phono input, 63 db below 14 watts. A truly remarkable buy for the beg inning or advanced audiophile.

CHAIRSIDE ENCLOSURE KIT TRADITIONAL: Model CE·2T (m ahogany) CONTEMPORARY: Model 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. WI. 46 Ibs.

"UNIVERSAL" HI·FI12 WATT 4&4 . • . AMPLIFIER KIT "EXTRA PERFORMANCE" 55 WATT HI·FI MODEL' UA-1 95 $21 AMPLIFIER KIT Ideal for stereo or monaural applications. Teamed 96 with the Heathkit WA-P2 preamplifier, the UA-I pro­ MODEL W'J-M $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 UA-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 UA-I. Harmonic less than '2% total harmonic distortion throughout the distortion is less than 2% from 2(> to 20,000 CPS at entire. audio range, Feaiures 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. WI. design, Shpg. Wt, 28 Ibs. 131bs,

"MASTER CONTROL" PREAMPLIFIER KIT MODEL W A-P2 $1976 All the controls you need to master a complete high fidelity home music system are incorporated in this versatile instrument. Featuring five switch-selected inputs,. each. with level control. Provides tape recorder and cathode- ' . follower outputs. Full freq uency response is obtained within ±,P/2 db from l5 to 35,000 CPS and will do full justice to the finest ava-ilable program sources. Equaliza­ tion is provided for LP, RIAA, AES and early 78 records. Dimensions are 12%;' L. x 30/8' H. x 5%' D. Shpg. wi. 71bs.

AUGUST 1959 21 "ADVANCE DESIGN" 25 WATT HI-F' AMPLIFIER KIT MODEL W5-M $5975 Enjoy the distortion-free high fidelity sound reproduc­ tion from this outstanding hi-fi amplifier. The W5-M incorporates advanced design features for the super critical listener. Features include speciall y designed Peerless output transformer and KT66 tubes. The cir­ cuit is rated at 25 watts and will follow instantaneous power peaks of a full 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 1 watt and 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 I M distortion is 1% at 20 watts (60 ·and 3,000 CPS, 4: I). Hum and "HEAVV 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 for by advance hi~fi systems or P.A. networks, this high powered amplifier more than fills the bill. Silicon-diode rectifiers are used to assure long life and a heavy duty transformer gives you extremely good power supply regul ation. Variable damping control provides optimum performance with any . speaker system. 9uick change plug selects 4,8 and 16 ohm or 70 volt output and the correct feedback resistance. Frequency response at I watt is ± I do 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 TM distortion below 1% 60 and 6,000 CPS. Hum and noise 88 db below full output, Shpg. Wt. 5.2 Ibs.

YOU'RE NEVER OUT OF DATE WITH HEATHKITS

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. Features four separate switc;h-selected inputs. Separate bass and treble tone controls oller 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 Ibs.

ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER .KiT . MODEL XO-1 $1895 This unique instrument 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 I.M distortion and matching problems. Crossover frequencies for each channel are at 100, 200, 400, 700, 1200, 2,000. and 3,500 CPS. This unit eliminates the need for con­ ventional crossover circiJits and provides amazing versatility . at low cost. A uniqu.e answer to frequency division problems. Shpg. W.t. 6 lbs. · .

22 BIFI REVIEW •

"LEGATO" HI·FI SPEAKER SYSTEM KIT MODEL HH-1 $29995 Words cannot describe the true magnificence of the "Legato" speaker system . .. it's simply 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" Altee 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 predrilled for easy assembly. Shpg. Wt. 195 Ibs.

"RANGE EXTENDING" HI·FI DIAMOND SPE·EDWINDER KIT SPEAKER SYSTEM KIT STYLUS HI·FI MODEL SW·1 95 PICKUP $24. MODEL SS-1 B 95 $99 CARTRIDGE Rewind tape and 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. Handles up to (or SS-I) speaker system. Employs a 15" woofer $2695 I Olh' 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-I 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 offer. control. Impedance is 16 Designed to Heath ohms, power rating 35 specifications to offer watts. Constructed of you one of the finest %' veneer-surfaced ply­ cartridges available wood suitable for light today. Nominally flat or dark finish. All parts response from 20 to precut and predrilIed for 20,000 CPS. Shpg. easy assembly. Shpg. Wt. lIb. Wt. 80 lbs.

COMPANY· BENTON HARBOR 40, MICH.

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

Enclosed find $ ...... Pl ease enclose postag e name for parcel post-express orders are shipped de· livery charges collect. All prices F.O.B. Benton address Harbor, Mich. A 20% de· pos it is reQu ired on all C.O.D. orders. Prices subject to change with· -'_ --,",;0- out notice. city & state

AUGUST 1959 23 JansZen* _usical

In 1910 Caruso unexpectedly became the target of the Mafia in New York City. The criminals who tried to extort money from him addressed their communications in Italian. The translations of these communications were supplied by Caruso to the press, and they read as follows : No. 1. "Signor CaTuso. You tomorrow at the hour of two o'clock, will be stopped by a boy and you must deliver 15,000. You think Tight not to say anything to nohody." Signed: Com.pagnia della Morte. No. 2. "Signor Caruso. You yesterday went in company with two policemen. The boy co uldn't make the salute. And tonight must come to the house, hour of eleven. sound You must put in one bag the sum of SIS,OOO, under the stairs where the factory is at the corner of Sachett and Van Brunt Streets in Brooklyn. You think good, and if yo u fail, Saturday night will not pass that you will pay." Signed: La Mano without fury Nera, Com.pagnia della Morte. Caruso was besieged by reporters. "I am not afraid," in 3 easy steps he said. "I carry pistols and a sword cane." Here 's a compact, do-it-yourself speaker system that de­ livers realistic, transparent reproduction without the fury For his engagement in Brooklyn on March 7, 1910, he took the subway from his of bass or treble exaggerations. Perfectly matched Electfo­ apartment in the Knickerbocker Hotel, Manhattan, to the Academy of Music, in static mid / high range speakers and a dynamic woofer give measurably flat response over the entire audio spectrum_ Brooklyn, accompanied by several policemen. The opera was La .Gioconda, and What's more, you need not be an ex pert cabinet maker. Caruso sang the role of Enzo. His initial lines on the stage were: "Assassini! You create high fidelity at a sen sible, do-it-yourself co st. Assassini! " and the audience broke out in spontaneous applause. After the end of the opera, plainclothesmen placed a decoy package at the spot indicated in the Ma fi a letter. Soon a man appeared, and as he bent down to pick up the package, o he was seized. He tumed out to be an impoverished saloon keeper. * Hans von BuIow had a lal'ge pictw'e of a hallel'ina which he kept in his thea tel' office dUl'ing his opel·a-conducting days. "You must ElECTROSTATIC MID/HIGH RANGE SPEAKER be a gl'eat adrnil'el' of hel' art," r eJnarked a fl·iend. "Quite so," Model 65, illustrated, uses two JansZen electrostatic elements with a built-in power supply and high-p ass filter.; I'eplied Hans von BuIow. "She is the only member of the compauy Eac h elemen t contains 176 perfe ctly balan ced, she athed conductors to give absolutely clean re sp on se from 700 to who does not sing out of tune." beyond 30, 000 cyc les. Furnished comple te in cabinet at $86-$91.50, depending on finish . Slight ly higher in West. Moriz Rosenthal, the pianist, possessed a great gift for quick repartee. When he Better yet • •• Model 130-considered as THE mid/ high range spea ker-contains four elem ents for a broad, 120· arrived in America in 1906, a reporter asked him where th e most intelligent audi­ sound source. $161-$188, depending on fini sh. Slightly higher in West. ences are found. "At my concerts, of course," he replied.

When asked for biographical data, Rosenthal said: "I was born at an early age, and sang a c1uomatic scale when I was one hour old. I practi ced the piano when­ ever I was whipped." "Are you nervous wben you perform?" inquired a reporter. " No, but pianists in the audience usually are." In his hotel room he kept a huge • box mal'ked "Valuable-Fragile." This naturally aroused the curiosity of reporters, but every time they appI'oached the box, Rosenthal would rush to stop them, ex­ DYNAMIC WOOFER DRIVER claiming, "Don't touch it! It's my contract!" Specifically designed to comp lement the delicate clarity of JansZen Electrostatic Mid/ High Range Speakers, the ::: Model 350 Dynamic Woofer offers clean, honest bass, de void of coloration, false reson ances , hangover or boom. The French publish el' Choudens made a fOJ·tune on Gounod's It is the only separately available woofer to give such opel·as. When the two met one day neal' the Paris opera, Gounod clean response in so small an encl osure-only 2.2 cu. ft. Response is uncanni Iy flat from 40 to 2000 cyc les with touched the lapel of a resplendent fw' coat WOI'U by Choudeus. excellent output to 30 cycles . Only $44.50. Slightly higher in We st. "Faust?" he inquiI·ed. Then, indicating the publisher's custom­ made hat, he asked, "Romeo ct Juliette?" :;: :;: Aubel', the great French opera composer, lived to be nearly ninety years old, but his last yeal' of life was spent under tragic circumstances, during the siege of Paris. He owned two horses, named Almavi"va and Figaro. Horse meat was a delicacy in those days, and poor Almaviva was requisitioned by the military, and eventually DO-IT-YOURSElF WOOFER ENCLOSURE eaten as "cheval de luxe." But Aubel' was determined to save Figaro. Work horses Workin g with the plans we furnish with each woofer, were exempt from confiscation, and he had Figaro sent to Pleyel's music factory_ you'll be abl e to build your own en cl osure with ba sic tool s. The en closure is a sturdy, yet simple, totally Aubel' died in May, 1871 ; Figaro survived him and continued to transport musical en closed cabinet. There are no tricky baffle arrangements instruments for the rest of his equine life. or adju stm ent s. Size without legs: 19" high x 25" wide x 13" deep. Cost of all ma teria ls shoul d ru n abo ut $12 tQ $18. * ::: Dis cover JansZen clarity for you rself. Write fo r Kal·l Friedrich Abel, the German composel' who was active in literature on JansZen's complete speaker systems and the name of your nearest dealer. London in the second half of the 18th centm'y, was gl'eatly dis­ pleased with the London perfOl'mance of one of his overtures, and cOluplained about it to an acquaintance. "Who was the couduc­

" Including des igns by Arthur A . j ans,en and ",ade only by tOl'?" inquired his fl·iend. "Cain," replied Abel. "Cain?" asked NESHAMINY ELECTRONIC CORP. Neshaminy, Pa. the other incredulously. "Yes, Cain. Didu't you heal' him mm·del· my nlusic?" E xport D iD .: 25 Warren St., New York 7, N. Y. Cable: Simon trice, N. Y. -Nicolas Slonimsky 24 HIFI REVIEW Once again Harman-Kardon has made the creative leap which distinguishes engineering leadership. The new Stereo Festival represents the successful crystallization of all stereo know-how in a single superb instrument. Picture a complete stereophonic electronic center: dual preamplifiers with input facility and control for every stereo function including the awaited FM multiplex service. Separate sensitive AM and FMtuners for simulcast reception. A great new thirty watt power amplifier (60 watts peak). This is the new Stereo Festival. The many fine new Stereo Festival features include: new H-K Friction-Clutch tone controls to adjust bass and treble separately for each channel. Once used to correct system imbalance, they may be operated as conventionally ganged controls. Silicon power supply provides excellent regulation for improved transient response and stable tuner performance. D.C. heated preamplifier filaments insure freedom from hum. Speaker phasing switch corrects for improperly recorded program material. Four new 7408 output tubes deliver distortion-free power from two highly conservative power amplifier circuits. Additional Features: Separate electronic tuning bars for AM and FM; new swivel high Q ferrite loopstick for increased AM sensitivity; Automatic Frequency Control, Contour Selector, Rumble Filter, Scratch Filter, Mode Switch, Record-Tape Equalization Switch, two high gain magnetic inputs for each channel and dramatic new copper escutcheon. Ideal for limited space (only 151%6" wide, 6W' high, 12%" deep-excluding enclosure) the T A230 is simplicity itself to operate. Five minutes with its exceptionally complete instruction booklet, and you will use the Festival to its full per- formance potential. . The Stereo Festival, Model TA230, price is $259.95. Copper and black metal enclosure (Model AC30) price is $12.95. Handsome hardwood - walrtut or fruitwood - enclosure, (Models WW30 and FW30) price is $29.95. For free attractive brochure on the complete H-K line, write to Harman-Kardon, Inc., Dept.MR-8, Westbury, New York. (Prices slightly higher in the West) , ~ , _ ...... k_a_r_d_O_" .... 1 AUGUST 1959 .25 NEW STEREOPHONIC EQUIPMENT. HF85: stereo Dual Preamplifier is a complete stereo con­ trol system in "low silhouette" design adaptable to any type of installation. Sel ects, preamplifies, controls any stereo source-tape, discs, broadcasts. Superb variable crossover, f ee dback tone controls driven by feedback amplifier pairs in each channel. Distortion borders on unmeasurable even at high output levels. Separate 10- level input in each channel for mag. phono, tape head, mike. Separate hi-level inputs for AM & FM tuners & FM Multiplex. On e ea ch auxiliary A & B input in each channel. Independent level, ba ss & treble controls in each channel may be operated together with built-in clutch. Switched­ in loudness compensator. Fun ction Selector permits hear­ ing each stereo channel individually, and reversing them; I also use of unit for stere o or monophonic play. Full-wave rectifier tube power supply. S·12AX7 / ECC83 , I-SX4. Works AND with any high-quality stereo power amplifier such as EICO Hf8S, or any 2 high-quality mono power amplifiers MONAURAL such as EICO Hfl4, Hf22, Hf30, HF3S, HfSO , HFSO. "Extreme f1exibilily ••• a bargain" - HI·FI REVIEW. l\.it,·$39.95. Wired $64.95. Includes cover. .' HFiis: Siereo Dual Power Amplifier for use wilh Hf85 above or any good se lf-powered stereo preamp . Identical Williamson-type push-pull EL84 power amplifiers, can· servatively rated at 14W, may be operated in parallel to deliver 28W for non-stereo use. Either input can be made common for both amplifiers by Service Selector switch. Voltage amplifier & split-load pha se inverter circuitry feature EICO-developed 12DW7 audio tube for significantly better performance. Kit $43 .95. Wired $74.9S. HF81: Siereo Dual Amplifier-Preamplifier selects, ampli­ fies & controls any stereo source - tape , discs, broad­ casts-& feeds it thru se lf·contained dual 14W amplifiers to a pai r of .speakers. Monophonically: 28 watts for your speakers; complete ste reo preamp . Ganged level controls, separate focus (balance) control, independent full-range bass & treble conlrols for each channel. Identical William­ son-type, push·pull EL84 power amplifiers, excellent out­ put transformer~ . IIService Selector" switch permits one preamp-control' section to drive the internal power ampli­ fiers while other prea mp·control section is left free to drive your exis ting external amplifier. "Excellent" - SATURDAY REVIEW; HI -FI MUSIC AT HOME. "Oulsland­ ing qualily .. . exlremely versalile" - RADIO & TV NEWS LAB-TESTED. Kit $69.9S. Wired $109.95. Includes cover. MONO PREAMPLIFIERS (slack 2 for Stereo) HF-65: superb new design, Inputs for tape head, microphone, mag­ phono cartridge & hi-l evel so urces. 1M distortion 0.04 % Gil 2V out. Attractive "low silhou ette" design. HF65A Kit $29.95. Wired $44.95. HF6S (with power supply) Kit $33.95. Wired $49.95. MONO POWER AMPLIFIERS (use 2 for STEREO) HfSO (SOW) . HfSO (SOW), Hf3S (3SW). Hf30 (3 0W), HF22 (22W), Hfl4 (14W): from Kit $23 .S0. Wired $41.S0. MONO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS (use 2 for STEREO) HfS2 (S OW), HF32 (30W) , HF20 (20W), Hfl2 (12W): from Kit $34.9S. Wired $57.95. SPEAKER SYSTEMS (use 2 for STEREO) HFS2: Natural bass 30·200 cps via slot-loaded 12-ft. split conical ba ss horn. Middl es & lower highs: front radiation -from 8lf2" edge-damped con e. Di stortionless spike·shaped super-t wee ter radi ates omni·directionallv. Flat 4S-20,OOO cps, useful 30'40,000 cps. IS ohms. HWD 3S". ISlf4", 111/2". "Eminenlly musical"-Holt, HIGH FIDELITY. "Fine for slereo"-M(}O£Rrr H I·F!. Completely fa ctory-bUilt: Mahogany or Walnut, $139.95; Blonde, $144.9S. HFS1: Bookshelf Speaker Syslem, complete with factory. built cabinet. Jense n 8" WOOfer, matching Jensen com­ pression·driver exponential horn tweeter. Smooth clean bass; criso extended highs. 70·12,000 cps range. FM Tuner HFT9D Capacity 2S w. 8 ohm s. HWD: 11" x 23" x 9". Wiring AM Tuner HFT94 time IS min. Price $39 ..9S . FM TUNER HFT90: for the first time, makes praclical even for the novice the building of an fM tuner ki.t equal to really good factory-wired units. No instruments needed. Pre-wired, pre-aligned temperature-com pensated "front end" is drift free-eliminates need for AFC . Pre­ cision "eye-tronic" DM-70 traveling tuning indicator, sup· plied pre-wired, contracts at exacl center of each fM chann el. Pre-aligned IF coils. Sensitivity SX that of other .. kit'tuners: l.S uv for 20 db quieting, 2.S uv for 30 db .. qUietin g, full limiting from 2S uv. If bandwidth 260 kc ~ at 6 db paints . . Frequency response uniform 20-20.000 " cps ± 1 db. Has 2 output jacks: cathode followe r output .. 10 amplifier, plus Multiplex output for fM Multiplex -S Stereo adapter; thus prevents ·obsolescence. flywheel c: tuning, AGC, stabilized low limiting threshold for ·excel­ lent performance from weaker Signals, broadband ratio detector for improved capture ratio & easier tuning, full­ wave rectifier & heavy filtering, very low distortion . Bookshelf "One of the best buys you can gel in high fidelity kils" Speaker System - AUDIOCRAfT. Kit $39.95*. Wired $65.9S *. Cover $3.95. HFSI *Less Cover, F.E .T. incl. NEW AM TUNER' HFT94: Malches HfT90. Selects "hi·fi" wide (2 0c - 9kc @ -3 db ) or weak-station harrow (20c - Skc @ -3 db) bandpass. Tuned Rf stage for high se lectivity & sensitivity; preCision "eye-tronic" tuning. Built-in ferrite loop , prealigned Rf & If coils. Sensitivity ,3 uv @ 30 % mod . for 1.0 V out, 20 db· SIN. Very low noise & distortion . High-Q 10 kc whistle filter. Kit $39.95. Wired $69.95, incl. Cover & F.E.T •

• ErCO, 33·00 Northern Blvd., LI.C. I, N.Y. HR-8

I SHOW ME HOW TO SAVE 50 % on 65 I models of top·quality: o Hi-Fi 0 Test Instruments 0 "Ham" Gear I Send FREE catalog & name of neighbor­ hood EICO dealer. I NAME ...... I ADDRESS .•••••••.••••• •.....••••••••••. •• •••.•.••••••••••••••••••• .•...•• •. •• • I 26 HIFI REVIEW I For those whose taste deman ds qual ity in all things, Stereo by Sherwood offers the ultimate. In ­ cluded are two models: Model S-5000 , a 20 + 20 watt dual amplifier-preamplifier for stereo " in a single package;" fa ir trade $189.50. Model S-4400, a stereo preamplifier with controls; coupled Model S-5000, 20 + 20W Siereo Dual Amplifier-$189.50 with a single 36-watt amplifier for converting monaural systems to stereo; fair trade $159.50 (can also be used with Model S-360, a 36·watt basic amplifier [$59.50) to Model S-3 OO0 II. FM Tu ne r-$105.50 make a dual 36·watt combination}...... , ~ The experienced Audioph ile knows e . ~J experience that Sherwood -: ~ ,,~ ~ ~ . ~ : from ~ ~ f components are not only the ulti­ Mod el S.. 44OO. Siereo Pream p. + 36W Amp. -$159.50 mate . in sound reproduction but the ultimate as well in flexibility of controls . .Discove r for yourself why Sherwood products are be­ stowed outstanding honors by most recognized testing organizations . . Sherwood Electronic laboratories, Inc., 4300 N. California Ave., Chicago 18, III.

FO R CO MPLETE S PE C I FI C A TI ONS W RI T E D EP T. v- s A UGUST 1959 43 Highest efficiency of any comparable system tested-21!2 to 3% wafts nominal for average room listening-peak ratings as high as 20 watts • Test against any other ,speaker system selling for up to $50 more for frequency response-. -presence-.' -efficiency . • Price them. You'll buy ALTEC for the highest sound value.

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44 HIF'I REVIEW STEREO HIFI CONCERT

Reviewed by BEST OF THE MONTH MART IN BOOKSPAN WARREN DeMOTTE • Concert-Disc scores a d ouble-barreled bulls-eye w ith the two finest DAVID HAll Cla rinet Quintets of the chamber li te ra ture-Bra hms and Moza rt, fea­ GEORGE JElliNEK turing Reg inald !Cell w ith the Fine Arts Quartet- "The interp reta ti on is JOHN THORNTON warm a nd romantic .. . . The high quality of the performance is matched by the excelle nce of the recording." (see p. 46 & p . 50)

• Ange l scores anothe r home-run for Brahms with the ir stereo version of • ANT HEIL: Symphony No.4 ("1 942" ) ; GINASTERA: Est a ncia-Ba ll et Su ite. Lon· the Third Symphony in Otto Klemperer's reading-" a perform.ance of don Symphony Orchestra, Sir Eugene Goos· sens condo Eve rest SDBR 3013 $5.98 ; Mono­ tremendous power and breadth." (see p. 46) LPBR 6013 $3.98 • Fantasy, pride of the San Francisco independent labels, contributes in Musical Interest: Antheil interesting ; G inastera t heat rical Sacred and Secular Music of Lassus w ith the Dessoff Choirs "a singularly Performance : Good Recording: Excelle nt mo no ; fair st ereo apt introduction to the vast range of lassus' m usic ... . If I w e re to Stereo Directionality: W e ll ba la nced Stereo Depth: A mit e shallow pick any si ngle disc of m usic from the pen of Roland de lassus, this The late George Antheil's "1942" Sym· would be it." (see p . 48) phony is a nervous, highly charged work, with but few moments of meditative beauty. through as quickly as possible and with doesn't pack nearly the drive that it should Its stimulus derives throughout from the little attention to nuance and dynamic because the conductor too frequently makes nervous and highly charged times of World shading. Musically, the best thing about exa.,.aerated tempo changes hom section to War II. The composer relates that he wrote these two discs is the really wonderful ad sec ti~n. And further destroying much of much of the manuscript between bouts of lib harpsichord cadenza interpolated be· the line of the music is Walter's co ntinuing pounding a typewriter for the Los Angeles tween the two movements of the Third insistence on the omission of the repeat of Daily News. EI Alamein and the Moroccan Concerto. This is obviously exactl y th e the exposition. If the omission of the expo­ invasion occupied his musical thoughts as right thing to do at this point, but few are sition's repeat is debatable in the fir st move­ well as his news·analysis and these two im· the conductors who have either the sense ments of Beethoven's other symphonies, it is portant war events inspired much of the or the sensitivity to do it. Otherwise, absolutely indefensible in the Fifth where early portion of the work. The horror of Couraud's performances are no more than structural balance demands that the repeat Lidice and the Polish atrocities shows its be observed. In the remainder of the score influence in the taut middle episodes. The routine. Columbia's reproduction is close-to and Walter is more convincing, but I do wish scherzo is hard and humorless. The fourth clean but lacking a little in depth. M. B. that he had summoned more demonic sweep and final section is supposed to be trium· for the finale. phant, with the Nazi tide turned back at The Fourth Symphony fares much belter, Stalingrad. It is a militant, emotional pie<;e, • BEETHOVEN: Symphonies-No. 4 in with an easy, unaffected lift and swing to containing brilliant pages, but it remains B-flat, Op. 60; No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67. the performance. The orchestra, however, altogether a restless, and somewhat flam· Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Wai­ doesn't have quite enough fullness and body ter condo Columbia MS' 6055 $5.98; Mo no­ boyant work. to its sound, as though it were slightly un­ ML 5365 $4.98 Ginastera's very Argentine·nationalistic dersized in numbers. (Recording session Estancia has more colorful surface appeal, M usica I I nterest: Monumenta l photos show just two double basses.-Ed.). and its emotionalism is purely and simply Pe rformance: Good Fourth, disa ppointing And speaking of so und, the engineers have tied to el ements of the dance, South Amer· Fifth contrived for the stereo disc a rather boomy, ican traditional style. Parts of this swiftly Recording: Boomy slightly opaque acoustical quality; in the moving music- notably the Malambo finale Ste reo Directionality: Good monophonic release the internal balance of -have appeared at the spring season of the Stereo Depth: Fair the sections seems far better. Boston Pops con certs, to the tune of much I suppose this only goes to prove that you applause. Estancia is pure theater, cheerful Walter's project of re·recording the Bee­ can't hit a home run every time you're at and a little wild. Not to be compared with thoven Symphonies for stereo has thus far bat, but it is disappointing on the whole. his more seriou s scores, but withal a pleas· yielded a superb "Pastoral" and a secure M.B. ant and exciting work. J. T. "Eroica." Things are less happy here. Let's take the Fifth first- The opening movement • BEETHOVEN : Symphony No. 9 in D • BACH : 6 Brandenburg Concerti. Stutt­ Minor, Op. 125 ; Incid ent al M u ~i c t o Eg­ gart Baroque Ensemble, Marce l Couraud mont , Op. 84. Philharmonia Orchestra & condo Columbia M2S 605 2 12" $ 11 .96 Chorus, Otto Klemperer cond.; Aase Nor?­ mo-Loevberg (soprano), Christa Lud Wig Mu sical Interest : Certainly All records reviewed in this column as (contralto ), Waldema r Kmentt (teno r), Hans Performance : Streamlined stereo must be played on st ereophonic Hotte r (baritone)- Bi rgit Nil sso n (soprano ) Recording : OK equipment. Th e y CAN NOT b e in "Egmont." Ange l S 3577 B 2 12" $11.96 Stereo Directionality: Good played on old style monophonic (sin­ Stereo Depth : A little lacking Musical Interest: Cosmic gle spea ker ) e quipment without per­ Perform ances : Symphony-Uneven; Eg- There is a curious element of disinterest ma nently da maging the record. Play mont-Superb on the part of Couraud in this music and at 33 113 rpm with the RIAA setting. Recording : Not all it should be his musicians manife st it in performance. Stereo Directionality : OK The main concern seems to be to get Stereo Depth: A little lacki ng 45 AUGUST 1959 On re-hearing this performance of the display of chamber music rapport. The give­ just about the most lifelike reproduction of " Ninth" I, for one, find it somewhat uneven : and-take among the instruments is supple the glorious sound of this superb orchestra stupendous, with a monolithic strength and and natural. The interpretation is warm that I have ever heard-more so, perhaps, thrust in the first two movemen ts, curiously and romantic, yet there is iron as well as in the monophonic version than in the antiseptic in the slow movement, and not fl exibility in the rhythms, and at no time is stereo, where I find just a little too much quite overpowering enough in the finale. there any feeling of flabbiness. The high "spread." The depth illusion of the stereo, What a pity that a better solo q1lartet was quality of the performance is matched by however, is excellent. not marshalled for this recording! Hotter, the excellence of the recording. W. D . What of Munch's performance? To one to judge from this performance, is now close who has heard him perform the score in tbe concert hall at least half a dozen different to complete loss of control over his once • BRAHMS: Symphony No.2 in D Major; superb voice, and there is something un­ Op. 73 ; Tragic Overture, Op. 81. Philhar­ times it comes as a distinct and pleasant comfortably tentative about the singing of monia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer condo An­ surprise_ There have been times when I felt Kmentt. Loevberg obviously has to strain g el S 35532 $5.98 that he was conducting the Symphony more mightily to cope with her part, and lament­ out of a feeling of obligation to do so than ably she too often does not succeed; only Musica l Interest: Of course out of any real feeling for the music. Hap­ Perfo rmance : A mite t oo rigid in t he pily, this recording is not one of those in­ Ludwig, when she can be heard, con tributes Symphony, fin e in the Overtu re positi vely to the solo vocal picture. In this Recording : Excellent stances. Here is a devoted, thoughtful per­ connection, it is a pity that Nilsson, who Stereo Directionality : Accept able formance which left me well satisfied at its sings so brilliantly two soprano songs from Stereo Depth: Good conclusion. the Egmont Incidental Music on Side 4, was Interestingly, Munch recorded the score not assigned the soprano solo in the Ninth Listening to Klemperer's recording of the earlier with the Boston Symphony Orches­ Symphony. Brahms Second Symphony in the months tra, in early 1950 when he was completing The stereo recording spreads the sound since "its monophonic release, I have found his fi rst season as the Orchestra's Music out more than the monophonic release, it to be less convincing on the whole than Director. The new version is a more tradi­ quite naturally, but I was disappointed that his performances of the other three sym­ tional, less capricious performance than the there wasn't more sheer weight and impact phonies. Much of the charm of this essen­ earlier one. Munch has now given up the of the large forces used_ Perhaps one rea· tially lighter score is missing in Klemperer's driving tempo he formerly applied to the son for this lack is the surprisingly large intractably severe reading. Conversely, it is Scherzo and he maintains a steadier rhyth­ difference in the levels between the stereo this very quality which makes the Tragic mic pulse in the passacaglia finale. and mono issues: by actual measurement Overture in his performance an overwhelm­ But I must conclude as I began, with un­ there are places in the stereo recording ing experience. restrained enthusiasm for the sound of the which are as much as 8 db lower than the A measure of broader, more widespread orchestra in this music and its recorded corresponding points in the monophonic sonority is evident in the stereo. M. B. preservation by the engineers. M. B . issue_ Must this be ? M. B. • COPLAND: Billy the Kid-Ballet Suite • BRAHMS : Symphony No. 3 in F Major; & Waltz; Rod eo-Four Dance Ep isodes; EI Op. 90; Academic Festival Overture , Op. Salon Mexico (on mono only) . Utah Sym­ • BEETHOVEN: Triple Concerto in C Ma­ 80. Phi lharmo ni a O rch estra , Otto Kle mperer phony Orchestra , Maurice Abravanel condo jor, Op. 56. David Oistra kh (vi olin), Svia­ condo Angel S 35545 $5.98 toslav Knushevitzky (cello), Lev Obo rin (pi­ W est minst er WST 14058 $5.98; Mono-XWN ano) with Phil harmonia Orchestra, Sir Mal­ Musical Interest: And how! 18840 $4.98 Pe rformance: Superb in both cases col m Sargent condo Angel S 35697 $5.98 Musica l Int erest : Popular Coplandiana Recording: Good Performance: Good to excellent Musical Inte rest: Minor league Beethoven Stereo Directionality: OK Recording: Very good Pe rformance: Excellent Stereo Depth : OK Recording: Good Stereo Directiona lity: Perfect Stereo Directionality : OK In the Third Symphony Klemperer as a Stereo Depth: Adequate Stereo Depth: Good Brahms conductor is back at his superlative Right off, Westminster deserves praise for best. He gives us a performance of tre­ Though it dates from the period of the the intelligent manner in which it produces mendous power and breadth and secures Eroica Symphony and the Fourth Piano its stereo as opposed to its monophonic from the Philharmonia Orchestra a per­ Concerto, Beethoven's Triple Concerto has discs. On the latter this company gives the formance which is both warm and brilliant usually been regarded as little more "than a at the same time_ freak_ Its themes are frankly second-rate The Academic Festival Overture finds CQP/muj and few are the instrumental soloists who him engaging in some rather unexpected BODBO perform the piece. tempo changes now and then, but these are This Angel release, however, shows how endowed with the rightness of inevitability. far a superlative performance can go toward And again, the orchestral performance is redeeming even a minor composition. The extraordinary. three soloists approach the score with ab­ The stereo sound is rounder and more solutely no condescension and they play it enveloping than the monophonic counter­ beautifully. Sargent, too, takes a sincere part, but without really capitalizing upon and dignified attitude and secures from his stereo's ability to clarify and define sound orches tra a performance of vigor and polish. masses. M. B. Add to all this engineering of the first quality and you have just about the ideal disc version of this music. M. B. • BRAHMS : Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98. Bost on Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch condo RCA Victor LSC 2297 $5.98; • BRAHMS: Clari net Q ui ntet in B Minor, Mono-LM 2297 $4.98 Op. 115. Th e Fine Arts Quartet with Regi­ Musical Interest: Supreme na ld Kell (cia rinet). Concert-Disc CS 202 $6.95 Pe rform ance: Quite good public plenty of playing time for its money, Re cording : Excellent and on the former wisely cuts down on put­ Mu sica l Interest: Very high Stereo Directiona lity: Good Stereo Depth: Fine ting too much stereo material per side. The Perfo rmance: Superb result is much less distortion, a cleaner Recording: Exce ll ent Stereo Directionality: Exce ll e nt The rich, throbbing sonorities of Brahms' reproduction, a more faithful refl ection of Stereo Depth : Exce ll ent F ourth Symphony are tailor-made for the the original tape. particularly warm-hued and brilliant sound It appears that Abravanel gets more out Kell seizes every opportunity that Brahms of the Boston Symphony Orchestra- as any­ of the orchestra in the episodes from Rodeo, gives him and delivers a rhapsodic perform­ one can tes tify who has heard the orchestra but then Billy the Kid has many fine mo­ ance of this highly colored m usic. The play it in concert. What the RCA Victor ments too, especially in the Waltz. A fine Quartet goes along with him in a splendid engineers have given us in this release is release, technically better than most, mu- 46 HIFI REvmw IMMED IATEDELIVERY AT LAST! AFTER 8 LONG MONTHS, YOU MAY NOW HAVE IMMEDIATE DELIVERY ON THE FAMOUS ELECTROSTAT·3, THE TWEETER THAT MAKES ANY SPEAKER SYSTEM BETTER! This is the tweeter ••. and the only tweeter .•. made famous by rave no- S tices of hi-fi test laboratories. It is the original ... the genuine _ .. and it can now be yours without delay. Compact 50 size: 11%" x 5%" x 4%." deep. In blond, mahogany or walnut finish. Hear all the "highs" within the range of human hearing ••• 5,000 to 25,000 CPS and higher!

