• 99 BEST BUYS IN STEREO DISCS DAS RHEINGOLD - FINALLY I REVIEW

July 1959 35¢

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ALL-IN-ONE STEREO RECEIVERS A N II' v:)ll.n EASY OUTDOOR HI-FI lAY 'ON W1HQI H 6 1 ~Z SltnOH l. ) b OC: 1 9~99 1 1 :1 HIS I THE AR THE HARMAN-KARDON STERE [

Available in three finishes: copper, brass and chrome satin

the new STEREO FESTIVAL, model TA230

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 FM tuners 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 TA230 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 - walnut 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. MR7, Westbury, New York. k a d I (Prices slightly higher in the West) ~ ron _ I

I 1\ DON'T COMPROMISE WITH QUALITY••• The advantages are all in favor of the

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It's It's It's It's It's It's Quiet "Clean" Correct· Gentle Convenient Economical The Garrard is Garrard's Garrard insures With the Ga "'I'd affords Despite its many actually a superb exclusive professiomli tone exclusive. a ll the features of :tdv(lntages. the turntable. No aluminum lone arm performance. foolproof pusher :t manual COSl of a Garrard matter how arm makes it I t is precision- platform, the turntable. with Changer is st ill less than a precisely you non-resonant, engineered to \ Garrard actuall y the tremendous check wow, and distorlion­ . track a ll ha ndles records added advan tage . t urnlab\c with flutter, and free. That is why cartridges at more carefull y of automatic separate a rm. rumble content­ it is superior to li ghtest proper ·than your own play when Backed by you will find most separate weight. thus hand- definit ely wanted! Garrard's Garrard transcription insuring J more carerully Pre-wired fo r 36-year record Changers arms. minimum friction Ihan any other stereo-can be of perfect, comparable to the a nd record wear. record changer installed in trouble-free best professional or turntable. minutes. performance. rurntables.

New Comparator Guide - FREE Garrard Sales Corporation, Dept. GG U!J Port Washington, New York. Please send your new comparator guide which compares all Garrard players and their advanced features. IIC98 RCSS RC1 21/D TPA/12 lOl 4H' Model TID Super Deluxe In term ix Stueo TranserlpUon Transcription Manu.1 Chlncer Chanler Changer lone Arm Turntablo Manual PI.y" Playe, Namlee ______. J $67.50 $54.50 $42.5D $19.50 $19.00 S59.50 $32.50 Address; ______1 GARRARD SALES CORPORATIO N, PORT WASH INGTON, N. Y. Canadian inquiries to Chos. W . Pointon, ltd., 6 Alcina Ave.# Toronto Territories other thon U.S.A. and Canada to Garra rd Engineeri ng & Mfg. Co .• ltd .• Swi ndon. v.mll .• England City State __ FEATURE ARTICLES HiFiREVIEW Stereo Receivers 26 Oliver P. Ferrell July, 1959 Fisher and Harman-Kardon double up with a stereo tuner and stereo inte­ Vol. 3 No.1 grated amplifie r on one chassis Solid Gold "AuHiihrung" 30 David Hall Publisher London's new Wagner album is the Oliver .Read most spectacular stereo opera yet­ flagstad, Svanholm, and 18 tuned anvils

Editor Hie Fi to the Grea1 Outdoors 32 Hans H. Fantel Oliver P. Ferrell You CAN toke it with you-if it's stereo and you wont to make a nomina l investment Music Editor in outdoor speakers David Hall 99 Best Stereo Disc Buys 34 Staff Arl Editor Of 2500 releases, these were rated tops in stereo effectiveness, performance and Soul D. Weiner recorded quality

Associate Editors Stereo All-Around 36 C. M. Walters, Ir. Hans H. Fantel Rodney H. Williams Th e stereo area spreads w ide w ith this un­ conventional speaker arrangement .. . first of a series of unus ual home solutions to hi-fi problems Contributing Editors Martin Bookspan Placid Jazz Pianist 37 Don Gold Warren ' DeMotte Rolph J. Gleason While Ahmad Jamal tinkles jazz in a cocktail bistro Sf anley Green the critics rage-and the public buys his ~ at Hentotf recordings by the thousands Georg.., JeUinek David Randctlph John Thornton TV and All That Jazz 39 Frank Jacobs If it started with Peter Gunn, w hy stop it now? Advertising Director Go for broke with the "What' s My Line? Jazz" Johi'l A . Ronan, Jr. REVIEWS Adv~rtisin9 Manoger Herb' Olsow Stereo HiFi Concert 43 Martin Bookspan, Warren DeMotte, George Je llinek, David Randolph, ZIFF·DAVIS PUBLISH IN G CO., One Park John Thornton Ave., New York 16: N: Y. William .B. Ziff, Chairman of the Board ( 1946· 1953); William The Stereo Reel 57 John Thornton Ziff, President; W. Bradford Briggs, Execu­ tive Vice President; · Michael Michaelson, · . Vice President and Circulation Director; Hershel B. Sarbin, Secretary; Howard Slought.on, Jr., Treasure r; Albert G rue n, Mono HiFi Concert 59 Martin Bookspan, Warren DeMotte, Art birettor. George Jellinek, David Randolph, John Thornton BRANCH OFFICES: Midwestern Offiee: 434 S. Wabas~ Ave., . C hi c a\l~ 5, IIi. , .Tom Berry, Midwest . Advertising' tiIIanager; Stereo Entertainment 69 Ralph J. Gleason, Stanley Green, . Western Office, Room 412, 215 West 7th Nat Hentoff SI., .Los Angeles .17, Calif., James R. Pierce, Western Advertising 'Manager; Foreign Ad­ vertising Repr.esentatives: D. A. Gooaa ll Ra lph J. Gleason, Sta nley Green, Ltd ., Lo ndon; Alberf Milhado & Co., Ltd ., Mono Entertainment 75 Antwerp . and Dusseldorf. Nat Hentoff

SU BSCRIPTI ON SERV ICE Forms 3519. and all subscription corre· COLUMNS AND MISCELLANEOUS spondence should be addressed to Cir- ' culation Department. 434 South Wabasli ~ . Avenue, C hi<;ago 5, Il li nois. Please allow HiFi Soundings 6 Just Looking 14 at least fou r weeks fo r change of address. Include your o ld address as weI.! a s new -enclosing if p.ossible an address label from a rece nt issue. . Musical Oddentities 9 CONTRIB-UTORS Advertisers Index 81 CorHributors are advised to retain a copy of ~heir mC1nuscr ipt and illustrations. Con· t ributions sh6uld be ma'iled to the New York Editorial office a nd must be accom­ The Basic Repertoire 10 panied by return postage. Contributions Mozart's G Minor Symphony (No. 40) The Flip Side 82 are handled with reasonable care, but this rnagazrne assumes .no responsibility for their safety. Any acceptable ma nuscri pt is sub­ iect to whatever ada'ptations and revisions a re necessary to meet requirements of this Cover illustrations by Steve DuQuette pu blication. Payme nt covers all author's rights, titles a nd interest in and to the mate ria'l accepted and will be made at o ur current rates Lipa n acceptance. All photos and d rawings will be considered as part of HiFi REVIEW is published monthly by Ziff-Davis Publishing C~mp a ny, William B. Ziff , ma te!ial purcha sed. . Cha irman of the Bo ard (1946-1953 ), at 434 South Wa bash Ave., Chicago 5, III. Second class postage paid a t Chicago, Il linois. Authorized by the Post Office Departme nt, O ttawa, ant., Canada as second cla ss matter. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : One year U.S. and possessions , and Average Canada $4,00; Pan-America n Un ion cou ntries $4 .50, a ll other fore ign countries $5.00. . Ne t Paid Copyright 1959 by ZIFF-DJWIS PUBLISHING Company C irculation All righto reserved '-.113',287 5 the HiFi ·Soundings seconds9 By DAVID HALL 45/45 STEREO DISC RELEASES-Year I Report

How lucky have you been in picking your stereo discs this past year? Did you make out successfully, or did you come up with just enough "stinkers" to make you wonder whether disc stereo was worthwhile? Unless and until record stores make it practical from the customer's point of view (and from theirs') to pre·audition stereo discs, the caveat emptor element in stereo disc purchase will continue to remain a deterrent to the buyer-even with the expert counsel offered by the expert record review staffs of HrFr REVIEW and other magazines. The $1.98 or $2.98 sampler record seems to be the one im· mediately constructive approach to customer pre·audition of stereo discs. Thus that add far, most have been of the general demonsu'ation variety; but Capitol Records seems t.o be going a step further toward solving the pre·audition dilemma with Vol. I of a What's New series, showcasing current releases. This would appear hours to your to be on pops and jazz. We'll be curious to see whether the idea will come to include their FDS, Angel, and EMI classics-and above all, whether other record companies will begin issuing monthly samplers of their own. We think listening it's a fine idea!

pleasure Pages 34 and 35 of this issue offer our partial answer to "disillusioned reader" mail we have received since the first of the year on the subject of disc stereo. It 9 seconds - that's all it takes to put the GS-77 through one complete change­ is a check list of almost 100 stereo di sc recordings released up to May 1959 cycle. 9 seconds - and see what happens and was compiled on the basis of a question put to the critics and editorial staff in that brief space of time. of HIFr REVIEw- What stereo discs, if any, do you most enjoy playing outside A record completes its play • • • the the line of professional duty? The items that received multiple votes you'll find turntable pauses . . . the next record so noted on the check list. drops, gently- more gently than if you were handling it yourself ••• the tone .. arm lowers into the lead-in groove. Only * * * * then does the ·turntable resume its mo­ tion. Thus, the original brilliance of your So much for what our critics and staffers liked. We also asked them what records is preserved through hundreds labels, if any, are producing stereo recording and stereo disc pressings of con­ of additional playings by eliminating the sistently high quality? The ratings here were extremely variable, with London grinding action that occurs when records being the one unanimous choice for top quality. Capitol, Audio Fidelity, Epic, are dropped on a moving disc - a draw­ and Everest received individual merit citations, and marked improvement was back in conventional changers. noted in the recent production from RCA Victor and Columbia. Capitol and Every GS-77 feature contributes to­ Decca were noted as doing especially fine work in the big band stereo, both wal'ds your listening pleasure-inaudi­ ble wow, rumble and flutter; uniform pop and jazz. However, it is in this area that the most extreme variability in stylus pressure from first to top l'ecord stereo recording quality was also noted- possibly because the temptation to try on a stack; resonance-free arm with for extreme effects is so much greater. minimum tracking error; hum-free per­ formance. On a more general level, HFR cntlcs and staffers found the most persistent The GS-77 combines traditional turn­ table quality with modern record changer faults in stereo discs to center around : 1. Excessive volume levels on some discs convenience. See it at your dealer, today. with resultant high-frequency distortion and "break-up;" 2. insufficient volume In just 9 seconds, you'll gain a fresh, levels with resulting high surface noise; 3. distortion toward the center of the new point-of-view on record changers. record where complex, high·level music is involved; 4. unnatural sonies, re­ $59.50 less base and cartridge. sulting from exaggerated ping-pong effects or from too close and shallow mi- GLASER-STEERS CORPORATION crophoning. . 155 Oraton Street. Newark 4. New Jersey Dept. HFR-7 ......

We have every reason to believe that many of these deficiencies observed in the "Year I" stereo discs are in the course of being remedied in Year II. This listener has already noticed improvement on inner.groove -sonics on some labels. Even so, the fact remains that enough first-rate stereo discs have been produced G5"77 during these past 12 hectic months to warrant a considerably larger cbeck list SUPERB FOR STEREO than the one presented on pages 34 and 35; but for those who may have had their doubts about disc stereo, we can say that if played on goo d, properly-set-up better than ever stereo disc equipment, these records can stand as the basis for a topnotch be­ for monophonic records ginning stereo disc library for Year I of the Stereo Disc Era. 6 PRESENTING THE JBL RANGER·MINIGON

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Recording the pizzicato movement 0/ the Bartok after a long, grueling session to determine recording techniques most suitable for the special problems involved. It is 3:00 A.M. the day of the concert.

LIVE vs. RECORDED CONCERT at CARNEGIE RECITAL HALL

On January-10 h, 1959, a "LiV'e vs. Recqrded" concert was given in New Y or City; protagonists were the internationally famous Fine Arts Quartet and a pair of AR·3 speaker systems in stereo, driven by Dynakit preamplifiers and Mark III amplifiers. At pre-determined intervals the members of the Quartet would lay down their bows, allowing reproduceB. sound to substi ute {o the live music. After a minute OT so they would ta e 0 er again ''live'' without interrupting the musical continuity. LA care utI synchronized stereo tape had Been maGe the night before in the same hall by Concertapes, Inc., for whom 'the Fine Arts Quartet records exclusively. ) Excerpts from reviews of this concert appear on the facing page.

Leonard Sorkin, first violinist of the Fine Arts Quartet, listens critically to trial recording.

The formal concert, during one of the "live" portions !lusical Oddentitles

Sweet legends are loath to die. All musical dictionaries tell the story of Sarasate's receiving, as a small boy, a fine Stradivarius of 1724 vintage fro m the imperial hands of Queen Isabella II of Spain. There is no truth in the story. Sarasate bought his Stradivarius as a mature man and celebrated arti'st in 1866, by trading 1~1I't1"lI'ril'lm in his other Italian violin and paying 5000 francs in addition to the bargain. He Record Guide (Larry Zide) had another Strad, which he also acquired fro m his own earnings. Sarasate himself denied the fable of the Queen's gift many times. After his death, one of the Strads "When I wasn't looking I was never q~ite went to the Paris Conservatory, the other to the Madrid Conservatory. The aim sure which was which , , , , Directly after of the two bequests, according to th e executor of Sarasate',s estate, was this: "Both [the movement from the Bartok quartet] the audience was informed that except for instruments are intended to be preserved (like Paganini's instrument in Genoa) the first eight bars . , . the whole had been for later generations. When, in the distant future, most Stradivarius violins will recorded. I must confess that I was com· have been ruined by violinists, these two violins will continue to serve the world pletely fooled," as perfect specimens of the art."

Pablo Sarasate was once described as the coloratura soprano of violinists, and hi s (C. C, McProud) tone was compared to that of a nightingale. No violinist could play faster and with AUDIO a lighter touch than he. Sarasate believed that music existed for virtuosos, and "The program notes for the concert suggest that orchestra interludes in violin concertos were designed to give the soloist a rest. that , , , if the audience cannot detect the He said of the Brahms concerto: "I wo uld feel fooli sh standing idly with my violin switch overs, the demonstration would be in my hand, listening to the oboe solo in the Adagio, playing the only tune there successful. By this criterion we would have is in this concerto." to say that it achieved at least 90 per cent of success," The most coughless musical city is Vienna, whel'e th"oats aJ'e ral'ely cleal'ed even during pianissimo passages. At least, this is the conclusion pending publication of a comp"ehensive survey, high fidelity Bronchial Habits of Musical Audiences. When Rimsky-KOI'sakov "The [listeners] up front were able to dis­ attended the Vienna 0pel'a in 1906, he wI'ote to h is son And"ey: cern an occasional difference during transi· "The public obsel'ves silence and I'everent attention, quite dif­ tions from live to recorded sound, while the fel'ent f,'om us. I recall with disgust the St. P e tel'sburg audience, deception was essentially complete for the its coughing, conversation, taJ'diness." man farther back , , , But during the pizzi­ cato movement from the Bartok .•• source Ignace Pleyel, whose name is known chiefly through the Pleyel piano fa ctory which location seemed to make no difference; the he fo unded in Paris in 1807, is beginning to emerge as the composer of some cele· recording fooled just about everyone." brated pieces, usually attributed to his more famou's co ntemporaries,' particularly Haydn, whose ardent disciple he was. There is a strong suspicion that Haydn's Chorale St. Antonii was really written by Pleyel ; if con finned, then Brahms's well· i&trgtn ~utning iltu.orb know variations on this chorale would have to be renamed Variations on a I,hem.e (Stuart Davis) by Pleyel. "Only by observing the musicians was it And a French writer has suggested that the music of La Marseillaise was composed possible to detect the switch, , , The repro· by Pleyel, and not by Rouget de l'Isle, who set words to it after the fact! duced sound was so like the original it was difficult to believe," The original title of La Marseillaise was Le Chant du guerre de L'arm.ee du Rhin, and it became known as La Marseillaise only when the soldiers in Marseilles took The ultimate test of sound reproducing it up during their march towards Paris. The composer, Rouget de l'Isle, was equipment, we believe, is its ability to himself a royalist; the fiery and bloodthirsty words of the French national anthem stand up under an "A-B" test in which "A" is the real thing. The influence of apply to the fight against the external foe, namely Austria, and not to the old dramatic but unnatural coloration is regime. He subsequently wrote a hymn glorifying Napoleon's campaign in Egypt, automatically eliminated, and faithful­ and he was honored by the restored monarchy under Louis XVIII. ness to the original sound becomes the sole standard. It happened at Symphony Hall, Boston. Mme. Schumann-Heink The speaker systems and amplifiers was to sing a concel't, but felt slightly indisposed. She asked a used in this concert were designed for m embel' of the managerial staff to make an announcelnent about the highest quality possible, limited hel' condition. H e was an Austrian, and his accent pI'oduced a only by the present stale of the art. CUl·ious vel'bal effect. "Mme. Schumann-Hcink is a little hoal'se," Descriptive literature is available for the asking from: h e said. "She just had a colt." Dept. R

What can be more Spanish in its coloI' and rhythm than Debussy's Ib eria? But the DYNACO, INC. {Mark III amplifier kit 579.95 French critic Rene Brancour found it I'emote and chilly at a performance in 1913. 617 41st. St. Preamplifier kit $34.95 Phila., Pa. Stereo Control kit 512.95 He wrote: "Debussy's Iberia is no longer the Spain of Bizet or Chabrier. What fog! Perhaps there was a typographical error in the program. The first letter of ACOUSTIC RESEARCH, INC. AR'3 the title must have fallen off: one should read Siberia." 24 Thorndike St. speaker -Nicolas Slonimsky Cambridge 41, Mass. { system 5216.00 9 Martin Bookspan RATES THE BASIC REPERTOIRE

Item 9 of the "First Fifty"