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'/2 lb. 95L020 0.59 I o FREE Radio Shack Bargain Bulletins I o FREE Radio Shack RECORD Bargain Bulletin ) • Articles! o Radio Shack 1960 GUIDE TO ELECTRONIC I BUYING - 35c . • Big Pages! o Check 0 Money Order 0 C.O.D. I • Big Pictures! ------1 • Reference 1------) Data! City Zono __State I ------_...... AUGUST 1959 4·7 sically sound, a very pleasing stereo of Cop­ Bess is so splendidly realized, that an extra produced contralto of Grace Bumbry stands land's music in folklore vein_ Salon Mexico in the library would not be out among the other principals. Martina Westminster's monophonic disc has the a real waste. J. T. Arroyo displays some uneasiness in the extra advantage of including the garishly upper register and lacks the required agili­ ty for the aria "So shall the lute and harp colorful El Salon M exico_ Oddly enough GINASTERA: Estancia-Ballet (see AN­ awake." All soloists sing with clear enun­ the sonic impact on single-channel disc far THEIL) exceeds that of the stereo recording. The ciation, a virtue unfortunately not shared solid ity of the bass line is more telling on by the chorus. • GRIEG: Peer Gynt Su it es No. 1 & 2; this recording. I have fo und more pleasure in the mono Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16. Re id version, which is clear, well balanced and There even appears to be better articu­ Nibl ey with the Ut a h Symph ony Orchestra, preserved on silent surfaces. Stereo separa­ lated detail on the mono too, and Abra­ Ma uri ce Abrava ne l con d o Westminst er WST vanel's reading achieves more meaning, 14057 $5.98 tion benefi ts only the solo voices, which are more strength. H e attains remarkable re­ placed, not always consistently, at the ex­ sults with this ensemble and certain subtle Mus ical Interest: So-so treme ends. The duets also emerge from nuances of wind playing that come through Performan ce: So-so separate speakers-a solution conducive to Record ing: Good clarity, though not really realistic for ora­ better here than in the stereo LP. J. T. Stereo Directiona li ty: Evenly balanced torio. Neither chorus nor orchestra seem Stereo Depth: Warm sound to benefit tangibly by stereo treatment, the COPLAND: EI Salon Mexico (see GERSH­ WIN) Nibley, who seems on much more com­ surfaces are not always quiet and the vol­ fortable ground in the Grieg A Minor Con­ ume level is considerably lower than on • GERSHWIN: Porgy and Bess (original certo (as co mpared to the Gershwin he did the mono counterpart. suite by the composer); COPLAND: EI Sa­ for Westminster) delivers a crisp and a u­ Westminster's packaging, similar to that lon Mexico. Utah Sympho ny Orchestra, thoritative account of the old war horse, of its Messiah set, is very handsome and Maurice Abravanel condo Westminster WST but is not given very stirring support by decorative, and a helpful illustrated book­ 14063 $5_98 the ensemble. It just goes along. Nibley's let is provided. G. J. masculine and muscular way with the music has its attractions, but nothing else is cor­ • GERSHWIN: Porgy and Bess (original IBERT: Divertissement (see RESPIGHI) suite by the composer); GROFE: G rand puscle-stirring. The disc cannot compete Canyon Suite. Ut a h Symphony Orchestra, with London's recent issue of the Peer Gynt Ma urice Abrava nel co nd o Mono-Westmin­ music. J. T . • L4SSUS: Sacred Music - Ave Regina ster XWN 18850 $4.98 Coelo rum; Christ e Dei soboles; Timor et Tremor; Pulvis et umbra sumus; Penet ential Musi cal Interest : American classics • HANDEL: Judas Maccabaeus-Oratori o Psalm No. 6-De Profundis; Christ ist er­ Perfo rm a nce: "Porgy" outstanding (nearly complete ). J oh n McC ollum (teno r) , standen; Secular Music - Bon jour, mon Record ing: Excellent Martina A rroyo (soprano ), G race Bum bry coeur; La Nuict froide et sombre ; Gallans, Ste reo Directio nality: Fin e (a lto), Do n W atts (bass ), Ma rvin So rense n qui par t erre ; 0 Doux parler; Wohl kommt Ste reo Dept h: Full (tenor) , Alexan der Sch re in er (organ ). The der Mai; Ich waiss mir ein Meidlein ; Ardo, Westminster last summer recorded a great Utah Symp hony an d The University of Ut a h si; Passan vostri triomphi; Occhi pianget e; Cho rus, Maurice A bravanel co nd o Westmin­ Ola, 0 ch e bon eccho_ Dessoff Choirs, Paul fu nd of mater ial with the Utah Symphony, ster WST 301 3 12" $17.94; Mono-XWL Boepple condo Fantasy 8015 $4.98; Mono- and this first recording of Gershwin's orig­ 33103 12" $14.94 5006 $4.98 inal suite from Porgy and Bess emerges as perhaps the best performed work of the Mu si cal Interest: Siza bl e Musical Interest: Choral masterworks entire session. Abravanel persuaded Ira Performance: Enjoyable Pe rfo rmance: Vital Gershwin to let Westminster tape the score, Recording: Commendable Record ing : Close but full bodied 'Stereo Directionality : Moderate which had languished among Gershwin's Stereo Di rectionality : Varia ble Stereo Depth : Acceptable Stereo Depth : Adequate papers ever since it was withdrawn the year of the composer's death, 1937. Listening Westminster has made a substantial con­ Roland de Lassus 0 532-1594} stands as to Abravanel's sensitive and sympathetic tribution to the Handel bicentenary with perhaps the first truly universal genius of reading more than ever reminds the writer this successful realization of one of the Western music-in the sense that we apply that Gershwin's genius is still terribly major oratorios. T his is Abravanel's second this designation to Monteverdi, Bach, Mo­ missed, even after two decades. The suite turn at Judas Maccabaeus-his earlier ef­ zart, and Beethoven. T his is to say that was not well received at its first hearing in fort, dating from 1952, enjoyed circulation h e was a creator of enormous stylistic and Philadelphia, but after that it was accorded for a while under Concert Hall's sponsor­ emotional versatility, whose music covered wild public acclaim. Then, after its tenth ship. Organizing such a "big league" per­ virtually the whole range of human feeling performance under the composer's direction, formance with artistic resources largely and experience. Born in Belgium, appren­ it just vanished. Thanks to Abravanel's supplied by local talent is an accomplish­ ticed in Rome, and associated during the awareness, this splendid score has been re­ ment in which he and the Utah forces can greater part of his profe ssional life with corded for the first time, and Westminster take great pride. the Court of Bavaria, Lassus wrote more has in this release not only an outstanding This is a virtually complete version, with than 1200 works-and, as Dessoff Choir disc, but a valuable document of Gersh­ the traditional omission of three arias. Ex.­ conductor Paul Boepple says so felicitou ly winiana, which every music lover should amples of Handel's loveliest vocal writing in his notes for the Fantasy album, "Of own. Gershwin's touch was magic, his way and most moving choruses are found here, these 760 were written for Saints, the rest with melody an d syncopation rare, and even and although its pages contain many bor­ fo r sinners and connoisseurs. " And what if some of it sounds corny, what lovely, rowings from earlier masters, as Herbert poets he chose for his secular settings­ what exciting, what witty, and purely Amer­ Weinstock points out in his notes, this wiII Ronsard, Petrarch, Villon ! Yet he could ican corn it is ! W estminster sound here is detract little from listening enjoyment. turn out a charming treatment of a simpJe almost always good. While the performance may not offer all German folk poem on the deceit of women. Grand Canyon Suite, that tired and oft­ the excitement inherent in the choral and As for his religious music, one can only recorded Grofe orchestral suite, receives a instrumental passages, and though it meets try to imagine what Beethoven might have quite good perform.ance. The donkey hoof­ the virtuoso requirements of the Handelian composed, had he lived in the 16th centur y_ beats in On the Trail seem to beat a path vocal writing onl y about half way, the in­ All this is by way of commending this right across the living room r ug, and all stances where it falls below a very respect­ album from the small but enterprising San ends in a blaze of hi-fi sound in the stormy able level are few. (The children's chorus Francisco firm of Fantasy as a singularly finale. There are more spectacular Grand and horn solos in "See the conquering hero apt in troduction to the vast range of Las­ Canyons, but who cares ? Porgy and Bess comes" and imprecision in some choral at­ sus's music- seraphic, poignant, humorous, is so well done nothing else on the disc tacks are examples.) at times even terrifying. How fascinating matters at all. John McCollum, though somewhat want­ it is to compare the sacred and secul ar Copland's El Salon Mexico on the stereo ing in dramatic excitement, sings Judas pieces on the vanity of earthly pomp disc is briskly done, but there are better with appealing tone quali ty and flu ent mu­ (Pulvis et umbra. sumus and Passan vostri versions in the catalog. Still, Porgy and sical phrasing. The warm-hued and evenl y triomphi ) ! The famous echo-song remains 48 HIFI R EVIEW Special to our readers for only ... . .

As a man who is seriously interested in hi-fi, you will certainly Special Features of ELECTRONICS WORLD want to be among the first to take advantage of this new and 7" Stereo·Monophonic Test Record important test record. It will enable you to know your system • Four bands for stereo che~ks only­ inside-out. As a result, your listening enioyment will be even plus three bands for checking stereo greater than ever before. or monophonic equipment! • Made of top-quality virgin vinyl f.or Here are some of the question.s 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? Second, it specifies the adjustments • Delivered in special polyethylene en­ V Will it damage my records? necessary to get the best recorded sound velope-dust and dirt are sealed out! V What 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 guaranteed! 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 V Is 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 mula ted 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 cor7 can be sure that it comes as close to rectly? Are they phased properly, be first-come, first-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 W orid now. Fill in and mail the coupon, to­ -leading technical magazine in the field V How perfectly is my system gether with your check ($1 per record) equalized? of electronics-have poured their accu- today! V What about separation? Is it .. ------~ -- ~- -~!It -. s._. -p--- -- ~ ~~!!II iI'!t f!II ...... - ...... ,. .. ,...... adequate? HiFi REVIEW. P.O. Box 523, New York 8, N. Y. You'll get on-the-spot-answers to these Please send me __test records at $1 each. My check (or money order) and many other questions when you use for $ is enclosed. I understand that you will pay the postage and this Stereo-Monophonic Test Record. It's the most complete test record of its that each record is fully guaranteed. kind-contains the widest range of es­ sential check-points ever incorporated Name ______~--~------into one test disc! And, best of all, you Please print need no expensive test equipment when you use this record! Just listen and get Addre ss' ______the thorough results you want - all checks can be made by ear! Cily_.______Zone __State ______As a man who is seriously interested in H8 hi-fi, you can immediately see the ex- SORRY-no chorges or C.O.D. orders! as charming as ever-and profits much by Monteverdi's 8th Book of Madrigals is Rackham Chorus acquits itself often beau­ stereo sonics. titled Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi, "Mad­ tifully, always skillfully. J. T. Boepple's tempi are a trifle slower than rigals of War and Love." How modern! those used in the Lassus antbology issued How ancient! The ten madrigals in this • PONCHIELLI: La Gioconda (complete on Vox DL 380 a few months ago, but the recording comprise all of the "Amorosi," opera). Zinka Milanov (soprano )-Giocon­ rhythmic articulation is cleaner, to say with the exception of the most famous, the da; Giuseppe di Stefano (tenor)-Enzo Grimaldo; Leonard Warren (baritone)­ Ballo delle Ingrate, which has achieved two nothing of enunciation-due in part to less Barnaba ; Rosa li nd Elia s (mezzo-soprano)­ reverberant acoustics. Also Boepple has recordings on its own (Bach Guild; Vox). Laura ; Belen Amparan (contralto}-La Cie­ more of a flair for the drama in Lassus­ The Deller Consort enjoys a high reputa­ ca; Plinio Cia bass i (bass)-Alvise & others. compare the two versions of Timor et tion in music of this type. Its seven mem­ Orchestra and Chorus of the Accademia d i tremor ("Fear and Trembling"). bers sing with refinement and disciplined Santa Cecilia, Rome, Fernando Previtali While the stereo disc offers more of the musicianship. There are times when I think condo RCA Victor LSC 6139 4 12" $17.98 that the composers who lived during and feeling of a well spread-out chorus, it also Musical I nterest: Repertory Standard suffers in spots from overload "break-up." immediately following the Renaissance were Pe rformance: Excellent Such is not the case with the mono release_ products of a robust period that could not Recording: Excellent • The sound as such is general clean and full­ have stressed such refinement and disci­ Stereo Directiona lity: Not too obvious bodied, if not overly spectacular- Never­ pline, but my opinion seems to he a mi­ Stereo Depth: Excellent theless, if I were to pick any single disc of nority one. I will admit to the many beau­ My review of the monophonic edition music from t.he pen of Roland de Lassus, ties in these performances, and the record­ (February, 1959) of this performance was this would be it_ D. H. ing is excellent, too, but I think I would most complimentary, and stereo only serves be happier with a more extroverted manner to make my endorsement more emphatic. • MAHLER: Symphony No.5 in C-sharp of performance; I am sure there is more Minor. London Symphony Orchestra, Rudolf This is a colorful, lusty and idiomatic red meat in this music than we are being Schwa rz condo Everest SDBR 3014-2 2 12" statement of Ponchielli's fervent score, and served. W. D. $11.96; Mono-LPBR 6014-2 2 12" $9.96 "who could ask for anything more?" Mus ical Interest: Considerable Stereo's advantages are more evident in Performance: Very good • MOZART: Clarinet Quintet in A Major the depth department-the sound is fuller, Recording: Excellent (K. 581). The Fine Arts Quartet with Regi­ more alive, the orchestral statements gain Stereo Directionality: Fine nald Kell (clarinet). Concert-Disc CS 203 in richness and the vocal ensembles are $6.95 Stereo Depth: Fine better defined. Directionality is not as spec­ This is one of the few Mahler symphonies Mu sica l Interest: A chamber music classic tacular as the previously issued abridged without human voice. It is a complex score, Performa nce: Excellent version might have suggested. Some of the beautiful in sound and rich in orchestral Recording: Excellent off-stage effects .are not fully realized, color, yet the fourth of its five movements Stereo Directionality: Reasonable though, frankly, this matters little to this is one of the simplest the composer ever Stereo Depth: Sufficient listener. What does matter is that this re­ penned-and one of the most inspired. This This is a sensitively played performance. mains the best La Gioconda on records (su­ is the Adagietto, scored only for strings It has wonderful flow and flexibility and the perior in sound and performance by a very ensemble work is impeccable. Kell has close margin to London's effort) and, probably played this composition thousands though the stereo edition requires four of times, yet he seems to always find new discs, RCA wisely includes the fourth one things in it, and he communicates his find­ as a free bonus. G. J. ings with nuances that are subtly meaning­ ful. The Quartet maintains a high standard • RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30. Van Cliburn and the of individual and ensemble execution, play­ Symphony of the Air, Kiril Kondrashin condo ing with polish and vitality. The clarity of RCA Victor LSC 2355 $5.98; Mono-lM the recording and the spacing of the instru­ 2355 $4.98 ments are exemplary. W. D. Musical Interest: High Performance: Historic • PARAY: Mass Commemorating the Recording: Fair SOOth Anniversary of the Death of Joan of Stereo Directiona lity: Spread Arc. Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Solo­ Stereo Depth: Minimal ists and Rackham Symphony Choir, Paul Paray condo Mercury SR 90128 $5.98 The Carnegie Hall concert that Van Cli­ burn gave on May 19, 1958, was one of Musical Interest: In grand manner the exciting musical events of this decade. Performance: Very fine It took place only two days after his return Recording: Not so very fine from the Soviet Union. Tension had been and harp, a movement of exquisite serenity. Stereo Directionality: Excellent placement moullting for some time and there had been Schwarz holds the reins firmly in this per­ of a II but ~oloists formance, but not too tightly. The music Stereo Depth: Warm and full an unprecedented ticker-tape parade up billows and swells with romantic ardor and Broadway. For the moment, it almost recedes when it should into introspection. Paray's Mass, released on Mercury mono­ seemed that Elvis Presley had been toppled There is much in the score to thrill the phonic some time ago, is heard on this from his throne-by a concert pianist. audiophile with sheer magnitude; and bet­ stereo release with considerably more im­ The lean, lanky Texan played the Tchai­ ter, there is much solid musical and emo­ pact due to the advantage of spatial spread kovsky First and The Rachmaninoff Third tional fare. The mono version is entirely for the large forces involved. However, Concertos at the eagerly awaited concert. creditable; the stereo adds those extras soloists suffer seriously from too-distant These were the works with which he had that make listening memorable. W. D. miking placement. Also, they sound tired triumphed in Russia. Playing with him was most of the time. All are well-known to the Symphony of the Air under Kiril Kon­ MAHLER: Symphony No. 10 (see WAL- music pageantry of this kind, and the writer drashin, the. Russian conductor who had TON) has heard everyone of them in much better come here especially to repeat their collabo­ • MONTEVERDI: Madrigali Amorosi form. The Mass is scored in the grand ration. (from the 8th Book of Madrigals). The De ll er manner, yet its beauty is more suffused The New York triumph was as complete Consort, Alfred Deller director, with Baroque than directly heroic, more mystical than as the foreign ones and shortly after, RCA String Ensemble. Bach Guild BGS 5007 $5.95; rhetorical. All things considered, this re­ Victor recorded the Tchaikovsky Concerto Mono-BG 579 $4.98 cording can be evaluated as a valuable under optimum conditions. Musi cal Interest: For connoisseurs contribution to the catalog. Stereo tape These days, most important concerts are Performance: Refined would be the eventual way to acquire this taped as a matter of course, and the May Recording: Excellent work, for Paray's score combines forces 19 event was no exception, but it was RCA Stereo Directiona lity: Fine that should not be handicapped by the Victor engineers who did the taping. Re­ I Stereo Depth: Fine physical limitations of disc recording. The cently, it was decided that instead of doing 50 HIFI REvmw I the Rachmaninoff under regular recording miere in Moscow of the same year. Nothing and its charm is not superfi cial either. co nditions, the concert performance would is indicated co ncerning whether or not Bernstein is at his very best in this kind be put on a disc and r eleased. Thus, the Maxim was the soloist. At any rate, the of score and when he wants to display key­ record would be a memento of an historic talented Mr. Bernstein, conducting the New board virtuosity he can surely deliver it in occasion. York Philharmonic from the soloist's chair, fine fashion. At the time of the actual performance, I gives us a warm, humorous and pyrotechni­ The brittle and jazzy Ravel Concerto thought it was the slowest rendition of the cal account of an enchanting score! From may lack something of the spontaneity of concerto I had ever heard. The recording the Allegro with its set of variations on a the Shostakovich's superb bonbon but re­ confirms this. Whether it was Cliburn who march-like theme, through the rhapsodic cording-wise Columbia treated it warmly. decided the pace or Kondrashin, it is a and tender Andante and the Scherzo-like Bernstein's piano tone is much richer than deliberate one. It is to Cliburn's credit that finale, which follows without pause, this that of Henriot-Schweitzer who recorded it he makes it poetic and reflective instead little work makes no pretense at being recently, for RCA Victor, with Munch and of plodding. His poise i·s incredible; a serious. The elder Shostakovich may not the Boston Symphony. W·hile the petite pianist twice his years could well envy have conceived a work that poses any impos­ Frenchwoman has a more dazzling tech­ it. There is no question that he plays sible pianistic problem, nor is there even a nique, Bernstein's phrasing is more engag· pretty much as he wants to play. shadow of the deeply serious musician who ing and Columbia comes through with bet· The sound of the recording is variable composed the Symphony No. 5. Still, he has ter orchestral sound. A wonderful coupling - not unexpected under the circumstances. written here music of much enchantment, and worth serious consideration for both I There are moments when the orchestra seems impossibly thin and others when it is full indeed. The piano is given promi­ nence, a matter which Cliburn fans are not likely to deplore. From the hushed opening of the work to its thundering con­ clusion, the tension mounts. The audience is extremely well behaved; hardly a snuf­ fl e is heard through the music. When the music ends, pandemonium breaks out in wave after wave of spontaneous applause. Cliburn has triumphed again, and this rec­ ord is the proof of it. W. D.

RAVEL: Piano Concerto (see SHOSTAKO­ VICH) produced for • • RESPIGHI: La Boutique Fantasque­ monophonic Ballet; IBERT: Divertissement. Boston Pops co nno lsseurs ..... Orchestra, Arthur Fi edler condo RCA Victor LSC 2084 $5.98 Musical Interest: Charming stuff priced for Performanc e : Exceptionally good Recording: Good Stereo Directionality: Well spaced everyone ..... Ste reo Depth: Shallow stereo This appears to b e the most satisfactory stereo disc yet released with Arthur Fiedler and his Pops Orchestra. La Boutique Frm­ Tchaikovs ky: NUTCRACKER SUITE ; THE WALTZES OF JOHANN STRAUSS. tasque is given fin e treatment, and comes SE RENADE FOR STRINGS. Sy",pbollY .Artist' s Life, 1be DIlle Dat",be, E",peror close to matching the superlative version OrcbestFa of 1bo Belgiall :iIIatio,,"1 Radio- 'Willtz, 1·Vine, 1 t1olllen al1d So ng. The issued by London several months ago with 7'ra llz .A ll dre. Mon' TC8001 Stereo, TCSI 800 1 Bamberg Symphony Orchestra - Joseph Solti and the Israel Philharmonic. Fiedler's KeiIberth. Mon, TC8018 Stereo, TCSI801 8 reading is even crisper. He may not linger Re spi ghi: THE PINES OF ROME ; THE over Nocturne and Valse Lente with quite FOUNTAINS OF ROME. Sy",/)boIlY Or· Beethoven: SYMPHONY No. 3 (Eroica). 1Ia",bllrg State Pbilbar",ollic Orcbestra­ such warm, tender care, but hios orchestra cbestra of 1be Belgiatl :iIIa tioll al Radio- 7'rlll lz .Alldre . Mon , TC8002 Stereo, TCS I8002 Jose/)b Xe il bertb . Stereo, TCSI8003 is more secure, and there is much more snap and briskness throughout. Ibert's Wagner: LOHENGRIN; DIE MEISTER­ Delibes: SYLVIA AND COPpELIA-Or. nose·thumbing Divertissement is played SINGER - Prelll des to .Acts 1 alld 3. Ham­ cbost ral SlIites. Sy",pbollY Orcbestra of burg State Philharmonic Orchestra - Jo se ph wi th all stops out, a r eal rouser of a per­ 1be Belgia n :iIIatiollal Rlldic>-7'rallz .All dre. formance, and the best yet on LP. J. T. Stereo, TCSI8006 Keilberth. Mon, TC8019 Stereo, TCS18019 Dvorak: SLAVONIC DANCES. Op. 46: • SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Concerto No. POLKA AND WALTZ TIME IN BO­ :iIIos. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, Op. 72: :iIIOS. 1, 2, 4, 2, Op. 10 I. Leonard Berst ein at piano and HEMIA. 1be 1Vilill illg Bal1d, :Moollligbt condo New Yo rk Phi lha rmonic. RAVEL: Piano 7, 8. Ba",berg Sy",pbollY OrebestFa-Jose /)b 0 11 1be Eger, Olily aile J~alf J lollr, Oder­ Xei lbertb. Stereo, TC SI8015 Concerto in G Major. Leonard Bernstein with fl

" • Westminster has an extraordinary "first" in Serge Prokofiev's super. heated opera, The Flaming Angel-" . .. Orchestral and vocal effects

ANTHEIL: Symphony No.4 (see p. 45) a re . .. spine-chilling . . . has all the earmarks of a model perform­ ance. This most emphatically included the recorded sound." (see p. 56) • BEETHOVEN: Sonatas No. 30 in E Ma­ jor, Op. 109; No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110. Dame Myra Hess (p iano ). Angel 35705 • United Artists gives us a sample of Stokowski at his glorious best in their $4.98 Mu sical Interest: High recording of the Shostakovich First Symphony-"Opulent sound Performan ce: Golde n fabulous conductorial control-all help to realize the ultimate ... in Recordi ng : Respecta ble the art of recording." (see p . 58) These are beautiful performances of great music. In the E Major, the theme-and-varia­ tion s finale is played with rare imagination and introspection. This is ideal m usic for the phonograph; the spell that is woven will soon be available ; in the meantime, in Biscogli, nice and close in Vivaldi. Per­ wo uld undoubtedly be disturbed in the monophonic buyers have a gem of a disc formances are up to the excellent standar ds con cert hall. The A-Aat Sonata is performed available. M. B . of M. Paillard's other fascinating discs for with lyricism and strength. Its many mood s Westminster. D. H. are reAected with consummate artistry. It BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (see may be that these are the same recordings p. 45) • BRAHMS: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; that once were issued here on HMV 1068 ; Three Intermezzi, Op. 117; Fa ntasias, Op. a phone call to Angel brought no clari­ • BISCOGLI: Concerto in 0 Major for 116. Joe rg Demu s ( pi a no ). Westminster fi cation. No matter ; the sound is good, if Oboe, Trumpet, and Bassoon; VIVALDI: 2 XWN 18802 $4.98 not exceptional. W. D . Piccolo Concert i-C Major (P. 79) ; C Major (P.78) . Pie rre Pierlot , Luovic Va illa nt, Pa ul Mu sica l Inte rest : Considerable Honge, Jean-Pi erre Rampe l wit h J ean-Ma ri e Pe rform ance : Conscie ntious • BEETHOV'EN : Symphonies-No. I in C Lec la ir In strume ntal En semble , J ea n-Francois Record ing : Very good Ma jor, Op. 21; No.8 in F Major, Op. 98. Pa ill a rd cond o W estminster XWN 18834 $4.98 Ph ilha rm o nia Orchestra, O tto Kle mpe re r Demus draws a pleasing tone from the condo Angel 35657 $4.98 Mu sica l I nte rest : Delightful listening piano and his playing is very sensitive in Perform a nce : Fin e lyric passages. However, it often lacks ten­ Mu sical Interest: You bet! Recording: Bright sion and tends to sound bland. There is Performance: Mostly wonderful Reco rd in g: Excellent Eighteenth century composer F. Biscogli little sweep in his rendition of the Rhapso­ is not to be found in any standard music dies, while the Intermezzi are delivered with Continuing his Beethoven series for encyclopedia ; but M. Paillard has a real a sameness of expression that militates Angel, Klemperer gives us a model per­ against their holding the listener's interest formance of the F irst Symphony and an "find" in this newly discovered Co ncerto. Cast in the K.P.E. Bach style, the music for any length of time. The Op. 116 pieces appealing one of the Eighth. Here is the are not the most immediately attractive in First, that remarkable initial symphonic ranges from the gayly jaunty to the mov­ ingly eloquent. The "dramatic aria" slow the Brahms catalog and here they say a venture by the titan of all symphonists, in minimum in their own behalf. Gieseking a bold frame which clearly reIa tes it to movement will stand up against anything of its period. and Rubinstein have offered much more in the masterpieces which followed; and here this music, although neither has benefi ted is the Eighth, a wonderful work of rollick­ The Vivaldi music flows as lightly as a spring breeze--easy and pleasurable listen­ from recording as realistic as that accorded ing good humor, in a presentation which Demus. W. D. may be too strait-laced in the fi nale but ing; but it is amusing to note the startling which nearly everywhere else is an infec­ resemblances in the fi nale of P . 79 to one tious and spirited frolic. Klemperer "does of the Bach Brandenberg Concerti. BRAHMS: Symphony No.4 lsee p. 4b) good like every conductor should" by scru­ Sound is clear and bright-a bit echoey pulously observing the repeat of the first • BUXTEHUDE: Prelude and Fugue in F­ movement exposition in both scores ; it is sharp Minor; Canzonetta in. G Major; Chorale-Fantasy-Wie schon leuchtet der amazing how insensitive most conductors All records reviewed in this column are to this indispensable repeat, without Morgenstern; Magnificat primi toni; Pas­ may be played on either single speak­ which the architectural structure of the sacaglia in D Minor; Funeral Music on the Death of his Father; Toccata and Fugue in other movements is all out of proportion. er monophonic or two speaker stereo­ phonic equipment. They are rpm F Major; Chorale-Preludes-Nun bitten wir The quality of the recorded sound is 33'13 den heiligen G eist ; Est ist das He il uns excellent in both instances, with subtleties records that should be played with kommen her. Hans He intze lorga n) with Lisa of the scoring constantly emerging. Presum­ the RIAA setting. Schwarzweller (sopra no) . Deutsche Gram­ ably stereo versions of these performances mophon Archive ARC 3115 $5.95 AUGUST 1959 53 Musical Interest: Remarka ble out passion, but with commanding poise. fid elity. There h ave recently appeared on Performance: Delectable There is little offered by this attitude of the market several new LP's of the familiar Record ing: Elegant the peasant origin of the mazurka, but then, sui te of dances and now Columbia gives The music of Danish-born Dietrich Chopin was a pretty extreme example of us a fin e modern issue of the complete score. Buxtehude (1637-1707) , when given ideal cultw'e and sophistication. The Orquesta de Conciertos de Madrid performance, is like a breath of cool Scan­ The Berceuse is played with sensitivity under the direction of J esus Animbarri has dinavian spring air. There is something and feeling. The Barcarolle and the Allegro provided a stunningly energetic perform­ about the uninhibited exuberance of his de Concert would benefit from a less tem­ ance, coupled with outstanding engineering_ work that is utterly captivating. Even a pered approach. The recording is very well Soloist Celia Langa sings th e sparse vocal somber piece like the Funeral Music on this engineered. W. D. role with unusual sweetness of tone. Soloists disc partakes of a sweet sadness rather than in the other versions tend to coarseness, which may be more in keeping with what dour melancholy. • CHOPIN: Sonatas-No. 2 in B Flat Falla had in mind. But Langa is definitely At any rate, I nominate this Archive reo Minor, O p. 35; No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58. cording as the fin est single-disc representa· Pau l Badura-Skod a (piano ). Westminster the most musical. The Orquesta de Con­ tion of Buxtehude's music to be had. The XWN 18854 $4.98 ciertos de Madrid sounds well drilled, with sound of the 1687 Arp Schitger organ (at som e very fin e woodwind playing, partic­ Steinkirchen) is a complete joy and so are M usica I I nterest: High ularly in the little comic bassoon part in Performance: Correct the Dance of the Corregidor. Here is an the performances by Hans Heintze and his Recording: Very good soprano soloist (in the Funeral Music). outstanding r·ecord in every sense of the The inclusion of Buxtehude's greatest Pre· Once upon a time, an artist used to be word. J. T. lude and Fugue (F·sharp Minor), of the recorded in music which he played best. Magnifi cat, and the Passacaglia makes ac­ When he did go afi eld, unsuccessfully, it quisition of this recording a "must" for usually was through perversity. Today, I GERSHWIN: Porgy and Bess-Suite (see p. anyone who aspires to a truly representative fear a lot of recording is done because 48) library of baroque organ music. D. H. recording techniques have become relatively GINASTERA: Estancia-Ballet Suite (see simple. This ease is leading many an un­ p.45) wary performer into an inartistic trap. • CARISSIMI: Oratorios-Judicium Ex­ It almost seems that Badura-Skoda is tremum; Susci tavit Dominus ; Militia est Vita GROFE: Grand Canyon Suite (see p. 48) Hominis. Polyphonic Chorus of Turin wit h out to record the entire piano literature Soloists & Mi lan Angelicum Orchestra, as soon as possible. What's all the rush ? HANDEL: Judas Maccabaeus (see p. 48) Aladar Janes cond o Westminster XWN 18835 He still is yo ung. On more than one occa­ $4.98 sion, he has indicated that Chopin is not JOSQUIN DES PRES: Mass (see PALE­ STRINA) his forte. Yet here he is again', with two Musical Interest: Specia lized Pe rformance: Lacks vitality major Chopin compOSItIOns that have . LASSUS: Sacred & Secular Music (see p. Re cording: Disa ppointing tlu-own more than a few veteran pianists. 48) He has no difficulty in playing them; the Giacomo Carissimi (1605·74), pioneer in di'fficulty lies in his inability to make them MAH LER: Symphony No.5 (see p. 50) the art of adapting early baroque style to musical experiences. They never take off; church use-i.e. the Latin oratorio-has had they are earthbound interpretations. The MAHLER: Symphony No. 10 (see p. 52) precious little representation on discs (his soul of Chopin's music is not to be revealed masterpiece J ephte is on DGG Archive through the mere playing of the notes set ARC 3005). Therefore it is a genuine dis­ down on paper, even when done with flu­ • MARCELLO: Psalm XVIII; Psalm XV. appointment to have a major addition to the ency. Other ingredients are required, and Wanda Madonna (contralto), Nino Adami Carissimi discography fail in its proper ar­ (tenor), Roberto Ca ruana (cello ) with Poly­ these are decidedly missing on this disc. phonic Cho ru s of Turin & Mila n Angelicu m tistic and sonic effect. The Last Judgment, W.D. Orchestra, Alada r J a nes condo Westminster the destruction of Babylon, and the earthly XWN 18837 $4.98 struggle of human life are the subj ects COPLAND: Billy the Kid; Rodeo; EI Salon represented on this disc-dramatic and Mexico (see p. 46) Musical Interest: Italian baroque noble ones all, and set with music of classic specialties • FALLA: Three Cornered Hat (complete dignity and feeling. But one has to struggle Pe rformance: Variable ballet). C el ia Langa (soprano), Orquesta Record ing : So-so valiantly with the imagination in order to de C onciertos de Madrid, Jesus Arambarri infer such from these timid and rhythmi­ condo Columbia ML 5358 $4.98 Benedetto Marcello 0686-1739) was re­ cally flaccid performances. The chorus is too Musica l Interest: Favorite Falla nowned equally in music and politics during distant; th e strings have no bite or warmth; his lifetime, holding the post of Papal the soloists are barely adequate to their Pe rform ance: Superlative Recording: Astonishing Chamberlain in Brescia at the time of his task. Too bad. H. D. dea tho His eloquent settings of the first 50 Several years ago London, Angel, and Psalms 0724-7} are considered m aster­ • CHOPIN: Mazurkas (complete ); Bar­ Urania issued versions of the complete score works ; but only P salm I has heretofore carolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60; Berceuse to Falla's Three Cornered Hat, and at the found its way to LP on a now deleted Vox in D-f1at Major, Op. 57; AJlegro de Concert time these discs set a new standard in high disc. in A Major, Op. 46. Nadia Reisenberg Psalm XVIII on the present recording is (pia no). Westminster XWN 18830/2 3 12" for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, while $4.98 each. Psalm XV is for contralto, cello, and or­ Mu si cal Interest: Medium to high chestra. Both are typical of the Italian Performance: Immaculate baroqne manner at its most lushly ex­ Recordi ng: Very good pressive; and in Psalm XV one is made well aware of the Italianate roots of Handel's Chopin poured an infinite variety of style. moods into the Mazurkas. And while one Contralto Wanda Madonna is the more critic perceptively termed the little gems interesting of the two soloists, being en­ "dances of the soul," another obtusely held dowed with a curiously attractive counter­ that in them he was "a dealer in the most tenor vocal coloration most appropriate to absurd and hyperbolical extravagances." the music. Nadia Reisenberg plays these idealized Otherwise, this disc suffers from some of folk dances with impeccable technique and the same unhappy faults of the Carissimi taste. Her tone is lovely and it is delicately oratorios reviewed above-too distant shaded and inflected. She does not seek the chorus and flaccid conducting. P salm XV broad line in these pieces; they come out comes off by far the better of the two works as intimate and ' personal, somewhat with- here. D. H. 54 HIFI REVIEW MONTEVERDI: Madrigals (see p. 50)

• MOUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhi­ bition; RAVEL: Alborada del Gracioso: Pa­ vane for a Dead Princess. Philippe Entremont {p iano l . Columbia ML~366 $4.98 Musical Interest : High Performance: Virtuosic Recording: Bright Young Entremont has a fla shy technique plus a high degree of musicality. He can carry a melodic line and build tension wi thin it. His "Pictures" are colorful; he plays them with a virtuoso flair wholly suitable to th eir character and he ties them together very well. In the Pavane, his play­ ing is lyrical and tender; in the "Alborada," it glitters and fl ashes. The sound of the piano is quite realistic. W. D.