Mozart's G Minor Symphony

Klemperer's monumental reading for Angel wins out over Beecham and Reiner 'I. .. STEREO NE of the more astonishing things about the creative Owork of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is that so much of it was written to order: instrumental concerti for his own use, or that of his pupils, or for certain virtuosi of the day; operas for specific occasions and for specific opera houses; serenades, divertimenti, and cassations for outdoor perform­ ance at gala fun ctions; minuets, waltzes and country dances for the regular Imperial masked balls which 'were highlights of every winter social season; and symphonies for perform­ ance at important concerts along his travel routes. That so much of the music which came into being in this manner is nevertheless so divinely inspired is perhaps the greatest tribute of all to the composer's genius. KLEMPERER-all epochal reading, plus In the last four years of his life Mozart was much occupied "other" G Minor- and in stereo, too! with the composition of operas: Don Giovanni in 1787, Cosi fan tutte in 1790, The Magic Flute and La Clemenza di TilO in 1791. ot called upon to produce symphonies, Mozart nevertheless did turn to the form once during these years­ in the summer of 1788. A magical seven-week period be­ tween June 26 and August 10 produced a trilogy of sym­ phonies wh ich were to be his final and fin est: No. 39 in E-fjat (K. 543), No. 40 in G Minor (K. 550), and 10 • 4·1 in C Major (K. 551, the] upiter) . It is reasonable to wonder what prompted Mozart to com­ pose three symphonies , when none were asked 01' expected of him from an outside quarter. The most logical explana­ tion would seem to be that he wrote them- like the six string quartets dedicated to Haydn-simply to please himself; the form of the symphony was dear to his heart and he must have rej oiced at the opportunity to exercise his fully matured REINER-offers th e best sounding of the "dynamic" G Mil/ors. powers in three distinct styles. The late great musicologist, Sir Donald Francis Tovey, characterized the symphonies as "expressing the healthiest reactions on each other-the E-flat Symphony has always been known as the lo cus classicus for COJ.L""1 01A ... O. ~M"T" .Wt>.~~ , .~ euphony; the G Minor accurately defines the range of pas­ SYMPHONY NO. 39 IN E' FLAT MA,",OR. K . 543 If SYMPHONY NO. 40 IN G MINOR, K . seo sion comprehended in the terms of Mozart's art; and the f uVAl,. '0' 1ARMONIC ORCHESTRA SIR THOMAS BEE~HAM C Major (Jupiter) ends his symphonic career with the youthful majesty of a Greek god." Mozart's contemporaries were hardly aware of the existence of these three new sym­ phonies, let alone their greatness. The G Minor-one of Mozart's two symphonies not in a major keY-'is a remarkable example of sustained and con­ centrated orchestral power through deftness rather than through the employment of massive forces. It is scored for a modest orchestra (woodwinds in pairs, save for a single flute, and strings). There are no trumpets or tympani. And BEECHAM-plumbs tragic depths. yet Mozart has created for this symphony a special timbre with searching care and affectioll. and color uniquely its own_ Franz Liszt once boasted that the 10 HIFI REVIEW The I COLUMBIA @ RECORD CLUB I now offers new members a choice of these 12" long-playing records - available ,in both monophonic and stereophonic high fidelity

SB 'IX MONOPHONIC RECORDS for$3 ANY, S STEREOPHONIC RECORDS fo~5sa 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 @ Record Club now makes it possible for you to acquire the world's finest 12" •4 long-playing monophonic or stereo­ phonic recordings - at truly tre­ mendous savings! All 32 of the records shown here are available in both monophonic and stereophonic high fidelity (ex­ cept No. 24 - Listening In Depth - available in stereo only). REX HARRISON If you have a regular phono· .JUUEAN~~S

graph, by joining the Club you can ' ,' ORIGINAL get the monophonic versions of any 6 of these records ..• up to a ~~~ICAST $29.88 retail value-for only $3.98! 'f ~ECOROING If you now own a stereo phono. graph, by joining the Club you can 6. Complete score 12. Let's Dance, 30. A "must!' for get the stereo versions of any 6 of this hit musical Jubilee, 7 more any record librarY of these records ... up to a $35.88 retail value - for only $5.98! Read below how the Club oper· ates, then mail the coupon - with­ out money - to receive the six records of your choice!

NOTE: Stereophonic records must be played only on a stereo rec· ord player. If you do not now 24. 16 selections 3. Didn't It Rain, 20. Come to Me, own a stereu phonograph, by all - STEREO only God Is Real, etc. Long Ago. 10 more means continue to acquire regu· PINES OF ROME lar monophonic high-fidelity rec· FOUNTAINS OF ROME ords - to be enjoyed on your ~. present phon9!lraph1 and with the confIdence that they will always provide you with thrilling • listening pleasure, since they -~ will sound even more brilliant on a stereo record player if you purchase one in the future.

HOW THE CLUB OFPERATES ••• ~I SEND NO MONEY -Mall Coupon to Receive 6 Monophonic OR Stereo Records ~ .* 'You enroll in· any one of the six Club Divisions: If you have a regular phonograph you enroll in anyone COLUMBIA QV RECORD CLUB, Dept. 222-1 CIRCLE SIX of four monophonic Divisions: Classical; listening and Terre Haute, Indiana NUMBERS BELOW: (Also indlca,e he,. Dancing; Broadway, Movies, Television and Musical Com­ I accept your offer and have Indicated at the right the silt records I edies; Jazz. wish to receive. Bill me tor $3.98 tor silt monophonic records OR $5 :98 whether you want your for six stereo records - plus small mail1ng charge. Enroll me in the 6 records in Stereo If you own a stereo phonograph you enroll in either the following Division ot the Club: or Monophonic) Stereo Classical or Stereo Popular Division. (check one box only) o MONOPHONIC * Each month the Club's staff of music experts selects out­ K·86 stan'ding monophonic and stereo recordings from every field MONOPHONIC DIVISION~~ I~STEREO DIVISIONS---, Classical 0 Broadway, Movies, 0 Stereo Classical o STEREO (If music. These selections are described in the Club Maga­ BLis'ening & Dancing Television ond 0 S P I F·8S iine, which you receive free each month. o Jan Musical Comedies terea opu ar 1 15 30 You may accept the monthly selection for your Division ... ~ * I ~gree to purchase five selections from the more than 150 monophonic take any of the wide variety of other records offered in all and stereophonic records to be offered during the coming 12 months, at 2 16 31 regular Jist price plus small mailing charge. For every two additional Divisions ... or take NO record in any particular month. selections I accept, I am to receive a Columbia. or Epic Bonus record 3 18 33 * Your only membership obligation is to purchase five selec­ (monophonic or stereo) of my choice FREE. 5 19 36 tions from the more than 150 Columbia and Epic recordings Name •• •••••• •••••• • •••• ••• •• • •••• ••••• •••••••• ••• ••••••••••• ••• •••••••• • to be offered in the coming 12 months. After purchasing five (Please Print) 6 20 37 records, .you will receive your choice of a Columbia or Epic Address •••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••• • •••••• •• •• • ••• • •••••••••••••• •• •• 7 21 40 Bonus record free for every two additional selections you buy. Cily ...... ZONE ••• ..s'o'e: ••••••••••••• , .. . 8 22 41 However, you may discontinue membership at any time after ALASKA and HAWAII: write for speCial membership ol!er purchasing five r.ecords. CANADA : prices slightly higher; address 11·13 Soho St., Tor.ooto 2B 9 24 45 It you want this membership credited to an established Columbia or * The records you want are mailed and billed at the regular Epic record dealer, authorized to accept subscriptions, till- In below: 10 25 49 list price: Popular Monophonic, $3.98; Classical Monophonic, $4.98; Popular Stereo, $4.98; Classical Stereo, $5.98 - plus Dealer's Hame •••••• • • •••••••.. • ••• • •••••••••••• •• ••••••••• • .•••.••••••••• 11 27 50 a small mailing charge. Deale,'s Address •• ••• • •• •• ••• • •• • , ...... 277 12 28 * To receive your SIX records - mail coupon today! COLUMBIA @ RECORD CLUB, Terre Haule, Ind. CD Columbia Recorda Salca Corp., 1950.9 I8I"Columbia." 8. "EpiC," ~ Ma"cas Rcg-. JULY 1959 II piano could produce the essential effects of an orchestra. music than any of the other conductors mentioned but they Felix Mendelssohn is supposed to have replied to this: still remain within the bounds of its classic framework and "Well, if he can play the beginning of Mozart's G Minor both are well·recorded. Symphony as it sounds in the orchestra, I will believe him." And now, after all the foregoing, to the recording of those Mendelssohn, of course, was right: nothing can suggest the currently available that I would choose to live with above all poignant passion of the pulsating violas at the opening of others: Klemperer's with the Philharmonia Orchestra (Angel the Symphony as they throb behind the gentle, yet intense 35407). To the drive and dynamism of Toscanini, Reiner and song of the violins. Richard Wagner, after a performance Leinsdorf and the elegance and penetration of Beecham, of the score in Munich, found it a work of "indestructible Jochum and Walter, Klemperer adds an element of monu­ beauty." He wrote that the Andante was "exuberant with mental grandeur and nobility. His is an epochal reading of rapture and audacity" and the "beatitude of its last meas­ immense power which proves conclusively that the G Minor ures" conjured up for him one of his favorite concepts, that Symphony is the first of the great heroic symphonies in the of "death through love." The Minuet, with its cross· play literature. The performance (coupled with an astonishing from section to section within the string body and from early symphony in the same key) is also available stereo· strings to winds, was considered by the late Arturo Toscanini phonically (Angel S·35407) but I have not yet heard the to be one of the most darkly tragic pieces of stereo edition. In the monophonic recording orchestral play­ music ever written. In the Paris Revue Mu­ ing and recorded sound are excellent. sicale of May 11, 1828, there appeared a To conclude on a tantalizing note: if you should happen most sensitive appraisal of the G Minor Sym­ upon His Master's Voice LHMV-1010, a long-since withdrawn phony; the writer, F. J. Fetis, said: "Al­ performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under though Mozart has not used formidable or­ the direction of Wilhelm Furtwlingler, grab it! This is one chestral forces in his G Minor Symphony, of Furtwlingler's finest recorded performances, incisive, keen­ none of the sweeping and massive effects one ly articulated and with demonic momentum. Perhaps Capitol meets in a symphony of Beethoven, the inven­ will see fit to re-issue this performance one day on either tion which flames in this work, the accents of its EMI label or as part of Angel's "Great Recordings of the passion and energy that pervade and the melancholy color Century" series. -Martin Bookspan that dominates it result in one of the most beautiful mani­ festations of the human spirit." Recent longplaying listings show performances on mono­ phonic discs of the G Minor Symphony by no fewer than eighteen different conductors. Stereo? Only three right now, but more are sure to follow and soon. By and large the con­ I. Tchaikovslcy's First Piano Cliburn; Kondrashin with Orch. Concerto RCA Victor LM 2252 (mono) ductors involved take one of two sharply differing attitudes I Nov. '58, p. 48 Cliburn; Kondrashin with Orch. toward the score. There are those who see it as a fierce, tor­ RCA Victor LSC 2252 I stereo} mented outcry punctuated by violent contrasts of accent and 2. Beethoven's Fifth Sym­ Toscanini-NBC Symphony dynamics; the chief exponents of this viewpoint are Leins· phony RCA Victor LM 1757 (mono) Dec. '58, p. 41 dorf (Harmony 7054), Reiner (RCA Victor LM-2114) and Ansermet-Suisse Romande Toscanini (RCA Victor LM-1789). The other attitude takes Orch. London CS 6037 (stereo) a gentler, more resigned view of the harsh bitterness im­ 3. Beethoven's "Moonl:ght" Petri plied in the music and caresses it with loving care; Beecham Sonata Westminster XWN 18255 (Columbia ML-5194), Jochum (Decca DL·9977), and Walter Jan. '59, p. 37 (mono) (Columbia ML-4693) are the strongest spokesmen for this 4. Dvorak's "New World" Toscanini-NBC Symphony viewpoint. Symphony RCA Victor LM 1778 (mono) Feb. '59, p. 54 Either approach is valid and anyone of the six versions Reiner-Chicago Symphony mentioned is on its own expressive terms a satisfying account RCA Victor LSC 2214 (stereo) of the music. Reiner's, in the "dynamic" category, is the best­ 5. Beethoven's "Eroica" Klemperer-Philharmonia sounding, Toscanini's the most mercurial and Leinsdorf's (at Symphony Angel 35328 (mono) March '59, p.49 $1.98) an excellent bargain. This Leinsdorf recording, in­ Szell-Cleveland Orchestra cidentally, is with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Epic BC 100 I (stereo) should not be confused with his later (and poorer) record­ 6. Bach's Chaconne for Heifetz ing of the score with the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Solo Violin RCA Victor LM 6105 (mono) April '59, p. 16 of London as part of his complete series of all the Mozart Segovia (guitar) Symphonies for Westminster. Beecham, of the "lyrical" con­ Decca DL 9751 (mono) ductors, gives me the most pleasure. Basically, this is the 7. Schubert's "Unfinished" Fricsay- same performance with which many of us grew up in the Symphony Berlin Radio Symphony May, '59, p. 14 Decca DL-9975 (mono) 78 rpm days, when one of the glories of Columbia's catalog Szell-Cleveland Orchestra was Beecham's London Philharmonic Orchestra recording Epic LC-3195 (mono) (Album M-MM-316). The re-recording with the Royal Phil­ 8. Beethoven's "Emperor" Rubenstein-Symphony of the harmonic Orchestra on ColumbIa ML-5194 plumbs the tragic Concerto Air, Krips depths of the score with the same searching care and devo­ June '59, p. 18 RCA Victor LSC 2124 (stereo) RCA Victor LM 2124 (mono) tion, and the recorded sound is altogether superior, with Istomin-Philadelphia Orch., especially fine balance between the strings and winds. Ormandy Jochum and Walter, caressing a phrase here and indulging Columbia ML 5318 (mono) in a bit of rubato there, take a more romantic view of the .~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.~~ 12 HIFI REVIEW !

Win your next ·Rolls-Royce. • •

The superb $13,995.00 automobile illustrated will be awarded to the reader of this message. who listens to a Shure high fidelity Stereo Dynetic phonograph cartridge demonstration and best describes its singular sound re-creation qualities Gn 25 words or less). No purchase is required. If, however, you are the winner and have purchased a Shure cartridge (our thinly disguised motive for sponsoring th~ s competition) you may accept your automobile at the Rolls-Royce factory. Travelling ;;'xpenses for yourself and a friend to the British Isles and return will be defrayed by Shure Brothers, Inc., 222 Hartrey Avenue, Evanston, Ill.

Should you win (we ·don't expect an overabundance of entries, so your chances are rather good) you'll prob,ably never have to buy. another a~tomobile as long as you: live.

Details and contest blanks available only at high fidelity dealers' show rooIYlS and salons. Contest ends August 31st, 1959.

SHURE high 'fidelity Stereo Dyneti~ phonograph cartridges ... Unanimous choice of the critics. Model M3D, $45.00 net; Model M1D, $24.00 net.

JULY 1959 13 o Alpha-Sonic provides the perfect an­ Input level setling controls are in cluded in swer to the housewife who complains, "What the circuit design. Speaker connect ions in­ shall we do with the speaker?" Alpha-Sonic clude 4,. 8-, 16-, and 32-ohm taps. Price t is now offering a "SwTound-Sound" speak­ $43.95 (kit) and $74.95 (wired). (Eico, er system with an 8-inch speaker mounted 33-00 Northern Blvd., Long Island City 1, in the bottom of a circular cabinet and a N. Y.) 4-inch tweeter fa cing upwaJ"ds and deflect­ ing the high frequencies throughout a 360- • Heath has begun dist.ribution of its new s tereo-kit package designed to take only a few hours of assembly time. Of par· ti cular import is the use of th e revolution­ ary tereophoni c "·sum and difference" am­ plifier developed by CBS Labol:atories. This amplifier employs a minimum of resistor­ capacitor and transformer-type components. The single chassis amplifier separates the individual stereo channels by utilizing the sum and difference of the total signal and directing the so und to the appropriate right and left stereo wing speakers. A cen­ trally located woofer reproduce the 1I0n­ directional bass frequencies. The whole am­ plifier requires only four tubes and is ex­ tremely easy to handle. The woofer is a high compliance 8-inch speaker with a claimed bass response down 10 30 cycles. It is housed in a ducted-port enclosure. The degree pattern. The cabinets are made of crossover frequency to feed the tereo wing heavy wood, laminated with Formica, and speakers is at 250 cycles. An automatic are available in walnut, mahogany, or b~onde. System impedance is 8 ohms. Price $89.95. (Alpha-Sonic Manufactw·ing Co., 256 Fourth Ave. S.E., Osseo, Minnesota.)

• De Wald Model N-1000-B is a new­ comer to the growing company of stereo AM-FM tuners. It employs eight tubes plus rectifier with three stages of i.£., plus discriminator. The sensitivity is rated at 3 flV for 20 db. quieting. A.I.c. response is ± 8 mc at 100 microvolts. Frequency re­ sponse is 20-20,000 cycles with a hum level four·speed record changer with a ceramic 70 db. below 1 volt output. The tuner has cartridge serves as program ource. Inputs provisions for the attachment of a multiplex are also provided on the amplifier chassis adapter and sells for $99.95. (De Wald for AM/FM tuner connections. Price, Mod­ Division of United Scientific Laboratories, el SD-l, $179.95. (Heath Company, Benton Inc., 35-15 37th Ave., Long Island City 1, Harbor, Mich.) N. Y.) • J. B_ Lansing has adapted the di­ • Eico announces a 14-watt-per-channel rective dispersion principles devised by CoL stereo power amplifier, available either as Ranger for i~s "Paragon" and "Metregon" a kit or prewired. Conservatively rated at speaker systems to a small bookshelf mod­ this low power, the new Model HF-86 dual el to be used in pairs for stereo. Called amplifier has a frequency response (at 1 the "Minigon," these units are available in watt per channel) of ± 0.5 db. from 10 a va.riety of fin e fumiture fini shes, a choice cycles to 100,000 cycles. 1M distortion at 2 of interchangeable gril.le frames and pro­ watts per channel is oniy 0.3%. Harmonic vi sions which make it possible LO hang distortion, at 8 watts per channel , is less them from a wall. The curved refl ecting than 10/0 from· 30 cycles to 15,000 cycles. (Continued on page 20) 14 HIFI REVIEW 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- (S?-l & 2) and record changer (RP-3). Blank panels also supplied to cut out for any other equipment you may now own. Adequate space is also provided for tape deck, speakers, record storage and am­ plifiers. Sp!,!aker wiIigs will hold Heathkit SS-2 or other speaker units of similar size. Available in %" solid core Philippine mahogany or select birch plywood suitable for finish of your choice. Entire top features a shaped edge. Hard­ ware and trim are of brushed brass and gold finish. Rich tone grille cloth is flecked in gold and black. Maximum overall dimensions (all three pieces); 82~" W. x 36Vz" 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 (TWO CHANNEL MIXER) Complete control of your entire stereo system in one com­ pact package. Special " building block" design allows you to purchase instruni.ent in monaural version and add stereo or second channel" later if desired. The SP-I monaural pre­ amplifier features six separate inputs with four input level controls. A function selector switch on the SP-2 provides two channel mixing as well as single or dual channel monaural and dual chann.el stereo. A 20' remote balance control is provided.