• MOZART: 5 Italian Notturni and Can­ zonetta; 4 Movements for Wind Instruments' Divertimento in B-f1at for 2 Clarinets and Bassoon (K. 439b. No.3). Margot Guil­ leaume {soprano I. Jea nne De roubaix {mez­ zo - so pr~no l . Ha ns-Olaf Hude mann {bass I. Jost Michaels and Ha rt mut Stute {clarinets l. Albert Hen nig e (bassoon ) , Rud olf Irm isch, Hans f-! el mke, Karl Peppler ( basset horns), J ost Michaels condo Deutsche Grammophon Archive ARC 3121 $5.95

Musi cal In terest: Sheer enchantment Performance: Likewise Recording : Couldn't be better One of the pleasanter aspects of Mozart's early freelance days in Vienna after his stormy leave of Salzburg's Archbishop, was his friendship with the family of Vienna University botany professor , J oseph von Jacquin. The professor's children were gifted musicians, and so Mozart and his friends would often join them in afternoons or evenings of garden or living room music Win your next Rolls-Royce. . . making, with the composer someti mes fu rnishing special works for the occasion. He even allowed some of the pieces to be published under the name of Go ttfried von The superb $i3,995.00 automobile illustrated will be awarded to the Jacquin, youngest of the children and a fine reader of this message who listens to a Shure high hdelity Stereo bass singer-thus the somewhat belated Dynetic phonograph cartridge demonstration and best describes its addition of some of these items to the singular sound re-creation qualities (in 25 words or less). No purchase Koechel listings. is required. DGG has hi t upo n th e ·delectable idea of assembling on one side of this disc a half­ If, however, you are the winner and have purchased a Shure cartridge dozen of the vocal pieces used at the J ac­ (our thinly disguised motive for sponsoring this competition) you tnay quin musical par ties, interspersed with wind accept your autotnobile at the Rolls-Royce factory. Travelling expenses instrument pieces, so that we have a vir tual for yourself and a friend to the British Isles and return will b e period re-creation-and what a wonderful defrayed by Shure Brothers, Inc., 2'22 Hartrey Avenue, Evanston, Ill. and touching experience it turns out to be ! Should you win (we don't expect an overabundance of so Music, performance, and recording beggar ent~ies, description. The little wind divertimento your chances are rather good) you'll probably never have to buy on the other side comes as a nice bonus. another autotnqbile as long as you live. If yo u wa nt to sample "18th century draw­ Details and contest blanks available only at high fidelity .. ing room" music at its best and loveliest, here it is. D. H. dealers', show' rooms and salons. Contest ends August 31st, 1959. . • OHANA: Lament For The Death Of A Bullfighter; Sarabande For Harpsichord And Orchestra. Ma uricio Molho (narrat o r) , ' Ber­ nard Cottret (ba ritonel, De nise G ouarne SHURE (harpsicho rd) with C e nto So li Orc hestra a nd C horus, Ataulfo A rge nta cond o Omega OML high hdelity Stere~ Dynetic phonograph cartridge ... 1033 $4.98 Unanimous choice of the critics. Musical Int e re st : Specialized Model M3D, $45.00 net; Model M7D, $24.00 net. Performance: Colorful Record ing: Good Maurice Ohana (b. 1914) is a Spanish composer, now a resident of France, whose art, somewhat similar to Manuel de Falla's, AUGUST 1959 55 giou s mystI CIsm. Renata, its central figure, has absorbed international currents without • PALESTRI NA: Ma ss -Assumpta est is obsessed by an eternal yearning for Love losing its nationalistic roo ts. His "Lament" Maria. Les Chanteurs de Sa int-Eustache, R. P. Em ile Martin co nd. ; JOSCj)UIN DES and for an indefinable spiritual perfection is a musical setting for F ederico Garcia PRES: Mass-Pan ge lingua . Philippe Cail­ which she sees in the image of a flaming Lorca's impassioned elegy on the death of la rd Vocal En se mble, Phi lippe Caillard condo angel, though in vaTious guises. Set against the celebrated bullfigh ter Ignacio Sanchez W estminst er XWN 18836 $4.98 Mejias. "Lament" is made up of four the background of 16th century Germany chants, each of which is given an entirely Musical Inte rest: Nobl e liturgical mu sic -Faust and Mephistopheles make an ap· Performance: Exce ll ent pearance and there are some mystifying different character by its specific musical Recordin g : Likewise treatment. In the first (Cogida e M uerte) references to tbe Inquisition on the one the tragedy is related hy the haritone solo­ The refined lyrical polyphony of Palestri­ hand and America on the other-the story ist, while the chorus solemnly intones the na, Princeps musicae of the Roman Renais­ is connected with reality by the filmiest repeated phrase "a las cinco de la tarde" sance, reaches perhaps its apogee in his of threads. ("At five in the afternoon"). The second Assumpta est Maria Mass, and seldom has Prokofiev has succeeded in casting an chant (La sangre derramada) alternates its essence been more accurately and vitally atmosphere around these strange doings spoken narration and singing solo, to an communicated than in this recording. Emile that somehow makes this nightmarish caval­ exciting percussion accompaniment. The Martin's singers have made some noble cade of demons, sorcerers, curses and mira­ spoken voice (over a highly evocative or­ Palestrina records in the past for West­ cles convincing. A spell of eeriness hangs chestral background) dominates the third minster (XWN 18693) and others, but this over the entire work, sustained by orchestral part (Cuerpo presente) while the fourth seems to me their best yet- refined without and vocal effects that are appropriately chant again confronts the chorus with the being precious, and vital without resorting spine·chilling. : baritone soloist. An archaic quality, rem­ to emotional bad taste. The miking is a Conductor Bruck, for whom this must iniscent of medieval chants, pervades the trifle distant, but not out of keeping with have been a labor of love, rates the highest music, and it is faithfully captured in the the "church acoustic" for which the music praise for bringing to light this strange vocal inflections of the soloist and chorus. was written. but undeniably masterful work and for Throughout, Argenta's authoritative hand T he more directly earthy-expressive ut­ presiding over such a striking performance. is evident and the poem is movingly voiced terance of J osquin des Pres (he died in In the part of Renata, which in its own by narrator Molho. Cott.ret displays a rough, 1521, a few years before Palestrina was way is as demanding as Medea, Norma or almost unprofessional vocal quality which, born) receives closer miking and perform­ Isolde, an amazing soprano named Jane on occasion, heightens the emotional appeal ance to match by the Caillard Vocal En­ Rhodes appears literally out of nowhere of the grief·stricken words. semble. H ere is music that communicates with a tour de force that is voca]Jy and The Sarabande, like the Lament, dates " from the heart to the heart," yet makes dramatically completely absorbing. Xavier fTom 1950 and is the composer's transcrip­ full use of all the subtle polyphonic tech­ Depraz, who has been heard previonsly in tion of his guitar concerto's slow movement niques dear to the hearts of the early 16th Paris disc productions, is also excellent as -a stately, somber and somewhat static century masters. This disc takes its place the gallant Ruprecht who vainly strives to piece of music. The entire disc is well with the EMS recording of Secular Songs save the beroine from the consequences of engineered-save an abrupt cut·off at the as the most vital representation on LP her insatiable yearning. (Ruprecht may be end of the Sarabande. It all adds up to a records of this great master. the symbol of mankind with its good in· program of refreshing originality, though The record as a whole offers a profoundly tentions, bungling ways and essential help­ familiarity with the Spanish language or moving experience and we are much in lessness.) The smaller parts are all in the at least a special predilection for Spanish Westminster's debt for its American release. hands of first rate singing actors and the music is desirable for full enjoyment. G. J. . D. H. entire performance has all the earmarks of a model presentation. This, most emphati· cally, includes the recorded sound. G. J. • PACHELBEL: 7 Chorale -Partit a s ­ • PROKOFJ.EV: Th e Flaming Angel (com­ Christus, der ist mein Le ben; Aile Menschen plete opera) . Jane Rhodes (soprano )-Re· musse n sterben; Herzlich tut mich verlangen; nata ; Xavier Depraz (.bass )-Ruprecht; Irm a RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto No.3 Was Gott tut, ist wohl get an; Ach, was soli Kolassi (mezzo-soprano)-Th e Sorceress, Th e (see p. 50) ich Sund er machen?; Werde munter, mein Mother Superior; J an in e Collard (mezzo­ RAVEL: Al borada de l Gracioso ; Pavane for Gemute; Freu d ich sehr, 0 meine Seele. sopran o)-The Innkee pe r; Jean Giraudeau Ro be rt Owen (o rgan & harpsichord). W est­ (te nor) -Mephistopheles ; Andre Vessieres a Dead Pri ncess (see MOU5S0RGSKY) (bass)-Faust, The Inqu is itor & others. Cho­ minster XWN 18829 $4.98 • RAVEL: Alborada d el Gracioso ; Mother rus of Radiod iff us ion-Tel evision Fran c;aise a nd Goose-Suite; Rapsodie Espagnole; Pa vane Mu sical Interest: For baroque organ fans Orchestre du Theatre National d e l'Opera For a Dead Princess. C e nto Soli Orchestra Performance: A wee bit dry de P·aris, Charles Bruck condo W estminst er of Paris, Ataulfo Argenta condo Omega Recording: Good ·OPW 1304 3 12" $ 14.94 OML 1032 $4.98 Musical I nterest: Re wa rd ing I, for one, have always been singularly Musical Interest: Famous Ra ve l works susceptible to the melodic charm of Johann Pe rformance: Exce ll ent Recording: Exce ll ent Performance: Sk illed Pachelbel's music; for this precursor (1653- Recording: Above average 1706) of the great Bach brought to his The Flaming Angel was the only opera organ toccatas and fugues ( Overtone 8) a composed by Prokofiev during bis Paris Ataulfo Argenta presumably made this singular thematic zest and rhythmic lilt. For sojourn in the Twenties, prior to his return recording with Cento Soli Orchestra of this reason, I find him less interesting when to Russia. It wa written between 1920 and Paris somewhat before the remarkable working with melodies not his own, such 1923 ( the dates suggested by Westminster's series of discs he did for London prior as the Lutheran choraIes. The chorale· booklet are at variance with PI·okofi ev's to his death. His interpretative sensitivity partitas are treated generally in a somewhat own account) and remained unperformed is clearly evident in this Omega release but florid fi guration style and make pleasant during the composer's lifetime. he simply is not co nducting L'Orchestre enough listening; but one of the special All of this makes the recording even Cl e la Suisse Romande, and an orchestra features of this first complete recording is more welcome. The Flaming Angel is a of " 100 Soloists" does not necessarily mean that Mr. Owen alternates between his product of the "lyrical" side of Prokofi ev's a grea t ensemble. The princi pal players aTe modern classic organ (at Christ Church, personality, in co ntrast to the satirical in­ good enough bu t the ensemble dynamics Bronxville, N. Y.) and harpsichord when spiration which produced The Love For are shallow and so is the entire recording playing variations in each individual piece. Three Oranges, his best known operatic from the viewpoint of sound. I'll confess, I find it disturbing, and wo uld work (1919). The score has little in com­ The Pavane is straight forward, Rapsodie prefer that he . stick to one instrument or mon with the experimental adventures of Espagnol is dynamically on too small a the other throughout the whole of each other Prokofiev works of this period- it scale; "Mother Goose" emerges as the best work. is lavishly orchestrated, effu sively written effort of all because of the excellent fi rst The performances are done with loving and abounds in weird and fa scinating har· chair players. The so nnd is quite good but care, but the general effect is just a trifle monic colors. too close. J. T . dry. Recorded so und is close and very The story, based on a novel by the Rus­ clean. D. H . sian poet Brussov, is rooted in vague reli- RAVEL: Piano Concerto (see p. 51) 56 HIFI REVIEW s SCARLATTI: Harpsichord Sonatas - Vol. 23 {L. 261-0 Major; L. 283-F Major; L. 233-G Major; L. 223-A Minor; L. Supp. 21-F Major; L. Supp. 5-C Major; L. 229- B·flat; L. 187-F Minor; L. 353-C Major; L. 245-A Minor; L. 421-0 Minor; L. 361 -0 Major} . Fe rnando Valenti. Westminster XWN 18826 $4.98 Mu sica l Inte rest: Top Scarlatti & Valenti Pe rform a nc e: Fine and dandy Recording: Just right And still they come!-the dynamic, pas· sionate, colorful little harpsichord so natas of Domenico Scarlatti 0685-1757-born the same year as Bach and Handel) as re­ corded for Westminster by Fernando Val­ • enti. After Volume 23, only 279 sonatas are left to go before completion of this immense project. Happily, this set is one of the fin est of the series from every standpoint-a fi~e variety of pieces, dancelike (L. 261, 1. 233, 1. S. 5, 1. 229) , solemn (L. 187) , passion­ ate (1. 283). Those who know Tommasini's Good Humored Ladies Ballet based on Scar­ latti sonatas will recognize an old friend in the last piece on the record, 1. 361. Valenti plays with his accustomed rhyth­ mic dynamism; and we are happy to say that it is much less aurally fatiguing than usual, thanks to a better-than-usual record­ You've dreamed of "picture on the wall television". It's· yours now with ing job by Westminster. D. H. the new Fleetwood da Vinci ... the set designed for custom installation • D. SCARLATTI: Tetide in Sciro {almost ... designed to be framed, as a picture, in a frame just right for your complete opera}. Adria na Ma rtin o (so­ decor. Fleetwood's new slim design lets a bookcase give a perfect "built­ prano} -Thetis; Giulia no Ferrein (bass )­ Lycomedes; Wanda Madonna (contralto)­ in" appearance without actually building in. Oeidamia; Luci a na Pi o-Fumagall i (soprano ) - Antiope; Carlo Fra nzini (tenor)-Achilles; Revolutionary new 2I-inch* Fleetwood picture tube has non-glare Valerio Me ucci {ba ritone )-Ulysses. Angeli­ safety glass laminated to tube face. Picture is brighter, viewing angle is cum O rchestra of Mil an , Aladar Janes condo Westminster OPW 130-5 3 12" $14.94 wider, reflections are virtually eliminated. Wide band pass and excellent Mu sical In terest: Historical circuitry ... with no manufacturing shortcuts ... gives picture detail Performance : Good that allows you to see an individual eyelash on a pretty girl. Recording: Bright, sometimes over­ resonant The Fleetwood da Vinci is available in two models. Model 900-a two As a composer of operas Domenico Scar­ chassis system that features the lazy luxury of full electronic remote latti was completely overshadowed by the enormous stature of hi s father, Alessandro. control, and Model 9I0-with self contained controls. Tetide in Sciro, one of Domenico's dozen *Diagonal measure. or so stage works, was only recently dis· covered in manuscript form by Padre T er­ enzio Zardini, who not only revised and THE Villei edited it but also completed the only miss­ SP££twood®da ing part-the finale of Act III. The opera's BUILT-IN BEAUTY first modern performaI

Musica l Interest: For Vivaldians Performance : Variable Recording: OK

All of these Vi valdi scores can be had in other recorded versions; but there is much to be said for a coupling such 'as this, fea· turing a variety of Vivaldi scorings instead of everything for the same instrumental combination. All the works are top·drawer of th eir kind and give the lie very effec· tively to those who may complain of the "sameness" of Vivaldi. The performances here range from good (the delectable "Bullfinch" and virtuosic A Major String Concerto) to fair (there are tentative attacks in the familiar D Minor Concerto Grosso ). Acceptable sound. D.H.

VIVALDI: Piccolo Concerti (see BISCOGU)

WALTON: Partita (see p. 52)

WEISGALL: The Tenor (see p. 52)

• ZIANI: II Sepolcro-Oratorio. Luci ana Pi o·Fuma galii (so prano ), Laura Zanin i (mez­ A tape recording is no better than the tape used to make zo.soprano) , Aida Bertocci (tenor) with it. You can't get first-class sound from second-class Milan Angel icum Orchestra, Bruno Made rn a tape. When you buy Audiotape, you know you're getting condo Westminster XWN 18838 $4.98 the truly professional quality recording tape .. _ no matter which of the eight types you choose_ Remember, Musical Interest: Surprising there's only one Audiotape quality-the finest obtainable Performance : Vital anywhere. And this single quality standard is consis­ Recording : Will do tent within each reel, uniform from reel to reel, type to type_ It's your assurance of getting all the sounds­ from the tuba's lows to the highest highs_ Marcantonio Ziani (1653·1715) spent most of his later professional life at the "BL0r;>D AND THUNDER CLASSICS" Here's a sound spectacular Austrian Court as. vice·KapeIlmeister. Be· that Will appeal to every lover of fine music - stirring selections from sides his church music, he wrote some 45 the. world's gr~atest classics, professionally recorded on a r reel of operas. His oratorio, II Sepolcro (1680), Audiotape. Available, stereo or monaural, in a money-saving offer you can't afford to pass up. Ask your tape dealer for the details_ was originally performed as a dramatic piece in the St. Moise Church of Venice, with marionettes miming the roles and Manufactured by AUDIO DEVICES, INC. d- t . singers offstage. The musical style is 444 Madison Ave., New York 22, New York astonishingly "Vivaldian" (Vivaldi would all 10 an'.. Of- ..... Offices in Hollywood & Chicago - --- -r.:-. have been about 5 years old at the time of the premiere) -full of the brilliance and motor energy we normally associate with the younger master. There is also highly effective use of dissonant suspensions at Now you can keep a year's copies of HiFi dramatic high points. One senses indeed YOUR COPIES OF REVIEW in a rich-looking leatherette file that the influence of Claudio Monteverdi, that makes it easy to locate any issue for who died in Venice in 16<1,3, is still very ready reference. much alive in pages of this music, notably Specially designed for HIFi REVIEW, the opening recitative for Mary that follows HiFi this handy flle-with its distinctive, wash­ ID!JIm able Kivar cover and 16-carat gold leaf the Sinfonia. lettering-not only looks good but keeps All told, this record makes for very in· ARE VALUABLE every issue neat, clean and orderly. teresting listening, thanks in no small So don't risk tearing and so1l1ng your cop­ measure to the excellence of Maderna's ies of HIFi REVIEW-always a ready baton work. The soloists sing with com­ source of valuable information. Order several of these HIFi REVIEW volume municative vitality, too. The record sound files today. They a re $2.50 each, postpaid is a trifle boxy and the violins a bit steely, -3 for $7.00, or 6 for $13.00. Satisfaction but this is a minor fault when gauged guaranteed, or your money back. Order direct from: against the over· all merit of this release. Keep them neat ••• Let's hope for more of Mr. Maderna's JESSE JONES BOX CORP. work on records-for example, a complete clean ••• ready for performance in stereo of Luigi Dallapic­ Dept. HF, Box 512D, Philadelphia 41, Pa. cola's 20th century opera-masterpiece Il instant reference! (Established 1843) Prigioniero ("The Prisoner"). D. H. 59 AUGUST 1959 .he refused $1300 for

year old recording!

The record- a 1900 disc by Russian tenor Joachim Tar­ tarofI. The man who owns it is just one of the many "Discophiles" you'll meet in next month's HIFI REVIEW. Another has so many records it would take five years to hear them all-and still a third has over 250 recordings by the great Caruso alone! Read about these and other fabulous collectors next month in HIFI REVIEW. You'll learn about record collec­ tions that stagger the imagination (and the pocketbook) in the "Undaunted Discophiles."

I n addition, you'll enjoy such outstanding September H IF! REVIEW features as:

• THE RECORDING ENGINEER LOOKS AT THE ARTIST out why the older they get, the more active they become. What does the man behind the d ials think about while the • USING A STEREO BALANCE METER artist is performing? How does he h elp soothe easily ruffled composures when the going gets rough? Here's a fascinating Is your stereo system properly balanced? H e re's how to find feature by the engineer responsible for Artur Rubinstein's out. This informative article will t ell you how to use and RCA Victor recordings . .. a story that adds a new d imension understand a simple 10 volt meter designed especially for to the career of a world famed pianist. stereo system balancing. • OLD CONDUCTORS NEVER DIE • SHOULD I CONVERT TO STEREO? Conducting a great orch estra is one way to eternal youth! If you've already answered "yes" to this question, h ere are So says this entertaining and informative article- revealing ten ways to convert to stereo- using special stereo adapters. the reasons behind the long and amazing careers of today's Full details on stereo conversion using a minimum of extra equipment. top conductors. You'll learn how Rodzinski, Beecham, Stow­ .:: kowski, Ormandy and others pace themselves. You'll find • AND MUCH , MUCH MORE.

These informative, entertaining, and a uthorita tive articl es appearing in September a re typical of the varied and exciting fare coming your way in 'HIFI REVIEW during the months ahead. To make this top coverage possible and to meet today's ever-increasing publis hing costs, t h e cover price of HIFI REVIF.w will be raised to 50¢ beginning next month. However, s ubscriptio n prices will not be r a ised for the time being- to a llow regular readers of HIFI REVIEW to t a k e advantage of the present low rates. So, if you're not yet a s u bscriber to HIFI REVIEW, now's the time to act before the subscription r a tes. too, are increased! CURRENT SUBSCRIPTION RATES $4 ONE YEAR $7 TWO YEARS $10 THREE YEARS HIFI REVIEW 434 S. Wabash Ave. , Chicago 5, Illinois 60 BIFI REVI EW THE8TEREO REEL THE STEREO REE L ...... E STEREO REEL

Rev iewed by DAVID HAll and JOHN THORNTON

• RED H EAD (AlberT Hague-Dorothy • H IGH NOON C H A C HA CHA-Si Pe rfo rm ance : Glossy Fields!. Original Cast reco rding wi th G wen Zentner a nd hi s Dance Band . . H igh Noon; Recording : Goot! Ve rdon, Ri c ha rd Kil e y, Leonard Sto ne, C yn­ Bai le Panchita ; So nn y Boy ; C ha C ha Cha­ Ste reo Directio na lity: Broad thia Latha m, Do ris Ric h & others, with Cho ru s mon; Bye, Bye Blackbird; Cecelia; Harbor Stereo De pt h: Fin e a nd Orchestra, J ay Blackton condo RCA Lights; Softly, As In A Mo rnin g Sunrise ; Victor FPS 233 $13 .95 C o ma No; Mr. Sa ndm a n. Bel Canto STB This tape originated in the Webster Hall 47 $9.95 recording locale used by RCA Victor in Musical In terest: Undist inguished New York and offers interesting contrast Pe rformance : It's all Gwen Musica l Interest : For cha-cha-cha c haps to the tight' sound of Redhead, reviewed Recording : Tight Pe rform a nce: En erget ic above. ' Maybe Webster Hall is good for big Ste reo Directionality: Ping-pongy Record ing : Tops swinging dance bands ; for this one sounds Ste reo Depth: Little Stereo Directionality : Good Ste reo De pth : Very good fine, even though the arran gem e n~s of a There is little need to add to the percep­ half-dozen good old standards are rather on tive remarks made by HFR reviewer Stan­ If you have joined the legions who enjoy the slicked up side. This is fin e stuff for ley Green (May, '59, p. 88) regarding the cha·cha-cha, you'll want this tape. Zentner Saturday night dancing in the rumpus room. musical aspects of R edhead as revealed has a well disciplined ensemble here, and D.H. on RCA Victor's disc release. T here's no the arrangements are both cleverly written douht that the irrepressible Gwen Verdon and well performed. The sound is crisp, spatial, and the beat exactly right. But carries the whole show from start to fin ish. 4 ·Track 7~ ips As for stereo, there's no question about what on earth is the old ballad "Sonny Boy" the added vividness it gives to ,show album s, doing here? However, most who dance to especially in dialogue-repartee and in gi ve­ it here won't remembel' the Al Jolson • LEON BIBB SINGS FOLK SONGS and· take choruses; but a little more actual masterpiece, nor care. Time Marches On, and so does eha-eha·cha. One of Bel Canto's with Chorus & O rch estra, Milt O ku n condo motion and stage business would have heen Si nn e r Ma n; East Virginia ; Turtle Dove; better stereo issues that will provide fin e most welcome, especially as the tight acous­ Rocks An d Gravel; Look O ver Yonder; Take tics of RCA Victor's New York Studio A Saturday evening of entertainment for the This Ha mm e r; Irene & 6 othe rs. Stereophonic tend to destroy pretty much any semblance whole gang. J. T . Music Society S I 4-t rack 7'/2 ips $7.95 of stage illusion. The recording represents Musica l Int e rest: Va ri able about the best that can be done u~d e r such • LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON-THE Pe rfo rmance: A t rifl e g e nteel unfavorable circumstances. D. H . THREE SUNS. Let Me C a ll You Sweethea rt; Recording: Gene rally good Th e Ve ry Th o ught Of You ; Lover's Bouq uet; Stereo Directionality: Clear-cut Love In Th e Afternoon; Love; How Deep Is Ste reo De pth : Good • FRAN-FRAN LACEY SINGS, with O r­ The Ocea n. RCA Victor A PS 210 $4.95 ch estra , Hugh Simon condo Bea utifu l Fri e nd­ The contents here are apparently identi­ shi p ; W hen Your Lover Has G one; Breezin g Mu si cal Interest: Tun eful pops cal with those on Vanguard's stel'eo disc Along Wit h The Breeze; Yo u Do So me thing Pe rfo rmance : Wow! VSD 2012, which sells at $5.95. Clearly if Record ing : . Super To Me ; Lo nesome Road; I'm Thro ugh With stereo tape in this new 4·track 7% ips Love; The Song Is Ended; Ea sy Street . Bel Stereo Directional ity: Superduper fo rmat can stay within $2 of stereo disc Canto STB 44 $9 .95 Stereo De pth: Mmmmmmm competition offering the same material and M usi ca I In te rest : Varied The Three Suns have added to their back­ provide the extra measure of top quality Performance : A good try ing for this effort two violins, cello, bass, sound, then the chances of a pre· recorded Record ing: Fine guitar, and a mandolin. Arr a n ge n~ e n~s are tape renaissance for 1959-60 look good Ste reo Directio na lity: Satisfactory slickly brilliant, the beat will set your pulse indeed. Stereo De pth: Also and foot to tapping, and the musicianship Most of Mr. Bibb's repertoire I learned Fran Lacey is Mrs. Les Menns, who lives perfect all the way. If the violins some­ in my 'teens from recordings and live per· with her husband and family in a Los times sob a bit too much, it's a minor fault formances by the redoubtable H uddle Led­ Angeles suburb, and who aspired to a sing­ . in a great little tape that shows why the better ("Leadbelly" ) . Anyone who has ing career during her high·school days. Her Three Suns are responsible for some of the heard these Leadbelly originals (most of friends introduced her to Russ Molloy, best you can find anywhere of this kind. of them available on Folkways LPs) will executive vice-president of Bel Canto, and music·making. The sound is close, full­ cringe at the way Mr. Bibb and his col­ wangled an audition. There followed this gutted, and sharply etched. J. T . laborators have diluted the raw bloo d, guts, tape. Fran has a pleasant voice all right, and soil of magnificent chain gang W Ol'k but the voice is obviously untrained. She • LOVE IS A SWINGIN' WORD-Sid so ngs like Take This Hammer and ' Look doesn't wobble, nor slide off pitch, but she Ram in and His Orchest ra. The Lad y's In Over Yonder. On the other hand, he makes has yet to learn how to put over a song by Love; Love Is A Sim ple Thing ; Love Is He re a quite pleasing business out of the more dwelling on the right words and the right To Stay; I Ca n't Give Yo u Anything But purely lyrical items like East Virginia and Love ; Love Lette rs; Love Is The Sweetest no tes at the right time. There is no plastici­ Poor Lolette. Unhappily, there is a fair Thing. RCA Victor APS 202 $4.95 ty to her voice, and all the numbers suffer amount of gimmickry apparent in both ar· from an amateurish approach. To throw a Mus ica l Inte rest: For dance rs rangements and use of echo chamber, so nice person like this into the rough-and­ that it boils down to minor league Bela· tumble ring of pop song competition with­ fonte. out more experience is a questionable busi­ t a pes reviewed here are 2-track, Recording quality is clear and spacious, ness in more ways than one. She has the ips, unl ess otherwise noted. for the most part- very wide range. A voice all right, but no real technique. J. T. couple of the tracks show heavy back- AUGUST 1959 61 ground noise and the use of the double­ Performance: Vigorous bass in rather reverberant surroundings Recording: Loud! tends to muddy up the accompaniment tex­ Stereo Directionality: Yup tures in several numbers. D. H. Stereo Depth: OK Hawaiian pop music like poi, is I sup­ • HARMONICA SPECTACULAR fea­ pose, an acquired taste. 'Nuff said. The turing Alan Black & Orchestra. For You; My recording is one of the loudest I have ever Melancholy Baby; O le Buttermilk Sky; Blue­ heard on tape; but so is what SMS has 22 tail Fly & 7 others. Stereophonic Music So­ piled onto its Harmonica Spectacular and WAYS ciety S 54-track 7% ips $7.95 Twelve Songs from Great Films reels. This Musical I nte rest : So-so Hawaiian Hits set registered at least 5 db. To ENJoY Performance: Bright above the normal level used by RCA Victor Recording: Loud on its 2-track tapes. So it was no surprise TI-tE Stereo Directionality : Yes indeed to me when I detected "leakage" of bass Stereo Depth: OK from one track to the other on both this R9BE~TS More good old standards, plus a famous and the "Harmonica" tape. folk tune (Bluetail Fly) -all done in de­ It's perfectly true that 4-track 7lh ips as terminedly bright-but not especially orig­ a tape medium needs a bit of "selling" to inal-style with harmonica adamantly to convince buyers of its equal merit to con­ the right and accompaniment mostly to the ventional 2-track stereo; hut piling this left. D. H. much level on is not the way to do it! • HAWAIIAN HITS starring Kamuela All we need is nice, clean-sounding, well and His South Sea Islanders. Cockeyed May­ recorded tapes, with interesting program or Of Kaunakai; Aloha Oe; Hilo Hattie; material. If the 4-track tape boys can give Drifting And Dreaming & 8 others. Stereo­ us this with the same amount of music on phonic Music Society 5 3 4-track 7% ips each real as a stereo disc and at a price $7.95 not too far out of line, then they'll "have Musical Inte rest : Hawaiian corn pone it made." D. H.