JULY 1959 15 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 y.our 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 to less than 0.1 8% RMS. An automatic speed selector posi­ tion allows intermixing 33YJ and 45 RPM records regardless of their sequence. Four speeds provided: 16, 33YJ, 45 and 78 RPM. Other features include RC filter across the power switch preventing pop when turned off and muting switch to prevent noise on automatic or manual change cycle. Changer is supplied complete with GE-VR-II cartridge with diamond LP and sapphire 78 stylus, changer base, stylus pressure gauge and 45 RPM spindle. Extremely easy to assemble. You simply mount a few mechanical components and connect the motor, switches and pickup leads. Shpg. Wt. 19 lbs. Model RP-3-LP with MF-l Pickup Cartridge $74.95

HIGH FIDELITY TAPE RECORDER KIT J;lIGH FIDELITY AM TUNER .KIT Includes tape deck MODEL TR-1A $ 9995 assembly, preamplifier MODEL BC-1A $2695 (TE·1) and ro ll of tape. The model TR-IA Tape Deck and Preamplifier, combination Designed especially for high fidelity applications this provides all the facilities you need for top quality monaural AM tuner will give you reception close to FM. A record /playback with fast forward and rewind functions. special detector is incorporated and the IF circuits are 7V2 and 3% IPS tape speeds are selected by changing belt "broad banded" for low signal distortion. Sensitivity. drive. Flutter and wow are held to less than 0.35% . Fre­ and selectivity are excellent and quiet performance is quency response at 7VI IPS ±2.0 db 50-10,000 CPS, at 3% assured by high ' signal-to-noise ratio. All tunable IPS ±2.0 db 50-6,500 CPS. Features include NARTB play­ components are p.realigned. Your " best buy" in an back equalization-separate record and playback gain con­ A M tuner. Shpg. wt. 9 Ibs. trols-cathode follower output and provision for mike or 'line input. Signal-to-noise ratio is better than 45 db below normal recording level with less than 1% total harmonic dis­ tortion. Complete instructions provided for easy assembly. (Tape mechanism not sold separately). Shpg. Wt. 24 lb. Model TE-I Tape Preamplifier sold separately if desired. Shpg. Wt. 10 Ibs. $39.95.

HIGH FIDELITY 'FM TUNER KIT IT'S EASY ••. IT'S FUN MODEL FM -3A $2695 ' And You Save Up To 1;2 With Do-It-Yourself Heathkits For noise and static-free sound reception, this FM tuner is your least expensive source of high fidelity Putting together your own Heathkit can be one of the most exciting material. Efficient circuit design features sta blized hobbies you ever enjoyed. Simple step-by-step instructions and large oscillator circuit to' eliminate drift after' warm-up and pictorial diagrams show you where every part goes. You can't possi­ broadband IF circuits fOF full fidelity with high sensi­ bly go wrong. No previous electronic or kit building experience is re­ quired. You'll learn a lot about your equipment as you build it, and, tivity. All tunable components are preaJigned and of course, you will experience the pride and satisfaction of having front end is preassembled. Edge-illuminated slide rule done it yourself. dial is clear,ly marked and covers complete FM band from 88 to 108 mc. Shpg. Wt. 8 Ibs,

16 HIFI REVIEW • No Woodworking Experience Requireq For Construction • All Parts Precut and Predrilled For Ease of Assembly

II ,

TRADITIONAL Model CE-1T Mahogany

"BOOKSHELF" HI-FI 12 WATT AMPLIFIER ,KIT MODEL EA-2 $2895 An amplifier and preamplifier in one compact unit, the EA-2 has more than enough power for the average home hi-Ii system and provides full range frequency response from 20 to 20,000 CPS within ± I db, with less than 2% harmonic distorition at full power over the entire range. RIAA equalization, separate bass and treble controls and hum balance control are featured. An outstanding per­ former for the size and price. Shpg. Wt. 15 lbs.

"UNIVERSAL" HI-FI 12 WATT AMPLIFIER KIT "EXTRA PERFORMANCE" 55 WATT HI-FI MODEL UA-1 $2195 AMPLIFIER KIT ' Ideal for stereo or monaural applications. Teamed MODEL W1-M $5495 with the Heathkit WA-P2 preamplifier, the UA-I pro­ .; .'< vides an economical starting point for a hi-fi system. Whis hi-fi a'IJiplifier xepresents 3' remaril'able ¥aLue. at less In stereo applications two UA-I's may be used along than a dGliar a watt. Full audio outpu~ and maximum with the Heathkit SP-2, or your present system may damping is a trl!e 55 watts from 20 to 20,000 CPS with be converted to stereo by adding the U A-I. Harmonic less than .2% total harmonic distoriion through~ut the distortion is less than 2% from 20 to 20,000 CPS at entire audio range. Features include level control and full 12 watt output. "On-off" switch located on chassis "on-off" switch right on the chassis, plus provision for and an octal plug is also provided to connect pre­ remote co.ntro.l. Pilot light o.n chassis. Mode,rD, functio.nal amplifier for remote control operation. Shpg. Wt. design. Shpg. Wt. 28 lbs. ' " ' 13 lbs.

"M~STER CONTROL", PREAMPLIFIER KIT MODEL WA-P2 $1975 ;.~" All the co~rols you I,)eedto rnasteraeemJ?lete high fidelity hGme music system a r.e incorporated in this versatile instrument. wFeaturing fiv'e , switch-selected ' inputs, each with level control. Provides .tape recorder and cathode­ follower outputs. Full frequency response is obtained

within ± Ph db 'from 15 to 354 000 CPS and' will do full justice'to the finest .avaiiable program sources-.1· Equaliza- tion is .' bP, R ES and ea;~Y&k!l records. l2~' L. H.' x sW$D5'S'hpg. WI. 71bs.

JULY 1959 17 "ADVANCE DESIGN" 25 WATT HI-FI AMPLIFIER KIT MODEL W5-M $5975 Enjoy the distortion-free high fidelity sound reproduc­ tion from this outstanding hi-fi amplifier. The W5-M incorporates advanced design features for the super critical listener. Features include specially designed Peerless output transformer and KT66 tubes. The cir­ cuit is rated at 25 watts and wi ll 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 ± 1 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 I % at 25 w'atts and 1M distortion is 1% at 20 watts (60 'and 3,000 CPS, 4:1). Hum and "HEAVY DUTY" 70 WATT HI-FI ~MPLlt=IE~ KIT noise are 99 db below 25 watts for truly quiet per­ MODEL W6-M ~ $10995 - -- formance. Shpg. Wt. 31 Ibs. 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 tmnsformer gives you extremely , good power s\lpply regulation. Variable damping control pF.0vides optimum performance, with any speaker system:, Quick change plug sd\!cts 4, 8 and 16 ohm or 70 volfoutput a nd the' corre,,!. feedback resistance. Frequency response at 1 watt is ± 1 db from 5 CPS to 80 kc.with controlled HF rolloff above 100 kc. At 70 watt s output harmonic distortion is be­ low 2%, 20 t6 20,000 CPS and IM distortion below 1 % 60 and 6,000 CPS. Hum a'nd noise 88 db below full output. Shpg.' Wt. 52 Ibs ~ .

YOU'RE NEVER OUT OF DATE WITH HEATH KITS

Heathkit hi-{f systems are designed {or maximum flexibility. Simple conversion from basic 10 complex syslems or from monaural to stereo is easily accomplished by adding do already exisUng 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-I?URPQSE 20 WATT AMPLIFIER KI;r MODEL A9-C ,,$3S50 The model A9-CcombiAe~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·casl, in­ vestment. Fe tures four separate switch-selected inputs. , Separate bass and treble tone controts oirer' ,15 db boost and cut. Covers 20 te 20,000 CPS withil1 ± 1 db. A fine unit with 'which to start your ewn, hi-fi system. Shpg. Wt. 23 Ibs .

ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER KIT MODEL XO-1 $1895 This unique instrument separates high a nd low frequencies and feeds them through two :amplifiers to separate speakers. [t is located ahead of the main amplifiers, thus, vi rtually eliminating 1M distortion and matching problems. Crossover frequencies for each channel ar~ at 1.0.0, 200,400,700, 1200; 2,0.00 and 3,500 CPS. This unit eliminates the need for con­ ventional crossover circuits and provides amazing versatility ' at low cost. A unique answer to frequency division problems. Shpg. WI. 6 Ibs. .

18 HIFI 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' Altec Lansing low frequency drivers and a specially designed exponential horn with high frequency driver cover 25 to 20,000 CPS. A unique crossover network is built in. Impedance is 16 ohms, power rating 50 watts. Cabinet is constructed of 3,4" 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. WI. 195 lbs.

"RANGE EXTENDING" HI-FI PIP-MONO SPEEDWINDER KIT SPEAKER SYSTEM KIT' . Sif,YLUS HI·FI •. MODEL SW-1 95 PICKUP $24 MODEL SS-1B 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' Tn 40 seconds. Saves wear on is designed to extend the range of the basic 'SS-2 tape and recorder.: Randles up to (or SS-l) speaker system. Employs a 15" woofer $2695 lOlli" tape reels and 800' reels of and a super tweeter to Replace your present 8 or 16 milli meter 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 fidelit.y your library is built-in with balance ef LP's has to offer. control. Impedance is 16 D~si,gned 1.0 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 fiat or dark finish. All parts resp.onse from 20 to precut and predrilled for 20,000 CPS. Shpg. easy assembly. Shpg. Wt.lIb. Wt. 80 lbs.

COMPANY· BENTON HARBOR 40, MICH.

Ugbsidiary of Daystrom, Inc. o Please send the Free Heathkit catalog. o Enclosed is 25c for the Hi-Fi book.

Enclosed find $ ...... Pl ease enclose postag e name for parce l post-ex press orders are shi pp ed de­ I ivery charges collect. All prices F.O.B. Benton address Harbor, Mich. A 20% de­ posit is required on all C.O.D. orders. Prices subject to change with­ & out notice. state

19 (Continued from page 14) BACH surfaces and so und-directing louvres lend these compact units a distinctive appear· ance. The "Minigon" enclosure sells for OR $120 and may be fitted with a choice of BE-BOP

speakers up to 10 inch diameters. Match­ ing Lansing speakers are available. (J. B. Lansing Sound, Inc., 3249 Casistas Ave., Los Angeles 39, Calif.)

• Lowther, the British audio wizard renown for his unconventional but top-rated loudspeakers is again bringing to U. S. audiophiles his unique, indirect radiation double·horn corner system (Model Tp·l) as well as a smaller direct·radiation system called the "Acousta." Both systems aTe highly efficient thanks to horn loading, and feature Lowther's well-known high·flux drivers. The TP·l i-s tagged at $450, the Acousta at $229.50. (Lowther Sales Co., 880 Bel·gen Avenue, Jersey City, N. J.)

• Pilot, announcing at least one new stereo product a month, offers a 30-wau-per. channel integrated stereo amplifier called the Model 240. Featured in the new unit are individual channel tone controls- also serving as record equalizers, provision for automatic shutoff from a record changer, control of extension speakers from the On patio ••• lawn • .• terrace ••• pool • •• thrill to outstanding high fidelity sound with University's weatherproof speaker systems MODEL MlC MODEL BlC 'Le' front panel, and five input selector positions. Harmonic distortion is claimed to be less Each model is a true coaxial speaker, with separately driven than 10/0 and the frequency response is woofer and tweeter, and built-in network. Simply connect to your amplifier, within ±1.0 db. from 20 to 20,000 cycles. phonograph, radio, or TV ... the exceptionally efficient 'LC' speakers The usual Pilot brushed· brass escutcheon provide high volume sound of fine tonal quality. with gold plated frame and heavy knobs Cover any area you desire ... wide or narrow, shallow or deep .•• make the unit very attractive. Price $129.50. according to model chosen and placement angle. (Pilot Radio Corp., Long Island City 1, Leave in place rain or shine, season after season ... N.Y.J confident of the rugged dependability built-in by University. Got stereo equipment indoors? Now enjoy that life-like • Precise Development Corpora­ sound outdoors by hooking up a pair of matching 'LC' speakers. tion's latest contribution to hi-fidom is the "Perfecta" AM-FM tuner, which in­

MODEL MlC One-piece fiberglas reinforced cludes among i~s features front panel op­ polyester hom. Response: 150-15,000 cps. Imped­ erated variable a.f.c., permitting adjustment ance: 8 ohms. P01ver capacity: 15 watts. 12%," x of the desired degree of action. This pre­ 9 1"," X 10 % " d. Shpg. wt., 10 Ibs . User net: $84.50. vents strong stations from "swallowing" the MODEL BLC All metal construction. Resl,onse: 70-1 5,000 cps. Iml,edanee: 8 ohms. Diameter: weakel· ones while at the same time extend­ 22%.". Depth: 9%11. Power capacity: 25 watts. ing to the weaker stations the benefit of Shpg. wt., 21 Ibs. User net: $53.70. a.f.c. "lock-in." The circuit also includes For complete details of the 'Le' speakers, write for brochure. Desk -7 University Loudspeakers. a Foster-Seeley discriminator and a cathode­ Inc., 80 So. Kensico Ave., White Plains, N. Y. follower output stage. Large meter makes 20 HIFI REVIEW N€.LU 1And 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-IOO, 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-IOO 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· 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·I00 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·IOO 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-IOO TUNER. $159.50 Cabinet, $24.95 Slightly Higber in fhe Far Wesl •.

Export: Morhan Exporting Corp., 458 Broadway, New York 13, N. Y. JULY 1959 21 OBOE ••• a double-reed woodwind. Fundomental frequency range, 2~0 to 1750 cps. Overtones extend to 14.100 cps. tuning convenient. Price: $99.95. (Precise Development Corp., 4 Neil Court, Ocean­ side, N. Y.)

• Sherwood offers convenient conver­ sion to stereo in a two-component package consisting of a stereo preamp and a 36-watt mono power amplifier. Your present mono amplifier can be used to provide the second channel. All controls necessary to stereo operation are handily combined in the pre­ amp. The whole package (Model S·4400)

sells for $159.50. If you do not want to use your present amplifier, a matching 36- watt power amp (Model S·360) can be had for $59.50 to make a complete two· channel amplifier & control system. (Sher. wood Electronic Laboratories, Inc., 4300 North California Ave., Chicago 18, Ill.)

• Stromberg-Carlson augments its well-received line of high fidelity compo­ nents with a new integrated stereo ampli­ fier (Model ASR-444) rated at 30 watts per channel and capable of handling 60-

watt peaks. Special features are a built-in T'S as if you were on the podium-baton in hand-directing the woodwind tone generator for a stereo balancing and section to 'give you more oboe'. For, with the Blonder-Tongue Audio Baton, a third-channel takeoff. Price not yet an­ I you are in complete command of the tonal COIOF of the performance. nounced. (Stromberg-Carlson, Rochester 3, The Audio Baton does this by dividing the audible spectrum into nine separately N.Y_) controllable octaves. Each octave can be independently boosted or attenuated as muc,h as 14 db. By boosting the overtone frequencies of a specific instrument you • Switchcraft makes it easy to blend can enhance its character and timbre. By boosting its fundamentals, a's well, you up to four signals, such as a microphone, can bring the instrument forward in relation to the rest of the orchestra or ensemble. phono, and AM/FM tuner, into a single outIet. Called the "Part No. 306," this To make even the finest high fidelity system sound better, simply connect the mixer also features a switch making it pos­ Audio Baton. In modern enclosure 119.95 at high fidelity dealers or write: sible to use the unit as a four-channel mixer Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc., 9 Alling Street, Newark 2, New Jersey. (monophonically) or as two separate inputs for each of two stereo channels. Four input jacks are located on the back panel so as to not interfere WitIl the operation of tile front panel volume controls. High imped­ ance circuits are used throughout. List price $22.50. (Switchcraft, Inc., 5555 No. Elston Ave., Chicago 30, Ill.)