Bargain tape tie-ins

• BLOOD AND THUNDER CLASSICS­ recording tape-all for a total outlay of TCHAIKOVSKY: Russian Dance from Nut­ '8.00. cracker Suite; 51 BEll US : Finlandia (excerpt); The "capsule" comments do justice to FALLA: Dance of Terror & Ritual Fire Dance neither the good nor bad points of these from EI Amor Brujo; BRAHMS: Fourth Sym­ phony (excerpt from Finale); KHACHATU­ tapes, except to underline the generally very HOW TAPE RIAN: Saber Dance from Gayne; STRAVIN­ high-quality jazz dispensed on the two SKY: Infernal Dance & Finale from Firebird; Soundcraft reels by veteran jazzmen Cole­ EQUIPMENT SERVES BEETHOVEN: Ninth Symphony (excerpts man Hawkins, "Red" Allen, and their varied MANY AUDIO NEEDS from finale). Unidentified Sympho ny Or­ cohorts. The Dixieland fare is somewhat chestra, Chorus & Soloists. Audio Devices, modernized in treatment, hut full of pep, } 22 are discussed in new Inc. $1 plus purchase price of two 7" reels vim, and vigor, as well as remarkable lyrical of Type 1251 Audiotape. Roberts booklet fl exibility. The recorded sound is just a hit Roberts Electronics Inc. has 'prepared tight and lacking in brilliance, hut the this 20 page booklet to demonstrate • DIXIELAND JAM FEST featuring Cole­ stereo-sonics are nicely managed, with the the wide versatility and high quality re­ man Hawkins (tenor sax), "Red" Allen (trum­ "ping-pong" give-and-take emerging from production of monaural and stereo tape pet), J . C. Higginbotham (trombone), Sol between the two spea kers rather than from equipment. Eight ways to record live or Yaged (clarinet), Lou Stein (piano), Milt extreme opposite ends of th e listening area. from broadcasts and to dub or copy from H inton (bass), Cozy Cole (drums). Battle disks and tapes are discussed, including the The result is a sense of nice ensemble co· Hymn Of The Republic; Fra nkie And J ohnny; hesion. correct way to tape stereo broadcasts. When The Saints Go Ma rch ing In & 4 others. Reeves Soundcraft Corp. $1 plus purchase Much the same holds true for the lyri­ Also included in this informative booklet cal "swing" that distinguishes the "Sweet are ten methods to play back through price of two 7" reels of Reeves Sound craft high level and low level external ampli­ Tape. Moods" reel. "Red" Allen and "Chubby" fier / speakers in both monaural and stereo. Jackson really shine here. The studio acous­ Suggestions are given for the use of tape tics are more spacious than in the Dixieland equipment to " dub in " vocal or instrumen­ • SWEET MOODS OF JAZZ IN STEREO set and the stereo more effective th ereby. featuring Colema n Hawkins (te nor sax), Earl tal accompaniment by mixing' and multiple Our review copy, though, was troubled by recording. Warren (clarinet), "Red" Allen (trumpet), Marty Na poleon (piano), "Chubby" Jackson background noise. The booklet treats with the general use and' (bass), George Wettling (drums). Mean To Audio Devices' Blood and Thunder Clas­ care of tape equipment and instructions for sics presents something more of a problem tape splicing, microphone placement and re o Me; Stormy Weather; Sleepy time Gal; Sum­ cording procedure'. A complete index and bib. mertime & 3 others. Reeves Soundcraft Corp. for review, inasmuch as this writer doesn't liography are included. $1 plus purchase and mail exchange of 7" care much for bits and pieces hacked from reel of Reeves Sound craft Ta pe. Before you buy a tape recorder, you will want to concert han classics. read this valuable booklet, " 22 Ways to Enjoy the Musical Interest: The jazz has it The performances here are workmanlike, Roberts." Fo r your copy, just fill out and mail Perfo rmance: The janmen win again if not wholly inspired. The sound in the the coupon below. Recording: Fair to good Sibelius, Brahms, and Stravinsky is big­ Stereo Di rectionality: Appropriate with plenty of depth and spread, a welcome j------l Stereo Depth : Adequate ROBERTS ELECTRONICS INC. relief from "ping-pong" stereo. The Beetho­ I 1045 N. Sycamore. Los Angeles·38, Calif. . Dept. B I If yo u take 3.50 as the going retail list ven "Ninth" excerpts suffer from a too­ I "Please send me a copy of "22 Ways to Enjoy the I price for a 7 -inch reel of top quality blank distant chorus (sopranos are all too evident, I Roberts." I recording tape, then it seems pretty obvious basses mostly lost) . To be utterly candid, I NAME I that these premium "packages" from Audio we're a bit sorry that Audiotape didn't make l ADDRESS I Devices and Reeves Soundcraft are som e­ a deal with one of the major independent thing of a bargain-close to 30 minutes of recording companies for tape sampler ma­ I CITY ZONE_STAT~ I I Enclose lOc (stamps, cash ) for handling & postage I pre-recorded stereo classics and jazz in each, terial featuring major "name" artists and ------together with a reel of hi gh quality blank orchestras. Better luck next time! D. H. 62 HIFI REvmw ~ Stereo Entertainment

Jazz, Pops, Stage and Screen BEST OF THE MONTH

• Columbia's soundtrack highlights from the Porgy and Bess film comes Reviewed by through in some of the best theater stereo yet-"Robert· McFerrin's im­ RALPH J. GLEASON pressive, well-controlled baritone invests Porgy with great dignity and STANLEY GREEN inner strength .... The stereo effects have been accomplished with unfailing good taste." (see p. 40) NAT HENTOFF • Riverside has a real winner in Everybody Digs Bill Evans-"one of the JAZZ best piano jazz LPs of the year ... with some of the most effective drumming on record by Philly Joe Jones , , , a definite must." (see • JAZZ SAHARA-Ahmed Abdul-Malik p. 65) (oud and bass). Johnny Griffin (tenor saxo­ phone), Naim Karacand (violin), Jack Gha­ .• Verve adds something extra special to the Porgy and Bess literature naim (kanoon), Mike Hamway (darabeka), Bilal Abdurrahman (duf: tambourine), AI with their 2-disc Louis Armstrong-Ella Fitzgerald album-"an Ella and Harewood (drums) . Ya Annas (Oh, People); Isma's (Listen) ; EI Harris (Anxious ) ; Farah Louis show ... one of their best.... Russell Garcia has provided 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us). Riversi de RLP 1121 $5.95 sensitive accompaniment throughout." (see p. 72)

M usica I Interest: Absorbing eastern "cry." He does not, however, seem heen relatively stimulating, but this comes Performance: Excellent too close to B-picture background stuff to Recording: One of their best to have absorbed much of the rhythmic or warrant serious musical attention. Despite Stereo Directionality: Good harmonic language of the other players. He Stereo Depth: Very convincing is clearly a stylistic outsider, however much the title, this jungle, as Duke Ellington he may sound emotionally in tune with the once put it, is air-conditioned. This is the first attempt on record to my proceedings. There are it few quasi-authentic touches, knowledge to combine music of the Middle This set, then, is just a beginning and especially in those numbers with a poly­ East with jazz. The leader, Ahmed Abdul­ an intriguing one. It's worth having, in any rhythmic percussion base; but, for the most Malik, appropriately doubles on string bass case, for the long passages of straight part, the orchestrations are safely com· and oud (Arabian lute). He also wrote Middle Eastern "jamming." It's too bad mercial and slickly eclectic. Featured solo­ and arranged all the music. Born in Brook­ that Riverside couldn't get Dizzy Gillespie ist is Plas Johnson on tenor saxophone and lyn, he is Sudanese in descent, and for as the jazz guest because Dizzy has traveled alto fl ute. He swings warmly, but he doesn't years has played various forms of Middle in some of the Middle Eastern countries, sound like any jungle explorer either. Good Eastern music on recordings, at dances, etc. and has been interested enough in some of background music for a very large party. His jazz career has included experience the music to bring some home and study N. H . with several combos, most notably that of it. Besides he is a more creative improviser Thelonious Monk. Abdul-Malik has been than Griffin. N. H. • YOU'RE GETTING TO BE A HABIT trying for a long time to convert musicians WITH ME featuring RUBY BRAFF and his and recording companies to his belief that • LES BAXTER'S JUNGLE JAZZ - Les trumpet. Someday Sweetheart; Swing Th at in this East-West fusion, many more chal­ Baxter and orchestras. Rain Forest; Isle Of Music; Lazy; If Dreams Come Tru e 6 others. lenging roads to improvisation will be Cuba; Voodoo Dreams & 9 others. Capitol Stere-O-Craft RCS 507 $5.98 opened to jazzmen. ST 1184 $4.98 One album is hardly enough to prove his Musical Interest: Broad Musical Interest: Tarzan goes to town Performance: Excellent point, but it is of special value, not only Performance: Good Recording: Excellent because its title, but because the presence Recording: First-rate Stereo Directionality: Good of jazzmen Johnny Griffin may lead some Stereo Directionality: Tasteful Stereo Depth: OK jazz listeners to their fir st hearing of the Stereo Depth: Excellent rhythmically hypnotic, plangently multi­ Braff manages to communicate better Jungle Jazz is another example of Les than many of his contemporaries of any colored music of the Middle East. Baxter's commercial exotica. Some have Malik has assembled a superb group of school. All his performances are warm, experts in this idiom, including a violinist lyric and moving and this LP is all of that. who really wails, as the jazzmen say. The It swings too, which is a help and the inclusion of Griffin on the first three is the All records reviewed in this column as sound is fine. Not a trend-setting album, main focus of fusion. Despite what the stereo must be played on stereophonic but one that is delightful to play. R. J. G. notes say, the fourth track on which Griffin equipment. They CAN NOT be does not play, seems to me to have little played on old style monophonic (sin­ • STEREOPHONIC SUITE FOR TWO jazz to it. Griffin's contribution is, in a gle speaker) equipment without per­ BANDS - LES BROWN BAND and VIC sense, superimposed; but when he does manently damaging the record. Play SCHOEN BAND. Ballet In Bra ss; Four Score appear, he improvises in almost a chanting And Seven; 109 Station Road; The Sorcerer at 33 113 rpm with the RIAA setting. way and his jazz "cry" is not at all emo­ And The Latin; Oh Those Martian Blues; Pipe tionally out of context with the middle· Dreams; The Fire And The Flame; Th e AUGUST 1959 63 , ' STEAEC> I:)IS~ MIS~E~LAI'IV'

MORE NEW ITEMS' RATED AT A GLANCE

Title Musicol Perform- Stereo Stereo Interest ance Di rection Depth Score POPS STOPPERS-Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler condo ,f,f,f Jalousie; Rit uol Fire Do nee & 6 others. RCA Victor lSC 2270 $5.98 FIESTA-Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Carmen Dragon cond o ,f,f La Palomo; La Golondrina; Granado & 8 others. Capitol SP 8335 $5.98 INVITATION TO THE DANCE-Capitol Symphony, Carmen Dragon condo ,f,f,f Po lka fro m Bartered Bride; Amaryllis & 7 others. Capitol SP 8466 $5.98 DAVID OISTRAKH ENCORES-with Vladimir Yampolsky (piano) ,f,f,f Clair de Lun e; Valse Scherzo & 7 o thers. Angel Stereo 35354 $5.98 NOCTURNE-Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Carmen Dragon condo ,f,f Grieg, N octurne; Massenet, Elegie & 8 others. Capitol SP 8363 $5.98 STARLIGHT WALTZES-Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Felix Slatkin condo ,f,f,f Rosenkavalier Waltzes; Skaters Woltz & 4 others. Capitol SP 8456 $5.98 THE BELOVED CHORUSES-Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Philadelphia Or- chestra, Eugene Ormandy condo ,f,f,f Sheep May Safely Graze; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desi ring & 7 others. Columbia MS 6058 $5.98 CLAIR DE LUNE-Raymond Lewenthal (piano) ,f,f,f Clair de Lune ; liebestraum No. 2 & 10 others. Westminster Stereo WST 14053 $5.98 INVITATION TO THE WALTZ-Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Rene Leibowitz cond o ,f,f,f Weber, In vitation to the Donee; Sibelius, Valse Tris te & 4 others. Westminster WST 14025 $5.98 I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU-David Allen with Orchestra ,f,f Soon; Heart And Soul & 10 others. Warner Bros. WS 1268 $4.98 LIFE IN VIENNA-Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Kempe cond o ,f,f,f Suppe, Morning, Noon & N ig ht in Vien na; 1. Strauss Sr, Radetzky March & 5 others. Capitol SG 7167 $5.98 MANHATTAN SPIRITUAL-Reg Owen & his Orchestra ,f,f Lull aby Of Birdland; Cor Ho p & 10 o thers. palette SPZ 1001 $4.98 VIENNESE W AL TZES-Jo Basile, His Accordion & Orchestra ,f,f Cafe Mozart; Woltz Dream; G low-worm & 9 others. Audio Fidelity AFSD 5868 $6.95 LET'S ALL SING WITH RED FOLEY-Anita Kerr Singers with Owen Bradley & Orchestra ,f ,f Smiles; I Wont A Girl; Sleepy Time Gal & 9 others. Decca Dl 78847 $5.98 THE AMBASSADORS GET TOGETHER-The Ambassadors (organ & piano) ,f,f 7 Whispering; Why Was I Born & 6 others. Jubilee SDJlP $4.98 THE CADET CHAPEL CHOIR OF WEST POINT-John A. Davis condo ,f,f 7 Sing Pra ises; Glory Now To Thee & 11 others. Vox STVX 425.590 $4.98 = SMART AND CONTINENTAL-Dick Smart & Orchestra ,f,f 7 I'll Be Yo urs; Autumn Leaves; Beyond The Sea & 9 others. Everest SDBR 1027 $5.98 THE HEAVENLY TOUCH OF ASSUNTA-Assunta (piano) with Orchestra, Andy Sannella condo ,f ,f 6 The Continental; Lauro; Tenderl y & 9_others. Everest SDBR 1030 $5.98

Musical Interest; Exce ll ent """" Pleasing ".,., Fair ., ., Dull ., Petf~rmance : Superb " " " " Good " ., " Adequate "., Di sappointing '" Stereo Direction ; Tasteful " " " " Adequate ., " " EXQggerated .,,, Poor '" Stereo Depth : Ou1standing " " " " Good .,., " Fa ir ., " Minimal '"

64 HIFI REVm,,' Strange And Stirring Romance Of Th e In­ • THE FIRST JAZZ PIANO QUARTET ebriated Owl And The Insubordinate Teacup; -Morris Nanton, Moe W echsler, Bernie Symphonie Pour L'Orchestre American. Kapp Leighton, Irv Joseph (pianos), AI Hall KD-7003-S $11.96; Mono-KDL-7003 $9.96 (bass), Osie Johnson (drums). Thou Swell; April In Paris; Love Fo r Sale & 15 others. Musica l In terest: First of its kind Warner Brothers WS 1274 $4.98 Pe rformance: Professional Record ing: Flawless Musical In terest: Slic k Stereo Directionality: Wide wide screen Performance: Deft Stereo Depth: Surprisingly shallow Recording: Clear Stereo Directionality: Excellent This ambitious effort upon the parts of Stereo Depth: First-rate Vic Schoen and Les Brown carries to a logical conclusion the satirical cartoons Stereo is especially apt for two or four­ about stereo- two bands and two conduc­ piano recordings, and much of the fun for tors with a built-in "hole-in· the-middle." me in listening to this record was in follow­ Schoen has written some new hectic stuff ing the "channel crossings." All four pian· especially for this enviable opportunity. The ists are flu ent, but the shallow nature of two well·separated brass sections afford an the arrangements give them little opportu· unparalleled chance for a stereo joust. Sur­ nity to rise ahove what is essentiall y a very prisingly enough, some of it comes off taste­ workmanlike blueprint for background fully, as witness Oh, Those Martian Blues music. There are some briskly improvised wh ere call and response are the order of solos, but the basic framework is restrict· the day. Though the music may not get ing. In time, polish without substance be­ a special award, it is a good start toward comes tiresome. N. H. what may eventually become compositions scored jar stereo . In the mono disc version, • THE BUD FREEMAN GROUP - Bud the impact is obviously lost and it sounds Freeman (tenor saxophone), George Wet­ for all the world like something out of the tling (drums), Dick Cary (piano), AI Hall hey-day of Sauter-Finnegan or even a (bass). Rosa li e; Ha nid; Sweet Sue & 9 watered-down Kenton. O. P. F. others. Stere-O-Craft RTN 103 $5.98 Mu sical Inte rest : Substantial Performance: Bud keeps his verve • BIX MCMLlX-Dick Cathcart (trum­ Recording: Good pet) with orchestra directed by Warren Stereo Direction ality: Well spread Barker. Mis sissi ppi tAud; Singin' Th e Blues; Stereo Depth: Good for a quartet I'm Coming Virgi nia & 9 others. Warner Brothers WS 1275 $4.98 But Freeman, now in his early fifties, has lost none of his warmth and zest for play­ Musical Interest: Mostly for Cathcart ERIE ing. He remains instantly identifiable in Performance: Cathcart's fine Recording: Very full tone and style, and he still improvises with ' IS FOR YOU Ste reo Directionality: Well done lucid imagination. His support is steady Ste reo Depth : Tasteful and sympathetic, with Dick Cary playing several pleasantly unhurried solos and with Dick Cathcart is a nicely satisfying Wettling and .Hall keeping full time. An­ swing-Dixieland trumpeter, who is current­ other horn might have made the proceed­ ly heard in the background for NBC-TV's ings more stimulating, but the album is still Pete Kelly's Blues. He has excellent tone, worth hearing for the ease, assurance and warmth, improvises singing lines, and in perennial high musical spirits of the leader. som e ways does bring back memories of Bix N.H. Beiderbecke in the brassy clarity of his sound. Warner Brothers has unwisely sur­ rounded him--except for four quartet sides • THE FOUR BROTHERS SOUND fea­ -with too large a band (including strings ) turing JIMMY GIUFFRE. Four Brothe rs; when Cathcart's economic, informal way of Come Ra in Or Come Shine; Me mphis In June & 6 others. Atlantic SO $5.98 playing is best highlighted in small combos. The added instruments only blur the back­ M usica I I nterest : Moderate New single-element grounds, especially when the writing for Perform ance : Good them is as unimaginative as Warren Bar­ Recording: Good ker's is here. Cathcart plays well through­ Ste reo Direction; lity: OK stereophonic cartridge Stereo De pth: likewise out. N. H. Giuffre will make his mark not as a by ERIE tenor soloist, but as a writer; however, if he It EV·ERYBODY DIGS BILL EVANS fea­ insists on tricking up his compositions • Fits any standard tone arm turing the BILL EVANS TRIO. Min o rity; (here he plays all four sax parts himself Night And Day; Tenderly ; What Is There • Simply plug it in .. . adapter is included To Say & 6 othe rs . Riverside RLP 1129 $5.95 via multiple taping), he may s ucceed in • Dual stylii ... diamond · sapphire or drowning even them. This is an extraordi­ sapphire· sapphire. Musica l Inte rest : Exceptional narily dull LP, proving once again that Perfo rm a nce: Outstanding multiplying something four times (or at • Frequencyresponse : 20 to 16,000 cycles Recording : Good all) doesn't necessarily make it any better. • Tracking force: 5·6 grams St ereo Directionality: Good Stereo Depth : Good It is a major disappointment from start to • 20 DB channel separation finish, thin and incomplete. R. J. G. This is one of the best piano jazz LPs of • O.5v. output, each channel the year, with brillian t, sizzling modern • LOW IN PRICE ... HIGHEST FIDELITY • BLUES WITH A KICK-BOBBY HACK­ jazz solo work by Evans and with some of ETT (trumpet), Dave McKenna (piano), the most exceptional drumming on record Johnny Giuffrida (bass), Joe Porcaro For literature and name of your local by Philly Joe Jones. Stereo helps you hear (drums), Nick Tagg (piano and Hammond ERIE Distributor, write to: Jones better and grasp what a r emarkable organ), Milt Hinton (bass) , Harry Brewer drummer he is. Evans is certainly one of and Phil Kraus (percussion), nine violins, two the most interesting pianists to emerge in violas, two cellos. Sugar Blues; Lim e ho use Blues; . Bye Bye Blues & 9 othe rs. Capitol ERI E Electronics Distributor Division jazz in several years. This LP is a definite ~~ ERIE RESISTOR CORPORATION ST I 172 $4.98 must for anyone interested in modern jazz. Eri e, P e nnsy l vani a R.J.G. Musica l Interest : Mostly for Bobby AUGUST 1959 65 Performance: Who needs the strings? Than Springtime & 8 othe rs. Capitol ST 1166 only 151 for this Recording : Good $4.98 Stereo Directiona lity: Very good Stereo Depth: Convi ncing Mu sical Interest: Big band jazz authoritative guide Pe rfo rmance: Sl ick This is a proto· typical example of how Recording : Good to building to waste men and money. In addition to Ste reo Directionality: A bit exaggerat ed Hackett's regular quartet, Stan Applebaum Stereo Dept h: Good an co nd ucts a full orchestra with extra rhythm. While not the best of the Kenton bands, Applebaum, his orchestra, and his arrange· this one still boasts a good trumpeter in InexpenSIve ments are wholly superfluous. Bobby plays Jack Sheldon and his solos are the best on beautifully with his usual care for melodic the LP. The band doesn't swing, except in ~~ record improvisation and with supple control. Left that peculiar Kentonian manner, and the alone with his own rhythm section, Bobby program offers show tunes with emphasis on would' have produced a fin e album. The pastel shading of ballads. R. J. G. library! strings, however, get in the way and the writing for the strings, moreover, is square, reprinted from • THE MOST MINOR-THE JOHN LA thereby coming into constant conflict with HiF i REVIEW PORTA QUARTET-John LaPorta {alto sax· Bobby's tasteful simplicity. If it were pos· ophone }, Jack Reilly {piano} , Dick Carter sible to remove the Applebaum contingent {bass}, Charles Perry {drums} . Decided; N ow- you can build a record library entirely by closing off one channel, the Diction; Fren esi & 7 others. Everest SDBR of hi-fi classics from the steadily record could be recommended. N. H . 1037 $5.98; Mono-LPBR 5037 $3.98 growing catalogue of $1.98 releases! Mu sical Interest : Mixed More than half a dozen big record • GONGS EAST! featuring the CHICO Pe rfo rmance: Strid ent LaPorta HAMILTON QUINTET. Beyond The Blue Record ing: Good companies are re-issuing great per­ Horizon; I Gave My Love A C herry ; Long Ste reo Directionality: Skillful Ago ; Pa ssion Fl ower & 6 others. W arner formances on the new $1.98 labels. Stereo De pth: Acceptable Bros. WS 1271 $4.98 You can have a guide to the best of John LaPorta is an exceptionally well these for 15¢-by ordering this reprint Musical Interest: Lim ited Performa nc e: Spiri tless trained musician and teacher who none­ of a recent article in HiFi REVIEW. Recording: Excellent theless is not an important jazz soloist. He Complete with catalogue number, art­ Stereo Directionality: Good improvises with intelligence and a careful ist, orchestra and conductor inform a­ Ste reo Depth: Good sense of structure, but his tone, particular­ lyon up· tempos, is unpleasantly strident. tion- it's a fabulous guide to building This is the new Hamilton group, the lat· Furthermore, his work lacks that irresisti· up a h igh fidelity library of basic est of several and the performances are ble emotional impact of the best jazz solo­ simply not in a class with what he was classics! ists. His writing ranges from the techni­ doing originally. The tunes themselves are cally fa cile and emotionally shallow to oc­ fin e, but there is now a lack of spark about casional statements that are both moving In addition, HiFi REVIEW's Music the band that makes this album quite dull. Editor, David Hall, gives you the and imaginative. An example of the latter R.J. G. is The Most Minor, the best original and background of the $1.98 market .. . the best performance in the album. evaluates the discs being offered at • A RT FO RD'S PARTY FO R MARTY­ For the rest, there is substantial playing Marty Holmes {teno r saxophone } a nd uni. this price . . . pinpoints the future of dentifi ed octette. Pepper Pot; Love W a lk ed by the rhythm section and consistently high-quality, low-price records. In ; Maybe Soon & 9 others. Jubilee SDJLP tasteful solos by bassist Dick Carter. One 1099 $5.98 would think that a musician who knows If you've been thinking of starting a as much about reed instruments as LaPorta Mu sica l Interest: Mil d could do something about his tone. Since record collection or adding to the one Performa nce: Competent this is a well-integrated quartet, the stereo Recording: Clear a nd a live you have--this reprint is your best Stereo Directionality: Intellig ent version is preferable. N. H. gUide! Order your copy today-sim­ Ste reo Depth : Accepta bl e ply mail 15¢ in coin or stamps with • J UMPIN' AT THE LEFT BANK featu r. Despite hyperbole in th e liner notes, this ing vocal stylings by the JOHN LA SALLE the coupon below. But the supply is is an ordinary session in which trumpeter QUARTET. Let There Be Love; Out Of This limited, so order n ow ! Burt Collins is the only striking soloist. W orld; Just In Time; The Witch Song & 8 The leader plays barely adequate jazz tenor, others. Capitol ST 1176 $4.98 and his arrangements, while unpretentious, ~------, Mu sica l Interest: Pleasant entertainm ent are far from uniquely inventive. The me· : HiFi REVIEW H 89 : Performance : Spirit ed dium and up-tempo tracks are the more in­ Recording: Good I Box 1778R I vigorating. The ballads tend to limp. N. H . Ste reo Directionality: OK oJ Church Street Station : Stereo De pt h: Adequate I • I DI G CHICKS! featuri ng the JONAH I New York 8 , N. Y. JONES QUARTET. T ange r in e; Cecilia; This is a sort of silly record wi th frothy I Chlo-e ; Judy & 8 others. Capitol ST 1193 vocals by a pseudo-modern jazz quartet. I P lease rush my copy of the HiFi RE­ $4.98 The accompaniment is good, the sound is I VIEW reprint on bll;ilding a library of fine and the whole thing is in good spirits. Music a l Interest: Swing ing pop I $1.98 recor ds. I enclose 15¢ to cover You can play it without annoyance, but I Performance: Scintilla ting postage and handling. Recording : Excell ent there's no real reason to play it at all. I Stereo Directiona lity: Good R.J. G. I Stereo Depth: Good I • LOU LEVY PLAYS BABY GRAND I Nam e ______I'll take this unpretentious, swinging J AZZ. Little G irl; Undecided; Lover Ma n; I melodic LP over many a jazz album done I've Foun d A New Baby; Sl eepy Se renade I with sombre seriousness. Jonah just plays & 7 others. Jubilee SDJLP 110 I $5.98 I the tune and swings it; when he sings he's I Add"ess ------______a lot like Nat Cole and at all times, he's Musi cal Inte rest : Modern jazz piano Performance: Good I thoroughly enjoyable. R. J. G. Recording: Good I Stereo Directionality: OK : CitY--_ __ Zon e _ _ S ta te _ _ _ • THE STAGE DOOR SWINGS featur. Ste reo Depth : OK l ______~ ing t he STAN KENTON ORCHESTRA. The Party's O ve r; Ba li Ha'i; I Love Paris; Younger Levy is a good jazz pianist with feeling, 66 H I FI REVIEW a basic swing and occasionally fascinating • OUT OF THE BLUE featuring BLUE STEREO or MONAURAL ideas. He gets a chance to develop them MITCHELL. It C o uld Happen To Yo u; on this LP and the result is pleasant, some­ M issi ng Yo u; Whe n The Sa ints G o Ma rc hing times even really moving jazz. The drum­ In & 3 othe rs. Riverside RLP 1131 $5.95 .RECORD ALBUMS mer is Gus Johnson and the bass player, M usi ca l I nte rest: Good modern jazz Max Bennett and both help a good deal. Pe rforma nce: Spirited R.J.G. Re cording: Good AT BIG DISCOUNTS Stereo Directionality: Good EVERY FAMOUS LABEL INCLUDED! Ste re o De pth: OK • DOWN TO EARTH - THE RAMSEY Popular, Shows, Jazz, Symphonic: Mitchell is a Miles Davis·type trumpet Save b y mail on f amous brands s uch as LEWIS TRIO PLAYS MUSIC FROM THE RCA, COLUMBIA. CAPITOL. DECCA. Etc. SOIL-Ramsey Lewis (piano). EI Dee Young player who is definitely of the second rank Shop f rom your home for any la bel a nd (bass), Red Holt (drums). J ohn H e nry ; (as of now, at any rate), but still has pro­ save ! Not a club! No minimum purcha se requirements ! Suza nne; De cisio ns & 7 othe rs. Mercury SR duced a very good LP with some excellent 80029 $5.95; Mono-MG 36150 $3.98 tenor solos by Benny Golson and piano LIST PRICE YOUR PRICE $1.98 ...... $1.79 Musi ca l Inte rest : An improvement solos by Wynton Kelly. The most fascinat­ Pe rfo rmance: Virile ing track is a modern version of When The $3.98 ...... $2.98 Reco rding: Very powerful Saints Go Marching In, which makes it into $4.98 ...... '" '" .... $3.79 Stereo Directiona li t y: Good a spiritual again. R. J. G. $5.98 ...... $4.59 Stereo De pth: Fine for a trio $6.95 ...... $5.49 This is a real trio, not just a pianist with • RED NICHOLS & THE FIVE PENNIES ON LIST PRICES NOT SHOWN, TAKE 25% OFF! rhythm backing, and the stereo version AT MARINELAND - Red Nichols (trum­ • Everything Guaranteed First Quality! makes that point quite clear. The album pet). Gene Plummer (piano). Pete Beilmann Never Played! Factory Sealed! • Money quickly refunded if not 100"1. as r epresents a decided change from previous (trombone), Bill Wood (clarinet). Rollie Cul­ represented here! ver (drums). Joe Rushton (bass saxophone). Ramsey Lewis sets released by Argo. The Special Introductory Offer ~ former "gentle-men of jazz" have never Fidgety Feet; C a rolina In Th e Mo rn ing ; My before been as emotionally outgoing on In sp ira t io n & 12 others. Capitol ST 1163 THIS AD IS WORTH $4.98 On any orde r of $100 or more, deduct record. In fact, they're trying to be con­ an additional $1.00 off the total of discount prices when you enclose this spicuously earthy-hence the title of the Musical Inte rest : Shallow coupon. DEPT HF. album and the egregiously corny cover of a Pe rformanc e: Proficient hand with a pile of fresh earth. The change Re co rding: Crisp Ste reo Directio na lity: First-rate ORDER b y sending u s title. artist, record in temperament is certainly for the better, c ompany . list price a nd discount price f or Stereo De pt h: Good each album you want. Add 35¢ postage since the trio communicates with more force f or 1 st a lbum, 10¢ each a dd it iona l a lbum. than before and occasionally with welcome Recorded at a live performance at Ma­ Check or Money Order IN FULL mus t a c­ rineland near Los Angeles, this is a charac­ compan y a ny order. No C.O.D.'s. Quick good humor. Serv ice ! Some of the "earthiness," however, sounds teristic Red Nichols session-spirited but IF YOU WISH, send 25¢ f or 2 00 page illus­ a little contrived as if Lewis were hitting rhythmically stiff. Bass saxophonist .Toe trated catalog and or der b la nks. 25¢ re­ the keys hard just to prove he can. There Rushton is a warm, fluid, personal soloist, funded with l 'st order. are also touches of merely rhetorical play­ the best of this band, but he just doesn't DISCOUNT MUSIC & SOUND CO. ing, by which I mean that the content have enough solo space. The r ecord as a Dept. HF, Box 995 Newark I, N. J. doesn't always measure up to the flourishes whole has little jazz significance, in that with which these performances are pro­ the other soloists are not major jazzmen duced. and the over-all effect is one of slick for­ An Announcement By and large, this is an enjoyable album mula rather than spontaneous emotion. to the Readers of that indicates Lewis will be especially worth N.H. hearing when he finds his own middle way HI-FI REVI EW between the former overemphasis on gentle­ • CHET BAKER INTRODUCES JOHN· For those who are lovers of Stereo there ness and the current overshoveling of ear th. NY PACE - Johnny Pace (vocals), Chet now exists an opportunity to cash in on the Choice of repertory is unwise in that a Baker (trumpet) and unidentified flute and Stereo boom by tying in with a most exciting and successful direct-to·consumer Stereo mer· sizable part of the album consists of folk rhythm. Th e W ay Yo u Look Tonight; What chandising plan. tunes-not the best possible jazz material Is Th e re To Say; Yesterd ays & 7 othe rs. Riv­ Every 10 to 20 years a product and sales unless transmuted with unusual sensitivity erside RLP 1130 $5.95; Mono-RLP 12-292 plan sweeps across the nation. Those who $4.98 seize the opportunity reap the rewards, while and individuality-as John Benson Brooks others stand on the sidelines regretfully, won­ has done. I also fail to see the point of M usica I I nte rest: Moderate dering, " Why didn't I get in on that?" Pe rforma nce: Professional The Stereo·Plex Home Theater is now mak· treating Sometimes I Feel Like a Mother­ ing sales history from coast to coast. How­ less Child as a fin ger·snapping jazz tune. Re co rding: Close and clear ever, there are stili ground floor opportunities I also wonder what Lewis's rhapsodic in­ Stereo Dire ctionality: OK for Home Dealers and exclusive Territory Stereo De pth: Acceptable Distributors. terpretation of the folk tune, Suzanne, has Home Dealers operate right out of their own to do with jazz. What the Ramsey Lewis Riverside has an odd penchant for dis­ homes, conduct Stereo·Plex Home Theaters a few evenings a week on a part time basis. trio does best is W e Blue It, a relaxed covering undistinguished singers. Johnny The Company supplies everything-a complete three·way improvisation that is neither Pace was scouted for Riverside by Chet Stereo·Plex Home Theater Kit-Theater Pro· grams, Tickets and a full one and a half hour polite nor piledriving. N. H. Baker; and though he certainly sings bet· Stereo·Plex Home Theater on special records. ter than Baker himself, he is not distinc­ Home Dealers can earn a second income up­ tive enough for a whole LP. Pace is also wards of $200 to $800 a month out of their • FOUR·BUTTON DIXIE featuring MAT­ homes and have fun doing it in this exciting TY MATLOCK and the Paducah Patrol. more of a singer than such previous River· and revolutionary sales program. Sweet G eorgia Brown; Mama 's G o ne, G ood­ side hopefuls as Abbey Lincoln and Marty The Territory Distributor controls an entire territory-all sales made in that area go bye; When Buddha Smiles; H ard Heart e d Bell. He has a pleasingly open, warm style through him . Certain areas are still open for Ha nnah & 8 others. Warner Bros. WS 1280 and is certainly a more tasteful pop vocalist territory distributorships. Distributor must $4.98 have good business background and $6,000 to than most who make the hits. But there $12,000 in cash for inventory and show room. Musica l Inte rest : Dixie only are, I think, scores of youngsters who sing The stereophonic phonograph manufactured Pe rforma nce: Mechanical with a similar degree of professional com­ by us is regarded as the Cadillac in the field and can be purchased only through this mer· Recording : Excellent petence. There is as yet no unique quality chandising plan. Stereo Directio na lity : Good to make one remember the Pace style or Write us at once and we will send you full Stereo Depth: Good sound. The accompaniment is very good details. Be sure to specify whether you are interested in the Home Dealer Opportunity or For a definition of Hollywood dixie, see with Baker showing in his own trumpet Exclusive Territory Distributor Opportunity. We phrasing how Pace mi ght turn into a looser will forward complete information by return this LP or the Pete Kelly's Blues TV show. mail. This is the least valid jazz performed today; and more inventive singer. N. H. Write: Dept. S·S a steril e, mechanical reprise of old tunes, STEREO·PLEX MFG. CO. played over and over. The musicians sound 8295 Sunset Blvd. • DANCE, DANCE, DANCE featuring Los Angeles 46, California bored, as well th ey mi ght. R. J. G. DON REDMAN and All Stars. If I Had My I AUGUST 1959 67 STEREC> £)IS~ IYIIS~E"'LAN'V

MORE 'NEW ITEMS' RATED AT A GLANCE .

Musi(al Perform- Stereo Stereo Title Interest ance Direction Depth Score CAESAR PLAYS-Caesar Giovannini (pianist) .J.J .J.J.J 12 Begin The Beguine; All Th e Things You Are; Malaguena & 10 others. Concert-Disc CS 40 $6.95 SOPHISTICATED PIPES with Don Baker (organist) .J.J .J.J.J .J.J.J .J.J.J.J 12 Street Scene; Belle Of The Ba ll ; Our Woltz & 5 o th ers. ...,' Capitol ST 1171 $4.98 DANCE AND STAY YOUNG with David Carroll and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J.J .J.J.J .J.J.J 11 I Can Dream Can't I; Love Letters In The Sand; Hey Rub e & 9 others. Mercury SR 60027 $5.95 OPERA FOR ORCHESTRA IN STEREO with Vienna State Opera Orch., Sy Shaffer condo .J.J .J.J .J.J.J .J.J.J 10 Carmen; Faust; Ta les of Hoffmann. Westminster WST 14056 $5.98 AND STILL I LOVE YOU-John Glegg and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J .J.J .J.J.J 9 A Cup Of Coffee'; When Winter Comes A-Collin'; All Through The Night & 9 others. RCA Victor lSP 1916 $5.98 GIRLS WERE MADE TO TAKE CARE OF BOYS with Reg Owen and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J .J.J.J .J.J 9 Tr u~t In Me; As Time Goes By; Ti me For No O ne & 9 othe rs. RCA Victor lSP 1908 $5.98 FAVORITE SHOW TUNES-Vol. 2 with The Sorkin Strings .J.J .J.J.J .J.J 8 Comin' Through The Rye; Sophisticated Lad y; Bye Bye Blues & 7 others. Concert-Disc CS 38 $6.95 LEROY LEWIS PLAYS ORGAN MAGIC .J.J .J.J .J.J .J.J 8 Bye Bye Blues; Ebb Tid e; Manhattan; Easy To Love & 8 others. Jubilee SDJlP 1103 $5.98 MUSIC FOR HI-FI LOVERS with Hal Otis and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J .J.J .J.J 8 Around The World; So In Lo ve; On The Alamo; Snowfall & 8 others. W estminster WST 15035 $5.98 SAY IT WITH FLOWERS with Ronald Binge and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J.J .J.J 8 Say It With Flowers; To A Wild Rose; We'll Gather lilacs & 10 others. RCA Victor lSP 1890 $5.98 THE GIRL IS YOU-THE BOY IS ME with Carlo Savina and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J .J.J 7 You're My Everything ; Am I In Love; Cross Your Heart & 9 othe rs. RCA Victor lSP 1913 $5.98 VIENNA SO GAY with Hans Carste and His Orchestra .J.J .J.J .J.J 7 Music of Emmerich Kalman. Decca Dl78810 $5.98 ACCORDION REVERIES with Vincent Geraci .J.J 5 I Love You; Reverie; Mogic Is The Moonlight; If You Go & 6 o thers. Concert-Disc CS 38 $6.95 PAGAN LOVE SONG with Billy Ward and His Orchestra and Chorus .J.J 5 Pagan l ove Song; Trade Winds; Hurricane; Aloha Oe & 8 others. liberty lST 7113 $4.98 RUSSIAN FIREWORKS with" 101" Strings and Russland Chorus .J.J 5 Volga Boatmen; Sabre Dance; Meadowland and 2 others. Stereo-Fidelity SF 8500 $2.98 VIVA with The Caballeros .J.J 5 Collection of authentic Mexican)olk music and ballads. Hi-Fi Record R 81 6 $5.95 STEEL DRUMS with native performers 4 Zulu Chant; La Paloma; Jungle Cha Cha Cha; Spur Dance & 6 others. HiFi Record R 817 $5.95

Musical Inte rest: Excell ent """" Pleasing """ Fair " " Dull i Performance: Superb " " " " Good "" " Adequate "" Disappointing " Stereo Direction : Tasteful " " " " Adequate " " " Exagge rated "" Poor " Stereo Depth, . Outstanding " " " " Good "" ;, Fair " . " Minimal "

68 HIFI REVIEW Way; My G al Sal; Star Dreams; Why Didn't LP brings out the best things about the what's so special about I? & 8 others . Urania USD 200 I $5.95 Shearing group and makes it sound fin er Musical Interest: Broad than it has on records in a long while. Performa nce: Excellent There are some fin e swinging moments Recording: Good with Armando Peraza and one of the best VITA VOX? Stereo Directionality : Adequate things about the LP is the inclusion of Stereo Depth: Adequate some of the old Shearing favori tes. Oddly This is a big swing band with a host of enough, the cover photo is of another Shear­ topnotch personalities in it and it so unds ing group entirely. R. J. G. very good indeed; nothing earth-shaking, but pleasant and rhythmic. The solos are • THEY MET AT THE CONTINENTAL good and so is the ensemble. R. J. G. DIVIDE featuring THE TROMBONES, INC. Du es Blues; Soft Winds; Lass us Tro mbone; Made in England Old Devil Moon & 7 others. Warner Bros. by Vitavox, L td. • SAXES IN STEREO - SONNY ROL­ WS 1272 $4.98 LINS-BENNY GOLSON - Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone). Sonny Clark (piano). Musical Interest : Limited Pe rforma nce : Slick Percy Heath (bass). Roy Haynes (drums). Sound craftsmanship! In a Benny Golson (tenor saxophone), Kenny Re cord ing: Excellent world of mass production Stereo Directionality: Good Dorham (trumpet), J. J . Johnson (trom­ and competition by price bone), Wynton Kelly (piano), Paul Cham­ Stereo Depth: Good there is, fortunately, still bers (bass). Max Roach (drums). Mangoes ; Too many trombones is the trouble here. room for the individually Cutie; Toot, Toot, Tootsie; Just In Time; Out assembled craftsman-made The end product is monotonous in sound, no product. In the field of Of Th e Pa st; Reunion; Venetian Breeze. Riv­ matter how the arrangers toil. Two groups erside RLP 1124 $5.95 sound reproduction, Vitavox of trombonists, one from the East and one loudspeakers are renowned Mu sical Interest: Moderate from the West Coast, are presented and for just these characteris­ Perfo rmance: Less than their best there are numerous good solos, particular­ tics and are prized by the Recording : Spotty lyon the Eastern side. However, if you do pru:chaser who places qual­ Stereo Directio nality: Good buy this LP, it's easier to take in small ity of performance and con­ Stereo Depth: Poor for Rollins ~~ ilianillM~~ L~~ struction above other con­ The first four numbers on Side I are siderations. The DU120 Duplex Coaxial Full Range from the previously released monophonic Loudspeaker is a fine exam­ Rollins album, The Sound 0/ Sonny (RLP POPS ple of modern audio crafts­ 12·241). The three Golson tracks are from manship. the monophonic Golson set, The Modern • SING TO ME OF LOVE-Vicki Benet Touch (RLP 12·256). Both were recorded A t~t ll 1'ange of Vitavox speakers m'e avail­ (vocals) with orchestra. A Shade Of Blu e ; able to . meet individua l needs-at l eading in 1957. Neither album displayed the best Love Me; Th at's All & 9 others. Liberty Hi-Fi SlJecialists. of Rollins or Golson. The Rollins stereo is LST 7103 $4.98 the more disappointing because of bad en­ Musica l Inte rest: Supper clubbish ERCONA CORPORATION gineering which makes him sound as if he Perfo rma nce: Planned intimacy (Electronic Div is ion) had been recorded in a barrel. He other· Recording: Good 16 W. 4 6 St., Dept. 4 0, New York 36, N. Y. wise gets solid rhythm section support, and Ste reo Directionality: Tasteful occasionally plays well in bursts of inven­ Stereo Depth : Well done tion, but this group of Rollins performances Paris-born Miss Benet is by way of being is hardly indispensable. a diseuse in that she talk-sings most of her The recording halance on the Golson is songs. She has a comp etently trained voice hetter, and offers interesting writing (two and her carefully intimate style isn't too originals by Golson and one by Gigi Gryce). oppressive, despite occasional exaggeration. The playing is competent with fin e rhythm The album is not memorable musically, but section support, but all the hornmen have it's professional and may well appeal to played better on other discs. N. H. lonely bachelors with lively imaginations. N.H. • RUGOLO PLAYS KENTON featuring the PETE RUGOLO ORCHESTRA. Eage r • THE LES BROWN STORY featuring Beaver; Minor Riff; Artistry In Rh ythm; the LES BROWN BAND OF RENOWN. Th eme To Th e West & 8 others. Mercury Se ntimental Journey; Midnight Sun; Sophis­ SR 80014 $5.95; Mono-MG 36143 $3.98 ticated Swing; Leap Frog & 8 others. Cap­ itol ST 1174 $4.98 Mu sica l Interest: Moderate Performance: Slick Musical Interest: Good dance music Reco rding: Excellent Perfo rm a nce : Slick Stereo Directio nality: Good Recording: Excellent Stereo Depth: Good Stereo Directio nality: Good Oddly enough, it is a lot easier to listen Stereo De pth: Good to P ete Rugolo's own versions of the tunes A reprise of some of the historic record­ he wrote with Stan Kenton than to listen ings by Brown, re-done in hi·fi stereo and to the Kenton originals. Rugolo is softer, including solos by Donn Trenner (piano) more lyric and generally more pleasant. and Dick Collins (trumpet) . Although thin The stereo in this set is considerably su­ and unvirile as jazz, this is fine for dancing perior to the monophonic. R. J. G. and/or listening and sometimes becomes very pleasant. . R. J. G.

• SHEARING ON STAGE! featuring the • LISTEN TO THE 9UIET-Joe Bushkin GEORGE SHEARING QUINTET. Septem ber (piano) with orchestra conducted by Kenyon In Th e Rain ; Caravan; I'll Re member April Hopkins. Two Sleepy People; The Pa rty's & 6 others. Capitol ST 1187 $4.98 O ver; Good Night Sweetheart & 9 others. Musical Interest: Best of Shearing Capitol ST 1165 $4.98 Performance : On location Musi cal I nterest: Background music Record ing: Good Perform ance: Inoffensive Stereo Di rectio nality: OK Recording : Very good Stereo Depth: OK Stereo Directio nality: Intelligent Because it was recorded at a concert, this Ste reo Depth: Excellent 69 AUGUST 1959 Joe Bushkin, who was once an easily terial is laudable, bu t I doubt if he's dis­ swinging jazz pianist, has chosen the plush covered a new Stardust here. Most of the SMALLER THAN Muzak route, this time with another of his songs are agreeable enough but most are softly proficient, innocuous mood sets. also derivative, and all could use a Larry WEBSTER'S ... There is a choir (often wordless) and dis­ Hart. The lyrics for American popular creet instrumental background arranged by so ngs, it seems to me, have declined in re­ Kenyon Hopkins. It's pleasant enough, but cent years to the point where it's possible UNBELIEVABLE Bushkin's essentially fin e musicianship too much of the time to anticipate every seems wasted on such cotton candy. N. H. rhyme and every cliche. Nat Cole si ngs FULL RANGE very well and because of his skill, he prob­ ably makes much of this music sound better • INFERNO!-THE JOHN BUZON TRIO SOUND! -John Buzan (Hammond organ), Loren than it is. Fine recording by Capitol's Holding (reeds and maracas), Jack Russell engineers. N. H. (drums). III Wind; Smoke Ring s; Id aho & . 9 others. Liberty LST 7108 $4.98 • THE LETTER (Gordon Jenkins)­ JUDY GARLAND with J ohn Ireland, the Musica l Interest: Thin Ralph Brews ter Singers, and Gordon Jenkins Recording: Best for organ and his Orchestra. Capitol STAO 1188 $5.98 Performance : Commercial Stereo Directiona lity: Competent Mu sica l Interest: Very little Stereo Depth: Organ swallows almost all Performance : Splendid Recording : Tops " John Buzan heads a commercial trio that Stereo Direction ality: Very effective has been working as a successful dance Stereo Depth: Good combo at a roadside club in Southern Cali­ Dear Miss Garland : fornia. Despi te the liner no tes, there is no Of course, I know yo u can't be flying over jazz to speak of in this set. On the ballads, the rainbow or riding on a trolley all of saxophonist Holding achieves at times a your life, and I do appreciate yo ur desire WEATHERS Harmony Stereo Speaker near parody of corny playing. For the rest, to try something that calls for a little more Actual measurements: 11 " x 914" x 3% " this is professional juggling of musical dramatic range. But, honestly, all Gordon Frequency Response: 70 to 15,000 cps effects to entertain in a fl ashy, shallow way. Jenkins has done is provide you with a Designed like a book, to be placed inconsp icuou sly Leader-organist Buzon handles the Ham­ pretentious, trite, and extremely dull musi­ on shelf , table or tucked away in your library. Use mond organ fl exibly. One might say he cal "story" that might be all right for a singly, in pairs or with hideaway bass . plays a pouncing style. N. H. Send today for FREE brochvre 10 lesser talent, but, honey, not for you. In his usual style, Mr. Jenkins has created WEATHERS INDUSTRIES formless melodies (doesn't tbat connecting DIVISION OF ADVANCE INOUSTRIES, I N C. • A TRIBUTE TO PETER DeROSE-TUT­ 66 E. Gloucester Pike, Barrington , N .J. TI CAMARATA ORCHESTRA with vocals theme remind you of Laura?) which stretch Export : ) 05. Pl ase nci a, Inc .• 401 Broad way. N.Y . 13 , N.Y. by Dolly Dawn, The Stuarts & Ralph Young, on interminably, and I'm afraid no one on & comments by Milton Cross, Paul White­ tbe world could possibly do anything w1th man, Vincent Lopez, Otto Harbach. God lyrics such as "I try to be good, but it's Is Eve r Besid e Me; Cl oud Lucky Seven; hard to see good," or "Time to begin again Somebody Love You & 9 others. Everest that which was never really ended." Capi­ SDBR 1035 $5.98 ; Mono-LPBR 5035 $3.98 tol has used stereo imaginatively enough, I'm walking Mu sical In terest: Not much but musical gimmicks you don't need. Performance: High sugar contest Unhappily, Recording: Nice S.G. Stere o Directional ity: Apparent Stereo Depth: Little • GEORGE GERSHWIN AT THE PI­ o~ ~ It is always a welcom e change when a ANO. Rhapsody In Blue; That Certain Feel­ record company devotes a complete album ing; I Got Rhythm; Grievin ' For You , etc. to the works of a relatively little-known 20th Fox SFX 3013 $4.98; Mono-FOX 3013 alr ... ( composer, but unfortunately neither songs $3.98 nor arrangements here are particularly note­ Mu sica l In terest: For Gershwin fans worthy. Peter DeRose was a syrupy melo­ Perfo rmance: Mastery comes through dist whose best song wa s probably Deep Recording : Pretty remarkable Stereo Directio nality : Spreads the key­ Purple-included in the album along with board some decidedly lesser effor ts. Dolly Dawn, Stereo Depth : Not needed who hasn't been heard from in some time, sings If Someone Had Told Me, and quite From 1915 to 1925, George Gershwin re­ well too, and Wagon Wheels (recalling the corded quite a few piano rolls for the Goin' Home theme from Dvoi':ik's New Aeolian Company, and 20th Fox has per­ W orid Symphony) is sung with appropriate formed a commendable service in making fervor by Ralph Young. The advantages of some of them available on this surprisingly stereo here are not overwhelming. S. G. well-recorded disc. By playing the rolls in a modern electric reproducing piano and then taping them stereophonically, the en­ • TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN-Nat gineers have even achieved the startling Just had my annual medical check­ "King" Cole (vocals) with orchestra con­ results of spreading out the keyboard be­ up. (Smart move.) I'm making out ducted by Nelson Riddle. Too Much; My tween the speakers. Heart's Treasure; Un fair & 9 others. Capitol a check to the American Cancer Stereo SW 1190 $5.98 There is no denying, of course, that the Society, right now-that's a smart sound of piano rolls has a distinct barrel­ move, too. Mu sical In terest: For romantics house fl avor, but in the precision and au­ Performance : Nat gives his best thority of his playing, Gershwin's superb Recording: First-rate musicianship does come tbrough. The com­ Stereo Direction ality: Tasteful plete Rhapsody In Blue is heard on on e Stereo Depth: Convincing Guard your family! side, with part of the reverse featuring a Fight cancer with The idea of this album, according to Nat staged rehearsal scene from Strike Up the a checkup and a check! Cole's own notes, is to present new so ngs Band with Clark and McCullough. S. G. which he believes can become standards. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY His desire to find and encourage fresh ma- • DOROTHY LOUDON AT THE BLUE 70I HIFI REVIEW ANGEL with the Norman Paris Trio. Lo uisi­ solos by P epper Adams on baritone and in ana; Supper On The Table; J a mboree Jones the drumming of Art Taylor. Thielemans & 10 others. Coral CRL 757265 $5.98; Mono is an interesting performer on harmonica, -CRL 57265 $3.98 but does not actually succeed in getting Musica l Interest: Night club fare that instrument to sound like much more Performance: A bit eager but funny than a novelty. R. J. G. Recording: Cleaner ·on mono Stereo Directiona lity: Has movement Ste reo Depth: Good enough • GRETCHEN WYLER - WILD WYLER WILDEST. Monotonous; Whatever Lola Dorothy Loudon is an engaging comedi­ Wants; Find Me A Primitive Man & 9 others. enne of the self-deprecating, just-one-of-the­ Jubilee SDJLP 1100 $5.98 girls school, who takes a little while to be fully appreciated. At first, she seems overly Musica l Interest: Has it Perform a nce: A pro anxious to please, but when she warms up Recording : Hard and clear Stops record damage! she shows real flair for tearing into oldtime Stereo Directionality: Not needed shouting numbers that may well have served Ste reo Depth: Not much Do you !mow all your records coMain dust in Sophie Tncker in her springier days. On stereo, Miss Loudon roams uninhibitedly Gretchen Wyler possesses a communica­ every inch of groove? This unretouched photo­ between speakers; and her enthusiastic ble sense of humor, a fact which is of no l11icrograph, courtesy of Wireless World little help in this potpourri of songs con­ audience, which applands almost everything {London}, shows how much is removed by one but the label on the record, surrounds her cerned for the most part with relating most realistically. S. G. stories about such famous ladies of Tin Pan use of the ESL Dust Bug. If not removed, these particles calise noise {especially 011 stereo • I'LL REMEMBER APRIL-PAnI PAGE records} , alld also illf/ict permanent damage with Jack Rael and his Orchestra. A Blossom Fell ; Garden In The Rain; April Showers & IIpon valuable records mId styli. 9 others. Mercury SR 60081 $5.95 The ollly safe, effective method of c1eanillg Musica l I nterest: Moderate Pe rformance: A real pop pro records is the ESL Dust Bug, acclaimed by more Recording: Clear and alive than 200,000 delighted IIsers throllghout the Stereo Directio nality: Good Stereo Depth: Full world. It's easy, too - it c1ealls automatically Mercury has given this previously re­ wltile the record is beillg played. Dilly $5.75 leased Patti Page album skillful stereo complete {record changer fHodel ol1ly $4·7 5}. treatm ent. Patti continues to be a consis­ FOR LISTENING AT ITS BEST tent professional who usually displays more musicianship in her albums than in her Electro-Sonic single "hits." While not a major stylist or a burningly penetrating musical personality, Laboratories, Inc. she's always competent. N. H. DeptR'• 35-54 36th St'LongIslandCity6,NY • JERI SOUTHERN MEETS COLE POR­ and Shubert Alleys as Lola, Hard-Hearted TER with Billy May and his Orchestra. G et Hannah, Eadie, Jenny, Marne and Mamie. STEREO-FAX Out O f Tow n; Looking At You; After You; Incidentally, if you listen carefully, you Provides Stereo Realism Let's Fly Away; It's Bad For Me & 7 others. Capitol ST 1173 $4.98 should be able to hear new lyrics to Eartha From Monaural Source Kitt's old standby, Monotonous. S. G. Mu sical Interest: High Performance: Satisfactory Recordi ng: Perfect THEATER, SCREEN, TV Stereo Directio nality: Unnecessary Stereo Depth: Fine The vast outpnt of so ngs by Cole Porter • FIRST IMPRESSIONS (Robert Gold­ man-Glenn Paxton-George Weiss!. Orig­ makes it still possible to rediscover rarities, ina l cast recording. Columbia OS 2014 $5.98 and Jeri Southern deserves our thanks for selectin g such bright, infrequently per­ M usica I I nterest: Somewhat hidden formed repertory. Don't Look At Me That Performance: Leads are inadequate Way, Which? and Weren't We Fools? have Recording : Excellent Ste reo Directio na lity : Erratic Hear new d epth and brilliance from your never, to my knowledge, been sung on a monaural tape and record collection by in­ Stereo Depth: Splendid stalling t h e STEREO·FAX in your high fidel· long playing record before, and they dem­ ity stereo system. This network component On the stereo version of this charming permits you to take full advantage of your onstrate amply as do all the numbers in this stereo system with a /l monaural p~ogram compendium, the great and varied gifts of score (the monophonic release was reviewed material by introducing phase dls~lace­ last month) , many of the sequences take on ment between amplifiers. The result I S ex­ their composer. I'm not quite sure, how­ traordinary rea lism. Get new .e njoymer:at a striking three-dimensional illusion, but all from ALL radio broadcasts. Written up In ever, that Miss Southern is the ideal inter­ Hi-Fi Directo ry and other leading publica­ preter, bnt she does have an obvious appre­ too frequently this is accompanied by direc­ tions. Unit comprises a passive RLC circuit tionality that has little regard for the sense requiring no power source. Easily installed ciation for the material, and her elegant without dis ruption of existing hook·up. rendering of Whi ch? is almost a worth­ or the dramatic situation of the songs. At the·price-of-the-record high spot. Billy the beginning of A Perfect Night, Polly May's backing is a model of what orches­ Bergen and Farley Granger are supposed to tral accompaniment should be. S. G. be singing to themselves; surely this would have been far better emphasized if their • MAN BITES HARMONICA! featuring voices had come from opposite speakers Ava ilable only by mail, postpaid if cas h with order, or C.O.D. plus postage. (Calif. JEAN THIELEMANS. East O f Th e Sun; rather than from som ewh ere in between. residents add 4 % tax.) Shipping weight Don't Blame Me; Imagination & 5 others. approx. Ilh Ibs. 'for either model. Complete Later, in the same song, although they are technical data, simple installation instruc­ Riverside RLP 1125 $5.95 obviously dancing together, there is no tions, and schematic included with each order. Satisfaction guaranteed. Musical Interest: Moderate movement whatever. It also seems meaning­ Performance: Good AUDIOPHILE MODEL U-3A $19.95 less for Christopher Hewett and Ellen Han­ STANDARD MODEL U-4B $16.95 Recording: Good ley to sing Wasn't It a Lovely Wedding ? Stereo Di rectio na lity: Adequate ORDER NOW or write for full informal ion from far left and far right respectively after . D ept. Stereo Depth: OK they have just been married, or that young Gaylor Products Co. SA-89 The real music interest here lies in the lovers Phyllis Newman and Donald Madden moo Cumpston St., No. Hollywood, Calif. AUGUST 1959 71 should be likewise separated during their Woman Now or Bess, Oh Where's My song I Feel Sorry fo r the Boy. S. G. Bess? to Mr. Armstrong's unique vocal spe· cifi cations turns ou t to be less successful as • MI BELLA DAMA (MY FAIR LADY) he is unable to sustain the m elodic line. (Frederick Loew e-Alan Jay Lerner·L. De Oh, Lawd, I'm On My Way and I Got Llano)' Origin al Mex ica n cast recording Plenty 0 ' Nlatin' ar e closer to the Arm­ wi th Manalo Fa bregas, Cristina Roias, Ma ri o strong spirit, even though on the latter he & Alberto Rodrfguez, Sal vador Q uiroz others, mistakenly sing " Folks with plenty 0 ' with Orchestra & Ch orus, Mario Rui z Ar­ nuttin' " for folks with plenty 0' plenty. mengol cond o Columbia WS 305 $5.98 His still vibrant tntmpet is heard on many Mus ic al Interest : Still comes through of the tracks, and Russell Garcia has pro­ Perform ance : Loewe below the border vided sensitive accompaniment throughout. Recordi ng : Ad equate T he stereo version is rich and well spread. Stereo Directiona lity : Sl ight Stereo Depth : Unnoticeable The more polished styles of Lena H orne and Harry Belafonte present an entirely For no n·Spanish speaking listeners, this different picture of Catfish Row. Miss Mexican cast version of My Fair Lady is an Horne projects her songs with a feline, amusing conversation piece. Tempos have shimmering gloss, while Mr. Belafonte been slowed down to siesta pace, neither makes up in emotional tension what he Manolo Flibregas (Higgins ) nor Cristina may lack in voice. Most interesting is the Rojas (Eliza) project tbeir roles well, the way Belafonte turns the Street Calls into orchestra is weak, and the stereo advantages one of his own West Indian production are minimal. Still, hearing Why Can't the numbers : the call of the Strawberry Wom­ English? come out as ;,Por que no apren­ an becomes a lullaby which is quickly fol­ den? is not only incongruously funny but lowed by a rhythmic chanting of the Honey somehow strangely appealing, and through· Man and Crab Man cries. Bess, Y ou I s My out the record there is continual fa scination Woman Now and There's a Boat dat's Leav­ in mentally transposing the fam iliar English in' Soon For New York are the only lyrics for the Spanish. S. G. (though separately recorded) duets. T he Mundell Lowe disc offers the Porgy • PORGY AND BESS (George Gersh­ and Bess songs done in an easy·going, easy· Stunning orchestr·al Interpretations win-DuBose Heyward-Ira Gershwin). to· take manner, and is an exceptionally by Robert Russell Bennett of two out­ Musical Interest : Gershwin masterpiece good buy at 1.98. Fine relaxed solos are standing stage works. Fabulous offered by Art Farmer on trumpet and Tony Ella Fitzg erald and Lou is Arm strong, with Scott on baritone saxophone, but my favor· sound in either the Living Stereo or Orchestra, Russell Garcia condo Verve MGVS regular Long Play version. 6040-2 2 12" $1 1.96; Mono-MGV 4011-2 ite performance is the affecting job guitar­ ist Lowe does on I Loves You Porgy. When ordering Stereo, say • •. 2 12" $9.96 S. G. Performance: Ea rthy e RG\Y!Q1QJl @ Record ing : Exce ll ent • THE SOUND AND THE fURY (Alex Stereo Directionality: All there! North). Soundtrack recording with Orches­ Stereo Depth: Good t ra, Lion el Newman condo Decca DL 78885 Lena Horn e and Harry Bel afo nte, wi th Or­ $5.98 ; Mono-DL 8885 $3.98 chestras, Lenni e Hayton & Robert Corman Musi cal Interest: On Side I, yes con ds. RCA Victo r LCO 1507 $5.98 Perform ance: Soundstage approach Perfor mance: Slick Record ing: Perfect Record ing : Som etimes si bilant Stereo Directionality: W ell done Stereo Directionality : Sli ght Stereo Depth: Fin e Stereo Depth: Som e The harsh, staccato phrases of the open· Mundel l Lowe and his Al l-Stars. RCA Cam­ ing tracks on the film version soundtrack den CAL490 $1.98 of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Perform anc e: Loose Fury contain much that is exciting and even Recording : Love ly daring, but by the time we get the first side things settle down into little more than a When listening to the Verve and RCA good old-fashioned Yoknapa tawpha County Victor releases of Porgy and Bess music, taffy-pull. Stereo is especially effective in it is important to bear in mind that such spotlighting the featured instruments at th e recordings are made with greater regard beginning, but after a while it really doesn't for the adaptability of the songs to the matter. S. G. singers than the singers to the songs. T his is, of course, inevitable with such highly • TV GUIDE TOP TELEVISION THEMES specialized and stylized performers, but the -Orchestras, Warren Barker & Frank Com­ remarkable thing about Gershwin's score is stock conds. Perry Mason: Peter G un n: Pete Acoustical Labyrinth®Quarter that it can be subjected to so many differ­ Kelly' s Blues & 9 others. Warner Bros. WS Wavelength Duct Speaker System! ent interpretations and yet retain its basic 1290 $4.98 power and beauty: Mu sical Int erest : Video variety Revolutionary design brings you T he 2-record Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Arm­ Perform anc e : Suitably skillful the world-famous Acoustical Laby­ strong package is the most ambitious re­ Recordin g: Couldn't be better rinth enclosure in shelf-size systems lease to date from the current outbreak, Stereo Directiona lity: W e ll deployed Stereo Dept h: Well done for 8", 12" and 15" speaker.s. with a lO·page illustrated booklet and other evidences of care and dedication. But it "Outstanding Musical Th emes Approved See your Stromberg-Carlson still is an Ella and Louis show, and thanks by T V Guide" is the reassuring note on dealer. He's in the Yellow Pages chiefly to Miss Fitzgerald, it is one of their the back of the jacket; what's more, TV under "High Fidelity." best. She has all the warmth and vocal con­ Guide not only approves of these themes viction to make something both personal but it makes sure that there is equal repre­ STROMBERG ~ CARLSON and moving out of I Wants to Stay Here, sentation from the three leading networks. A DIVISION OF GENERAl. DYNA MICS CORPORATION My Man's Gone Now and Olt, Doctor Jesus, The arrangements are good big band jazz, 1448 N. GOODMAN STREET ~:~ I~ and can invest It Ain't Necessarily So with and stereo even goes television one better ROCHESTER 3. NEW YORK - r.",s . ::""n an altogether winning scat rendition. by spreading the sound out beyond the con­ ~4~ ~~!z~! Tailoring such songs as Bess, You Is My fi nes of a 2l -inch screen. S. G. 72 HIFI REvmw Jazz, Pops, Stage and Screen BEST OF THE MONTH Reviewed by • • RCA Victor's latest batch of Duke Ellington re-issues At His Very Best - RALPH J. GLEASON is a veritable treasure trove-"Though these were made long before STANLEY GREEN hi-fi, they are great records without which any representative collection NAT HENTOFF of jazz would be incomplete." (see p. 73)

,. New Jazz, an enterprising specialty label offers soprano saxman Steve JAZZ Lacy in Reflections with originals by Thelonious Monk-"Lacy is exploring challenging territory.••• An album of this kind is worth twenty

• THE WIZARD OF THE RAGTIME PI· 'jazz' versions of show tunes." (see p. 75) ANO featuring EUBIE BLAKE. Maple Leaf Rag; Maryland, My Ma ryland; Sunflower Slow Drag; Bill Bailey, Won't You Please • Columbia with the help of Ethel Merman & Co. has another masterpiece Come Home & 12 others. 20th Fox FOX 3003 $3 .98 of original cast recordings on its hands with Gypsy-"not only the most Mu sical Interest: Historical rewarding score of more than one Broadway season, it is a genuine Pe rformance : S'pirited Recording: Good emotional experience." (see p. 78) An interes'ting collection of ragtime com· positions, by Blake and others, played with exuberance and verve by Blake wi th occa· GELLER QUINTET. Ni ghtma re A ll ey; A Cool • GOLDEN VIBES featuring LIONEL sional vocal assistance from Noble SissIe. Day; It Might As W ell Be Spring & 2 others. HAMPTON with Rhythm and Reeds. My It has charm, spirit and strong interest­ Jubilee JLP 1094 $3 .98 Prayer: Satin Doll; 'R ound Midnight; Th e for the antiquarian. G. R. J. Musical Interest: Top flight jazz More I See Yo u & 8 others. Columbia CL Perform ance: C rackling 1304 $3.98 • AT HIS VERY BEST featuring DUKE Recording: Excellent Musica l Interest: Broad ELLINGTON and his Orchestra. Jack Th e This very fin e jazz LP has altoist Geller Perform ance : Exciting Bea r; Ha rl em Air Shaft; Warm Va lley; Bl ack, sounding more assured than ever, swinging Recording : Excellent Brown & Beige & 7 others. RCA Victor LPM 1715 $3.98 harder and playing with more intense emo­ The trouble with Hampton in person and tional commitment. The pianist, Walter on disc in recent years has been his accom­ Mu sical Interest: Extraordinary Norris (mis-spelled Morris on the jacket) paniment. What is great about this LP is Performance: Classic is a fascinating soloist with a fle et, Parker­ Recording: Excellent for its time that you finally hear Hamp under the right ish quality to his playing. Victor Feldman circumstances with a minimum of inter­ This is another in the exceptionally contributes some excellent vibe solos, too. ference. Heard like this, it is easy to see valuable re·issue series Victor is slowly All in all, this is a surprising LP, full of why Hamp is still revered by all jazz men putting out. With the exception of Creole good jazz. R. J. G. as one of the great soloists. He is superb Love Call, (1927) all the tracks here date in these lovely ballads. Just listen to him from the 1940-46 period, which many con· • MORE VIBES ON VELVET featuring TERRY GIBBS. Moonlight Serenade; What Is on Satin Doll and My Funny Valentine. sider to be the greatest Ellington era. Con­ Th e re To Say; At Last; Lazy Sunday & 8 R.J.G. certo for Cootie, to which Andre Hodeir othe rs, Mercury MG 36148 $3.98 has devoted an entire chapter in his book Mu sical Inte rest : Good swinging jazz • CLAUDE HOPKINS-MUSIC OF THE Jazz: Its Evolution and Essence, is a mov· Perfo rmance: Excellent EARLY JAZZ DANCES-Claude Hopkins ing trumpet essay; Black, Brown and Beige Recording: Fine is the original recording of this epic Elling­ (piano), Charlie Shavers and Red Allen A group of very good tunes tastefully (trumpets), Tyree Glenn and Vic Dickenson ton effort; Ko Ko, Warm Valley and all the (trombones), Buster Bailey (clarinet). Lyle others, in fact, are definitive Ellingtonia. played by Gibbs in a more restrained, more rational manner than is his usual practice. Smith (tenor saxophone), Milt Hinton (bass). There has been no band and no composer so Panama Francis (drums). Julia Steel (vo­ prolific in jazz, nor one whose music stands The result is very listenable jazz of a dis­ tinctive and pleasingly modern cast. R. J. C. cals). A labama Walkaround; Caught In Th e the test of time any better than Ellington. Fe nce; Origina l Black Bottom Dance & 14 Even though these were made long before others. 20th Fox 3009 $3.98 hi-fi, they are great records without which All records reviewed in this column any representative collection of jazz would Musical Inte rest: Unique may be played on either single speak­ Pe rfo rm ance: Spirited be inco mplete. RCA is to be congratulated Recording : Crisp and clear on this project and encouraged to continue er monophonic or two speaker stereo­ it with Ellington and with other artists as phonic equipment. They are 33 113 rpm As the subtitle of the album indicates, well. R. J. G. records that should be played with this is a collection of popular songs, be­ the RIAA setting. ginning from 1891, that were involved to • STAX OF SAX featuring the HERB greater or lesser extent with the genesis of AUGUST 1959 73 Entertainment Music Miscellany

MORE NEW ITEMS RATED AT A GLANCE

Musi(ol Perform- Re(orded Title Interest on(e Sound Store THE WILD WILD WEST-Ralph Hunter Choir The O ld Chisho lm Trail; Red River Va ll ey; The Dying Cowboy; Rye Whiskey & 7 others. RCA Victor LPM 1968 $ 3.98 VAMP-Harry Reser (Banjo) and Orchestra 11 Yes Sir Tha t' s My Baby; Chicago; Black Bottom; Diga Diga Doo; Crazy Rhy thm & 7 others. Columbia CL 1285 $3.98 DON'T SMOKE IN BED-Connie Russell Sings with Ian Bernard Orchestra 10 You're My Thrill; You've Changed; Caravan; I Wanna Be Loved & 8 others. United Artist UAL 3022 $3.98 FRANK D'RONE SINGS 10 Joey, Joey, Joey; Th e Moon Is Blu e; Fa scinaling Rhythm; My Foolish Heart & 7 others. Mercury MG 20418 $3.98 MOONLIGHT SERENADE-Tex Beneke Orchestra 10 Sunrise Serenade; Poinciana; Moonlight Serenade; Stormy Weather & 6 others. Camden CAL 491 $1.98 THE MANY MOODS OF JOSE MELIS-Piano with Accompaniment 10 Lazy Afternoon; Strange; Sunrise Serenade; Anniversary Song; linger Awhile & 7 others. Seeca CELP 436 $3.98 A-one a-two . .. ! THIS IS lAWRENCE WElK (2 discs) 9 Moritat; Poor People Of Paris; Yellow Dog Blues; Ave Maria; Champagne Time & 19 others. Coral CX3 $7 .98 CHET ATKINS IN HOllYWOOD-with Dennis Farnon Orchestra 9 Greensleeves; limelight; Armen's Th eme; Estrellita; "Picnic" Theme & 7 others. RCA Victor LPM 1993 $3.98 IN A CANDLELIT CAFE-Anton Firenz (Violin) and Accompaniment 9 Fa scination; Terry's Th eme; La Vie En Rose; I'll Get By & 9 others. 20th Fox FOX 3007 $3.98 RAGS TO RICHES-Del Wood (Ragtime Piano) 9 Hello Mo Baby; Side By Side; Alabama Jubilee; My Gal Sal & 8 others. RCA Victor LPM 1633 $3.98 BORN TO BE BLUE-Beverly Kenney (Sings with Accompaniment) 8 Again; For All We Know; Isn' t It A Pity; It's A Blue Worl d & 8 others. Decca DL 8850 $3.98