• Vidaire offers a speaker protection device in its Model DL-3 Dummy Load. A resistive power absorbing unit, it may be connected to the 4, 8, or 16 ohm speaker terminals to absorb possible overloads. Up fingertip control of the full orchestral range ... to 40 watts may be dissipated. Price not released. ' (Vidaire Electronics Mfg. Corp., octave by octave ... new blonder-tdngue audio batqn Baldwin, N. Y.) 22 HIFI REVIEW Audiotape U speaks for itself" in a spectacular recording -available in a money-saving offer you can't afford to. miss! ...... HERE'S a reel of musical excitement that belongs on

DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM every tape recorder. "Blood and Thunder Classics" is a program of great passages of fine music, spe­ The stirring "Blood and Thunder Classics" cially selected for their emotional impact. program includes these colorful selections : The makers of Audiotape have not gone into the Tschaikowski · Russian Dance Sibelius · from Finlandia music business. They are simply using this method de Falla · Dance of Terror. Ritual to allow Audiotape to "speak for itself." This un­ Fi re Dance (EI Amor Brujo) Brahms ... from Symphony No.4 in E Minor usual program shows you how vibrant and colorful Khatchaturian . Saber Dance music can be when it is recorded on Audiotape. Stravinski Infernal Dance of King Kastchei, Finale (Firebird Suite) "Blood and Thunder Classics" is available Beethoven Ode to Joy (Symphony No.9 RIGHT NOW from Audiotape dealers everywhere. in D Minor) (And only from Audiotape dealers.) Ask to hear a por­ DETAILS OF THE OFFER tion of the program, if you This exciting recording is available in a spe­ like. Then, take your choice cial bonus package at all Audiotape dealers. of a half-hour of rich stereo The package contains one 7-inch reel of or a full hour of dual-track Audiotape (Type 1251, on 1 J;2 -mil acetate monaural sound - both at base) and the valuable "Blood' and Thunder Classics" program (professionally recorded 7Y:z ips. Don't pass up this on standard Audiotape). For the entire unusual opportunity. , package, you pay only the price of two boxes of Type 1251 Audiotape, plus $1. And you have your choice of the half-hour st ereo pro­ gram or the full-hour monaural version. oo Don't wait. See your Audiotape dealer now. GlidiotaRe -"'e "''';'''''" AUDIO DEVICES, INC., 444 .Madison Ave., N. Y. 22, N.. Y. . . . In Hollywood: 840 N. Fairfax Ave . ' . In Chicago : 5428 N. Milwaukee Ave. JULY 1959 23 . NEW STEREOPHONIC EQUIPMENT. HFB5 : Stereo Dual Preamplifier is a complete stereo con· trol sy stem in " low silhouette" design .adaptable to any type of installation. Selects, preamp"fles, controls any stereo so urce-tape, diSCS , broadca sts. Superb variable cro ss ov er feedback ton e controls driven by feedback amplifier ' pairs in each channel. Distortion borders on unmeasurabl e even at hi gh output levels. Separate 10' level input in ea ch channel for mag. phono, tape head, mike. Sepa rate hi·level inputs for AM & FM tuners & FM Multiplex. One ea ch auxiliary A & B input in each channel. Indep end ent leve l, bass & treble controls in each channel may be operated together with built·in clutch. Switched· in loudn ess compensator. Fun ct ion Selector permits hear· STEREO ing each stereo channel individually, and reversing them; also use of unit for stereo or monophonic play. Full-wa ve AND rectifier tube power supply. 5·12AX7 / ECC83 , 1·6X4. Works with any high·quality stereo power amplifier su ch as EICO HF86, or any 2 high·qua lity mono power amplifiers MONAURAL su ch as EICO HF1 4, HF22, HF30, HF3S , HFSO, HF60. "Extreme flexibility • • • a bargain" - HI ·FI REVIEW. Kit $39.95. Wired $64.95 . Includes cov er . . HFB6: Stereo Dual Power Amplifier for use with HF8S above or any good se lf·powe red stereo preamp . Identical Williamson· ty pe pu sh·pull EL84 power amplifiers, can· se rvatively rated at 14W, may be operated in parall el to deliver 28W for non·stere o use . Either inpu t can be made com mon for both amplifiers by Service Selector switch. Voltage amplifier & sp lit·load pha se inverter circuitry feature EICO·developed 12DW7 audio tube for significantly lietter performance. Kit $43 .95. Wired $74.95. HFB1: Stereo Dual Amplifier·Preamplifier selects, ampl i. fies & control s any stereo source - tape, diSCS, broad· casts-& fee ds it thru se lf·contain ed dual 14W amplifiers to a pair of speakers . Monophonically: 28 watts for your speake rs; co mplete stereo preamp . Ganged level COntrol s, se pa ra te focus (balance) control, independent full·range ba ss & treble controls for each channel. Identical William· so n·type, pu sh·pull EL84 power amplifie rs , excellent out· put transformers. "Se rv ice Se lector" switch permits one pr ea mp 'control se ction to drive the internal power ampl i· fiers while olher preamp·control section is left free to drive vour exist in g ex ternal amplifier. "Exce1lent" - SATURDAY REVIEW; HHI MUSIC AT HOME. "Outstand· ing quality • . . extremely versatile" - RADIO & TV NEWS LAB·TE STED . Kit $69.95. Wired $109.95. Includes cov er. MONO PREAMPLIFIERS (stack 2 for Stereo) HF·65 : superb new deSign , Inputs for lap e head, microphone , ma g· phono car tridge & hi·level sou rces. 1M distortion 0.04%

S HOW ME HOW TO SAVE 50 % on 65 Monau ral Powe r Amplifiers: models of top-quality: 60, 50 , 35. 30 , 22 and 14·Watt o Hi·Fi 0 Test In strum ents 0 " Ham " Gear (use 2 for Si ereo) ~ ~g ~ ll~~E d ;: l:~~ g & name of neighbor· Siereo Po we r Amplifier HFS6 NAME ..•. •...... •.••••. A DD RESS

24 HiFiREVIEW

~uly, 1959

Vol. 3 No.1

"WITH A CREDIT CARD a man is just STAMP OUT CADILLACS as a slogan DETECTIVES SNIFFING NOISE were as well off as if he were rich," J. P. leaves us cold. Let the pOol' fellows hired for Urania's recording of the Kan­ Morgan might modify his famed quip have their toys, we say. But we are sas City Philharmonic. Pinkerton's men about millionaires. Soon the 30-day rooting for the Oakland hi-fi shop intent followed mysterious groans, caught a wonders will even let you make cash­ on making the world safe for fidelity swinging door in the act and tracked less raids on record stores. The Diners' with a campaign to STAMP OUT down a growling coke machine as a Club, extending its auspices to music "PHONOGRAPHS_"-Into the breach habitual offender. Publicity boys evi­ merchants, evidently believes that man once more, comrades! dently think that crime pays: at least shall not live by bread alone_ that a private eye keeps the company in the public eye. Let's hope the records BRITISH CONSERVATIVES BELIEVE are good, too. nothing should be done for the first time. OUR BOOKSHELVES BEND under the But the enterprising Englishmen making load of no less than seven brand-new the renown Wharfedale speakers have AUDIO EXPORT UPSWING will follow "bookshelf speakers" lately arrived for lately been acting more like radicals. new currency rulings that put loose testing. The trend is turning into a They just announced their first coaxial dollars in English pockets. Up to deluge. Question: Where go the books? 12-inch speaker (after a decade of stick­ now, English equipment was available in ing to separate woofers & tweeters) and the U_ S., but not vice versa. Unstop­ also entered the bookshelf speaker arena_ pered trade will bring two-way Bow of OUR DAVID HALL who in these pages Theil' traditionalism evidently lies in goods, ideas and cash. tackles the "impossible" job of describ­ workmanship- not in being hidebound. ing music in mere words now takes to the air dispensing samples of the real PHANTODYNE MULTIPLEX is a new sys­ thing. Every Tuesday at 8:30 p_m. HISTORY REPEATS-earphones are back tem of compatible FM stereo broadcast­ (EDT) he "emcees" a high-fidelity rec­ again! But this time without catwhis­ ing launched by California station ord program over the FM stations of ker radios. Ampex now offers dynamic KCBH. It is based on the Halstead the Concert Network (WNCN New headsets as binaural tape recorder ad­ multiplex method utilizing a sub-channel York, WBCN Boston, WHCN Hartford juncts. Range: 30-15,000 cycles. Lets riding pick-a-back on the regular FM and WXCN Providence)_ For summer you listen "in private" without loss of carrier to accommodate the additional fare it's the Boston Pops. For fall, Hall quality and at full volume even when stereo information. Mono listeners are plans a "recent releases" show. others want quiet. not shortchanged. They receive both "sides" of the program combined in a single channel. "Left" and "right" are "THE TRUE IMAGE of America," says SIAMESE JUNGLE TOWNS collectively differentiated in terms of phase_ President Eisenhower, is to be shown go for recorded music, reports an ad­ to the Russians in the American Ex­ venturous friend from the upper regions of Thailand. Stilt-house villages beyond hibit opening in Moscow most appropri­ SWEET MOODS OF JAZZ swinging in ately on July 4th. Part of the picture the reach of electricity buy generator­ powered sound trucks to play music in stereo is Soundcraft's newest bonus to is stereo high fidelity-to be demon­ tape buyers_ This is a companion offer strated in a "typical American home" the public square often till 3 a _m. Cur­ rent favorite: Presley. Natives can't un­ to Soundcraft's popular "Dixieland Jam­ built in a downtown Moscow park. The fest." Just one extra dollar above the sonic part of the show is sponsored by derstand why U. S_ missionaries don't sing like Elvis. blank-tape price buys 30 minutes double the Institute of Hi Fidelity Manufac­ exposure of Coleman Hawkins, Cozy turers to make friends and influence Cole and Red Allen in a hard-to-beat people. jazz bargain. ABSURD AND APPROPRIATE in equal measure is the idea of having electronic "brains" evaluate hi-fi equipment. CBS STEREO CARTRIDGE ACTION is. ana­ Laboratories put a computer to work THE GATES OF HELL are double doors lyzed in an informative semi-technical "testing" a loudspeaker design by a (perhaps for easy access) in the Dies bulletin (No. E-325) to be had for the flesh-and-blood engineer before the lrae of Berlioz' Requiem_ They swing asking from CBS-Hytron, Danvers, Mass. speaker was ever built. The deaf robot wide in stereo on a new Victor disc with Author Bud Tomer primarily states the "listened" to the non-existent speaker the Boston Symphony under Munch. case for his company's own new Colum­ via a set of mathematical equations Two separate brass bands at each side bia CD ceramic stereo cartridge without representing the speaker perf9rmance. of the regular orchestra and chorus in­ equal consideration of magnetic designs. In this way, the robot spots symbolic vest the Day of Judgment with proper But his lucid "brief" makes stimulating "bugs" before they become real in the and furious blast. No definite date has reading for the technically-minded. actual speaker model. been set-for the record release, that is_ 25 STEREO RECEIVERS

Harman-Kardon and Fisher offer new route to component hi-fi

equipment / OLIVER P. FERRELL

NE significant advantage to an industry like hi-fi equip­ ex hau tively tested at HrF! REVIEW. They have been used to O ment manufacturing is extreme flexibility_ By its play back stereo discs and stereo tapes. They have received concentration on quality, rather than quantity of goods stereo broadcasts from our local stereo AM/FM station, produced, there is an inherent ability to add or subtract WQXR. There are no clashing contrasts between these two desirable or undesirable features. Even an entirely new units. The economical "Festival" gives you the same basic engineering concept can be produced in a few weeks_ This ingredients as the Fisher 600_ However, like buying an auto­ is the sum total story behind the Fisher 600 and the Harman­ mobile, there are subtle differences in styling, handling, and Kardon "Festival" Stereo Receivers_ There was a demand "extras." and a potential market for a piece of electronic equipment consisting of an integrated stereo preamp and power ampli­ What Is the AM Circuit? ,. fier, as well as a complete AM/FM stereo tuner. Although only three tubes are in the basic circuit, Stereo tuners, per se, are not uncommon, or even stereo Fisher: J integrated amplifiers, but combining the two is something they perform the work of five (two tubes have dual elements new_ in the same envelope). Starting -with a high gain d. stage Although these units are a logical answer to the problem (6BJ6) fo llowed. by an efficient mixer (6AJS), the circuit of how to "condense" hi-fi components, the engineering prob­ goes into a single i.f. stage featuring a two-step bandwidth lems of accomplishing this end were quite awesome. To be control. In its "Narrow" position, the AM i.f. section is held down to a bandwidth of 4 kc. This is not hi-fi by any stretch a success, stereo tuners need to preserve the flexibility ob­ of the imagination, but it is useful for people in noisy metro­ tained from a separate stereo preamp and separate stereo politan apartments (electrical disturbances, TV oscillator tuner. Corner-cutting was out of the question insofar as "birdies," etc.) . In the "Broad" position-switch controlled power output was concerned. Twelve watts was the absolute from the front panel-the AM section is flat out to nearly minimum (the Fisher is 20 and Harman-Kardon is 15). 10 kc. In quiet locations this renders optimum AM reception Heat generation problems had to be overcome and acoustic and should always be used for AM-FM stereo broadcasts. feedback-an ever present problem with so much electronic Exactly at 10 kc. there is a huilt-in absorption circuit. This equipment on one chassis-had to be completely eliminated. effectively removes the possibility of a 10,000-cycle whistle Somehow, the design engineers of these manufacturers interfering with high quality reception. These high pitched achieved their assigned objectives. Both units have been whistles are caused by weak signals on adjacent AM chan- 26 HIFI REVIEW OR IGI NAL FIS H ER 600 did not have individual treble and bass tone cOlitrols for each channel. Later -models· incor­ pOl'ate this important change. Panel markings serve as neal' guide to record equalization sellings.

HARMAN-KARDON TA230 provides jor two magnetic cartridge inputs (47,000 ohm termination) in addi­ tion to a ceramic stereo input through the "Extra" FUllction switch position. Fisher 600 has one magnetic and one ceramic input.

FISHER tuner on the AM band has selectivity provisions that shrink bandwith down from 10 kc. (broad) to 4 kc (sharp).

ILLUMINATED push/ push power switch on Harman-Kardon is wonderful convenience. Plastic button glows a warm red when unit is turned on.

AM LOOPSTICK ANTE NNA on Fes­ tival is held by two clamps neal' ends of rod. A ntenna may be swung up or down, but not around as on the Fishel' 600.

H ARMAN-KARDON has "either" 8 01' 16 ohm speaker impedance de­ livered to terminal strip located below Selector switch. Fisher 600 offers, 4, 8, and 16 ohm individual taps per channel.

FISHER SPEAKER PHASI NG switch is located on rear skirt of chassis. Hannan-Kardon mounts same switch on front panel. Different physical positions indicative of dif­ fering opinions on stereo records. H-K engineers feel that "out-of­ phase" recorded material is still being sold and front panel switch permits immediate correction for "hole-in-the-middle" effects.

HARMAN-KARDON AND FISHER each have two a.c. accessory sockets. How­ ever, in the 600 both sockets are switched on and off from front panel. In Festival , one socket is "hot" and second is switched. "Hot" socket per­ mits use of changers requiring cycling time. FISHER 600 features five volume setting controls to permit user to preset gain of tuner, multiplex and both stereo phono channels. These "extra" controls eliminate blasting when unit is switched from low gain phono to medium-high gain tuner or multiplex.

JULY 1959 27 and a 6AL5 Foster-Seeley discriminator. Provision for multi­ plex takeoff is made at this point in the circuit. Tube replace­ ment cost (minus tuning indicator) is $7.96.

What Are the Amplifiers Like? Fisher: Two pairs of 7189 tubes are used in the popular 20·watt per channel push-pull cir C' uit. Each channel is driven by several stages of voltage amplification (two 7025 tubes per channel) into a 7199 phase inverter. Three speaker im­ pedance terminations are provided in each channel. Speaker phase reversing (through a switch on the rear skirt of the chassis) is available on channel B. Loudness compensation, scratch filtering and rumble filtering switches are mounted on the front panel. Magnetic cartridge input 101d is 100,000 ohms. Response is within ± 1.0 db. from 25 to 20,000 cycles. Individual tone controls for bass and treble response on both channels are provided. Harmonic and intermodulation di stortion are well within minimum standards for true hi-fi INDIVIDUAL TONE CONTRO LS for treble and bass were performance. Damping fa ctor is 8 per channel. featured on the Harman-Kardon (above) from the first pro­ duction rUIl. Late model Fish er 600 units 1101\1 incorporate similar friction. clutch-type controls. Harma n-Kardon: Two pairs of pre-selected 7408 tubes are used in a l5-watt per channel circuit. The 7408 tube is a close relative of the 6V6 family. Multiple stages of voltage nels-station assignments 10 kc. apart-creating a hetero­ amplification using either ECC83 or ECC82 tubes (depending dyne or 10,000-cycle beat note. The circuit has a.v.c. on the gain requirements) appear before the ECC82 phase (automatic volume control) and an output level adjusting po­ inverter. An equalization switch in the magnetic input sec­ tentiometer on the rear skirt. The loopstick antenna can be tion permits presetting for RIA A disc recording or ARTB left rigidly clamped to the chassis, or loosened with a screw­ prerecorded tapes. Individual tone controls for bass and driver and swiveled to insure maximum signal pickup. Tube treble response on both channels are provided. Contour replacement cost (less tuning indicator) is $6.31. (Fletcher-Munson compensation ), scratch filtering and rum­ bling switches are mounted on the front pane\. Magnetic Harman-Kardon: A straightforward circuit without frills, cartridge input load is 47,000 ohms. Speaker connecting consisting of a 6BA6 d. stage, 6BE6 mixer/oscillator, 6BA6 terminal on rear of chassis ma y be switched from either 8 or i.f. stage and a crystal diode second detector. A.v.c. voltage 16 ohms per channel. Damping factor is 7 to 8 per channel. is supplied to the r.f. and i.f. stages. The ferrite loopstick Response is ± 1.0 db. 30-20,000 cycles at 15 watts output. antenna is movable, but not on a pivot. Clamped between Harmonic and intermod ul ation distortion content values were two brackets, it swings to and fro parallel to the rear skirt both measured to be considerably under that necessary for of the chassis. Tube replacement cost (less tuning indicator) optimum hi-fi performance. is $3.56. What About Opera ting Conveniences? What Is the FM Circuit? Fisher: There are fifteen control fun ctions on the front panel. Fisher: Cascode coupling is used in the 6AQ8/ ECC85 d. Five of them are infrequently used, two pertain to stereo stage. This is followed by a mixer/ oscillator using another tuner operation, four are tone control adjustments (in late 6AQ8/ ECC85 dual triode. The circuit then goes into two i.f. models), and four others are for stereo balance, volume stages (using 6AU6 tubes) while a third 6AU6 is biased off and function selection. Tape monitoring provisions have as a limiter. A pair of crystal diodes is used in a wide band been built into the 600. The 600 is turned on by rotating ratio detector circuit. Multiplex take·off jack with rear skirt the volume control in the lower right hand corner of the level setting provisions (on both channels) can be switched in and out of the circuit from the front panel. As an added feature, the manufacturer has made arrangements for FM·FM stereo broadcasts. In this situation the FM tuner in the 600 supplies the B channel (right hand speaker), while a sepa­ Your Assistance, Please rate FM tuner is fed into the "Multiplex" input for the A This article is one of our new series on component hi·fi equipment design ed to tell more about the items under channel. Thus, the ampli fie rs and switching arrangements di scuss ion. Through necessi ty it must be more technical. are preserved. Tube replacement cost (less tuning indicator) We believe it to be a mature method of describing equip­ is $6.93. ment yo u might purchase. If you found this article of value would you drop us a postcard and say so? I f you decided which unit to buy Harman-Kardon: The r.1. and mixer sections consist of two because of thi s article would you tell us that? If yo u ECC85/6AQ8 tubes (total of four elements) in a grounded­ would like more articles of this nature, tell us so. Address grid low noise stage, triode mixer, triode oscillator and triode them to the Editor, HiFi REVIEW, One Park Ave., New a.f.c. regulator. These are followed by two stages of i.f. York 16, N. Y. amplification using 6AU6 tubes, a separate 6AU6 limiter, 28 HIFI R EVIEW panel. Both the AM and FM tuning indicators are recessed What Are The Important Features To and somewhat shaded from extraneous light. The tuning Consider? scales are stacked and clearly marked by frequency and logging scale. Late model 600's are being shipped with Fisher: The 600 features a somewhat better AM tuner section friction-clutch individual bass and treble tone controls for with more flexibility as the keynote item. The completely each channel. Although ganged tone controls are generally rotatable ferrite rod antenna, 10 kc. whistle filter and band­ satisfactory when matched speaker systems are used, the pos­ width switching optimize AM reception in localities where sibility of adjusting tone in either channel is considered a the Stereo Receiver is not likely to be used for its basically distinct advantage. intended purpose. If power output is important (to drive Rear skirt controls include five level setting adjustments low efficiency speaker systems) the 4-ohm tap and the extra that permit pre-setting several functions (phono, multiplex 5 watt potential are worthy considerations. The level setting and AM) to level of FM tuner section. This prohibits " blast­ controls on the rear skirt permit the user to compensate, ing" through the loudspeakers and the necessary quick re­ or adjust, the balance and volume controls for one "standard" loudness. Front panel switching positions are conveniently ! adjustment of the front panel volume control when the 600 is switched from stereo phono to stereo AM/FM to multiplex. arranged-for example, the two most used functions are in Both AM and FM tuners have heavy fl ywheel loading for adjacent positions: Phono and FM-AM. There is no dis­ smooth dial operation. guising the fact that this is a Stereo Receiver of good design loaded with "extras_"