COME TRAVEL WITH ME-Mat Mathews Orchestra 8 Pasodoble; Lilli Marlene; Greensleeves; Brazil; Est rellita & 7 others. ABC-Paramount ABC 269 $ 3.98 POLKA DANCE MelODIES-Ted. Maksymowicz Orchestra 8 Seven Roses; Blue Waltz; Swir Swir Mazur; The Beek Pol ka & 8 others. ABC-Paramount ABC 2B9 $3.98 BORN TO lOSE-Feriin Husky 7 Too Soon To Know; My Foolish Heart; Time; Worried M ind & 8 others. Capitol T 1204 $3.98 HOLD THAT TIGER-Fabian 5 Turn Me Loose; Hold Me; Tig er Rag ; Cuddle Up A Little Closer & 9 o thers. Chancellor CHL 5003 $3.98

SCOOBY DOO-Jerry Ueber Band 5 Ernie's Journey; Shove Off; Moonglow; Last Call & 8 others. Kapp KL 1127 $3.98

Musical " Interest: Pleasing Excellent "" " " Fair " " Di sappointi ng " Performance: ., " " Superb "".,., .Good Adequate .,,, Dull " Recorded Sound: Brill iant "".,., OK " ., " Poor ., ., " " Fair " " 74 H IFI REVIEW RATE: 35¢ per word. Minimum 10 words. October issue closes August 5th. Send order and remittance to: HiFi REVI EW, One Park Ave., New York 16. N. Y. TAPE recorders, Hi-Fi components, Sleep Learning Equipment, tapes. Unusual values. Free Catalog. EQUIP T and ' Oressner, 69-02HF 174 Street, Flushing 65, New York _ PROFESSIONAL Recording Tape-Finest Quality of fa­ SHOPPING GUIDE 'ACCE'SSORIES mous manufacturer. 40 / 50,000 CPS. Permanently lubricated. Guaranteed. Acetate 1200' '/2 Mil 4/ $13.00. 1800' 1 mil 4/ $6.76. Mylar 1800' 1 mil 4/ $9.00. 2400' Classified ~ KLiPSCHORN loudspeaker system, beautiful mahog­ '/2 mil 4/ $13.00. Postage 15¢ per reel. Hi-Sonic, Box any finish, excellent condition. $450 .00. Warren Wil­ 86P, New York 63, N. 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Y. publishers. Some clippings worth $5 .00 each . Par­ SALE: 78 R.P.M. Recordings, 1902-1950. Many types, ticulars free. National, 81-DG, Knickerbocker Station, Free lists. Collections bought. Mr. Ellie Hirschmann, New York. P.O.B. 155 (HM), Verona, New Jersey. MISCELLANEOUS EARN Extra money selling advertising book matches. HI-FI Lowest quotes: write for prices. R. Bruna, 162 Free samples furnished. Matchcorp, Dept. MD-49, Chi­ E. Cook Ave., Libertyville, Illinois. cago 32, Illinois. UNU SUAL Va lues. Hi:-'FF'F i 7;CCO:o=m"'p,;con::e"'n"'ts"",""t"'a:Op"'es:-;Oa:Ond"'t:Oa""pe AMERICAN Overseas Jobs. High Pay. Men. Women. recorders. Send for Package quotations. Stereo Center, HI-FI Salons and Record Stores! Someone "borrowing" Transportation Paid. Free Information. Write: Trans~ 18 W. 37 St. , N. Y. C. 1. your personal copy of Hi-Fi ' Review each month? You world, Dept. 48, 200 West 34th St., New York 1. DISGUSTED with "HI" Hi-Fi Prices? Unusual Dis­ ought to be taking advantage of Hi-Fi Review's con­ JOBS! Overseas! Write . Janecek Development Co., 109 counts On Your High Fidelity Requirements. Write venient re-sale plan. Sell copies in your store . .• Hub Station, New York 55, N. Y. Key Electronics, 120 Liberty St. , New York 6, N. Y. perform a good service for your customers ... with EVergreen 4-6071. no risk involved. For details, write: Direct Sales De­ WALNUT Tape Cabinets-contemporary design. The partment, Hi-Fi Review, One Park Avenue, New York cabinets can be stacked, each one holding 24 tapes. 16, New York. For further information write Box 237, Saugus, MISCELLANEOUS . California. ELECTRONIC And Aeronautical Engineering Technology. STEREO-List $2400-Sacrifice $1595 2 Electro-Voice Two year courses. Bachelor of Science Degree in Empire enclosures 30" H x 32" W x 16" 0 with SP three years . Northrop Institute in Southern California 15s, T35s, X36s-Enclosure 35" H x 84" W x 18" 0 prepares you for highly paid positions in Aviation ELECTRIC Pencil: Engraves all Metals, $2.00. Beyer with 2 Harmon Kardon 30 Watt Amplifiers, AM-FM and Electronic industries. Employment assistance Mfg., 10511-ZD Springfield, Chicago 43. Turner Callaro Changer, Pentron Stereo Tape Ok during school and after graduation. Approved for BIZARRE Fashionsl Illustrated Catalogue, $1.00. RCA 21" TV 1959, 2 bookcases 32" W x 54" H x 13" 0 Veterans . Write for free catalog. Northrop Institute Renee', Box 2804-P, Hollywood 28, Calif. with doors and dropped ceilings-Photograph on re­ of Technology, 1183 Arbor Vitae, Inglewood I , Cali­ "WINEMAKING; Beer, Ale Brewing." Illustrated. $2.0D. quest-50 Stereo Tapes half price-4 bookshelf enclo­ fornia. Eaton Books, Box 1242-VF, Santa Rosa, California. sures 12" H x 24" W x 12" 0 with 8" Coaxial Norelco's and level controls $40 each . All Red Birch and Cherry natural finished. Freeport 8-6596. John Kalish, 1911 State St., Merrick, L. I. CROSSOVER Network kits, Custom and contract Call winding. Write Watson Industries, 110 Mildred, Venice, California. HiFi REVIEW HAS A BUYER NEW Connoisseur Turntable, Hysteresis motor-$60. Blaupunct SO/ SW Car Radio-$70. S. Saltzman, 1221 So. 17th St., Las Vegas, Nevada. for YOUR USED EQUIPMENT

If you have hi-fi equipment, accessories or rec­

ALL Makes High Fidelity Speakers Repaired. Amprite, ords to sell, look to the classified columns of 70 Vesey St., N. Y. 7, N. Y. BA 7-2580. HiFi REVIEW for fast results. ~ -oOW -~ ~ TAPEAND _~ Your message, placed in our classified columns, " TAPE RECORDE'RS will be read by more than 123,000 hi-fi fans. HI-FI: Recorders. Free Wholesale Catalogue. Carston, Best of all, your classified ad costs you only 35c 125-L, E. 88, N. Y. C. 28. THOUSANDS of Satisfied Audiophiles Buy Famous per word (including name and address). For F&B Recording Tape-Top Quality 30-15000 CPS Guar­ anteed-Complete Satisfaction or Money Refunded­ further information write: Compare these Low-Low Prices. 600 Ft. 5" Reel­ Acetate Base-3 for $2.85. 900 Ft. 5" Reel-Acetate Base-3 for $3.40. 900 Ft. 5" Reel-Mylar Base-3 for $4 .20. 1200 Ft. 7" Reel-Acetate Base-3 for $3.95 . 1800 Ft. 7" Reel-Acetate Base-3 for $5 .25. Martin Lincoln~ HiFi REVIEW 1800 Ft. 7" Reel-Mylar Base-3 for $6.85. 2400 Ft. 7" Reel-Mylar Base-3 for $10.60. Mail Orders Filled. Please add 15¢ PP & Handling-Per Reel. One Park Avenue~ New York 16~ New YorI{ Write for free Complete Hi-Fi Catalog. Florman & Babb, Inc., 68 W. 45th St., N. Y. 36, N. Y. AUGUST 1959 79 Musical Interest: Quite a bit Performance: Appropriate Recordin g: Splendid HI FI MARKET PL:ACE While I have found most of the Alfred Newman background scores of the past to have been fairly sticky concoctions, his work for The Diary oj Anne Frank has a touching simplicity about it that is decid­ STEREO "THEATER COVERAGE" edly effective. Throughout, too, Mr. New­ man has given the music an atmospheric FOR THE HOME European flavor, and the sound engineers haven't let him down. S. G. Developed by Hollywood Engineer, AES THE SOUND AND THE FURY (see p. 72) Get the full range of sound ANYWHERE IN THE ROOM by converting your present speakers or building new speakers from our plans! You ' ll have no " dead spots," no IIphantom channels"! MISCELLANEOUS You'll have balanced, full·range stereo ANY· PLACE IN THE ROOM ... just as in a theater!! l ess than 8 legs. rack may l eslie Creatio ns rack ha s 8 lees, This new principle has been scientifically de­ • FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EVERY­ sag un der weig ht of lP's! r ei nfo rced shelf, can never sag! veloped, tested and proven in our own labora· THING (The Best of Kermit Sc:haeferL A sin~Je LP record wcl J!h s 12 oz. Our rack holds 200 of tories. Complete set of plans which include 14 them. Tlwt's 150 l"OUNDS! A r ecord rack must be s trong· .. ly made to sup port a ll that dead weight! In selectlnrr a drawings and the facts "What is Stereo," Rock Around The Bl ooper; Dear Sir; Candid rack to h o ld your preciOUS LP·s. be sure it has E IGHT LEGS. so the center won't SAG and WARP YOUR REC­ only $2.00 ppd. Microphone; Burlesque Show; The Roast Of ORDS! Make cert..'1in it has a steel reinforced s upporting s h elf DOWN BELOW where It's needed! Be sure It's Th e Town & Over Sexteen. Jubilee KS I DE.EP enough to ho ld 12" records ! Ours i s 25"W, 22"H. 12"0. Fully assembled, 10 compartments. Steel rod -STEREO DESIGNERS $7.95 constructed. Remit 59.95 or chI!. Diners' AcGt. Small 3377 Charleston Way, Hollywood 28, Calif. ~rJ:.:;~~A;'~:~DE~'~ ~~a.I~ .. r:r~~~~-~~~ .~u.a~~~~e~: $9.95 Interest: Very little © LESLIE CREATIONS, Dept. 110, Lafayette Hill, Pa. Perform ance: 177 Recording: Loud If you really have everything, I don't think you need this record. All the material was once available either on 10" LPs or "BUCK STRETCHER" on 78 rpm singles, and putting them to­ gether in one package merely gives incon­ THE FINEST OF ITS KIND ••• HI-FI VALUES! trovertible evidence that the best of Kermit Expand the buy; ng power Get more FM stations with the world's most Schaefer is none too good. Rock Around powerful FM Yagi Antenna systems. of your Hi-Fi dollar at Sun Radio with substantial the Blooper is an obviously faked montage savings on new a nd fully To be fully informed, guaranteed name brand of alleged radio and television fluffs, and send 25~ for book Hi-Fi components! Over Sexteen contains some of the dirtier "Theme And Varia · Send for our special price QUO­ wheezes that the boys in blue once regaled tations and our Hi-Fi package tions" by L. F B. Carini specials! Oept. W9 each other with around the campfires at and containing FM SUN Rcdic & Electronics (c., Inc. Gettysburg. The three episodes covered by Station Directory. 650 6th Ave., New York 11, N. Y. Allan Funt's Candid Microphone are easily Phone: ORegon 5-8600 the best part of this album. For some rea­ APPARATUS DEVELOPMENT CO. son, possibly known only to Mr. Schaefer, Wethersfield 9, Connecticut Will Jordan is deliberately uncredited as the performer on The Roast oj the Town. S. G.

• MORT SAHL 1960; OR LOOK FOR­ Heavy laURa black Audiomaster wrought iron. Ten WARD IN ANGER. Verve MG V-15004 separate compart· $4.98 TOP ments. designed by leads with better stereo per­ in British an outstanding arti· formance, better styling. san to accommo­ I nterest: For the growing Sahl cult Write now for leaflets and d.le 2~O lip .1 · Performance: Breaks me up full specifications of the bums ; features I top shelr lor the Recording: Good enough craftsman-built Stereo Con­ jackets 01 · records trol Unit. Prices from $79. . in use. Measures STEREO 21Vt 124 I 10"'. A Despite tlle album title, Mort Sahl is not must lor the dedi­ Designed and built for the enthu­ caled aUdiophile. directly concerned with the future-it's the siast. facts prove that Audiomas. Completely assem­ present unhappy state of affairs of much bled. Nominal EI~. ter gives you exceptional value, Ch • • that goes on in the United States that con­ startling performance! $ cerns him. With a rapid.fire delivery sim­ Write now to: ilar to a jazz musician improvising on a theme, he covers a wide range of subjects, Henry Davies Ltd., and his frequently acute and hilarious % DENMARK HOUSE, DENMARK RD. commentaries reveal that what sets him EALlNG, LONDON, W. 13. apart as a comedian is his so obviously sincere concern for what is going ou. S. G. SEND HiFi REVIEW EVERY MONTH • JIM COPP TALES. Playhouse 101 $5.95 name Inte rest: Wacky nonsense Performance: Delightfully versatile address Recording: Splendid city zone state All the songs, stories, voices and sound effects on this record belong to Jim Copp, Check one: 0 3 years for $10 a gentleman of apparently unbounded o 2 years for $ 7 imagination, who offers a happy group of o 1 year for $ 4 items that might even be called educa­ In the U. S .• its possessions and Canada tional if they were not such fun to hear. Foreign rates: Pan Ame rican Union countries, add $.5 0 per year; all other foreign countries, add $1.00 p e r year. Adding to the charm of the package is a Mail to: picture wheel inserted under the front Hi-Fi REVIEW, H-8-9, 434 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago 5, Ill. cover, with illustrations for each tale ·show­ ing through a cut·out. S. G. 80 HIFI REvmw HiFi Review AUGUST 1959 Index of Advertisers

CODE PAGE iFiREVIEW NO . ADVERTISER NO. 69 Airex Radio Corp oration ...... 78 3 Allied Radio ...... 76 2 Altec Lans ing Corporation ...... 44 INFORMATION American Cancer Society ...... • . ... 70 100 Apparatus Developm ent Co...... 80 5 Audio Devices, Inc...... 59 SERVICE 83 Audio Fidelity, Inc...... • ...... 3 Beginner's Luck Reprint ...... 66 H er e's how you can get additional informa­ 60 Book-Of-The-Month-Club, Inc. tion, promptly and at no charge, concerning R.C .A. Victor Popular Album Club ... 8, 9 the product s advertised in this issu e of Hi 9 British Industries Corp...... 4 H HEVIEW. This fr ee information will add 168 Capitol Record Club ...... 11 to your understanding of high fidelity and 111 Columbia LP Record Club ...... 2nd Cover the equipment, records and tape necessal'y 157 Conrac, Inc...... 57 for its fullest enjoyment. 166 Davies, Ltd., Henry ...... 80 61 Discount Music & Sound Co . . . .• . . . . 67 Print or type your name and address on 146 Dynaco Inc...... 14 1 the coupon below. 10 EICO ...... 26 115 Electro-Sonic Laboratories, Inc...... 71 Electronic Kits-2nd Edition ...... 77 Check in the alphabetical advertising index, Electronics World Stereo Disk ...... 49 2 left, for the names of the advertisers in 11 Electro-Voice, Inc ...... 4th Cover whose products you are interested. 62 Ercona Corporation ...... 69 153 Erie Resistor Corpo ratio n ...... 65 117 Fairchild Recording Equipment Corp ... 18 In front of each advertiser's name is .a 40 Ferrodynamics Corporation ...... 69 3 code number. Circle the appropriate num· 13 Fisher Radio Corporation ...... 13 ber on the coupon belo,w. You may circle 9 Garrard Sales Corporation . ..•...... 4 as many numbers as you wish. 92 Gaylor Products Co ...... 71 134 General Electric Company ...... 15 14 Glaser-Steers Corporation ...... 6 Add up the number of requests you have made and write the total in the total box. 99 Harman-Kardon, Inc ...... 25 4 41 Heath Company ...... 19 ,. 20, 21, 22, 23 Hi Fi Classified ...... 79 Cut out the coupon and mail it to: Hi Fi Review-September Issue ...... 60 5 Hi Fi Subscriptions ...... 80 77 JansZen Loudspeakers ...... 24 Jones Box Corp ., Jesse ...... 59 Hi Fi REVIEW 86 Key Electronics Co...... 78 P.O. Box 1778 169 Koss Incorporated ...... 76 CHURCH STREET STATION New York 8, New York 88 Leslie Creations ...... 80 50 Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing .. 17 Hi Fi REVIEW 162 Nagoya Associates Inc...... 80 Box 1778 TOTAL NUMBER 77 Neshaminey Electronic Corp...... 24 CHURCH STREET STATION OF REIlUESTS 54 RCA Victor ...... 72 New York 8, New York 109 Radio Shack Corporation ...... 47 Please send me additional information concerning the products of the advertisers whose code numbers I have circled. 91 Roberts Electronics Inc...... 62

29 Scott, Inc., H. H...... 7 2 3 5 9 10 11 13 14 29 30 31 34 40 30 Sherwood Electronic Laboratories, Inc. 43 31 Shure Brothers, Inc...... 55 41 50 54 60 61 62 69 77 83 86 88 91 92 163 Stereo Designers ...... 80 170 Stereo-Plex Mfg. Co ...... 67 98 99 100 101 109 111 115 117 121 134 146 153 157 98 Stromberg-Carlson...... 72 121 Sun Radi o & Electronics Co., Inc. . ... 80 159 162 163 166 168 169 170 171 171 Telefunken Records ...... 51 NAME 159 United Artists Records ...... 3rd Cover 34 University Loudspeakers, Inc...... 16 ADDRESS 62 Vitav0x, Ltd...... 69 CITY ZONE __STATS 101 Weathers Industries ...... 70 AUGUST 1959 81 Oliver P _ Fe rre ll, Editor

Who Said They're Missing? GC-5 and GC-7 series: For one reason or another, the first of these cartridges did not live up to expectations. Recognizing this fact, the G.E. engineers went back • In my last editorial (July issue, page 82), I indicated to their drawing boards-as the cliche says-and came that there was one piece of stereo component hi-fi "miss­ up with a brand-new variable reluctance cartridge which ing_" I somewhat hedged by also stating that, "If some­ they are calling the VR-227 (0.7 mil stylus) and VR-225 .. one is not working on it at this very moment, I will be (0.5 mil stylus). surprised_" This supposedly "missing" component was a stereo AM-FM tuner with a built-in stereo preamplifier. I hope I'm not letting the cat out of the bag (and The necessary stereo power amplifiers were to be mount­ stealing some of the thunder from our October story) in ed in a separate unit and kept well away from the tuner. ·saying that the VR-227 is a top performer. The fre­ This would practically eliminate heat dissipation prob­ quency response (measured with RCA Victor stereo test lems. Stereo Receivers (see July issue, page 26) are record 12-5-71) is as flat as any cartridge tested to date. fine and dandy, but their excessive depth occasionally Channel-to-channel separation in the vital area between proves to be an insurmountable problem in some installa­ 700 cycles (RCA Victor test record 12-5-73) and 8000 tions. Separating the tuners/stereo preamplifiers from cycles was equal to the very best stereo cartridges now the stereo power amplifiers is worth "considering when offered the public. To which I can only add-welcome, heat and physical size need extra consideration. VR-227, you're joining a good family. As many avid readers found, I was just not checking the hi-fi catalogs as thoroughly as I should have when making the statement about "missing product designs." Two such stereo tuners/preamplifiers are on the market Random Notes In Passing - the Harman-Kardon TP-200 and the Pilot 690-A. Both units fit into the product d.esign classification that • On June 17th I was among the large group of writers I was so adamant in recommending. The TP-200 sells and editors invited by Consumers Union to visit their for $189.95, and the 6~0-A for $269.50. audio laboratories. At the same time, this group was Many thanks to all readers who took the time to point able to discuss with members of the technical staff the out this error, and my apologies to Harman-Kardon and CU approach to testing hi-fi equipment. I want to take Pilot for this unintentional slight. this opportunity to thank particularly Messrs. Dexter W. Master, Morris Kaplan, and Mitchell A. Cotter for their courtesies extended during this visit. For the benefit of our readers I can very truthfully Some Cartridge Refl ections say that all of the editors and writers who attended this session were appropriately impressed by the more-than­ adequate audio testing facilities. The vigor and compre­ • During the early part of June, I had the opportunity hension exhibited by the above gentlemen and their staff (along with several other editors) to "pre-test" a variety did much to reassure those present that CU was capable of stereo cartridges. Most of these were improved mod­ of doing a thorough job. Unfortunately, this one meet­ els of cartridges now being marketed. In general, they ing did not offer sufficient opportunity to discuss the were either more efficient, more compliant, or smoother subtler aspects behind the philosophy of testing hi-fi in their response characteristics than previous models. equipment. Whether subjective/objective testing as per­ A fairly comprehensive report on stereo cartridges is formed by CU is valid when it concerns loudspeaker per­ scheduled for the October issue and all of our findings formance is a question open to much further discussion; will be summarized at that time. However, I would like nevertheless, I feel that the writers and editors now un­ at this time to say a few words about the General Elec­ derstand the CU position, and it is to be hoped tlIat the tric VR-227, which supersedes the GC-7. contacts made during this meeting will continue to be Most old-time audiophiles will recall that the General mutually valuable. ~lectric variable reluctance cartridge really got hi-fi on • For several months the staff of HIFI REVIEW has been Its feet. It was smooth sounding, easy to install and very considering a story we "loosely entitled "Should I Convert reasonably priced. Literally hundreds of thousands were to Stereo, and If So, How?" An old colleague of mine, made and sold. Many of them are still in use and will Norman Eisenberg, volunteered to undertake this proj­ be for a long time to come. G.E. upgraded their mono ect, which I am pleased to report proves to be an ex­ cartridge about two years ago with the VR-I!. It instant­ ceptionally interesting piece of equipment editorial. ly became the same ~ 'utilitarian" cartridge as the "Gold­ en Treasure." Specifically, it deals with the ten different stereo adapt­ ers now being marketed at prices ranging from $9.95 to ypon .the introd~ction of stereo discs, General Elec- $45.00. The story details the steps and considerations tnc carned the van able reluctance principle over to the necessary to convert an existing mono hi-fi rig to stereo. I 82 PRINTED IN U.S.A. HIFI REVIEW "Into these performances and recordings I have tried to put a life of study and a life's experience, so that the composer's message will be brought to the listener in its full eloquence." l~ o UNITED ARTISTS RECOR S! STOKOWS K I S I I ,i '

For complete catalogue write UNITED ARTISTS RECORDS j BLOCH, SCHELOMO; HEBREW RHAPSODY SHOSTAKOVrCH, SYMPHO . 1 in F, KHATCHATURIAN, SYMPHONY NO. 2-Tne for Cello and Orchestra, George Neikrug Op.l0/PRELUDE F flat minor/ENTR'ACTE composer's later work conducted by Cello / BEN-HAIM, FROM ISRAEL FROM LADY MACBETH. The early work Stokowski with the Symphony of the Stokowski and the Symphony interpret of Shostakovich performed with the Air, in the first Am erican recording of t hese great modern ethnic works. excitement and depth of maturity. this brilliant masterpiece. Mono UAL 7005 Stereo UAS B005 Mono UAL 7004 stereo UAS 8004 Mono UAL 7002 Stereo UAS 8002 UR729 7th AVE., NEW YORK 19, N. Y. HiFiREVIEW

August, 1959 THE M'AGA"ZINE POR PEOPLE WHO I;.ISTEN I Vol. 3 No.2

PROFESSIONAL MIND MUDDLERS and "SMELLlES" LOGICALLY FOLLOW WRECK AND RUIN is wreaked upon fast·buck promoters are busily knocking "movies" and " talkies" as Belock Re­ tender stereo discs. The obstinate cul· the meaning out of the term "stereo"­ cording Co. (Everest Records) perfects prit: the Myth of the Permanent Needle. just as they have debased the hard stan· its system for synchronizing. scents and Like most superstitions, it seems im­ dards of "high fidelity" by flinging the sounds on film recordings. Thus the possible to kill. The life span of the .7 word about too loosely. Latest item: arts of communication advance, but crit· mil stereo styli, because of smaller bear­ some rear·deck speakers for ordinary cal· ics will be on firm ground when they ing surface, is even shorter than that of radios are peddled as "Stereo," which is proclaim "It stinks !" normal mono needles. But the public like calling a dyed rabbit genuine mink. expects them to grind on endlessly. So They just ain't the same animal and they wm. there ought to be a law! NO MORE GUESSING about who sits where in the stereo-recOl"ded orchestra. Capitol and Kapp are including dia· GOD ON BROADWAY proved to be a DOLLAR VOLUME OF MUSIC amazed grams of orchestra setups as part of hit in J. B., the prize-winning play in poll takers who discovered that Ameri· their jacket information. This senes as which poet McLeish probes the ageless cans today spend more money on concert a convenient check for stereo speaker mysteries of human fate. This poetic ti ckets, classical records and hi-fi equip­ balance. It would be even more inter­ paraphrase of the Book of Job, trans­ ment than they do on all spectator esting if the sketches also showed the planted into modern tim es, is now being sports combined. mike setup: But that would be tell· recorded for RCA Victor with the origi­ ing . . . . nal cast. The existence of ev il, mankind's principal and ultimately only problem, is the central theme of this profound THE LISTENER AS SPONSOR of non· and deeply moving play. In our violent IN REFRESHING CONTRAST to preva· commercial FM broadcasting is a con· and strangely inhuman age of threaten· lent custom, Warner Brothers lists on cept catching on fast in California. ing mass death, these records will carry its record jackets good discs in a similar Specializing in programs for a discrimi­ a vital message to thoughtful listeners. nating minority a udience, station KPFK vein, including standouts by rival com­ in Berkeley has been so successful that panies. This is real help to the record it is now branching out into Los An­ collector building his library and is bound to benefit the record industry as geles with a new 50,000 watt outlet A PLACE TO LISTEN is what's most a whole. The Warner execs who had KPFA. The stations are maintained by needed in the average hi-fi shop. Manu­ the courage to break down the grubby "subscribers" who think it worth $12 facturers are urging dealers to provide spirit of blind co mpetition deserve both per year to have a broadcasting service comfortable listening rooms where cus­ applause and widespread imitation. tailored to their intelligence and taste. tomers can compare products at leisure and without distraction. But can dealers in high-rent downtown districts afford the extra space at th e low audiophile CHILDREN SHOULD LEARN Russian. net profit margin? THE FULL SWING OF JAZZ from spon· In years to come they may very likely taneous Dixieland outbursts to academi· want to or have to talk with our most cism is symbolized in the recent endow· potent neighbol· in the world. "Russian ment of a John Lewis Chair for Jazz for Children," geared for ages 7·14, is BELL RINGING IRKS Canadians who ob­ Composition. The $1,000 grant was now available on 2 LPs. $4.95 at book tained a court order to silence a Toronto made by Bwadcast Music, Inc. to the and record shops. carillon. This oldest form of communal School of Jazz whose sessions erupt sea­ music evidently is disfavored in the elec­ sonally at Lenox, Mass. tronic Muzak age which asks not for whom the hell tolls. PRESIDENT EISENHOWER recently laid the cornerstone for what may become, CLASSICAL UPSURGE marks U. S. ra­ in effect, America's top recording studio. dio programming. Last year, alone, the Now a-building, New York's Philhar­ A CHEERY ANNOUNCEMENT of a new increase in air time for good music was monic Hall is scheduled to replace Car­ custom service that makes discs from 30% . Considering how little good music negie Hall by 1961. Patterned in size your own tapes comes from Sparkle there was to start with, the American and shape after such acoustically fabu­ Records of Evansville, Indiana. "Stop," air outside the big cities still is music­ lous models as Vienna's NJ usikvereinsaal it says. " Read the previous sentence starved, but the trend is encouraging. and Boston's Symphony Hall, the new again to make sure you realize the im­ Biggest shortage : radio station person­ structure promises to be an ideal reo pOl·tance of this idea!" Maybe we're nel able to plan and present classical cording location as well as an outstand· just a hunch of eggheads, but we got it I music programs. ing concert auditorium. the first time. I 27 THE TRUTH ABOUT RECORD CI UBS

Just like marriage-look before you leap. The clubs .are

worthwhile, but n(Jne are run by Santa Claus. d iscussion / BARRY DARREL

IITAKE ANY FIVE FOR $3.98" marketed at bargain prices through the New York Post and other newspapers in the late 1930's-favorites of the sym­ phonic and operatic repertoire performed by major American I I ANY SIX FOR $3.98" artists and orchestras, using RCA Victor recording and manu­ facturing facilities. Plenty of today's veteran record collec­ tors got their start through the "New York Post plan." In II ALL S E VEN FOR $3.98" the middle 1940's a Record-of-the-Month Club was estab­ lished in New York, only to succumb in a matter of a year or so because of lack of cooperation from the record industry many ~ novice recor.d buyer, headlines like these from FOR and because of the breakage element involved in the ship­ the RCA VIctor, ColumbIa, and Capitol record clubs blazon­ ment of 78 rpm shellac discs. ed across full pages of national magazines and Sunday news­ It was in the field of children's records that the disc club paper supplements have conjured up something like a pot of idea became a big business. The Young People's Record gold at the end of the rainbow-a way to get a fine headstart Club offered its subscribers a superior and exclusive line of on a record collection with no dent in the pocketbook. For its own 78 rpm unbreakable records, not obtainable in the many a record dealer, particularly those in small and me­ stores. Eventually, it became absorbed by its then prime dium-sized towns, these headlines have spelled just one thing competitor, the Children's Record Guild. Following this -unfair competition. * merger, the discs from the catalogs of both were made avail· Much the same response greeted the 1926 advent of The able over-the-counter in retaii stores. To everyone's consid-' Book-of-the-Month Club and The Literary Guild. Yet both or­ erable surprise, this seemed to have no appreciable effect on ganizations are thriving to this day, with membership in the the mail order club, which continued operations as usual. millions; and a sizable number of other specialized mail The final deterioration of the children's record clubs, when order subscription book clubs have come into the picture it did set in, reflected the decline in children's record sales over the years. The retail sale of hard-cover books over the throughout the market as a whole that came with the advent counter continues as usual, despite the added competition of fine-groove long play and 45 rpm discs. of paperbacks. The truth is that a large sector of the steady At the same time that the children's record clubs began to. book buying public today, willing to spend $2 and up per thrive, one mail order connoisseur operation began to acbieve volume, got its start by way of book clubs and paperbacks. a following-by way of issuing handsomely packaged un­ It now seems that the mail order subscription record club breakable 78s (LPs after 1948) on a limited edition basis. has become just as permanent a factor in the national disc This was the Concert Hall Society, which managed to keep buying pattern as book clubs in their particular field. Like this aspect of its activity going for almost 10 years. the book clubs, the record clubs are doing a handsome busi­ Unquestionably, it has been the long playing disc-un­ ness today because they offer a service people want; but let breakable,· lightweight, and easily mailed-which has put the us not forget that in rendering this service they also manage record club on the same level of practicality as the book club to reap a substantial profit for themselves. and for the same reason. By the time RCA Victor Columbia Beguiling introductory offers to the contrary, record clubs and Capitol got set to launch their record clubs an are not in the business of cultural philanthropy; but the fact a~ all-ou~ mass marketing operation, the managers of their club opera­ that some hundreds of thousands of music lovers and would­ tions had learned a great deal from the experiences of the be music lovers have wanted and continue to want the kind children's record clubs, of Concert Hall Society, Amer­ of services offered by record clubs is more thim sufficient jus­ ican Recording Society, and the Metropolitan Opera Record tification for their persistence on the scene. The record club Club, as well as from earlier attempts by RCA Victor and can be of genuine and substantial benefit to you, the record Columbia to set up club operations through their dealers. buyer-if its services are used with care and common sense. However, things don't stand still, even in the world of the Before exploring in some detail just what the record club record clubs-and while we have just indicated that present can and cannot do for you, we should glance back a few record club set-ups have tended to crystallize around the years and see what started all this. We have already shown product of a single company, along comes a major attempt that the mail order subscription club idea is nothing new­ to score a break-through with a multi-label record subscrip­ going back as it does more than three decades. In fact, much tion plan. The sponsor is none other than the redoubtable of the development work leading to the establishment of to­ Diners' Club. Its classical offerings come from Heritage (affili­ day's record club giants was done by people with long ex­ ate of Westminster), Vanguard, Period, Monitor, and Omega; perience in the book club field. The RCA Victor Society of Atlantic, World-Pacific, Interlude, and GNP supply the jazz Great Music and the Capitol Record Club, two of the largest, fare; while Liberty, HiFiRecords, Omega, and Bel Canto are actual outgrowths and extensions of previously existing offer the pops. Diners' Club has every hope of being able to book club operations. Yet, a long period of trial and error bring the majority of independent labels into its fold during preceded this definitive establishment of mail order club the coming year. plans for recordings. For a time, agreement as to fair apportionment among Some readers may remember the 78 rpm classical records these labels of "selection-of-the-month" designation threaten­ ed to kill the Diners' Record Club a-borning; but a satisfac­

* As we write this, the ~ociety of American Record Dealers (SORD) ha tory "rotation" scheme was worked out, and so we have the il,nCAUly:ed FedCerrl C~urt SUIt by.three of its Chicago dealer members agains~ Ictor, 0 umbla, and. Capitol, alleging among other things that their first large-scale multi-label record club on the scene. The record clubs constitute restramt of trade as interpreted by the Sherman Anti­ trust, Clayton, and Robmson-Patman Acts. subscription plan follows the same general pattern already 29 set forth on this page but with one major exception---you selected list at 38 % off and from the general catalog at a must join the Diners' Club in order to parti cipate in th e discount of 20% . As can be seen, this SMS plan is not a Diners' Record Club. As an added inducement, 1959 charter record cl ub in the usual meaning of the word, but rather members of the Diners' Record Club may purchase all records a mail order discount operation-of somewhat questionable on the initial basic club repertoire listing for a strictly limited advantage to the discount-minded record buyer who has a time at 50% off list price. wide choice of record and tape discount sources in major A few other record subscription plans do business on a metropolitan centers throughout the country. national level, but with advertising placed on a somewhat The fir st and most obvious advantage of record club mem­ less extravagant level than those qealt with thus far. The bership becomes clear after a little mathematical study­ Louisville Philharmonic Society has instituted a record club the fir st year subscriber who takes full advantage of the "in­ purchase plan for its Louisville Commissioning Series discs troductory free records" offer, while sticking to his minimum of contemporary music. Full details were given in HIFI RE­ purchase committment, gets his 10, 11, or 12 records at prices VIEW, June, 1959, p. 52. ranging between $1.25 and $1.80 below list price. For "city A special case is the Stereophonic Music Society of Pali­ slickers" with ready access to record super-markets operatin g sades Park, N. J., which offers mail order purchase plans on discounts as high as 30% off list, this may not seem li ke for either discs (stereo or mono) or stereo tape. A $12 mem­ much of an inducement; but fo r the " country cousin," far bership fee paid in advance brings to the record club sub­ from well stocked record shops-discount or full price, the scriber a choice of a free disc or an Electro-Voice stereo record club price scheme is worthy of serious consideration. cartridge, plus the privilege of purchasing records from a The second major advantage of the record club applies selected list at 38% discount and from the general catalog to the buyer who is new to record collecting, to high-fidelity, at 30% discount. The tape subscriber may choose one of and in particular to classical music. The basic club reper­ three SMS tapes free of charge and may buy tapes from a toire in the fi eld of concert music is generally selected with

RECORD CLUB FACT SHEET

The best established record club ope rations t oday-RCA of 5 (sometimes 6) records at nationally advertised list price. Victor, Columbia, and Capitol-have crystallize d their organi­ Th e records so purchased may be either the cu rrent monthly zation and method of procedure somewhat along the following selection, or an alternate from the basic club repertoire. lines: 4. Th e subscriber who purchases mo re than his minimum 1. Each of the three major clubs offers t he product of only commitm ent may select one record free for every t wo he on e parent company-as distinguished from most book clubs orders beyond the minimum. which choose from the out put of many publishers. Th e Co­ -5. Th e a bove procedure holds for record club me mbers who lumbia Record Club includes the output of its affiliated label, wish to continue t heir subscriptions beyond the fi rst year. Epic, in addition to its own.* The Capitol Record Club offers Four purchases during each succeeding 12-month period is its own fds product, Capitol-EMI , and most recently Angel­ usually suffi ci ent to ma intain club membership. since E.M.1. (Electric and Musical Industri es, Ltd.) of G reat Britain is the parent organization for the whol e. 6. Mo st record clubs add a "shipping a nd handling charge" to the cost of records ordered by subscribers-usually in the 2. No record club makes the whole of its pa re nt company neighborhood of 35¢ per disc. catalog available to subscribers. A jury of distinguished musicians and critics (as in the case of RCA Victor) or an 7. The freedom of choice availa ble to the record club sub­ expert selection panel will single out 60 or 70 items to serve scriber varies somewhat. Th e tendency is to allow the sub­ as the basic club repertoire. In the case of concert reper­ scriber "freedom of movement" between monophonic and toire, t he emphasis is on firmly established orchest ral and stereo discs, but to get him to ma ke a commitment of prefer­ concerto masterpieces from the 18th through the early 20th enc e as between classical, popular, and jazz. In actual prac­ century, with some attention given to chamber, choral, piano tice the Columbia and Capitol subscriber can choose freely and other solo instrumental fare. Complete operas have in any category from month to month; but the RCA Victor tended to be conspicuous by their absence; but changes may subscriber is presently required to commit himself to mem­ &e forthcoming in this respect. bership in either the RCA Victor Society of Great Music or The jury or selection panel culls each month from t he parent in the RCA Victor Popular Album Club. company's 30 or more new releases a selection-of-the-month in the field of concert music, jazz, and popular or showtune LPs. 8. The record club subscriber receives each mon t h a bro­ When a subsequent new selection-of-the-month is made, the chure listing the current selection of the month in each cat e­ earlier selections are incorporated into the basic club reper­ gory, a list of the alternate selections available from the basic toire pool, from which the subscriber can make an alternate club repertoire, and informative program notes about the choice, should he not care for that month's particular selection. feat ured performing artists and music for the current month. He also receives a blank in wh ich he is expected to indicate 3. New subscribers are tendered an introductory offer allow­ raj his acceptance or rejection of the current selection-of-the­ ing them to select a certain number of LPs-usually 5 or b­ month; (b) his preference for an alternate selection; or (c) from the basic club repertoire at an all-inclusive price of $3 .98. his wish to receive no record that mon t h. Should th e sub­ Th ey are then committed, as a condition of club membership, scriber disregard or fail to return the blank, he will automati­ to purchase during the ensuing 12-month period a minimum cally receive the selection-of-th e-month.