Harman-Kardon: There is a total of seventeen controls on the panel of the Festival. One of them is the speaker phas­ Harman-Kardon: Obviously, the lower cost makes this unit ing switch which the Fisher 600 has mounted on the rear of considerable interest. Although lacking some of the "ex­ skirt of the chassis. The Festival has two magnetic cartridge tras" it is a good medium wattage amplifier and AM/FM input connections (both 47,000 ohm load) switched from tuner lacking design compromises that might be found in the panel. The purpose of this is to satisfy audio require­ other units of this price category. The push-push power ments of the husband and wife or children at th e same switch is a surprisingly handy asset. Switching for speaker time. For example, the husband could use a turntable/tone phasing and two magnetic cartridge inputs are also "extras." arm combination and provide a separate record changer for The manufacturer has advised us that a variety of panel fin­ the remaining family. Ceramic cartridges may be connected ishes will be available in the fall, including the H-K copper, to the "Extra" input ("Aux" on the Fisher 600). and a new steel gray. If used with moderately efficient matched The Festival has a unique push/ push illuminated power speaker systems the 15 watts per channel is enough for most switci;I in the center of the front panel. Such a control is stereo installations. * The Festival is unquestionably a versa­ handy in that it permits presetting volume and balance to a tile unit at a surprising price. suitable room level without waiting for the Stereo Receiver to warm up. Individual bass and treble controls are available * After numerous discussions with the engineering staff 0/ in either channel. They are friction-coupled clutch action Harman-Kardon, the editors are still not positive as to controls (see photo on page 28) so arrange:l that the user whether the Festival can or cannot be used properly with the can preset the bass and treble with a simple two-handed hybrid stereo speaker systems-such as the Stephens Stereo­ operation. After presetting, the clutch-type controls "lock" dot and E-V Stereon_ These systems are supposed to require together and turn simultaneously. mismatched speaker impedances from the two channels. The Flywheel loading is used in both tuner sections. Tuning Festival switching arrangement permits either 8 or 16 ohms. indicators were preselected for maximum brilliance in COIl­ We will report on this at later date-although indications sideration of the available operating voltages. are that the total eff ect will be minor_

SUBTLE DIFFERENCES in manu­ facturing techniques are seen in these two photos. The Harman-Kardon Festival (left) has uncovered and unshielded FM tuning capacitor. Same capacitor in Fisher 600 is covered and supposedly shielded. Signal pickup with Fisher 600 without FM antenna was con­ siderably greater than Festi val­ possibly due to long lead to terminal strip visible along left side of photo. Sh ielding should keep out dust alld minimize r.f. radiation.

JULY 1959 29 30 HIFI R EVIEW . Solid Gold HAuffiihnuq{1

• WAGNER: Das Rheingold (complete music-drama). George enough, but will scarcely efface the memory of Schumann­ London (bass-baritone) - Wotan: Kirsten Flagstad (soprano)­ Fricka: Gustav Neidlinger (bass)-Alberich: Set Svanholm (tenor)­ Heink. As for the baton work of- Georg Solti, here was an . Loge: Eberhard Wachter {bassI-Donner: Waldemar Kmentt (tenor) instance of ideal casting. Where he may have been a trifle Froh: Paul Kuen {tenor)-Mime: Walter Kreppel {bass)-Fasolt; lightweight for the lyricism of Die Walkiire-Act III (Lon­ Kurt Boehme {bassl-Fafner: Claire Watson {soprano)-Freia: Jean Madeira (c6ntralto )-Erda: Oda Balsborg (soprano). Hetty don Stereo OSA 1203), he brings just what's needed for Plumacher (contralto), Ira Malniuk {soprano)-Rhinemaidens: with Das Rheingold-power and momentum without heaviness_ the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, George Solti condo London Because "Rheingold" lacks the love story or character focus OSA 1309 3 12" $17.94 of Die Walkiire, Siegfried, or Die Gotterdammerung, it is all Musical Interest: For stereophiles and Wagnerians too easy to ·let the whole thing bog down into a heavy-footed Performance: Unbeatable Recording: Must be heard to be believed panorama of oversized puppets. Solti also does a marvelous Stereo Directionality: Properly theatrical job of illuminating the many strands and facets of Wagner's Stereo Depth: Definitely 3~D! miraculous orchestra texture, whether it be the scherzo-like episodes associated with Loge or the grandiose organlike ADVANCE reports coming in from England for several sonorities of the end. . months have heralded the spectacular stereo-theatrical And now a word about the "special effects." Wagner's achievement. by London's recording premiere (legitimate, stage directions are meticulous on this point, but few opera that is) of Das Rheingold-first of the four music dramas · houses, evenWagner's own Bayreuth, have ever accomplished that make up Richard Wagner's Ring of the Nibelungs. Our them to fullest satisfaction. What is needed, plainly, is a long-awaited hearing became a matter of actual experience combination of London's recording, plus Cinerama using in late April, and we can say that the British accounts were godlike actors to mime the roles. Well, we have "aural in no way exaggerated-this album is an earful! What's Cinerama" to the life here-most notably in the Nibelheim more-with or without the eighteen tuned anvils (for the scenes. As Wotan and Loge make their way to the satanic Nibelheim scene) or the six harps and sixteen-foot thunder­ smithy where Alberich forges Ring and Tarnhelm out of the sheet (for the entrance of the Gods into Valhalla), this al­ gold he seized from the Rhinemaidens, the clanging of an­ bum is a magnificent musical and theatrical achievement. vils is heard first from a distance and then envelopes the As sound-on-stereo disc, it is hard to imagine many releases whole room. Almost terrifying i~ the scene where Alberich in. the future matching this recording, nor very many that dons the Tarnhelm, makes himself invisible, and then pro­ will be its equal. Only a perfect tape played back under ceeds to thrash his blacksmith brother, Mime. Through a optimum conditions could leave this one in the dust, and clever combination of filter mikes, echo chamber, and "pan­ that may take a few years so far as the general home listener ning pots," Alberich is made to seem everywhere at once. is concerned. Here, indeed, is something even the opera house can't match! Those whose Wagnerian lore begins and ends with Anna Stunning and terrifying too are the episodes where Albe­ Russell may well be inclined to slough off the story line of rich's Nibelheim blacksmith-slaves scream with terror as he Das Rheingold as so much Germanic mythological hogwash; sends them back to work (the screams were provided by six­ but historical irony being what it is, certain aspects of "The ty children from a Viennese orphanage). Ring" story have com~ to assume more than usual signifi­ Two other "effects" are worth special note-the blood­ cance in our own day. If we choose to read nuclear energy, chilling laughter of Alberich after he retreats to Nibelheim hydrogen bombs, and ICBMs in place of the gold of the following his Curse on the Ring, which seems to emanate Rhine and the Ring fashioned therefrom-and which confer from limitless depths; and the thunderclap that accompanies absolute power and a curse on their possessor, then the fig. Donner's summoning-up of the Rainbow Bridge to Valhalla. ures of Loge (god of fire and cleverness who instigated the Here a sixteen-foot thunder sheet and huge anvil are used to whole "Ring" affair) and of Alberich (the dwarf of Nibel­ awe-inspiring result. Not only are the big sounds brought heim wh«;l renounced love for power) become modern per­ into full play, but the little ones as well-the metallic thumps sonages of no little fascination. In this recorded performance from the heaping of Nibelheim gold as it is brought to the especially, the coldly vindictive hatred 6f Alberich and the gods as ransom for Freia, the chain-mail sound of the Tarn­ utterly amoral non-involvement of Loge come through mag­ helm and the clink of the Ring as they are tossed oli the nificently in the work of Gustav Neidlinger and Set Svan­ ransom heap. Yet not one of these "effects" seems out of holm. Indeed, one of the really fine things about this pro­ place or unnatural in a gimmicky way. This goes for the duction is that the roles for the grotesque personages-Al­ orchestra sound as' well-it all sounds as though done in a berich and Mime-are truly sung rather than growled and fine ~pera house, neither too cavernous nor too intimate. The barked as in the usual opera house treatment. one and only small miscalculation was the final lament of the Kirsten Flagstad at 63 sings the role of Fricka for the Rhinemaidens during the entry into Valhalla. Here the first time in her career, and she succeeds in making some~ acoustics betray themselves, so ihat the ladies sound hollow­ thing almost noble out of that "hausfrau" character. George ly, as though in Nibelheim, rather than disembodied in the London may not have that last degree of authority as Wotan, river depths. with which Paul Schoffier and the late Friedrich Schorr were In short, this is an album for which dyed-in-the-wool Wag­ endowed, but he is getting there; and in the pages just pre­ nerians will be everlastingly grateful and to which stereo­ ceding and during the final entry into Valhalla, he achieves philes with super-duper equipment will turn again and again genuine grandeur. The Erda of Jean Madeira is good for sonic wonders. feature review I DAVID HALL JULY 1959 31 HiFi REVI EW staffers find it an easy job to "test" outdoor stereo from two E-V weatherproof speakers.

HIE FI TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Music is part of summer living if high fidelity follows you into the open

equipment / HANS H. FANTEL

ONCERTS under summer skies are a favorite diversion Cof the season. The most intimate and informal of these events can take place right in your own garden, patio or back yard. There, for a select audience (by invitation only) yo u can be shirtsleeve impresario for just about anything from symphony to jam session. Or, you might stage a summer theater with a repertory reaching from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare. What setting could surpass the scenery painted by the imagination against the backdrop of a summer night? And the balmy atmosphere, aided by a cool drink, will unlock your full capacity for receptiveness and enjoyment. There are two ways to get your show on the road and into the yard. One is to string extension speakers from your indoor sound system. The other is take the system itself outdoors, which put all the controls right where you are. If yo ur components are of the o·pen-shelf type, compact and unattached to bulky furniture, it's no problem to hie out the whole kit and kaboodle-at least the record player and the amplifier. STEREO RECORD CHANGERS work well outdoors. But Speakers are a different story. You probably don't want care should be exercised to keep dust and dirt from to lug about your regular heavy living room speakers at the blowing on the records. Glaser·Steers sells special rigid risk of damage to your insides and their outsides. The use plastic cover that fits snugly over its model GS-77. of specially designed outdoor speakers that can be perma- 32 HIFI REVIEW nently left in the garden would be a more practical approach. cycles. To extend the bass further would merely add bulk Then all you have to do, after trundling out your more to the speaker, dollars to cost, and nothing whatever to audi­ moveable components, is to hook up those outdoor speakers. ble results_ The peculiarities of open-air sound wouldn't let The connections can be made in a matter of minutes. 1£ yo u you hear the low notes, even if the speakers actually repro­ want to avoid the need of a screwdriver every time you take duced them. your hi-fi in or out, you can easily devise a plug-in arrange­ This absence of the lowest bottom bass is a natural char­ ment between amplifier and speaker. In case of stereo, pola­ acteristic of outdoor sound. Without walls to retain the rized plugs will assure proper speaker phasing. Ordinary bass and strengthen it by reflection, the low notes sneak off lampcord extension connectors may be used. Just dab so me in all directions, quickly dispersing their energy, and are color or stick some plastic tape on one side of the con­ lost to the listener. Just because this is a wholly natural nectors to make sure they aren't plugged in "the other condition, we do not experience the lack of extreme bass as way round." a disturbing factor. The music simply sounds right for its To cope with the "ins and outs" of summer living, a friend outdoor setting. ! of ours loaded his record player and amplifier on a buffet The same factors affect "live" music_ Composers were serving cart. This "sound truck," trailing extension cord well aware that the lower strings do not carry well in the from a reel, could follow him to his favorite back yard glade, open air. This is why music specifically conceived for out­ where a permanently placed ontdoor speaker awaited him. door performance is often scored predominantly for winds Such "wheeled traffic" also assures rapid and orderly retreat and brass. For instance, Mozart's various wind serenades from outlying positions in case of sudden rain. Only th e come off superbly outdoors, as will most jazz and pungent speaker remains; unlike its "domestic" brethern, it is fully orchestrations of show tunes and pops. weatherproof and innred to the rigors of an outdoor existence. However, there is no need to confine your outdoor co ncerts Such ruggedness results from the special design features to "blowhard" music. The surprising fact is that recorded of these outdoor units_ For instance, the Jensen HF-IOO and music is better able to tackle the acoustic challenge of the the University Model BLC are fully encapsulated in metal open air than "live" music. The record itself carries with shells doing double duty as weather shields and sound pro­ it the indoor acoustics of the concert hall or the studio. It jectors. The most recent addition to the outdoor speaker is as though the walls of the room where the music was clan, th e Electro-Voice "Musicaster," employs newly de­ recorded were standing invisibly in your garden. This advan­ veloped plastic cones, impervious to moisture_ This elimi­ tage no "live" outdoor concert could possibly match. nates the need for protective encapsulation. We have been talking of outdoor speakers mostly in the All weatherproof speakers are housed in metal enclosures plural because our own experiments confirmed that it is pos­ which impart a tonal coloration slightly different from what sible to obtain very good stereo results out in the open. Wider we are accustomed to hear from wooden baffles_ Yet, m ~ ke speaker spacing spreads th e stereo area so you may weed no mistake about it, there is no l-esemblance to the tight a-.1 d or wander well within the stereo field. Such "listener mobil­ tinny clangor typical of "public address" systems_ Hi :;h ity" is decidedly an outdoor asset, though, of co urse, the fidelity outdoor speakers represent an optimum approach to stereo effect lessens as you reach the remoter points of your the quirks of open-air acoustics. They are efficient so und meanderings. Even beyond the actual stereo region, the projectors, capable of easily penetrating a slight breeze or broader, dual-speaker so und so urce yields a fullness and surmounting such acoustic hazards of the great outdoors as " body" of sound not usually experiened outdoors. rustling leaves of chirping tree frogs. The speaker hookup itself is simple. All you have to watch Even in their frequency range, outdoor speakers are effi­ is phase and impedance matching. Technically, the only ciently adjusted to their environment. Don't be alarmed at difficulty is keeping away the mosquitoes. specifi cations showing bass response falling off at about 60 - Hans H . Fanlel

EASY OUTDOOR STEREO HOOKUP with a J2-wa/t per channel Scott amplifie r and a pair of Electro-Voice "Musicaster" speakers. Total installation rime is less than ten minutes. Simply connect color-coded wires to speakers and back to terminals on the amplifier. Plug in leads from changer and tap into th e l17-volt house wiring and you're in busin.ess. JULY 1959 33 BESTS BUVS

MUST ON MUST ON BUY HAND BUY HAND

Decca 79402 $5.98-ANON. 112th Centl: The RCA Victor LSC 2221 $5.98-MENDELSSOHN: Play of Daniel. N. Y. Pro Musica Antiqua . Symphonies-No. 4 in A Major ("Italian"); No.5 in D Minor ("Reformation"). Boston Symphony Everest 3003 $5.98-'-ANTILL: Corroboree; GIN· O rc:h., Munch. ASTERA: Panambi. London Symphony, Goossens. Columbia MS 6049 $5.98-MOZART: Piano Con­ Bach Guild BGS 5005 $5.98-BACH: Magnificat; certi-D Minor (K . 466), F Major (K. 413). Ser­ Cantata No. 50. Vienna State Opera Chorus and kin, Marlboro Festival Orch., Schneider. Orch., Prohaska. RCA Victor LSC 1934 $5.98-BART6K: Concerto London OSA 1402 4 12" $23 .92-MOZART: The for Orchestra. C hicago Symphony, Reiner. Marriage of Figaro (complete opera) , Soloists. Vienna Philharmonic Orch. & Choru s, Kleiber. Columbia MS 6002 $5.98-BART6K: Violin Con­ certo. Stern, N. ·Y. Phi lha rmonic , Bernstein. Angel S. 35407 $5.98-MOZART: Symphonies­ No. 25 in G Minor; No. 40 in G Minor. Phi lhar­ Epic BC 1001 $5.98-BEETHOVEN: Symphony monia Orch., Klemperer. No. 3 in E-flat (" Eroica") . Cleveland, Szell. RCA Victor LSC 2267 $5.98-0FFENBACH: Westminster WST 14008 $5.98-BERLlOZ: Over­ Gaite Parisienne; KHACHATURIAN: Gayne. tures-Francs Juges; Benvenuto Cellini ; Roman Boston Pops Orch., Fi ed le r. Carnival; Waverley. Philharmonic Orch., Boult. Capitol SP 8431 $5.98-0RFF: Praelusio from London CS 6021 $4.98-BRAHMS: Intermezzi & Catulli Carmina. etc. Roger Wagner Chorale. other piano music. Backhaus. RCA Victor LSC 6139 $23.92-PONCHIELLI: Angel S 35545 $5.98-BRAHMS: Symphony No.3 La Gioconda (complete opera), Milanov, Warren, in F Major; Academic Festival Overture. Philhar­ Rome Opera Orch. & Chorus, Previta li. monia Orch., Klemperer. Warner Bros. BS 1240 $5.98-PRINCE: Opus Westminster WST 14010 $5.98-BRITTEN: Peter Jazz, Export U.S.A. ; BERNSTEIN: West Side Grimes-Sea Interludes; Young Person's Guide to Story-Ballet Music. Orch., Robert Pri nce.- the Orchestra. Phi lharmonic Orch" Bou lt. RCA Victor LSC 2195 $5.98-COPLAND: Billy Everest· 300 I $5.98-PROKOFI EV: Chout-Ballet. the Kid; Rodeo. Morton Gould Orch. London Symphony Orch., Susskind. London CS 6013 $4.98-DEBUSSY: Images for RCA Victor LSC 2150 $5.98-PROKOFIEV: Lieu­ Orchestra. Suisse Romande Orch., Argenta. tenant Kij e ; STRAVINSKY: Song of the Night­ ingale. Chicago Symp hony Orch., Reiner. Epic BC 1015 $5.98-DVORAi<: Symphony No.4 in G Major. C levelan d O rch., Szell. Mercury SR 90006 $5.98-PROKOFIEV: Love for 3 Oranges-Suite; Scythian Suite, Lond on Sym ­ Boston 1004 $5.98-DVORAK: Serenade in D Mi­ phony Orch., Dorati. nor. Boston Woodwind Ens., Simon . London OSA 1406 4 12" $23.92-PUCCINI: Westminster WST 14007 $5.98-ELGAR: Falstaff; Madame Butterfly (complete opera) . Tebaldi, Cockaigne Overture. Phi lharmonic Promenade Bergonzi, Rome St . Cecilia Orch., Serafin. Orch., Boult. RCA Victor LSC 2183 $5.98-RACHMANINOFF: London CS 6028 $4.98_FALLA: Master Peter's Isle of the Dead; RAVEL: Ra\>sodie Espagnole; Puppet Show; Harpsichord Concerto. Soloists, Pavane. Chicago Symph ony Orch., Reiner. Spanish National Orch., A rgenta . Angel S 35505 $5.98-RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Bach Guild BGS 5004 $5.98-GABRIELI: Proces­ Scheherazade. Royal Philharmonic, Beecham . sional and Ceremonial Music. G abrieli Festival Chorus & O rch ., Appia. London CS 6046 $4.98-RODRIGO: Guitar Con­ certo; FALLA: Nights in the Gardens of Spain. Angel S 35445 $5.98-GRIEG: Peer Gynt Inci­ Yepes, Soriano, Spanish National O rch., Argenta. dental Music. Soloists, C horus, Royal Philhar­ monic Orch., Beecham. Omega 15 $5,95-ROUSSEL: Piano Concerto; The Spider's ·Feast. Helfer, Paris Cento Soli Columbia K2S 602 2 12" $13.96; M2S 604 2 12" Orch., Baud o, Albe rt. $11.96-HANDEL: Organ Concerti, Op. 4 & Op. 7, Big gs, Lond on Philharmonic, Bou lt. Mercury SR 90012 $5.98-SAINT·SAeNS: Sym­ phony No. 3 in C Minor ("Organ") . Dupre, De­ Vox 511.300 $5.95-HANDEL: 8 Overtures. Bam­ troit Symphony Orch., Paray. berg Symphony, Reinhardt. Vanguard VRS 2019 $5.98-SCHUBERT: Quintet London CS 6027 $4.98-HAYDN: Symphonies­ in A. Matthews, Vienna Konzerthaus Quartet. No. 99 in E-flat ; No. 94 in G ("Surprise"). Vi enna Philharmon ic, Krip s. Epic BC 1009 $5.98-SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 9 in C Major ("Great"). C levela nd Orch., Szell. RCA Victor LSC 2251 $5.98-HOVHANESS: Mysterious Mountain; STRAVINSKY: Fairy's Kiss Ca~itol SPBR 8448 2 12" $11.96-SHOSTAKO. -Divertimento. C hicago Symphony, Reiner. VICH: Symphony No. II. Ho uston Symphony Orch., Stokowski. Mercury SR 90132 $5.98-KODALY: Hary Janos; BART6K: Hungarian Sketches; Roumanian London OS 25005 $5.98-SIBELlUS: Songs. Flag­ I Dances. Minneapolis Symphony Orch., Dorati. stad, London Sy mphony Orch., Fieldstad. 34 [ MUST ON MUST ON BUY HAND BUY HAND Columbia MS 6024 $5.98-SIBELlUS: Symphony London OSA 1301 3 12" $17.94-LEHAR: Giu­ l No. 2 in D Major. Philadelphia Orch., O rmandy. ditta (complete operetta) . Gueden, Vienna State Opera Orch., Moralt. Angel S 35458 $5.98-SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 7 in C Major; The Oceanides; Pelleas and Mel­ Capifol SW 740 $5.98-THE KING AND I isande. Royal Philharmon ic, Beecham. (Rodgers-Hammerstein) . Soun dtrack. London CS 6008 $4.98-MUSIC OF JOHANN London OSA 1205 2 12" $r1.96-LEHAR: The STRAUSS. Vie nn a Ph ilha rmon ic, Boskowski. Merry Widow. G ueden, Orch. Stolz. Mercury SR 90178 $5.98-STRAUSS FAMILY Columbia OS 2015 $5.98-MY FAI R LADY ALBUM . Minneapolis Symphony Orch ., Dorati. (Lerner-Lowe). Original London Cast. De cca 79999 $5.98-R. STRAUSS: Also sprach Capitol SWAO 505 $5.98 - OKLAHOMA! Zarathustra. Berl in Ph ilharmonic O rch., Bohm. (Rodgers -Hammerstein) . Soundfrack. Epic BC 1011 $5.98-R. STRAUSS: Death and Capitol ST 992 $4.98-S0UTH PACIFIC (Rodg­ Transfiguration; Don Juan ; Till Eul enspiegel. ers-Hammerstein) . Fred Waring. Cleveland O rch., Szell . RCA Victor LSC 2226 $5.98-RODGERS: Victory Angel S 3563 DIL 4 12" $25.92-R. STRAUSS: at Sea-Vol. II. Symphony of t he Air, Bennett. Der Rosenkavalier (complete opera) . Schwa rz ­ kopf, Ed elman n, Stich- Randal l, Philharmonia Cho. Columbia OS 2001 $5.98-WEST SIDE STORY & Orch., Karajan. (Bernstein) . Original Cast. London CS 6009 $4.98-STRAVINSKY: Pe­ Capitol SW 993 $5.98-NAT KING COLE­ trouchka. Su isse Roma nd e O rch., Ansermet. ST. lOUIS BLUES.

Everest 3009 $5.98-STRAVINSKY: Symphony in Capitol ST 1037 $4.98-HARRY JAMES-THE 3 Movements; Ebony Concerto. Lon don Sym­ NEW JAMES. phony O rch ., G oossens ; Woody Herman Orch. Atla ntic SD 1284 $5.98-MODERN JAZZ 9UAR. Westminster 2032 12" $11.96-TCHAIKOVSKY: The Nutcracker. Phil harmon ic Sy mphony of Lon­ TEl-ONE NEVER KNOWS. don, Rodzin ski . Decca 79209 $5.98-HAL MeKUSICK-CROSS­ SECTION-SAXES. Audio Fidelity 50002 $6.95-TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor ("Pathetique"). Vi r­ Riverside 1102 $5.95-THELONIUS MONK­ tuoso Sy mp ho ny of Lond on , Wallenstein. MONK'S MUSIC. Everest 3006 $5.98-VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Stereo 7017 $5.95-S0NNY. ROLLINS-WAY Symphony No. 9 i'n E Minor. Lon don Philha r­ OUT WEST. monic, Boult. Capitol ST 86b H :98-RAY ANTHONY­ Angel S 3552 C/l 3 12" $18 .98-VERDI: Falstaff YOUNG IDEAS. (complete opera) . Schwarzkopf, Gobbi, Philhar­ monia O rch. & Chorus, Ka ra jan. Capitol ST 8b8 $4.98-LES BAXTER ORCH.­ PORTS OF PLEASURE. London OSA 14054 12" $23.94-VERDI: La Forza del Destino (complete opera) . Te bal di , De l Mon­ London PS 137 $4.98-STANLEY BLACK ORCH. ace, St. Ceci.lia Orch. & Chorus, Mol ina ri· -CUBAN MOONLIGHT. Pradelli. RCA Victor LSP 1773 $5.98-BOB AND RAY Bach Guild BGS 5001 $5.98-VIVALDI: The Four THROW A STEREO SPECTACULAR. Seasons. Solisti d i Zag reb, J anig ro. Capitol ST 959 $4.98-LES BROWN ORCH.­ Vox 10390 $5.98-VIVALDI: Gloria; Motteto a CONCERT MODERN. canto. Soloists, Pro Mus ica Chorus & Orch., Couraud. Concert-Disc CS 36 $6.95-SILK SATIN, AND STRINGS. Radiant Velvet Orch., Caesar Gi o- RCA Victor LSC 2255 $5.98-WAGNER: Die vanni . Gotterdammerung-Finale; Tristan und Isolde­ Prelude and Li e bestod. Farrell, Boston Symphony London PS lib $4.98-TED HEATH-HITS I O rch., Munch. MISSED london OSA 1204, OSA 2 12" each, $11.96 each Westminster WST 15009 $5.98-DICK LEIBERT -WAGNER: Die Walkure-Act I & Act III. -lEI BERT TAKES ~ICHMOND Flagst ad, Svanholm , Ed el mann, Vie nna Philhar· Counterpoint 5561 $5.95-AFRO·STEREO-Cyril monic, Kna ppertsbusc h, Solt i. Jackson Angel S 35506 $5.98-BEECHAM LOLLIPOPS­ Vanguard 2011 $5.98-THE. CjlUEEN'S BIRTH· Berlioz, Debussy, Sibelius, Suppe, etc. Roya l Phil­ DAY SALUTE. Royal Artille ry Ban d. harmon ic, Beecham. Jubilee S 1083 $5.98-DELLA REESE-AMEN! Capitol SP 8380 $5.98-0VERTURE-Tchaikov­ (Gospel Songs). sky" 1812", etc. Ho ll ywood Bowl O rch., Slatkin. Capitol ST 915 $4.98-NELSON RIDDLE ORCH. Period S 743 $5.95-PERCUSSION MUSIC by -SEA OF DREAMS Harrison. Colgrass, Benson, Strang. Percussion Ens. , Price. London PS 110 $4.98-EDMUNDO ROS-ROS ON BROADWAY Audio Fidelity 50009 $6.95-RUSSIAN COM. POSER MASTERPIECES-Glinka, Rimsky-Korsa­ RCA Victor LSP 1866 $5.98-MUSIC FOR BANG kov, Borodin, etc. Virtuoso Sy mphony O rch. of BAAROOM AND HARP-Dick Sc·hory. Lond on , W in ograd . Capitol SW 1069 $5.98-FRANK SINATRA­ Decca 7100001 $5.98-SYLVIA MARLOWE­ COME DANCE WITH ME HARPSICHORD MUSIC - Couperin, Rameau, Haydn, Purcell, etc. Capitol SP 8462 $5 .98-SEA CHANTIES. Roger Wagner Chorale. Columbia CS 8095 $5.98 - FLOWER DRUM SONG (Rodgers-Hammerstein). Andre Koste­ Capitol SW 845 $5.98-FRED WARING AND lan etz Orch. THE PENNSYLVANIANS IN HI-FI. 35 Stereo All-Around

equipment / C. M. WALTERS, JR.

Problem: Better dispersal of stereo sound in Hashlight battery. Make sure all the speakers work in the paneled recreation den with wid­ same phase relationship at the same time. est possible listening area. As you stand under one ceiling speaker, you should hear the other ceiling speaker and as you walk across the room, Solution: My stereo tastes are probably no the "stereo ce~ter " should be filled by a combination of A1 different than those of most read­ and B1 . Do not hesitate to move either Hoor standing speaker ers of this article. In a recreation along its wall till the entire room is alive with directional den, I felt that the stereo spread stereo of optimum depth and spread. should be as great as possible. Undeniably, this is unconventional and the only excuse I can offer for its use is that it works. wo Hoor standing speaker systems, no matter how oriented, -c. M. Walters, Jr. Tdid not create the ideal effect. The only feasible solution seemed to call for more speakers-either as a "third channel" Speaker placement jor good stereo is the secret of (still a doubtful solution) -or two separate full-range speak­ success. Weare interested in learning more about ers on each channel. I settled for the latter and it works unusual stereo speaker arrangements. If you have a better than I had anticipated. successful layout that is not exactly according to the My 12 x 18-foot den is diagrammed below. My two orig­ "book," why not submit the plan to us with 200-250 inal full-range speaker systems are labelled Ai and B1. Two words describing how it was accomplished. Publish­ ceiling-type corner speakers using a pair of cheap 8-inch able suggestions will be paid $25 upon acceptance. In coaxials (Lafayette Radio SK-92) are labelled A and B. The cases of duplication, the letter with the earliest post­ corner ceiling speakers slope downward at a slight angle­ mark will be accepted. -Ed. which J judge to be about 70°. They face one another, al­ though speakers Ai and B1 do not. Each pair (A and A1 or Band B1 ) should be wired in series (or parallel-depending on impedance matching) and connected to the appropriate stereo channel. Phasing is a problem easily solved with a

SUPERB STEREO SPREAD re­ sulted from the unusual speaker placement used by the author. Speakers A and A1 are connected to one stereo channel. Speakers B and B1 to the other.

36 HIFI REVIEW placid pianist

• PORTFOLIO OF AHMAD JAMAL-Ahmad Jamal (piano). Israel Crosby (bass). Vernell Fournier (drums) . Old Devil Moon; Seleritus; It C ould Happen To You; Ivy; Tater Pie; This Can't Be Love; Autumn Leaves; Ahmad's Blues; Let's Fa ll In Love; Aki Ukthay "Brother And Sister"; You Don't Know What Love Is; I Didn't Know What Time It Was; So Beats My Heart Fo r You ; Gal In Calico; Our While Ahmad Jamal tinkles, the critics rage De light. Argo LP 2638 $7.98. (Stereo $9.96) Mu sical Interest: Moderate at his keyboard approach. So what, if no one Performance : Slick and superficial Recording : Good likes it but the record buying public Argo Records regally salutes its sales king in this two·LP, dignified portfolio. Jamal, the 28·year·old Pittsburgh.born pianist, comes of commercial age with the release of this impressive limited edition, designed to commemorate his feature review / DON GO L \) success to date for Argo. Jamal has reached this climactic point in his career after Argo sold several unlimited editions of his work. Among the Argo·J amal LPs issued to date are : Chamber Music of the New Jazz (Argo 602); Count 'em 88 (Argo 610); But Not For Me (Argo 628), and a recently released Ahmad Jamal Vol. IV (Argo 636). This limited edition portfolio, JULY 1959 37 recorded in September, 1958 at the Spotlite Club in Wash­ fering or competing with him. This is apparent all the way ington, D.C., presents J amal in characteristic environment through the Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal. and indicates quite vividly his virtues and weaknesses. Other matters are apparent, too. Jamal's entire style stems It is vital at th is point to appraise Jamal within the frame­ from his deliberately limiting concentration on single·note, work of the jazz world he inhabits. While intensely·motivated upper treble lines. He approaches each composition in the3e jazz pianists dogmatically strive to create their own worlds terms. He uses bass figures for contrast or shock value, but in the face of potential poverty, Jamal calmly tinkles his does so sparingly. He utilizes chordal patterns as climactic treble notes into the hearts of the record·buying public. Jamal transitions or to frame his high·note doodling. Jamal fe:: ls is intense, too, but in an introspective, contemplative, non­ no obligation to be fle et. He is not compelled to "fill" apparent way. In front of a piano, he is physically restrained, throughout with notes. He appears to be interested in the yet is the customers' man, building a fixation for a right hand­ juxtaposition of delicately touched lines and space. full of treble notes into a formula that enchants thousands As a result, his upper keyboard mannerisms often assume ' of fans. the stru cture of the "com ping" (the backing of a soloist by These days, only a handful of jazz LPs m:lll age to make a pianist ) or oth er pianists. At times concerned with pre· any best seller list. Trumpeter Jonah J ones di scovered "The serving melodic worth, .Jamal often disturbs his own in tention Formula" after years of playing ex pertly. En.·oIl Garner, by toyin g with fragile devices or intrusive figures. He suc· the major pianist to whom .Jamal is often and unjustly com­ cumbs. also, to a r elentless repetition of a favorite device. pared, had "The Formula" inherent in his style, but awaited His pianistic touch is exemplary; he does not assa ult t:le instrument. His playing manifests wit, too, a lthou ~ h it 0:; ~ n e:nerges in rather obvious fa shjon, as in the insertion 0 ' t::e line of "But Not For Me" during This Can't Be Love or t ' ~ e frail allusion to Ferde Grofe during I Didn't Know fF'/.at Time It Was. Each performance in this portfolio manife3ts J amal's concern for appealing and steady rhythmic coa'ent. E:ich of them, too, illustrates his accent on simplicity. There are no dreadfully dissonant or even mildly experimental sounds here. Jamal has found a groove and he is mJving along within it. proper exploration. J amal has had his own trio for almost It is, unfortunately, a modest groove at best. Lim:ted by ten years (he began in Pittsburgh, but now lives in Chicago) , his self·imposed devotion to tinkling, Jamal tends to deny but only recently have his r ecords begun to sell in vast the capacity of his chosen instrument. A knowled -: e::tb1e. quantities. tecbnicall y astute pianist, Jamal rarely calls on his co'~m :1I1d Most of the jazz writers spouting some form of criticism of the instrument at its mo st impressive potential. In£tead. have accepted the talent and popularity of Jones and GarnF:r. he cho oses to toy with themes and figures, satisfied with · a However, a solid bloc of them has risen in opposition to sort of individual.without-progress. He has resolve:l a style · Jamal's keyboard approach. Their usual tacti cal maneuver and adheres to it, yet it is a style barren of positive action. groups .Jamal with a variety of facile, but repetitious, cocktail profound ideational strength, or an understanding of th e pianists-the breed of musician dedicated more to audience inherent differences among so ngs in his repertoire. He im· delight than to art. poses a stiffiy-conceived formula in his material, rather than Jamal, undaunted by this criticism, has moved along, sell­ allowing the nature of the material to assist in dir e ~ tin g his ing LPs for Argo at an incredible pace. A host of jazz fans attack. Therefore, there is a dulling sameness to the bulk have accepted him, on his own, almost rigid, terms. A grou p of his performances as represented in this package, as he of leading jazz musicians, well·respected by critics and fans allows hi s treble fi xation to subordinate his over·all p:a ni stic alike, have endorsed his efforts-among them trum peter Miles ability. Davis, who is currently beyond reproach on the critical front. Jamal's greatest potential may be a a composer. Se~e,.itlls Davis not only bas recorded .Jamal's composi tions, he has and Aki Ukthay are melodic ballads, extensions of Jamal's openly expressed infinite respect and admiration for the lightly romantic natlue. Although his execution of hi s own pianist's work. compositions adheres to his inAexible pattern, the composi· In the face of these con Ai cting forces, Jamal overtly has tions themselves indicate promising cr eative artistry, as Miles remained a stoic, working regularly, selling records, and Davis and other Jamal devotees have stated. concerning himelf more with his own Moslem philosophy Now that Jamal is a commercially successful jazz pianist, than with any material benefit s. Despite his emphasis on it remains for him to pursue the ends of art. If he is to exert personal values, however, .Jamal must be moved by his as· substantial inAuence on the co urse of jazz, he must fa ce and cending income. His fir st recordings, made for the neglected master the complexities of his· art. He is able to do so, if he subsidiary of a major label, were issued originally in unin­ is willing. But until he is so moved he will rem:lin the tentionally limited editions and only after Argo merchandised tinkling piano in th !=! nex t apa-rtment. him effectively were these original discs re·issued- to capital­ ize on Argo's effort. For Argo, Jamal has been a whirlwind. The backbone of a growing jazz catalog, the sale of his LPs for the Chicacro­ • Don Gold for most of his 28 years has been parti-:ularly based company has made larger record firm s eye Ar"go active in the jazz world. He received his Master's degree in enviously. Jamal's commercial success has been no one·man journalism from Northwestern University in 1953, and· since accomplishment. His trio is a trio. Bassist Crosby and has served, as reporter, associate editor, and managing editor, drummer Fournier work closely with Jamal, without intrud. Down Beat Magazine for more than two years. Currently, he lng as rampant soloists. They support Jamal without inter. is working as jazz promotion director for Playboy magazine. HIFI REVIEW humor / FRANK JACOBS