* Columbia has announced at press time the inclusion. in its record 9. A record club subscriber may resign his membership after club opera lion, of selected jazz and pop ul ar reperloire from lhe inde­ one year, but must de so in writing . Otherwise his subscription pendent Verve label; in the past, it has done this with lhe spoken word di scs issued by Caedmon. will be automatically continued.

30 HIFI REvmw care and intelligence by qualified experts. It will not be for their widespread and well-staffed organizations and their ex­ the listener who fancies "modern" music, but it will offer a pert record selection panels, they have helped many hun­ high percentage of the accepted major musical masterpieces dreds of thousands, to take pride of ownership in fine musical from 1750 to 1920. Furthermore, the brochures which ac­ repertoire, to which they might not have otherwise become company the monthly record club selections in the concert exposed. They have played a major role in improving the music field are often prepared with considerable care as to general level of musical taste throughout a wide sector of the wealth of factual content and illustration. The result is that American public. the record club subscriber new to classical music can obtain lust as the Christmas Club at a local bank encourages the in the space of his first year, and at moderate cost, a good saving habit-even though the customer receives no interest grounding in the basic concert repertoire. He can subse­ payment or special advantages-so the record clubs have quently use this as a springboard for his own musical ex­ helped foster the "record library habit" to the point where ploration and thereby divest himself of the heretofore help­ record collecting is no longer regarded as an odd or precious fulleading strings provided by the club pre-selection pattern. hobby. There are those who have told themselves that they An amusing statistical sidelight comes to mind in this con­ really ought to get a record library underway, but who have nection-it seems that the record clubs are far more effective quite candidly lacked the initiative or the time to do it on than retail record stores in promoting sales of chamber music discs. A substantial number of chamber music and solo piano discs turn up as both selection-of-the-month or as The Major Record Clubs available alternates. One wonders how many of these cham­ Capitol Record Club ber music sales have resulted from direct choice of record Dept. 5006 club members and how many from neglect in filling out Scranton 5, Pa . monthly purchase forms. It would be pleasant to think that record club subscribers as a group have a genuine interest in Columbia LP Record Club Dept. 222-2 building up well-rounded libraries! At any rate, the musical Terre Haute novice will find the record club a fine pump-primer for his Indiana deeper appreciation and understanding of the art, especially RCA Victor Popular Album Club in the realm of classics and jazz. Dept. P15-6 To say that record club purchase is the ideal method of P.O. Box 80, Village Station building a library would be to stray far from the truth. There New York 14, N. Y. is no single perfect way to buy records. Much depends on RCA Victor Society of Great Music the temperament, taste, and budget of the buyer, as well as % Book-of-fhe-Month Club, Inc. where and how he lives. There are even a few disadvantages 345 Hudson Street to "record clubbing" for certain types of buyers which should New York 14, N. Y. be pointed out. The record club is not for the listener who already has a their own at a record shop. Here the record club has been large library or whose musical tastes are highly developed. just the thing to start the ball rolling-and the result has Such a buyer will not care to have his freedom of choice con­ been the start toward a systematically assembled and well­ fined by the pre-selection patterns of a normal mass-market rounded library of both major musical classics and the best record club operation. Nor will he care to go along with the in entertainment fare. "one company" pattern still prevalent in the field. To those who choose the record clubs as a way of record In general, the record club is not for the listener who has library building, we say that you will gain much thereby if ready access to big city record discount stores on the one you order your "monthly musical diet" with care. The most hand, or who wants 100-percent personalized shopping serv­ important single element in this "care" has to do with open­ ice on the other. Oddly enough, the budgetary advantages ing, reading and promptly acknowledging your record club of record club purchase tend to diminish as more items are mail, once your membership is in force. Choose your introduc­ purchased, simply because the ratio of free records to those tory records with care. Make sure you know which selection­ purchased thron-gh the club at list price diminishes with each of-the-month is currently in force and give real thought as to purchase beyond the minimum committment-beginning at acceptance, rejection, or choice of an alternate from the basic I: I for the first year minimum and becoming 1:2 in the club repertoire. Don't be afraid to pass up a purchase for course of the second year. For all the helpful musical infor­ one month if you are well within your minimum basic com­ mation contained in the monthly reco~d club brochures and mittment. Lastly, when you feel you have gotten what you magazines, there are times when a knowledgable and pain­ need from the record club of your choice, don't hesitate to staking record clerk in a first-class local or big city record resign your membership-being sure to do so in writing. shop can take a musical novice customer in hand and do a A record club membership intelligently used can mean remarkable job in guiding his exploration of the disc litera­ pleasure and profit for all concerned. lust be sure you know ture, thereby building himself and his store good business exactly what you are getting and don't expect to get some­ and good will in the bargain. Such instances are few and far thing for nothing-all inducement offers to the contrary not­ between, but they should certainly be encouraged. This kind withstanding. There is no record club operated by Santa of personalized service is something that no record club or Claus. "supermarket" discount shop is able to offer. All told, then, the advantages and disadvantages of record • Ban-y Dar-reI is the pseudonym for an industry figure club subscription are not intrinsic, but rather related to the closely associated with the establishment and operation 0/ situation and needs of the individual buyer. The record several major record clubs. He has been principally active in clubs have been and are continuing to perform a good and the field of phonograph record merchandising for more than useful service in their special field of endeavor. Through twenty years. AUGUST 1959 31 Gyorgy Czifjra came into worldwide prominence as a direct consequence of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. His (LTst concerts in Vienna immediately there­ after let the world-at-large know that there had arrived l£pon the scene a pianist of Lisztian fire and grandeur. Subsequent concert engagements throughout Europe seemed to confirm the initial enthusiasm of the Vien­ nese; but when Czifjra came to New York last fall to play with the New York Philharmonic, it became plain that opinion among American music critics was far from unanimous- tending, in fact, to extremes of enthusiasm and distaste. The same reactibn seems to have held true for Czif­ frU:s recordings released on Angel. Our owro critics on RIFI REVIEW provide a prime instance in point. Klaus Geo rge Roy wrote of Czifjra's Liszt Recital (Angel 35528) in February 1958, "This is absolutely fantastic piano playing. Liszt himself must have had a tech­ nique like this!" and of his Hungarian Rhapsodies disc (Angel 35429) in June '58, "Czifjra manages to make this music an utter delight instead of a flamboyant nui­ sance." On the violently dissenting side, we find Mar~ tin Bookspan in June '59 reviewing Cziffra's Tchaikov­ sky Concerto recording (Angel 35612) in this vein, "If he is to become an artist of consequence, he must ago­ nizingly re-appraise his whole concept of pianism." Shortly after his appearances with the New York Philharmonic, Mr. Czifjra was asked by Contributing Editor George Jellinek to give his point of view on the role of virtuosity for its own sake in to day's musical environment. The release of Czifjra's latest Angel re­ co rding-a two-disc set (3591/B-see June '59, p. 75) of the complete Transcendental Etudes by Liszt-pro­ vides. a fine stimulus for the publication of the pianist's forthright views on this matter. - Ed.

y brief but action-packed visit to New York was an al­ M together happy experience. I felt almost brotherly rap­ port with the members of the New York Philharmonic, and the audience was wonderfully responsive. But, then, au­ diences are really the same all over the world. There is cer­ tainly no such thing as a "cold" audience. Artists, on the other hand, who leave their audiences "cold" are plentiful on both sides of the ocean. I sincerely hope that not even my detractors will accuse me of belonging to such a group. I read the reviews of my concerts, of course, and most of them pleased me, though I confess to being .puzzled by a great deal of what has been said by your critics. It seems that virtuosity has come to be looked upon as a burden for the artist of today, a strange gift that inspires suspicions of slickness and superficiality. Why should this be so? Can't virtuosity ,go hand in hand with sincere musicianship?

A brilliant and controversial pianist airs his views on piano virtuosity in our day

interview / GYORGY CZIFFRA a s told to Georg e Je llinek

32 Frankly, I feel under no obligation to apologize for certain colleagues who do not equal my command of the pianistic craft. I consider myself a musician first, and I believe in virtuosity only as a means to musical ends. Critics who have accused me of excessive velocity in my playing should be more analytical in their findings. They would then discover that the tempos I choose are appropriate and logical. More­ over, what is often mistaken for speeding is actually a rhythmic momentum I have learned to sustain through pro­ longed and careful study. In answer to those who have wondered about my 'predilec: tion for Liszt, I am happy to set the record straight. During the past two years I made a series of twenty records for Pathe-Marconi of France, with whom I signed a 5-year ex­ clusive contract in 1956. I have no control over the sequence in which these r ecordings reach the market.· Angel Records, who release my r ecordings in the United States, have evi­ dently chosen to issue my Liszt interpretations first. It was a matter involving commercial policy and, frankly, I am .. rather pleased with the results. (Aside from the flattering volume of sales, my records won two awards in France for technical excellence.) 1£ these discs made me appear as a Liszt specialist-which isn't exactly lrue-I certainly have no desire to protest. What is wrong with playing Liszt, anyhow? The almost contemptuous references to Liszt in American musical cir­ cles have astonished and even shocked me. We Hungarians may have a tendency to venerate this high priest of roman­ ticism beyond his true artistic worth, but the over-all Europe­ an estimate is not too far removed from ours. After all, who can deny Liszt's overwhelming significance as a path-breaker? Or his influence on Wagner and Strauss on the one hand, and Ravel and Debussy on the other? It is curious and rather ironical that the name of Bela Bartok is on everybody's lips today, yet Bartok was forever emphasizing his indebtedness to Liszt's influence, without which this genius of 20th cen­ tury music could not have found his beginnings. Liszt's music is demanding, and needs full artistic dedi­ cation. Technical assurance, utmost sensitivity and a firm rhythmic impulse are in my opinion the main requisites for an ideal Liszt interpreter. Therefore, as you can see, I am rather honored to .be called a Liszt specialist, but in the in­ terest of accuracy I should like to point out that my future recordings (all already taped) include the Tchaikovsky B-flat (released in March, 1959-Ed.) and Grieg A Minor concertos, Schumann's Carnaval and Fantasia, sonatas by Beethoven and Mozart, recitals and encore pieces of Scar­ latti, Couperin and Chopin, as well as some contemporary works. I have a repertoire -of 200 pieces, and would have just as gladly played something else in New York. The Phil­ harmonic requested Liszt-I played Liszt. So much for my alleged one-sidedness. My opinions on interpretation? I believe that the serious interpretive artist of today must approach the music of 'past centuries with fresh ideas, searching for an expressive truth. Geniuses like Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven spoke to all ages in their music. The 20th century interpreter has different technical means at his disposal. He plays on in­ struments of a wider dynamic range and expressive quality. Even markings have come to mean different things. Today's allegro is surely not the same as the allegro of Mozart's time. And the forbidding technical challenges of the past do not seem quite as demanding to present-day virtuosi. All of which prompts me to believe that artists of our times must search to discover the secret of interpreting the music of the 33 18th and 19th century in such a way as to convey an ageless of the piano, believe me, nothing comes easy. I have been rather than a period quality. As for me, I strive for a kind at it since infancy. of music-making that rises above the impact of the moment­ By the way, I wo uld like to correct one biographical detail my aim is to make every concert a lasting and memorable in the interest of accuracy. Some sources have referred to experience for my audience. my studies with Dohnanyi in Budapest. This is not accurate. Music is a serious business with me, and I s uppose I am Dohnanyi did give me an audition when I was taken to him rather. passionate about it. Take my recently released Angel as an eight-year-old prodigy. But Professor Kery-Szanto record of encore pieces (Angel 35610--Ed.). Some critics was my teacher at the Academy. My "career" in Hungary went so far as to suggest that transcriptions and ·paraphrases was so full of frustrations and non-musical adventures that of this kind are a waste of time. I beg to disagree. Here, I could write a book about them. Not until 1954 was I able too, I see a linking of 19th century spirit and 20th century to concentrate on my concert career. After I escaped during idiom. For instance, I think that the storm episode of the the revolution of 1956 and gave my first concert in Vienna, William Tell Overture is a fascinating piece of music. But invitations came in ·from all over the world. My family is if I were to attempt a faithful pianistic reproduction of Ros­ in Paris, so you might say my home is there. sini's construction and harmonic scheme, the results would Right now, my plans call for another tour of England be hardly more than salon music. I endeavored, instead, to and Italy. Then-Australia. During the 1959-60 season I create a serious concert study, using Rossini's music as a shall return to the United States, and hope to give some point of departure. recitals along with orchestral concerts. By then, some of This leads ·to an oft-asked question: Do I believe in fol­ my newer recordings will have been heard and the American lowing the composer to the letter or do I let myself be public will have gained a fuller image of my art. guided by improvisatory inclinations? I have no ready-made -GyOl'gy Cziffra answer to this question. The overwhelming majority of works in my repertoire are masterpieces that require no creative assistance from me. But there are exceptions. Liszt's Hun­ THE CZIFFRA RECORDS garian Fantasy is a brilliant piece but it has passages .of shallow and ineffective writing. I have found that minor LlSZT: Transcendental Angel 3591/B 2 12" $9.9b Etudes (complete). and logical alterations in harmony and phrasing have en­ hanced the work artistically and realized the composer's TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concerto Angel 35bl2 $4.98 No. I in B-f1at Minor, Op. 23; BALAKIREV: Islamey. intentions more fully. But this, I admit, is delicate ground, The French National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Dervaux where one must be guided by a sense of artistic responsibility. con do Do artists live in an isolated world? In my case this is PARAPHRASES AND TRANSCRIPTIONS Angel 35610 $4.98 true to some extent. I listen to other pianists on records, from Rimsky-Korsakov, Khachaturian, Johann Strauss, Brahms, Rossini but not as much as I'd like to. Schnabel is still on top with & others. me-I find his searching musicianship enormously impres­ LlSZT: Spanish Rhapsody; Angel 35528 $4.98 sive. But, frankly, my life dUl'ing the past two years has Valse oubliee No. I; Valse impromptu ; Gnomenreigen; Mephisto Waltz; Jeux d 'eau a la villa d'Este; Grand Galop chromatique. been too hectic to take much notice of anything except my work. With recordings, several trips to England, two to the LlSZT: Hungarian Rhapsodies­ Angel 35429 $4.98 Nos. 2, 6, 12, 15. United States,. and 'continual concerts on the continent, there has been little time. I practice 10-14 hours every day, LlSZT : Piano Concerto No. I in E-f1at; Angel 35436 $4.98 Hungarian Fantasy. you know. Whatever you may read about my natural mastery The Paris Conservatory Orchestra, Pierre Dervaux condo

RECORDING PIANOS - EUROPE vs U. S. A.

A perennial complaint of record collectors specializing in bin ed with "dead" acoustics will bring forth a hard, almost piano discs focuses on what they feel to be the "rich, mel­ xylophone-like tone quality, and very often audible pedal low" so und of pia'no recording originating from England a,?d action. Again, however, such extremes in room acoustics the European continent, as opposed to the "brilliant, almost don't find their way very often to current LPs. brittle" tone of most American piano LPs. How much is due This brings us to the matter of the pianos themselves; and to differences in playback characteristic? How much to room here, I think, is where the real difference between American acoustics? How much to the pianos themselves? and European recording shows up. American concert grands Presumably, the bulk of European piano recordings issued are usually voiced for brilliance and carrying power needed over here on American labels have been transferred to disc in auditoriums with as many as 4000 seats, while their in accordance with American standards of playback equaliza­ European counterparts are voiced for much more intimate tion; so it would seem reasonable to eliminate recording as a surroundings-seldom more than 1200 seats. Obviously, the prime factor in the situation. Yet anyone can hear the vast European concert hall and a first-rate recording studio difference in the piano sound represented by Louis Kentner's (sometimes one and the same) have a good deal in co mmon. English-recorded version of the Chopin Etudes for Capitol It stands to reason, then, that an Am~rican concert grand (GBR 7162) as against the Chopin F Minor Fantasie done would require a considerable amount of mellowing in order over here for RCA Victor by Rubinstein (LM 2277). Room to match ideally the re'quirement for recording designed to acoustics, it is true, can make a considerable difference in be heard in living room surroundings. How many major con­ recorded piano sound. Excessive reverberation, combined cert virtuosi working in America would be willing to have with distant microphone placement, can result in a cavernous, their pet concert grands extensively re-voiced especially for blurred so und-a defect which sometimes mars piano record­ recording purposes? Enough said? I ings done in Austria and Germany. Very close miking com- -David Hall 34 HIFI REVIEW .1 Hang It Alii

A turntable can become a "space platform" for floating strains of music

equipment / HAROLD HOLDEN

Problem: Vibration-free placement of -which worked fine as long as nobody was walking in the turntable with maximum space upstairs bedroom. But whenever my wife did her upstairs economy. maid stint, the "repercussions" traveled right down the rigid piano wire suspension and, like a good seismograph, the Mid-Air suspension either from Solution: record player promptly sounded the earthquake alarm. ceiling or a special overhead Replacement of the piano wire with plastic clothesline wall projection. settled that problem. The inherent elasticity of the plastic UR remodeled house has some rather lively beams. Every acted as shock absorber and filtered out the vibration. Be­ Otime I forget to mince steps and walk across the room sides, the colored clothesline harmonized handsomely with with my normal tread, the responsive floor jolts my extra our living room decor. lightweight professional·type tone arm right out of the record . The final version ot our "invention" was even fancier. As groove. shown in the sketch, we built an overhang nailed into wall- . One solution would be to place the turntable and tone studs, nicely covered with painted pegboard and fitted with arm in a special cabinet on a shock-mounted platform a light shining down on the turntable for easy cueing of cushioned in foam rubber. The foam rubber, however, would LP bands. have made it difficult to keep the turntable level at all times. Practically speaking, the record player now takes up no Besides, we couldn't readily spare the space for such a space whatever-and we took down all those DON'T WALK bulky arrangement. signs. So I sat pondering my dilemma while listening to a record. My wife (a mere 1121bs.) walked across the room as daintily as ever. Even so, the arm jumped and Beethoven did a Your hi-fi system may be "news /" We're on the look­ double-take right in the middle of the "Archduke" Trio. out for offbeat ideas, providing they really work. Have "Hang it all!" I bellowed. you a hi-fi layout that's not exactly according to the My inspiration proved right. I took myself at my ex­ "book"? Sketch it for us, along with 200-250 words of asperated word and literally "hung it all." I cradled the description. Publishable suggestions will be paid $40 turntable as a sort of hammock between two suspension upon acceptance. In cases of duplication, the letter points. with the earliest postmark will be accepted. -Ed. Our first "sky hooks" were screwed into a ceiling beam

HUNG TURNTABLE fiLters floor vibration, takes no space. Overhang is nailed into studs, covered with pegboard and fitted with light. Turnbuckles may be used for leveling. Similar setup is llsed aboard the U.S.S. United States to counteract the roll oj the sh ip.

AUGUST 1959 35 PRIVATE AND PANORAMIC

Modern headsets "personalize" listening in full stereo dimensions

AN ORCHESTRA within your head! No wonder th e girl equipment / HANS H. FANTEL looks startled at her first experience of stereo earphones.

HE road of progress often winds through familiar scenes. sional effect of a stereo headset- You can "feel" a whole Trechnical advances, in particular, have a way of bringing concert stage, 10 feet wide and 40 feet deep, spreading out back methods and modes that had already taken on a de­ in whatever space there happens to be between your two ears! ceptive patina of things bygone_ After the railroads had driv ~n It is truly startling. Everyone experiencing it for the fir st time individual travel from the highways, the automobile revived it invariably reaches for his pate to assure himself that, despite again. Or, to name just one more of many instances, the the intracranial orchestra, his hat-size stayed the same. waterwheel, long eclipsed by piston engines as a power If your amplifier has a switch for alternating stereo and source, has returned in the guise of the modern turbine. mono, you can give yourself a dramatic demonstration of High fidelity also turns in time's ironic circles. Earphones, stereo's sonic increment. While listening with stereo ear­ practically extinct since the first loudspeakers came roaring phones, switch suddenly to mono. Immediately all apparent into the Twenties, are back in style for stereo_ Their astonish­ space collapses to the dimension of a point. The stereo­ ing comeback portends no rivalry to loudspeakers, which of conditioned listener suffers a kind of shock akin to what course remain the standard sound sources. But as adjuncts might be medically classified as a "withdrawal symptom." to a modern music system, stereo headsets offer some chal­ Which goes to show that truly effective stereo-like most lenging possibilities. pleasures-tends to be habit-forming. Their patent utility lies in "personalized" listening. To visualize just what takes place and how, let us think Clamped into their headsets, audio fans can enjoy full of a microphone as scooping off a bucketful of musically volume sound without invading the privacy of other family agitated air. That "sample" goes to one ear. Some twenty members who may be in the same room quietly entertaining feet away, another mike scoops up another "sample" simul­ thoughts of their own_ taneously. This goes to the other ear. Our perceptive sense Time was when even the unpretentious home had a sepa­ is so arranged that from the two spaced-out samples to human rate music room with sturdy doors to contain the sound, brain posits the total reality. The space between, beyo nd, a facility sorely lacking in our split-level age of cardboard before and behind the two "sample-taking" microphones leaps walls and doorless togetherness_ Earphones, in effect, restore into illusory but fully convincing being_ acoustic isolation to modern living for those trying times The key to this rather abstruse process is the overlap be­ when some but not all family members want music. tween the two channels_ Both microphones, after all, "hear" Being instruments of domestic peace is merely the obvious the same thing-but in different perspective_ This perspective advantage of earphones_ Their ultimate merit is something shift between channels A and B is the raw material from else again, and sonically far more spectacular. Earphone lis­ which the brain manufactures the illusion of space. Philoso­ tening, in effect, bypasses the whole problem of living-room phers may question whether an imagined space can be called acoustics, stereo speaker placement and listener position_ The an illusion as long as its counterpart in reality exists in the very space of the concert hall is infused through the stereo recording studio. But when the "studio space" appears to you earphones right into your head-without any shrinkage im­ in your head, some sort of psychological hokus-pokus is evi­ posed by our own four walls. The original dimensions of the dently involved. sound are fully retained_ It could be plausibly argued that all this also holds true Old-time hi-fiers experimenting with early two-track tape for ordinary stereo listening with loudspeakers and that, machines back in 1952 first discovered the amazing dim en- ultimately, all sensory reality resides in our heads. Certainly 36 HIFI REVIEW earphone and speaker listening may have many factors in common. What we want to emphasize is the amazing fact of HARDWARE FOR YOUR HEAD a wholly convincing experience of acoustic space where none exists; moreover, that earphone listening creates a broad apparent sound source in front of us while the actual sound The benefits of binaural listening cann,ot be obtained with comes strictly from the sides. an ordinary pair of earphones picked up at the corner radio We have already pointed to one of the most vital aspects store for a buck and a half. For one thing, the headset must be of earphone listening: the elimination of living room acoustics wired for stereo; i.e., each earphone must play back only one which normally obtrude themselves on the concert hall of the two channels. Moreover, the sound reproduction must be comparable to high-quality loudspeakers in terms of range and linearity of frequency response, dynamic capabilities and absence of distortion.

These requirements hint at the vast difference between a modern stereo headset and the fa'miliar earphones of yester­ year. Offhand, they compare somewhat like a hollowed tree trunk canoe and a racing yacht. It's principally a matter of refinement.

Earphones in the early days of radio were primitive tele­ phone receivers with a metal dia phragm stretched across a signal-activated electromagnet. Modern earphones are mini­ ature cone loudspeakers, crafted with expert cunning to ri va l the sonic virtues of their bigger relatives. Cone materials and LATEST STEREO HEADSETS are the Ampex No. 881 (left) suspensions are carefully engin~ered, and some even have and the Koss "Srereophone" Model SP3 (right). vents around the edge to relieve back pressure and simulate a sort of bass-reflex action.

acoustics. Moreover, in spea'ker listening, both ears hear both Recent entries into t,he ,stereo headset field include attrac­ speakers. In earphone listening, each ear hears only one tive new models by Ampex (Sunnyvale, California) and by channel. This is probably the most important difference Koss, Inc. (2227 North 31 Street, Milwaukee 8, Wisconsin). Both denoted by the term "binaural" (for earphone' listening) as have been tested by the HI FI REVI EW staff a nd found fully compared to "stereophonic" (for speaker listening) . satisfactory in terms of high fidelity standards. Both the Am­ The effectiveness of binaural listening, like any other type pex Stereo Headset #881 and the Koss "Stereophone" Head­ of reproduced music, depends greatly on the acoustics of set Model SP3 responded nicely to test tones from 40 to the recording hall and the microphone setup. Early Dutch 15,000 cycles. In reproduction of integrated musical program experiments in binaural sound transmission attempted to material, the two !lnits differed considerably, the Ampex lean­ duplicate "normal" listening conditions by placing micro­ phones into the ears of a lifesize dummy head. This, however, ing toward brilliance, the Koss toward warmth of tone. The failed to convey the expected amount of space feeling. Most lighter weight of the Koss was felt to be an advantage. Both people's ears, as represented by the wired-for-sound dummy, units fit around the ear with comfortable foam-rubber pad­ are not very far apart; nor are noses so big as to create a sig­ ding, which, in the case of the Ampex model, is lined with soft nificant sound barrier between the two ears. As a result, the chamois. A snug fit creating a sealed air cavity between the sound pressure at both ears is usually pretty much the same. earphone and the ear is the secret of the astonishing bass re­ A precise electroacoustic analog to normal human hearing, sponse obtainable from these headsets. Essentially, a closed such as was attempted with the miked dummy head, therefore pressure system is created, assuring efficient energy transfer sounded much like monophonic transmission, and that type between the cone of the earphones and the ear drum. Besides, of mike pickup was soon discarded. Today, the most effective the foam rubber seal keeps out ambient noise. program source for binaural (earphone) listening is a well­ engineered stereo disc or tape. The wide microphone spacing The actual hookup of the earphones is quite similar to the employed in current stereo recording is not at all deleterious procedure for connecting loudspeakers. The impedance of to ,binaural listening as long as sufficient center fill is present. these dynamic headsets is 4 ohms {for the Koss} or 16 ohms For this reason, the prevalent use of a center fill mike in stereo recording is as much as an asset to earphone listening (for the Ampex), values readily tapped from the output of as it is to louds peaker listening. most amplifiers. Both Koss and Ampex furnish connection Here lies an altogether fascinating field for sonic adventure boxes for plugging in the headsets. One of the several avail­ for anyone with a stereo system. All you need is a good stereo able types of Koss connection boxe's (Model T-3) also contains headset with appropriate connectors (see box). They are resistors for dropping the signal level to the requirements of your key not only to privacy in listening but a new and un­ the earphones, and a switch for selecting either loudspeaker canny experience. But don't expect earphones to make your or earphone operation. head actually feel as wide as a concert stage, It takes some­ thing besides binaural to accomplish that! -Hans H. Fantel AUGUST 1959 37 feature review / MOT HER C. A. CAR R 0 LL, R. S. C . J .