NINETEEN fifty-nine seems des tined to go down as the year when the record industry discovered televi sion, or vice-versa . .Just take a look at some of the new jazz releases, TV and YOll will see what we mean. Scarcely a month passes without a dozen new albums or TV "theme music" hitting the record store and supermarket racks. It all started, of co urse, with Peter Gunn. If there were AND All any doubts as to the video interests of hi-fi fans, the inde­ fatigable Mr. Gunn dispelled them all. The descriptive themes from this weekly detective show have been inter­ preted by nearly a score of groups performing on practically THAT every major label. So brisk have been the sales of these al­ bums that the "theme music" approach has now spread to just about every sleuth show on the networks. The TV jazz fan can now hear music from M Squad, Perry Mason, 77 Sunset Strip, Highway Patrol, Mike Hammer, Richard Dia­ mond, and heaven knows how many others. Of course, in planning these records, it was found that sev­ JAIl eral of the shows featured very little theme and consequently very little music. This, however, proved to be no barrier, a com- JULY 1959 39 poser being caned in to turn out themes especially for the sist Frisky Smith, the music describes two wrestlers tryi~g to recording session. strangle each other on the ropes. From all indication~. there is a trend in the making. Ob­ viously, jazz and detective shows go together like corn, beef, "What's My Line Jazz" and cabbage. It just seems a waste of raw material that the What's My Line Jazz relates musically all of the spine­ record-makers have limited themselves to whodunnits. Why tingling intrigue for which this panel show is famous. As stop there when there are dozens of other well-known TV played by Ferret Minch and His Blindfolded Five, the record shows to choose from? And as we noted earlier, if the show doesn't happen to have any music, some appropriate melodies is a "must" for TV jazz buffs. A la Peter And The Wolf, each regular panelist is identi­ can always be composed. To illustrate the point, let's see how the record industry fied by a particular instrument-Dorothy Kilgallen by trum­ might treat some of the other popular TV programs. The pet. Arlene Francis by clarinet, Bennett Cerf by guitar, and following are reviews of some TV jazz records which may moderator John Daly by vibes. The disc opens with short very well be available in the near future: instrumentals as the players begin to gather for the session. This is immediately followed by an interesting counterpoint medley between the trumpet and vibes called In the Context "This Is Your Life Jazz" of the Question-No! This leads to a rather raucous jam The heart-warming scenes from This Is Your Life serve session which finally winds up with a vibe solo bearing the as the basis for this album, which features Weep Minch and strains of No Conference Was Called For. Later on, with the His Emotionally Moved Five. The first sounds heard are addition of the double bass Mystery Guest, a clever jazz fugue those of a solo clarinet, wailing the poignant Ralph Edwards is" developed. The fugue, unfortunately, is never completed, Waltz. From there, the combo belts out three tender choruses due to time running out. of Why, It's Really Uncle Jim, followed by successive inter­ pretations of Reunion With Old Family Doctor, Reunion "Meet The Press Jazz" With Old High School Teacher, and Reunion With Old Wife. The dynamic throb of the nation's pulse is captured vivid­ The group undoubtedly does its best work rendering the scin­ ly here by Scoop Minch and His Inquisitive Five. The album tillating Ralph, You Dropped The Script! although some leads off with a cool treatment of the fIT ashington Post March, purists may prefer the straightforward strains of I Don't followed by a Minch original, I Didn't Hear The Question, Remember You At All, Honest! In all, it's an album of heart­ Mr. Spivak. Particular mention should be made of Side 1, felt jazz blown with plenty of real feeling. Band 5, where the brass belts out the Senator Kennedy Side­ step while the piano improvises on the familiar May Craig "TV Newscast Jazz" Riff motif in the background. In this album, the history-making events seen each day on TV newscasts provide the impetus for 24 specially composed "Weather Report Jazz" pieces. Played here by Flash Minch and His Five Correspond­ This record by Sky Minch and His Low-Pressure Five ents, the selections cover nearly all of the world's major provides a treat for weather-wise jazz lovers. The selections troublespots. range from the strident Hurricane Hazel Heads Toward After two brief choruses of Teletype Prelude, the boys kick Miami to the cooler tempos of Cold Air Mass Moving In off with a jump arrangement of the familiar Gromyko Veto. From Canada. Especially worthy of note are the first three Two solo numbers follow. In the first, we hear a tenor sax bands of Side 2, where we hear trombonist Kat Kincaid car­ improvisation of On The Road To West Berlin. In the sec­ ry the melody in three swin!!=ing selections-Hottest August ond, combo leader Flash Minch dusts off his trumpet for an 6th Since 1904 in Phoenix, Hail Storm Barely Misses Boston, upbeat version of Fallout Over Yucca Flat. Side 1 concludes and the popular Barometer Dip. In the record's final num­ with an inspired collective effort, The Summit Fling. ber, all the boys really let loose in a wide-open version of It is perhaps on the flip side where the group really comes Let's Look At the Weather Map. Carol Reid then takes over into its own. Here we can absorb such favorites as Hello, with a breathless solo of her famous Charleston number Huntley, Goodby Brinkley, The Bob Trout Rock, and The Have a Happy. Sound Has Ended But Douglas Edwards Lingers On. These, of course, are just a sampling of the releases that you can expect in the near future. As you can see, there are "TV Wrestling Jazz" many programs just waiting to be honored by a jazz album. And should the shows themselves be exhausted, the record­ Inspired by the nightly wrestling matches on TV, this al­ makers can always turn to other TV standbys, such as com­ bum will be as eagerly received by the sports fan as it will mercials, station breaks. and test patterns. Or have you got­ by the jazz aficionado. Featuring Gouger Minch and His Five ten the picture already? Matmen, the album is divided into three parts-two prelim­ inary selections and a lengthier main event theme. The first band, which boasts the stickwork of the sensational 12-year­ • -Frank Jacobs is a free.lance writer who, for some three old West Coast drummer, Freddie Fleen, is a quick-rhythm years, has contributed articles, interviews, and a various number called The Abdominal Stomp. Following this comes amount of non-classifiable material to such magazines as Mad the blues-like Ordeal By Armlock in which Buster Fosdick's and HIFI REVIEW. He has also edited a pictorial encyclopedia. stratospheric alto sax simulates the agonized shrieks of a He says he lives in New York City with his typewriter, a late fouled wrestler. '48 Smith-Corona, and a black.and-white, housebroken mort­ The group hits its peak playing the main event theme. gage. An ardent hobbyist, he claims fame in several states Allegro For Two. In an inspired arrangement featuring bas- for his impressive collection of past-due bills. 40 HIFI REVIEW For those whose taste demands quality in all things, Stereo by Sherwood offers the ultimate. In­ ciuded are two models: Model S-5000, a 20 + 20 watt dual amplifier -preampl ifier for stereo "in a single package;" fair trade $189.50. Model S-4400, a stereo preamplifier with controls, coupled 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-3OOO n. FM Tunor-$105.50 make a dual 36-watt comb ination). The experienced Audiophile knows from experience that Sherwood l~~~~*vr L~ , A(U. I --W • components are not only the ulti­ Mod el S- 44OO. Stereo Preamp. + 36W Amp.-$159.50 mate in sound reproduction but the ultimate as well in flexibility , of controls . . Discover for yourself why Sherwood products are be­ stowed outstanding honors by most recognized testing organizati~ns . Sherwood Electronic Laboratories, Inc., 4300 N. Californ ia Ave., Chicago 18, III.

FOR COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS W RITE a'PT_ V·7 JULY 1959 41 1 "A marvel of. soUild ••• ~e best stereo rye yet heard." (Gershwin: fiatlJlConceti.~in F;J:§J,''bley, Puino; fJtah Sym., Abraoonel, Cond.-WST 14(38) H.:F.~VIEW

2 ."From Z.e stand~~int of spnics, Westminster (steleO) wins hiUtds down." (Berlioz: Symphonic Fantastique; Vienna State Opera Orch.; Leibowitz, C01!d;-WST 14046) . ' , meH FIDELITY MAGAZINE ;l

3 "rm spellbound by the most magj.cal ~xamples of stereo :rve encountered to date." (l'chaikwsky: Sym.: phony:No.4; Phil. Sym. Orch. of London; Rodzinski, Cooo. .. ;.WST 14()06) , AUDIOCRAFT MAGAZINE

4 " ... marvelous stereo ~01lDd." (Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe 6Complef~ BaUet2t.Alborada: del Gracioso; Le Tombeau de ~ouperin; tf ChOrus of Rad~diffusion Frangaise; Oroh. TMdtre National de (Opera de Paris; Rose.nthal. Cond.~WST 204)NJriv \ :-ORK TIMES

5 "Magnificent stereo ditecnonality, terrific stereo dep~." (Saint-Soens: Organ Symphony; Schr.einer; Organi Utah Sy!fjl.; Abrawnel, Oond.~WST 1,4(04) ILF.REVIEW 6 "In respect to stereo 6«ect, Westminster's pair of Jfalla ~orks iS ~lwerb" hJ~hly musiel;ll witJi a loyely and unambiguous separation of tile sound choirs across the imaginary stage,'! (Falla: El ArnOT Bruio; Nights in the {;ardens gf'Spain; Orch. ,Theatre National de l'OpertF de Par~ R9$en~1fal" COTJll.-WST 14021) Edward Tamall Canby, HARPER'$ 7 "Scherchen's 'Military' was one of the original high fidelity: showpieces,. It loo'ks as if his new; stereo ver- , sion is going torepeat ~e story. I don~t know a better disk fot" testing equipment, partic1;ilarly in such jmpor­ tant matters a'S channel separation at' high fre­ quencies." (Haydn: Military and Farew.ell Sym­ phoniesi Vienna State Onera Orch.; Scherchen, Cood. -WST 14044)' , cmCAGO SUN-TIMES COMPI;,LLING REA,SONS .FOR ,' BUYING WES?MINSTER ', S:fEREO

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42 HIFI REvmw . (

,STER; ·EO." • .,. ,, ". ~ ,HrF"'. -. • <.-..J. ';,. .CONCERT> . ;:

Reviewed by BEST OF THE MONTH MARTIN BOOKSPAN WARREN DeMOTTE • London's super-spectacular Wagnerian disc premier of Cas Rheingold­ GEORGE JELLINEK with Flagstad, Svanholm, George London, 18 tuned anvils and a thunder­ DAVID RANDOLPH sheet-eclipses all other stereo releases this month. It must be heard to JOHN THORNTON be believed. (see pp. 30-31)

• RCA's $2.98 Camden label on a much more modest level has come up • • BACH: Italian Concerto; French Suite with a "best buy"-Grieg's Peer,Gynt suites, recorded in Norway by the No.5 in G; Toccata in D; Contrapunctus XV from The Art of Fugue; Fantasia in C Minor. Oslo Philharmonic.-"A fine technical job . .. glowing performance ... Sylvia Marlowe (harpsichord). Decca DL a splendid sounding ensemble." (see p . 49) 7100-12 $5.98; Mono-DL 10012 $3.98