• A MBROSIAN CHANT-74 Selections fro m t he Liturgy. Cho ir semination, the selection of chants from authentic sources of the Pol ifo nica Ambrosiana. Milan, Msgr. Giuseppe Biella co ndo for documentation on discs is most welcome and supplies Vox SDL 343 3 12" with Special Boo klet $25.00 a long-felt need. Vox has therefore performed a valuable Musica l Interest: Specia lized service in issuing this deluxe album of Ambrosian chants, Performance: Devoted most of them hitherto virtually inaccessible on discs. Recording: Good The performance by the choir of the Polifonica Ambros­ T. AMBROSE (c. 340·397), Bishop of Milan, has given iana under the direction of Monsignore Giuseppe Biella is S his name to a body of chants organized for use in the highly competent and reveals a unity of purpose and a high churches of that city. Modern research tends to modify degree of artistry of interpretation. The chants are sung the reputation once claimed for Ambrose as composer, per­ by a group of male singers with occasional solos, in alter­ former and organizer of the Milanese liturgy. Even within nation and/or combination with a children's choir, the whole his busy lifetime there would not have been time to wTite entirely unaccompanied. In pitch, rhytlun and vocal quality all the hymns sometimes ascribed to him. However, there the male group has the edge on the children's choir_ The is ample evidence that he was more active in the promotion men, singing alone and particularly in the lower register, both of liturgical music and of popular participation in the produce moments of astounding beauty, but there are times liturgy in his diocese. It is abundantly clear that he did when the addition of the treble voices detracts rather than introduce antiphonal singing and the metrical hymn now adds to the general effect. The chants, even though Am­ known as Ambrosian, and that he left his mark on the rite brosian in structure and scalar designs, are sung according and chant of the diocese of Milan which now honors him to the rhythmic interpretation of the French school of Soles­ by calling them both Ambrosian. mes, but without that school's assiduous attention to accen­ What distinguishes Arnbrosian chant from Gregorian tuation and evenness of rhythm. chant? Basically both use the same range of notes, a diaton­ The interpretation is always musical, although there are ic progression from A to g', which the Ambrosians divide into lapses in pitch and occasional irregularities in rhythm. What four modes, and the Gregorianists into eight. In general, the might be challenged in the performance is the monotony of Gregorian melodies tend towards conservatism in design and tempos, as deliberate for a solemn text as for an Alleluia. exhibit a marked preference for balance and symmetry in The freshness of the melodies, the well-rounded phrasing construction. A comparison shows that the Ambrosian chants and the obvious sincerity of the performance must be highly are more stark in their simplicity and more ostentatiously commended. ornate than their Gregorian counterparts. The Ambrosian The album offers a wide selection of the melodic types style is also characterized by a preference for small melodic and modal formulae of the Ambrosian repertoire. There intervals; a frequent use of rhymed cadences; an abundance are many antiphons, each with at least one psalm verse; a of elaborate melodic passages strongly reminiscent of Orien­ group of authentic Ambrosian hymns; exemplars of offer­ tal improvisations; and at times a seeming inconsistence tory, psallemellus, confractory, ingressa, transitory and li­ in the sudden appearance of a melisma in the midst of an turgical recitatives. Each selection merits comment, but only otherwise unpretentious tune. the outstanding can be singled out for mention and acclaim. There are also notable differences to be observed in the The antiphon, a short refrain interpolated between verses treatment of the cadences, especially in the psalms and the of a psalm, may vary in expressiveness and emotion as the recitatives. A descending leap of a fo ur th to end a phrase, texts change to follow the course of the liturgical year in and an occasional ascending melodic turn at a cadence be­ its commemorative cycle of the mysteries of the Catholic long to the Ambrosian idiom almost exclusively_ There is religion. It can be as ingenuous as the Non demus somnum also a bolder use of the tritone, and consequently little con­ oculis-; dramatic as the Lapides: solemn as the Adoramus cern for the introduction of the Bb . These melodies strike Crucem; joyously bright as the Sancti/icamini. Whatever the ear as being almost entirely whole-tone progressions, its message, it is always a short, compact musical composition far removed from a major scale pattern with its inevitable which frames the psalm that accompanies it. It is interesting half-step cadences. In the structure of the chants there are to note that the psalm tones dispense with the mediant ca­ other differences, but these have liturgical rather than musi­ dence of the Gregorian system. The mediant pause is made cal significance. with no melodic inflection, but the final cadence is sometimes In recent years considerable advance has been made to­ a lovely, almost lilting, melisma, as in the Nunc dimittis and wards a fuller investigation and study of Ambrosian chant, the In exitu Israel. and Monsignore Biella and his choir have availed them­ Ambrose's name is inseparably linked with the hymn. In selves of the results of the research in progress at the his effort to reach his people, he chose to teach them both Instituto Ambrosiana di Musica Sacra in Milan. Since these doctrine and music in a form that would appeal to them and studies have not as yet achieved wide publication and dis- yet not depart from the canons of good taste in literature 38 H IF I REVIEW or music. To do this, he set his texts in a form, based not Cardinal G. B. Montini, Archbishop of Milan, thus setting on the old principle of quantity, but upon that of metric the seal of ecclesiastical approval on the project. The main accentuation. Thus was initiated the Ambrosian hymn which body of the brochure is concerned with information pertinent has been imitated throughout Western Christendom down to the chants; a brief history of the origins of the Ambrosian the long ages since the death of its author in 397. It is a chant; the complete Latin texts of the parts sung; short simple form: an iambic dimeter of eight four-line stanzas, explanatory notes; and a generous selection of reproductions usually set to a syllabic melody. The number attributed to of the manuscripts in color as well as in black and white. Ambrose reached, at times, astonishing totals. Monsignore Since the editors have taken the trouble to supply translations Biella has chosen five of the most expressive and authentic: in English, French and Italian, the usefulness of the text is Reterne rerum Conditor: Splendor paternae gloriae: Deus considerably enhanced. Unfortunately, some slips did man­ Creator ominum; Jam surgit hora tertia; Agnetis almae vir­ age to creep into the book. At times the English is less than ginis. These he has decided to interpret in the even·note idiomatic and there are textual inaccuracies as well as a values which he considers traditional. The performance of few inconsistencies in the use of technical terms. However, these syllabic chants does not do full justice to the smooth the book as a whole is an artistic and informative little rhythm involving interplay of literary and musical accents. volume and a veritable vade mecum for the recordings. True, thest') are most difficult to sing well, but hymn rendi­ A note of practical advice offered to the reader of the tion is not the high point of artistic rendition on these booklet which accompanies the album is worthy of special recordings. mention, since it points out a problem often discussed by musicians and liturgists. We are warned here that the ver­ sions heard have not been taken from the official Ambrosian edition established by Dom Sunol, O.S.B., but represent the labors of the scholars of the Instituto Ambrosiano who have edited the chants in agreement with their findings in the manuscripts. These chants, then, are for the perusal and study of musicologists and musicians and are not primarily intended for liturgical use. The present-day practice of recording liturgical music raises questions of both propriety and aesthetics. Music specifically intended for church use is intimately associated with the liturgy and rite of which it forms an integral part. Heard out of the church, it often loses something of its original impact and meaning. Is the music to be taped or recorded during the service-always a hazardous procedure -or is it to be carefully worked over in a recording session where it is entirely divorced from the ritual and atmosphere for which it was intended? Will its role of prayerful beauty BEA UTIFULLY BOU N D is Vox's Ambrosian Chant album be lost or replaced by one of purely musical and artistic which includes elaborate brochure with full historical notes and texts in four languages. import? These are problems that have to be faced by the choir director and recording artists. All students of Gregorian chant will be interested in two The availability of excellent discs has evidently tempted compositions that have been adapted for use in the Ronian many choir masters to substitute "canned music" for live Rite; the Te Deum and the Laus Angelorum magna, the performance; for an Instruction on Sacred Music, issued original version of the Gloria in excels is Deo of the Roman from the Congregation of Rites at the Vatican on Septem­ Mass. The T e Deum is identified on the manuscri pt as: ber 3, 1958, states: Hymnus dialogicus beatissimorum doctorum Ambrosii et "The use of mechanical instruments and devices­ Augustini, and is set to a melody, psalmodic in .structure, such as the "Player"-organ, phonograph, radio, somewhat similar to that marked Simple Tone in the Liber tape recorder or wire recorder, and other similar Usualis. Unlike the Roman version, this one cadences on reo devices-is absolutely forbidden in liturgical serv­ The Laus Angelorum magna is a variant of the chant labeled ices and private devotions, whether these take place Ambrosian Chant in the Liber. The text includes an invoca­ inside or outside of church, even if their use is tion for deliverance from "enemies, temptations, heretics, limited to transmitting sermons or sacred music, Arians, schismatics and barbarians" a telling indication of or substituting for the singing of the chanters or its place in time and the history of the Christian Church. the faithful or even supporting it." A variety of liturgical recitatives enables the student to One might easily be tempted to substitute this Vox album trace the development of the style from its pure Ambrosian for a mediocre live performance because of its attractive beginnings to the more elaborate versions of the late Middle contents and solid musical worth. Listening to the album Ages, as well as to make the inevitable comparison with is indeed a richly rewarding musical experience, a journey similar settings currently in use in the Roman Rite. into a world of mystic and transcendent beauty. Notable also are the Canite in initio with the long melisma on the last repetition of the word, solemnitatis; the tender rhythm in honor of the Virgin Mary, the lnviolata; the var­ • Mother C. A. Canoll of the Manhattanville College of the ious Alleluias with their lovely melodic exfoliations. Sacred Heart has bee n a life-long student of liturgical Chant, The album is accompanied by an attractive booklet, also having studied in this country with the renowned Mother available separately, which merits some comment. It is Georgia Stevens, as well as with Dom Mocquereau both here prefaced with a commendatory letter from his Eminence, and in France at the Monastery of Solesmes. AUGUST 1959 39 /I CATFISH RO~ IN A lINEAR ORIGINAL

An American classic comes splendidly alive on a new stereo soundtrack

feature review / STANLEY GREEN

• PORGY AND BESS (George Gershw in-DuBose Heyward­ ture (Andre Previn's conducting is outstanding throughout) Ira Ger shwin>. Sou ndtrack record ing with Ro bert Mc Fe rrin and' a fa scinating track is devoted to all sorts of noises heard ( Po rgy ), Ad ele Add ison (B ess), C ab Calloway (S portin' Life) , Pearl Bailey ( Ma ri a ) , L. J . N. Price (Cla ra ), Inez Matthews (Serena) , in Catfish Row early in the morning. The most familiar Lesli e Scott (Jake ), Brock Peters (Crown) , Helen Thi gpen (Straw­ songs are all here, of course, plus others including the affect­ berry W oma n) , Me rritt Smith (Cra b Man ), wi t h O rchestra & Chorus, ing Gone, Gone, Gone and Porgy's Prayer, the hard-driving Andre Previn co ndo Columbia OS 2016 $5.98; Mono-OL 54 10 $4.98 A R ed-Headed Woman, and the tender Clara, Clara. I Ain't Musica l Interest: G ershwin's masterpiece Got No Sham e, which was cut from the original 1935 produc­ Pe rforma nce : Superb company Record ing : Exce ll e nt tion, is also on the r ecording. Stereo Directionality: Very effective The ster eo effects have been accomplished with unfailing Ste reo De pth : Satisfactory good taste and a fin e appreciation for dramatic values. All FTER all is said and quite a bit has been done, we now the solos are heard midway between the speakers, while the Ahave the soundtrack r ecording of the Samuel Goldwyn choral passages are properly spread out. In B ess, You Is My film version of Porgy and Bess-which , of course, is the Woman N ow, an especially good illusion is provided by primary reason for the current spate of recordings emanating having P or gy sing first from the extreme left and Bess from from Catfish Row. And, what's more, it is a soundtrack well the right ; then, as the song progresses, they seem t o get worth waiting for. All the beauty, all the nobility, all the closer and closer together, ending, apparently, in an embrace. electricity of the George Gershwin-DuBose Heyward-Ira Likewise movement is achieved by having the voices of Gershwin folk opera have been masterfully captured by the the Stra ,~ b e rr y Woman and the Crab Man travel from right singing cast to make this release, in many ways, the most to left. The sound is equally fin e on the monophonic set, but satisfying single-record Porgy and Bess to date. the added spaciousness of stereo makes it the preferred I say "singing cast" as it is a fairly open secret that not all version. the actors appearing in the movie do their own singing. Co­ Comparing the new recording with existing versions of lumbia, unfortunately, does not provide a rundown of who Porgy and Bess, I find that the pre-hi-fi sound of the Decca sings what for whom; the only ones whose names are fea­ version (DL 9024) with the original leads (Anne Brown tured on the back of the jacket are Robert McF errin, who and Todd Duncan, with Al exander Smallens conducting) sings Porgy, and Cab Calloway, who sings Sportin' Life, puts it out of the running except for historical reason s. though the latter is not in the picture and is merely filling Columbia's album (OSL 162) featuring William Warfield, in for Sammy Davis, Jr., whose contractual allegiance to Camilla Williams and Avon Long, with Lehman Engel con­ Decca has prevented him from being on the soundtrack re­ ducting, is the most complete, and the voices compare cording. The above credit box contains the names of all the favorably with the current r elease. Excerpts from this known soloists, although of these only P earl Bailey, Leslie 3-record set are contained on Columbia CL 922, but here Scott, Brock P eters and Helen Thigpen are actually in the I'd have to give the soundtrack version the nod because of film. Everything clear? sonic superiority, particularly in stereo. All the voices have been selected with exacting care. The The world-wide es t~ em in which Porgy and B ess has long Gershwin estate, which even controls the right to approve been held was demonstrated even before the celebrated the key in which each aria is sung, has made sure that the Davis-Breen company toured North America, Europe, parts intentions of the composer have been adhered to as closely as of North Africa, and South America. As early as March, possible. Robert McFerrin's impressive, well-controlled bari­ 1943, its European premiere took place at the R oyal Opera tone invests Porgy with great dignity and inner strength, in Copenhagen, Denmark, performed in Danish by Danish and Adele Addison sings Bess with a tonal purity and emo­ opera singers. This was during the German occupation, and tional depth that make her interpretation altogether winning. the work was presented 22 times before the Nazis forced While I still may prefer the unoctuousness of Avon Long's its withdrawal. Two years later, Porgy and Bess was per­ Sportin' Life to the more flamboyant manner of Cab Callo­ formed in Moscow, and it was also part of the Zurich Festival way, the latter does create a characterization with all the ap­ of Music. It was first given in Sweden in 1948 ; the fol1owin g propriate relish and rhythm. Many of the artists have had year its opening in Stockholm was distinguished by the years of experience singing roles in Porgy and Bess. In the presence in the company of Anne Brown, the original Bess. Blevins Davis-Robert Breen production which toured through­ The Davis and Breen tour showed how eagerly people out the world from 1952 to 1956, Leslie Scott, who now plays all over the world responded to Porgy and Bess sung by Jake, alternated in the part of Porgy, Helen Thigpen (Straw­ Negroes in the language in which it was written. The Gold­ berry Woman) played Serena, and Merritt Smith (Crab wyn movie will unquestionably reach an even wider audience, Man ) had the same role he sings on the soundtrack. Inez with no little assist from Columbia's superb recording of Matthews may also be heard as Serena on Columbia's excel­ excerpts. In fact, my only complaint about the release is lent 3-record set (05L162) made in 1951, and Brock P eters that it is too much of an appetite-whetter. Anyone else for (Crown) is Porgy on a Co~cert Hall recording. a stereo r elease of the complete soundtrack? Eighteen numbers are offered on the disc, plus an over- - Stanley Green 40 HIFI REVIEW TAPE CARTRIDGE MACHINES ARRIVEI

Well-known producer of component hi-fi equipment breaks tape cartridge market

wide ,open with six medium-fi machines

"you me~n fumble th~mb s like me can finally play tape!" So friend housewIfe greeted the home trial run of the Bell Stereo-Pak four-track tape cartridge player Model 4·02. It had taken friend husband exactly one minute to take the cartridge player (no bigger than a small portable typewriter) out of its box, plug it into stereo amplifier input and a.c. line, snap a tape cartridge into place-RCA Victor's Morton Gould performance of Copland's Billy the Kid Ballet (KCS 6000, $9.95) ':""'and have the living room filled to the rafters with stereo sound. BELL SOU N D Model 405 costs $299.95. Big sister, a real record fan but no lover of the more com­ plex aspects of operating hi-fi, dashed in to see what all the excitement was about-just in time to see the tape machine stopped and the cartridge flipped over and snapped back into designed to play them-presumably an RCA Victor tape place. Now the music was the heady hoedown rhythm of cartridge machine. Copland's Rodeo, making up the second sequence of RCA Vic­ The first of 1959 came and went-dead silence on the car­ tor's KCS 6000. tridge tape machine front; but by April came rumblings and This was the moment · that friend husband, an all-out hi­ rumors of impending action: RCA Victor would be deliver­ fier, had been awaiting for almost a year. RCA Victor had ing its tape cartridge machines to the stores any day. announced in June of 1958 impending production of a line Then came June lO-just about a year after the first RCA of magazine-loading stereo tape machines-players and Victor announcement and demonstration; at last the first player-r.ecorders, plus a library of stereo pre-recorded tape tape cartridge machine actually came to hand where it could to go with it. By fall, tape cartridges had arrived but no be tried out in the home-not from RCA Victor as expected, machine to play them on. A temporary expedient came to but from a totally unsuspected source, Bell Sound, well­ hand in the form of a Tandberg tape recorder equipped with known producer of tape machines, amplifiers and other com­ four-track stereo heads (fir st a Model 4, then later the Model ponent hi-fi products_ The first RCA Victor tape cartridge 5-2), which meant that the four-track 3%, ips tapes on hand players were supposedly on their way to distributor ware­ could be played if taken out of their cartridges and wound houses and stores. But where RCA Victor was shipping only onto reels. So far, so good-but the only fair test would be its semi-automatic Model SCP-2 player-recorder, Bell was to listen to these tape cartridges on the type of equipment going full speed ahead with a line of three cartridge players and three cartridge player-recorders. In a remarkable ex­ hibition of canny tactics, Bell had kept its plans and initial production completely under wraps and when RCA Victor announced delivery of its one model, Bell was all set and rolling with its entire line. A tour de force, this ! For the present, we can speak from actual home operation­ al experience only for the Bell Model 402, which is a tape cartridge player containing its own built-in stereo preampli­ fier circuitry designed to match the auxiliary (high level) input of any pairing of amplifiers, radio, TV, or radio-phono­ graph_ The first thing that impressed us was sheer simplicity and compactness. An airplane portable typewriter takes more space, and just two controls accomplish all basic opera­ tions, once amplifier volume and tone control knobs are set. The Model 402 cartridge machine has only an on-off switch, plus an Operating Lever with three settings-Neutral-Play - Fast. Placing a pre-recorded tape cartridge on the machine for listening is a matter of two seconds-the top of the car­ tridge is angled gently but firmly against a retaining flange, then the front is brought down into position. From there on, BELL SOUND Model 402 costs $129.95. it's just push the lever. When the tape has run its full AUGUST 1959 41 Model SCP 2, this is an elaborate and handsome package complete with stereo recorder, stereo playback and ampli­ fiers, as well as built-in monophonic speaker system (2 tweeters and woofer). A companion speaker (Model SHS13) is available for stereo. Tape transport operating controls are the push-button type (Start-Stop-F ast Forward-Fast R everse) . Other controls include on-off, volume, and tone control. Pro­ vision is made for selection of tracks, playback, record, or auxiliary speaker operation. R ecording level meter is of the neon "magic eye" type. We made some fairly extensive A-B-C tests, using a variety of stereo tapes and discs. The tapes wer e 4·track cartridges at 3% ips, and 4- track reels at both 3% RCA VICTOR Model SCP-2 costs $299.95. ips and 7% ips, as well as the heretofore standard 2-track TY2 reels. Identical musical program material was used in each comparative test, all played through the same amplifier­ length, the machine stops automatically but do es not un­ speaker set-up with no change in volume or tone control set­ thread itself. Playing the other two tracks on the tape (like tings. A carefully calibrated Tandberg 5-2 tape machine was the other side of a phonograph record) means just turning used for reel-to-reel playback. the cartridge over and placing it in play position once more. Past issues of HIFI R EVIEW r eporting on playback of 4- Suppose you want to hear "Side A" of the tape over again track 3% ips pre-recorded stereo tape (from RCA Victor and without going through "Side B." Easy-you flip the cartridge HiFiTape) have indicated that the 71/2 ips speed, whether over to the "B" side, move the Operating Lever to the Fast using 2 tracks or 4 tracks, was preferable for dyed-in-the­ position and let the tape run till the machine stops automati­ wool audiophiles insistent on all the unrestricted hequency cally. Then you flip back to the "A" side, move the Operating and dynamic range that tape has to offer. Our preliminary Lever to Play, and you're in business. tests with the tapes on hand have given us no reason Essentially, this is all there is to the basic operation of a to change our mind in this respect. The 3% ips tape appeared Bell tape cartridge player. Those models with recording cir­ to have somewhat better high frequency playback quality cuitry have correspondingly more controls; but the basic when heard through the Bell cartridge machine than when transport mechanism remains the same for all- just two played reel-to-reel hom the Tandberg; but the difference was levers, plus automatic shut-off. very small. A-B comparison of identical program material on Here is a quick run-down on each machine of the Bell line 7% ips tape as against 3% ips r evealed, however, very dis­ currently in production: tinct differences, especially in " open'" quality of sound. Even The Overture series includes Models 401, 402, and 403. The a good stereo disc (that of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra first two are simple, typewriter-sized machines, wonder­ recorded for RCA Victor by Reiner and the Chicago Sym­ fully neat and unobtrusive. Model 401 is a player only, de­ phony Orchestra) when played against its tape cartridge signed to connect directly to the tape head inputs of a stereo counterpart (KCS 4000) ' had an apparently wider frequency pre-amplifier stage. Model 402 is identical in appearance, range. but includes built·in stereo pre-amplifiers that allow At this point, it should be made plain that these remarks for hook-up to standard phono, TV and auxiliary high apply only to the present state of 3% ips tape recording. level inputs. Model 403, which is a stereo r ecorder-player, That this medium will achieve a level of sound quality adds left and right channel volume controls, plus a selector comparable to the best of the 7:1;2 ips produ~t is by no control (tape play, phono, aux., microphone record and means beyond the realm of possibility. Very possibly, as in­ play). Twin VU meters are built into this and all other Bell dicated in our editorial this month, the two tape formats may recorder models. The record amplifier is fully transistorized, assume a relationship comparable to EP and LP in the disc and dual inputs are provided for phonograph, tuner, and mi­ fi eld. For the present, however, the area of competition be­ crophone. Amazingly enough, all three Overture models are tween 4-track tape cartridge and 4·track reel-to-reel tape the same size (6%," x 121;4" x 11%"), and weigh 23, 25, and would seem to fo cus on the matter of ease of handling and 26 Ibs., respectively. operation. From this standpoint, the tape cartridge and the Bell's Maestro series includes two models, fitted out in machines to play it are ahead of the game by a ridiculously handsome table furniture. Model 404 is a player only, but wide margin. To " flip" a reel containing 4-track program has its own built-in pre-amp and amplifier. Inputs are pro­ material requires either letting the reel play to the very end, vided for one's existing radio tuner and disc record player. reversing positions imd then r e-threading-or else (if one A matching set of stereo speakers (Model 450) can be had wishes to "change side" in mid-reel) indulging in some deft to go with this machine or with its companion, Model 405, acrobatics if one is not to risk breaking or twisting the tape. which adds the stereo record feature. So at this point, we still stand pretty much where we did The Playmate is nothing more nor less than a version of six months ago-for the moment 3% ips cartridges are for Model 405, cased as a portable system, complete with stereo those who like their music to come easily to them; while record and playback facilities. Again, matching speakers are 71/2 ips 4-track reels are for the audio perfectionists who are available in portable carrying case (Model 460). willing to work a little at their hi-fi. Oddly enough, the price Based on what we heard from the Bell Model 402, there is factor as between the same amount of music on tape cartridge no doubt whatever about the excellent playing quality of and 71/2 ips 4-track r eels is negligible. Both mediums offer this equipment. There was no noticeable flutter and no op­ a price differential of between $2 and $3 as compared to erating problems of consequence. stereo discs offering the same musical material. Turning now to RCA's debut tape cartridge machine, the - David Hall 42 HIFI REVIEW less with the jazz tradition than with the more rhapsodic attitudinizing of cocktail KIT BUILDERS EVERYWHERE ASKED FOR IT! pianists. He does have a sensitive way of handling pop material, but he tends at Completely new edition of times toward the pretentious. At best, he remains a shaper of soothing background music. On a couple of tracks, a French ELECTROniC HITS horn is heard, but neither it nor the bass players are id entified. A Mr. Frey is listed now on sale at newsstands as co·composer of Blues for Basses and Black Is the Color. Sid Frey? N. H. or order bV mail todav!

• LOOK TO YOUR HEART-FRANK SI­ NATRA (vocals) with orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle & Ray Anthony. Look To Your Heart; Our Town; If I Had Three Wi sh - o. es & 9 others. Capitol W I 164 $4.98 Mu sical Interest: Not all gems Performance: Still riding high Recording : Close and bright Although some of the material in this co mpiled-from·singles collection is banal (Our Town and Look to Your Heart) , there are enough adequate songs, together with superb pop singing by Sinatra to make the album worthwhile. Sinatra gets all there is to be had hom a good song, and he can even transform less than mediocre material into music. He still remains at his peak­ the best male pop singer now active. N. H.

• CRAZY HE CALLS ME-DAKOTA STATON (vocals) with orchestras conducted over 160 pages-600 illustrations by Nelson Riddle, Sid Feller & Howard Biggs. Idaho; The Party's O ver; Angel Eyes & 9 • HOW TO BUILD A KIT others. Capitol T 1170 $3 .98 • KIT CONSTRUCTION CHECK LIST Musica l Interest: Small Perfo rm an ce : Mannered • HOW NOT TO MAKE MISTAKES Recording: Very live • WORKING WITH WIRE Dakota Staton gives less and less indi­ KITS FOR • YOUR HI-FI ca tion that she will be a lasting pop (let • YOUR SHOP alone jazz) stylist. Her early records, for all their ragged edges, did communicate a • YOUR HAM SHACK vivid emotional directness. In this album, • YOUR HOME however, her singing is merely self·con­ scious; her phrasing has little flow; and Because of the wide popularity of its first Annual on kit construction, Ziff-Davis now there is much trickery for hagmentary offers this exciting follow-up-the 2nd Edition of ELECTRONIC KITS! Thi s brand-new effects. Her ballads, in particular, suffer sequel will save you money on hi -fi , ham radio, other electronic devices by showing from stagey stiffness, res ulting in bathos you how to use easy-to-asse mble kits! What's more, ELECTRON IC KITS-2nd Edition­ rather than pathos. Some of her former zest features a bi g up-to-date directory of available kits, complete with specifications, remains, but it's directed to a "hard-sell" price s, and manufacturers' names! approach that so unds less and less spon­ Be sure to pick up ELECTRONIC KITS-2nd Edition-at your newsstand-or send for taneous. N. H. a copy, usin g the handy coupon below. Only $1. 00, it's a terrific buy!

• CATERINA VALENTE - SCHLAGER­ Pick up your copy of Electronic Kits-2nd Edit~on today PARADE with Orchestras, Adalbert LUCI­ kowski, Kurt Edelhagen, Mike Firestone conds. at your Newsstand or Radio Parts Store-or order by Be i Dir 1st Ai les And ers; Dich Werd' Ich mail, using handy coupon. Ni e Vergessen; Melodia d'Amore; Tip i Tipi Tipso & 8 others. Decca DL 8852 $3.98 Musical Interest : Ziemlich hoch ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Perfor mance : Schone ~ ~ Recordin g: Nicht so gut ~ Ziff-Davis Publishing Company ~ ~ Department H-8/9 ~ This Schlagerparade (Hit Parade) cov­ ~ 434 South Wabash Avenue ~ ers a superior assortment of songs of varied ~ Chicago 5, Illinois ~ origins, all sung in German. Fraulein Val­ ~ Please send me a copy of the new ELECTRONIC KITS-2nd Edition. I enclose $1 .00, ~ ente has a pretty voice and she can do ~ the cost of the Annual, plus 10¢ to cover mailing and handling charges. ~ delightful things with such non-T eutonic ~ ~ tunes as Cole Porter's I Love Paris (Ganz ~ (Canada and Foreign, $1.25 plus 10C postage.) ~ Paris Triiumt von der Liebe) and Harry ~ ~ Belafonte's Island In the Sun (Wo Meine ~ ~ Sonne Scheint). There are no English trans­ ~ NAME.. •• •••••• •••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ~ lations on the jacket_ S. G. ~ ~ ~ ADDRESS.. •••••••• •••••••••••• •••• •••••••• •• ••.• •• . • ••.• • ••• ••• ••••• ~ • CURTAIN TIME-FRED WARING ~ ~ AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS. What Is CITY •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••. ZONE. •.• _... STATE. • • • • • • • • • • This Thing Call ed Love?; Stormy Weath er; ~ ~ Poor Pi errot & 9 others. Decca DL 8844 ~ ~ $3 .98 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~VT~VV~~~~~~~~~V 77 AUGUST 1959 • MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM Recording: Tops BROADWAY MUSICALS-FRED WARING PURCHASING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS. People Will For more than twenty·five years, Ethel Say We're In Love; He llo, Young Lovers; Merman has been the Queen of Musical Yesterdays & 9 others. Decca DL 8829 $3.98 Comedy, and in Gypsy she has now ac­ A HI-FI Musical In terest: Memorable moment.s quired her most valuable possession. Com­ indeed poser J ule Styne and lyricist Stephen Sond­ Performances: In the Waring manner heim have written a brilliantly cohesive, SYSTEM? Recordings: Poor to adequate exciting score that captures all the tinseled PARTIAL LIST gaudiness of small-time vaudeville and big­ OF BRANDS Judging from the repertory and the sound time burlesque, and it is performed for all IN STOCK of each of the above, both Waring blends Send Us Altec Lansing its considerable worth by a splendid com­ Electrovoice seem to have been culled from 78 rpm re­ pany headed by a remarkable actress. Jensen cordings issued at about the same time. As Your Hartley To reveal the ambitions and emotions of University might be expected, the mixtures, no matter the central character are three extended Acoustic what their ages may be, are foamy but List Of Research numbers, each one interpreted by Miss Janszen bland, occasionally a bit too sweet, and Merman with dazzling virtuosity. Right at Wharfedal. very much in need of a good dose of Karlson the start we are jolted by her driving, Components Viking bitters. S. G. Concerton. single·mindedness.in Some People; again Sell. G.E. in Everything's Coming Up Roses determi­ For A Weathers Harman-Kardon STAGE & SCREEN nation blazes through in spite of near-fatal ". Elco • Pilot adversity; finally, all the woman's pent-up Package Sherwood Acrosound craving for personal glory erupts in the Fisher • DESTRY RIDES AGAIN (Harold shattering Rose's Turn, into which strains Sogen • Leak Ramel. Original cast recording with Andy Quotation Dynakit from the other two solos, including a sort Griffith, Dolores Gray, J ack Prince & others. H. H. Scott of leitmotiv beginning "I had a dream," WE WONYT BE Ferrograph wit h Chorus & Orchestra, Lehma n Engel UNDERSOLD! Tanberg condo Decca DL 9075 $4.98 have been skillfully interwoven. Pentron Another recurring theme is the ditty Let Ampro • VM A 11 merchandise Musical Interest: Rome on the range Me Entertain You, used as a symbol for all is brand new. Revere • Chal· factory fresh & lenger Performance: Topnotch the vulgar exhibitionalism of show business. Wollensak Recording : Needs bass; has some echoes guaranteed. Garrard Two little girls first sing it so pathetically Miracord and eagerly to the accompaniment of the Glaser-Steers The versatility of Harold Rome that en­ Rek-O-Kut abled him to capture the flavor of New squealing of a violin, the thumping of AIREX Components York's middle classes in drums, and the backstage coaching of Norelco Wish You Were Fairchild Here and (}f the Marseilles waterfront "Mama" Merman. Later, they are more Pickering. Gray assured and professional as they do it in a RADIO Audio Tape dwellers in Fanny, shows itself once more Full Lineof vaudeville routine, and, eventually, it be­ CORPORATION in Destry R ides Again; for here he has Wellcor Cabinets created a score full of the boisterous, honky­ comes the slinky and brassy music of a 64-MR Cortlandt St., N.Y. 7, CO. 7-2137 tonk, sentimental atmosphere of the Old strip tease. Offhand, I can't think of any West. Hoop-de Dingle and Every Once In other composer, except possibly the late a While are, apparently, the big dancing Kurt Weill, who could do so much with numbers and they are good in a conven­ such a simple little hurdy·gurdy tune. HI-fi SAlONS tional way, though the mock-revivalist spirit The softer side of the Ethel Merman of Are You Ready, Gyp Watson? offers a characterization shows through via Small far more original touch. Andy Griffith has World and You'll Never Get Away from Me a couple of funny notions in Tomorrow (the melody of which was once used for AND "[CORD STOR[S! Mo rning and Only Time Will Tell, and in the song I'm In Pursuit of Happiness in the the ominous Ballad 0/ the Gun (reminis­ television show Ruggles of R ed Gap), and Someone "borrowing" cent of The R ed Ball Express) he expresses she makes something riotous out of the your personal copy of the philosophy of the peace-loving Tom patter song Mr. Goldstone, I Love You. HiFi REVIEW each month? Destry. Of course, tradition demands that Others in the cast also get a chance to prostitutes be serenaded romantically (Rose shine. Paul Wallace is very appealing as You ought to be taking Lovejoy 0/ Paradise Alley) and sing of their he tries the Fred Astaire bit in the oh-so· advantage of HiFi REVIEW's own Impeccable behavior (Respectability), sophisticated All I Need Is the Girl, and convenient re-sale plan. a fact of musical comedy life that only the lonely, lovely voice of Sandra Church Cole Porter was able to challenge in Love is heard in the poignant Little Lamb. Then, Sell copies in your store for Sale. of course, there is the hilarious show­ perform a good service The best melodies have been entrusted stopper, You Gatta Have a Gimmick, in for your customers . . to the always dependable Dolores Gray. I which three strippers explain the fine art particularly like Fair Warning and I Say of peeling. with no risk involved. ".ello, and, although the subject of wedding In sum, Gypsy has not only the most re­ For details, write: nngs was already discussed musically this warding score of more than one Broadway Direct Sales Department, season by Gwen Verdon's The Right Finger season, it is a genuine emotional experience, of My Left Hand in Redhead, Miss Gray and if Messrs. Styne and Sondheim (not to HiFi REVIEW,One Park Ave., has an attractive song in That Ring On the mention arrangers Sid Ramin and Robert New York 16, N. Y. Finger ("That bliss advertiser; That kiss Ginzler) do not receive personal fame com­ legalizer") , with no little assist from Mr. mensurate with their earnings, justice sure­ UNHAPPY Rome's lyric. The orchestrations of Phil ly will not have triumphed. S. G. Lang and the musical direction of Lehman WITH "HI" Engel help provide Destry with a smooth PORGY AND BESS-Ella Fitzgerald & HI-FI PRICES? ride. S. G. Louis Armstrong (see p. 72) Write us your hi-ji needs -you'll be pleasantly sur­ •• GYPSY (Jule Styne·Stephen Sand. prised. Ask for our free PORGY AND BESS-Mundell Lowe (see helm). Original cast recording with Ethel p. 72) audio catalog, too. Merman. Jack Klugman. Sandra Church & KEY ELECTRONICS CO. others. with Orchestra & Chorus. Milton 120 Liberty SI. Rosenstock condo Columbia OL 5420 $4.98 • THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (AI· N.Y. 6, N.Y. fred Newman). Soundtrack recording with EVergreen 4·6071 Musical Interest: Overwhelming Orchestra, Alfred Newman condo 20th Fox Performance: Fabulous FOX 3012 $3.98 HIFI REVIEW THE ONLY ULTRA-COMPACT j-WAYWIDE-RANGE SPEAKER SYSTEM designed for true stereo

HIGH FIDELITV REGAL

Gives you bass so low you can feel it . . . bass you would expect from a conventional enclosure three times the size. Gives you balanced, full-range, fiat response without attenuation or peaks. I deal as an economical "first" system, an "add-on" or in a pair for stereo You need not be an acoustical engineer to understand why there is so much stereo value in this ultra-compact speaker system. The same exclusive features that have always made ELECTRO-VOICE systems best for mon­ aural are an absolute necessity for true stereo ... and you get these vital features in the REGAL III. Acoustically-correct enclosure is matched to specially­ designed 12-inch LF driver for exceptional extension of bass response and unusual dynamic range .. .. without sacrificing efficiency and without the need for unusually-large amplifier power. E-V Super Sonax VHF Compression Driver with exclusive Sonophase* throat design assures. you of the smooth, spar­ kling highs so necessary for precise musical blend and balance. E-V Diffraction, in both the Horn-Loaded Mid-Range Driver and the Super-Sonax Tweeter, gives you all-important

so essential for all-position stereo listening. By wide-angle (180 °) diffraction, the higher frequencies are completely dispersed smoothly and evenly throughout the listening area. This insures proper fusing of the significant stereo sounds from two speaker systems in controlled and varying propor­ tions ... gives true depth and placement to the musical in­ struments simultaneously, without spatial distortions ... assures easy listening from anywhere in the room. Conven­ ient but concealed "Presence" and "Brilliance" 'controls per­ mit quick and easy musical balancing to room acoustics. Luxurious furniture-crafted enclosure is finished on a ll four sides for placement anywhere on shelf or floor. REGAL III. Complete 3-way system in enclosure, ready to use. Choice of Walnut, Mahogany or Limed Oak. Size 12Y, "d, 13Y," h , 24"w. Net, $147.50

ESQUIRE 200. Economical version of th e Regal. Complete 3·way system in mod· ern enclosure, with single rear-control. 12-inch bass speaker, special 8-inch cone mid-range driver, and Super-Sonax diffraction·horn compression tweeter. Choice of walnut, mahogany or limed oak. 12'I2" d, 13'I2"h, 24" W. Net, $111. - See it - Hear it - Enjoy it - on Money-BaCK Guarantee. At your E·V high·fidelity dealer or write for Catalog No. 134 to Dept. 89.F.

No Finer ~~ m.~L. ® Choice than l:uui '-rOtC&' ELECTRO-VOICE, INC., BUCHANAN, MICHIGAN * Desi gn Patent No. 182351