Musical Interest: High • Another fine RCA stereo release in the coupling of Mysterious Mountain Performance: Elegant, with a minor reservation of Hovhaness with Stravinsky's Fairy's Kiss Divertimento, courtesy Fritz Rec ording : Fine Stereo Directionality: See below Reiner and the Chicago Symphony.-"Hovhaness has written a modern Stereo Depth: See below masterpiece .. .. Reiner leads ... a tremendous reading." (see p . 49) As in the case of the earlier release of ' harpsichord music by various composers, this di sc, with its concentration on the Now for the details, with the "credit" In other words, these vital choruses, music of one composer, represents a valu· side of the ledger dealt with first. The which are, after all, the very core of the a bl e contribution by an admirable artist. chorus, while it seems to be composed of work, jnst fail to be convincing. Moreover, The "minor reservation ~' referred to above amateurs, is indeed well trained. The sing. in many portions the chorus is too distant concerns the fast tempo of the slow move· ing is nicely modulated; there is no shout· relative to the orchestra. This is especially ment of the Italian Concerto, with its result. ing, even in the climactic moments. In my true in the case of the "Gloria" and the ing superficiality of feeling. A comparison detailed running notes on the performance "Qui tollis." In the latter, the bea utifnl with James Friskin's recording of the same I have listed the second Kyrie Eleison, the opening alto phrase is covered up by the work strengthens my opinion. Otherwise, Gratias Agimus, and the Credo in unum relatively unimportant "deedle·deedle" of though, these are excellent performances. Deum as "good." The Osanna is sung with the violas, and the two flutes are so unduly The recording, too, is excellent. The good spirit, and the Pleni sunt coeli has prominent that they all but cover up the s lereo version adds no "directionality" as excellent articulation, with admirable pres· entire chorus. These same fa ults are pres· such (why should it, in the case of a single ervation of clarity, despite the complexity ent in the monophonic version. instrument?), but it does enhance the sense of the part·writing. To sum up: the solo portions of this of realism. D. R. The soloists are all excellent. Moreover, album can be recommended very highly, the conductor's conception of the tempo of on the grounds of the conductor's co ncep· all of the solos and duets seems to me to tion, the soloists' skill, and the realism of • BACH: Mass in B Minor. Friederike be just right. These factors co mbined with the recording. The choral portions, on the Sailer (soprano ), Margarete Bence (contral .. the excellent directionality of the stereo reo other hand, are disappointing for too much to), Fritz Wunderlich (tenor), Er ich Wenk of the time, not only because of the faulty (bass) , Swabian Chorale & Orchestra of the cording, combine to make the solo portions 35th German Bach·Festival, Hans Grischkat the outstanding aspects of this album. balance, but mainly becanse of the super· cond. Vox STPL 511.283 3 12" $17.85 In view of these positive factors, where fi ciality of interpretation. D. R. is the lack? Again, here are my running M usica I Int erest: Himalayan notes. Qui tollis, just a shade too fas t to be BALAKIREV: Islamey (see RACHMANIN­ Performance: Too often disappointing emotionally moving; Cum Sancto Spiritu­ Recording: Good and bad OFF) Stereo Directionality: Excellent lacks real " bite"; Et incarnatus est- too Stereo Depth: Fine fast and superficial in feeling; Crucifixus -too fast, does not create the requisi te • BALAKIREV: Symphony No. I in C Ma­ In view of the magnitude of such an un· mood; Et resurrexit- too slow, not enough jor. Roya l Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham cond. Angel 35399 $5.98 dertaking, it seems a pity not to be a ble to elation in the chorus; closing trumpet part report on the resuhs with more enthusiasm. so unds lethargic; Confiteor- the "magic" is Mu si cal Interest: Russian curio Yet, I must reluctantly state that, in spite missing from the hushed section just before Pe'rformance: Masterful of some very excellent qualities in both the the words "Et expecto," whiCh lack pro· Recordi ng: Exce llent performance and the recording, this is a pulsion; Dona nobis-too fast, superficial. ' Stereo Directionality: Some large'y unsatisfyin g version of one of the Stereo De pth: Much great monuments of musical art. Perhaps it would be only fair for me to This tuneful symphony is a colorfnl ve· s tale that, as one who has conducted this All records reviewed in this column as hicle which Beecham rides with aplomb. work, I cannot help but approach it with stereo must be played on stereophonic The mono version (Angel 35399) was ac­ certain ideas about the way in which it equipment. They CAN NOT be corded the welcome usually extended the should be performed. Yet, I am not so set played on old style monophonic (sin. Baronet's sallies into the music of Muscovy in my ways that I cannot accept another gle speaker) equipment without per~ and it se~ms to have staved off any com· approach-provided that it is a convincing manently damaging the record. Play petitive designs. The orchestral color's of the score are well served by stereo, wi th the one. Unfortunately, for too great a propor· at 33 113 rpm with the RIAA setting. lion of th is version, try as I might, Ire· depth of the sound benefiting more than main unconvinced. instrnmental directionality. W. D. JULY 1959 43 • BART6K: Hungarian Sketches and Rou­ can be answered only by the potential buy­ grettably; however, his vital and indeed his­ manian Dances. KODALY: Hary Janos­ er~ String quartets are not as demanding torical performance is marred by erratic en­ Suite. Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, as symphony orchestras in matters of di­ gineering and distorted balances. The sonic Antal Dorati condo Mercury SR90132 $5.98 rectionality, spatiality and depth, and the improvement offered by the new recording, therefore, is a particularly important factor it benefits of stereo are open to argument. Musical Interest: Bart6k has to consider in this instance. And, while Performance: Great This is an outstanding and courageous Recording: Great release. In performance, it is the peer of Goehr may not scale Toscaninian heights, Stereo Directionality: Superb any of its competitors. In recording, it his reading by no means slights the gran· Stereo Depth: Just right offers stereo as a piquant extra. W. D. deur and passion of the Mass. The general level of singing is satisfac­ There is no doubt that Dorati has a deep tory and the soloists occasionally rise even and abiding love for the music of Bela Bar­ • BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D, higher (Uta Graf sings very well in the tok. He conducts with a deft and sensitive Op. 61. Jascha Heifetz, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch condo Sanctus) considering the frequently anti· touch, as well as with humor, the beaut~ful vocal character of the music they must.cope Hungarian Sketches and RoumanIan RCA Victor LSC 1992 $5.98 with. Soloists and chorus are well balanced, Folk Dances, transcribed by Bartok in 1931 Musical Interest: Sovereign but their balance with the orchestra is in­ for orchestra from early piano pieces. The Performance: A "gee-whiz" technical ac- clined to be variable. composer spent some of his happiest times complishment but lacking in warmth The recording reveals a broad expanse of visiting the peasants and hill people of his Recording: OK tonal canvas, but the sound has a strident, native land and surrounding countries with Stereo Directionality: OK harsh quality, particularly in the climaxes. Kodlily, gathering research material for his Stereo Depth: Could be better Reduction in the treble helps somewhat, but extensive folk song literature. Experiences Nearly four years have passed since this not always. Directionality favors the left gained in this adventure exerted an enor­ recording was made. Ever since its mono­ channel and the separation, though notice­ mous influence on his writing, especially phonic release it has been widely hailed as able, is sometimes elusive. Pre·echo occa­ as represented by the pieces on this disc­ a memorable account of the score. It was sionally makes its unwelcome presence felt little masterpieces all. also one of the first RCA Victor stereo tape and the surfaces are less than perfect. G. J- When the monophonic issue was released releases. And now, to round out the pic­ some time ago it was considered a top Mer­ ture, here it is in stereo disc form, in sound cury effort. The stereo counterpart is al­ that is a good deal fuller than its mono­ • OUVERTURES FRAN~AISES - BER­ most every bit as good from the quality phonic counterpart if yet without the over­ LIOZ: Roman Carnaval; Corsair; LALO: Le viewpoint. There is some pinching effect all gloss of the stereo tape. Roi d'Ys; BIZET: Patrie. Detroit Symphony and breakup in the rousing reading of I must confess to being less than en­ Orchestra, Paul Paray condo Mercury SR Hary Janos, but not so much so as to spoil chanted with this performance, contrary to 90191 $5.95 everything. There is excellent balance the generally high regard in which it is Musical Interest: Racy French music everywhere, supported by a magnificent held. I find the team of Heifetz and Munch Performance: Good but slow-paced bass. A good combination of music, this­ coldly, almost brutally efficient and showing Recording: Quite adequate splendidly conducted, well recorded, and a little if any affection for the great work. Stereo Directionality: Good must for the Bartok fan. J. T. I want this music to take wing and soar, I Stereo Depth: Marred by dry sonics want to be impressed not with the brilliant The monophonic version of this quartet mechanics of the performance but with the of French overtures is technically good, • BART6K: The Six String Quartets. The divine sense of spiritual power in the music. musically boring by virtue of Paray's slow, Fine Arts Quartet. Concert-Disc CS-207, In short I find here a deficiency in the very CS-208, CS-209 3 12" $6.95 each slow readings. The stereo spells it out in elements which to me are the core of this fuller spatiality, and it seems even slower. Musical Interest: Modern masterpieces work in particular, and Beethoven's music The late, great Furtwiingler used to pull off Performance: Excellent in general: lyrical nobility and grandeur. a remarkahle trick with tempo by establish­ Recording: Very good No amount of polish and refinement can ing a lethargic pace, hut then he would Stereo Directionality: Rather pronounced take the place of these essential qualities. imperceptibly quicken the pace and carry Stereo Depth: Good M.B. the orchestra to overpowering heights. Bartok's String Quartets are probably the Paray never does get out of the rut and most distinguished of this century. The first • BEETHOVEN: Missa Solemn is in D even in the Ii tumult of Camaval Romain was completed in 1907, the second in 1917, Major, Op. 123. Uta Graf (soprano). Grace and Corsair there is something lacking, a the third in 1927, the fourth in 1928, the Hoffman (alto), Helmut Kretschmar (tenor), dullness, a feeling that the orchestra is not fifth in 1934, and the sixth in 1939. They Albert Wenk (bass). North German Phil­ reacting spontaneously to an inspired con­ span most of his European composing ca­ harmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Walter ductor, but just going through some boring reer; Bartok came to this country soon Goehr condo Urania USD 1025-2 2 12" music for the umpteenth time. $11.90 thereafter, remaining here to his death in Le Roi d'Ys would lull almost anyone to 1945. The tragedy of his last years is not Musical Interest: Imposing sleep after Paray gets past the most beauti· pleasant to remember; the fame that is now Performance: Noteworthy ful section (where the songful cello solo is his should have come during his lifetime. Recording: Occasionally harsh skillfully played) and dawdles along to a The quartets abound in technical and in­ Stereo Directionality: Leans to left not very exciting finale. Sonic presence is terpretive difficulties. They are bold, bizarre Stereo Depth: Good spectacular throughout, and Bizet's almost and rugged. Their modernism is unforced, This unique and extremely demanding forgotten Overture to Patrie receives the but it present&-as with Beethoven a cen­ masterpiece has long been recognized as best treatment of all as Paray here leads tury ago-prickly problems for the execu­ something of a Mount Everest in the record­ the Detroiters at a brisker tempo. J. T. tants. The Fine Arts ensemble boasts a ing field. Goehr and Urania have mounted splendid technique that permits emphasis a valiant expedition-but this particular on matters of interpretation. Their readings musical peak has yet to meet its Hillary. • BIZET: Carmen Suite. The Philadelphia have the flow and the give-and·take of cham­ Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy condo Columbia To be sure, stereo illuminates more of MS 6051 $5.98; Mono-ML 5356 $4.98 ber music at its best. The stereo recording the score's complexities than does any pre­ has a clarity and spaciousness that permits vious version. If the inevitable comparison Musical Interest: Mixed each instrument its individuality of tone must be made with the 1953 Toscanini re­ Performance: Super-polished and color without walling it off from its cording (RCA Victor LM 6018), one misses Recording: Rich fellows. here the superb discipline of the Maestro's Stereo Directionality: Plenty Whether this added transparency is worth orchestra, the tremendous excitement of his Stereo Depth: Enough the substantially higher cost of these stereo Credo and the drama of his Agnus Dei. The This Suite contains ten numbers from discs over the competitive mono recordings forward surge generated by Toscanini's the opera in a sequence that has no justi­ of the luilliard Quartet for Columbia, the tempi carries the persuasive power to make fication except that the sounds are pleasing. Vegh Quartet for Angel, and the Parrenin listeners accept his reading as the one and That also is the prime justification for this Quartet for Westminster is a question that only way to communicate this music. Re- recording. The sounds made by The Phila- 44 OIFI REVIEW delphia Orchestra are pleasing indeed. jor. Symphony Orchestra of the Southwest No.2. The New York Woodwind Quintet. Whether they are the sounds most appropri· German Radio, Baden-Baden, Hans Ros­ Concert-Disc CS-205 $6.95 ate to the primarily vocal ones of Carmen baud condo Vox STPL 510.752 2 12" $9.96 seems scarcely the issue; it is hard to Musical Interest: Moderate Musical Interest: Growing Performance: Excellent imagine a Carmen fan who will find strings Recording: Excellent and winds as seductive as his favorite Performance: lightweight Recording: Clear Stereo Directionality: Sufficient heroine. Stereo Directionality: Reasonable Stereo Depth: Sufficient There is plenty of energy in these per· Stereo Depth: Reasonable formances and an infinite amount of polish The two compositions on this disc present delightful contrast. The poised classicism -but little passion. Columbia has provided Here's a situation. The mono version of of Franz Danzi, a contemporary of Mozart. a nice big acoustic for the music and the this performance takes only two sides of one and Beethoven, differs distinctly from the stereo version gives due and proper per· disc-at the mono price. In stereo, each sophisticated modernism of Paul Hindemith. spective to the proceedings. W. D. movement takes a full side, so the symphony Both composers are well aware of the extends over two records--at stereo prices. coloristic effects of the flute-oboe-c1arinet­ BIZET: Patrie Overture (see BERLIOZ) Inasmuch as side 3 is less than 11 minutes bassoon-horn combination. However, Hin­ long and side 4 is only 11% minutes, three demith is much the bolder spirit and there BLISS: Things to Come; Welcome to the sides should have been sufficient. Queen (see ELGAR) is more variety in his writing. The performance is fair, although more The performances have polish and vitali­ tonal weight would not be amiss in the big • BORODIN: Polovetsian Dances from ty. The players are excellent instrumental­ Prince Igor; RIMSKY·KORSAKOY: Le Coq moments. Rosbaud uses the untampered ists and sensitive musicians. The tonal • O'Or-Suite. London Symphony Orchestra text. The recording is clear, with good colors blend well in realistic recording, and and Chorus, Antal Dorati condo Mercury defini tion and separation, but there are one each performer is located exactly by virtue SR 90122 $5.95 or two spots that could have been edited of the effective stereo. W. D. better on the master tape. W. D. Musical Interest: Colorful coupling • DEBUSSY: Images for Orchestra-Gi­ Performance: Fine Rimsky gues, Iberia, Rondes de Printemps. Boston Recording: Good to excellent • CARPENTER: Adventures in a Peram­ bulator. PHILLIPS: Selections from Mc­ Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch condo Stereo Directionality: Well divided RCA Victor LSC 2282 $5.98; Mono-LM Stereo Depth: Acoilstically super Guffey's Readers. Eastman-Rochester Sym­ phony Orchestra, Howard Hanson condo 2282 $4.98 Mercury's stereo re-issue of this familiar Mercury SR 90136 $5.95 Musical Interest: Debussy masterpieces fare gains fairly little in the way of spatial Performance: Top rank illusion. Dorati conducts the London Sym­ Musical Interest: Real charmers! Recording: Too thin Performance: Magnificent phony instead of his own Minneapolis or· Stereo Directionality: Well divided Recording: Same Stereo Depth: Too much at times chestra, and he fails to get from the Eng­ Stereo Directionality: Perfect lish ensemble the same dynamic excitement Stereo Depth: Also But for the fact that Munch and Co. he exacts from the American group. In­ compete with one of the greatest stereo secure singing, especially in the male choirs Mercury has given us a stereo re-issue of LP's ever issued, the new RCA Victor ver­ mars the Borodin effort, and Coq D'Or is rather old-fashioned scores, but they are sion of the complete Images could go to definitely the hetter of the two sides. Some brimming with charm, magnificently re­ the head of the class. The writer has many "frying" shows up in transient peak pass­ corded and conducted, and make for one of times referred to London C56013 as a ages, but it can be attenuated easily enough. the most attractive stereo discs in the Mer­ stupendous example of what can be accom­ The monophonic release played through a cury catalog. John Alden Carpenter's music plished on stereo discs, in print, during lec­ stereo system and rendered as a "mono­ describes an infant's daily adventure in a tures, and on broadcasts. The late Ataulfo diffused" record sounded even better than Chicago park, with a Nurse who is for­ Argenta and the Suisse Romande Orchestra the stereo, despite its clear lack of direc­ midable, a Policeman who "walks like turned out with their recording a medal­ tional spread. J. T. doom," a hurdy-gurdy, a Lake, Dogs, and winning edition-one of the best of a long of course, Dreams. A little masterpiece, a catalog of good London releases. • BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B­ gem of orchestration, loaded with percus­ If London had issued the RCA Victor flat, Op. 83. Emil Gilels with the Chicago sive 'effects,' and abundant with unashamed issue, it would likely have made a world Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner condo melody. of difference in the final result of tape to RCA Victor LSC 2219 $5.98 A too heavy reading would have reduced disc. The disc processing would appear to this little charmer to a sop, but Hanson be the RCA weak link. Compare the two • BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B­ treats the music with obvious sympathy and recordings yourself if you can, and note the flat, Op. 83. Louis Kentner with the Phil­ understanding. When the record was issued harmonia Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult condo difference in the solidness of tone. Lon­ Capitol-EM I SG 7133 $5.98 monophonically a long time ago (two don's is alive, crisp, articulate, a stunning years?) it did not seem to be quite as good record interpretively and technically, while Musical Interest: Monumental as the older Concert Hall disc with Swo­ RCA Victor commits to its stereo grooves Performances: Gilels-Olympian; Kent- boda, but this new stereo release improves an interesting and powerful reading marred ner-Fussy and weak everything. by thin sonics--a bright glossy result with­ Recordings: Gilels' is closer and fuller The McGuffey Readers were printed for out enough compensating reverberatory Stereo Directionality: Fine schools by the hundreds of thousands before warmth. The mono version is also trou­ Stereo Depth: Both good, with a slight the turn of the century, and the episodes bled by shallow, overbright sound. Boston edge to Kentner's recorded are three well known stories taken boasts some of the best first chair players in The stereo re-issues of these two perform­ from these old volumes, The One Horse the world, and they do play superlatively. ances only serve to heighten the impression Shay, John Alden and Priscilla, and The But the Suisse Romande first desk men play created by the monophonic editions of a Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. A painting flawlessly too. The choice is London. J. T. of the latter by Grant Wood provided the few months ago. The Gilels-Reiner reading • DEBUSSY: La Mer; Three Nocturnes­ is one of the most imposing I've ever heard, original stimulus for composer Burrill Phillips. Best of the trio is the Alden­ Nuages, Fetes, Sirenes. Amsterdam Con­ while Kentner's is curiously timid and certgebouw Orchestra with Women's Chorus, fussy. Priscilla 'love song.' Although the record­ Eduard Van Beinum condo Epic BC 1020 Both stereos represent an improvement_ ing is nearly three years old, it can be con­ $5.98 over their monophonic counterparts, the sidered one of the top-flight Mercury stereos. Engineering is almost perfect, Musical Interest: Masterpieces all Capitol.EMI recording being slightly more Performance: Nocturnes glorious successful than the RCA Victor in the de­ spatial depth is warm and full without loss of articulated lines, and the mueic comes Recording: Exceptional partment of directionality; the RCA, con­ Stereo Directionality: Good versely, has a fuller, more resonant quality. off delightfully. J. T. Stereo Depth: A trifle too much M.B. • DANZI: Wind Quintet, Op. 67, No.2; Epic released the monophonic counter­ • BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 7 in E Ma­ HINDEMITH: Kleine Kammermusik, Ope 24, part of this coupling quite some time ago. JULY 1959 45 WAGNER'S BAS RBEINGOLD

LONDON - first again wit.b the eOlllplete reeor(lillg of an olleratie 1I1asterllieee

in session

CLAIRE WATSON as Freia

the thunder and AGNER would have enjoyed stereophonic lightning department! W sound hugely. The spectacle of the Flying Dutchman looming up out of the storm with hi s phantom band on every side of the audience with frightening efficacy would have satisfied his ex­ uberant sense of drama to the /lth degree. From a stage-production point of view the inconvenient transformation in Siegfried of Complete Recording for the First Time Fafner the Giant into Fafner the Dragon (plus Available for the first time in the complete KURT BOHME as Fafner attendant off-stage megaphone) could be ac­ recording and using the same techniques as were complished without this somehow incongruous used in the presentation of the historic Walkiire, a id-and with fearful awesomeness. The spec­ London engineers have aimed at a production as tacle of a terrified Mime cowering under an nea r as poss ible to the real thing. In some cases­ omnipresent Alberich, whose voice pursues him as far as Wagner's occasionally near-impossible from every vantage point of the stage with in­ stage directions were concerned-even nearer, escapable relentlessness in Das Rheingold would with meticulous thoroughness. have whipped up Wagner's dramatic appetite to The transcendent power of the music is elec­ undreamed-of lengths. trifying. In the stereophonic recording the sound "One of the great recordings of the century," swells and pulsates-burns under the strange said the critic in The Gramophone after hearing magnetic' symbolism of this dynamic herald to our presentation. The impact of Das Rheingold, the fiery legend of The Ring. released this month stereophonicall y on OS A- The theatrical requirements were studied by 1309 will be one which, with its dramatic ver­ the cast as millldely as the music'al score. The JEAN MADEIRA as Erda acity, wiH not only knock the listener sideways, sound is as directional as the composer originally but would also have knocked Wagner breathless conceived it and the stage effects noted with a nd left him clamouring for a stereogram. painstaking exactitude. 46 Advertisement HIFI REVIEW ••• in .magnificent Stereo*

"

KIRSTEN FLAGSTAD as Fricka GUSTAV NEIDLINGER as Alberich SET SVANHOLM as Loge WALTER KREPPEL as Fasolt

The horns and Wagner tubas - A 'brigade' of harps! Eighteen anvils

The Three Rhine Maidens: Great Artists ,ODA BALSBORG, HETTY PlUMACHER, -About some of the artists ... George London-the bril­ IRA MALANIUK as Woglinde, liant Canadian bass-baritone who made such a sensation Wellgunde and Flosshilde. in the title-role of The Flyillg Dutchlllall at Bayreuth in 1956 was specially chosen for the part of Wotan. 'I'llat gr~at Wagnerian-Kirsten Flagstad-Iearnt the part of Fricka for the tirst tfme particularlY for this record mg. Gustav Neid. linger, giving a performance of diabolical nre as Alberich, Kmg ot the Nioelungs-a performance arduous in the ex­ treme-was persuaded into the role for the last time and reaches matchless peaks in its execution. Tenor Set Svan- ' holm-distinguished to Londoners for his performances in the Rillg at Covent Garden-plays Loge, colleague' of the gods Donner (Eberhard Wachter) and Froh {Waldemar Kmentt) and brother to Freia (Claire Watson).

A Recording Feat With the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Georg Solti, a cast and orchestra of this ca'1ibre would be a rare and wonderful thing indeed on the stage today. For such a work and for such a tremendous feat of re­ *DAS RIIEINGOLD cording-engineering only the fi nest artistic material could is also available in a brand new ' possibly be used. . ffrr monophonic recording.' The result is something that will establish anotner land- EBERHARD WACHTER as Donner mark in the history of recorded sound. Write for free complete catalog LONDON RECORDS INC., Dept. LG, 539 west 25th Street, New York 1, N. Y. Much to my delight and surprise, the Noc· to lead the London Symphony Orchestra in March No.4 in G, includes on the remain­ turnes in particular, fare even better than a performance of extreme grace, marvelous ing grooves Bliss' dull account of an equally on the very fine mono release. The Concert· discipline, and ravishing woodwind playing. dull film score dating back to the early 30's, gebouw brasses are tremendous; and the Some of the Mercury stereos have had a which he did for a equally drab film treat­ last section, Sirenes, generally considered tendency to harshness in the first strings ment of H. G. Wells Things to Come. Wel· the weakest of the Nocturnes, is sung with which was hard to attenuate, but this issue come to the Queen was written in 1954 on matchless artistry by the chorus. In the is one of the best yet released, completely the Queen's return from the Commonwealth American recordings of this work, the free from any shrillness in strings. Tour. It is satisfactorily diguified, militant, choruses always manage to sound as though The orchestra was seated in normal and loud-a hack.piece. The Pomp and they needed more rehearsing. Here the classical pattern for the sessions at Watford Circumstance Marches are what make this chorus maintains with unerring control a Town Hall last summer, and the resulting disc well worth the price, mono or stereo. constantly changing dynamic line, with spatial spread has been beautifully bal· J. T. some magnificently sustained pianissimos. anced, with no "hole in the middle." A I cannot recall when Sirenes has sounded melting sound is constantly maintained by FAUlt: Fantasie (see O'INOY) so beautifully. It's enough to make a man Fistoulari, but it is also clear, shining, and want to go to sea. resonant. And, thank heavens, it is not con· FRANCK: Symphonic Variations (see RACH­ La Mer does not receive quite the same ducted at a ridiculously fast pace. If you MANINOFF) perfect stereo treatment, but Van Beinum, have collected Mercury's distinguished whose career was ended by sudden heart series of complete ballet albums, don't miss FRESCOBALDI: Madrigals (see GESU­ ALDO) failure in April, reads the score differently adding this one, it is a topnotch effort all than Toscanini or Munch. He seems less the way. J. T. concerned with precise articulation, and his • GESUALDO: Canzonettas, Madrigals, Gailliards, Sacrae Cantiones, Psalms. Vocal dynamic changes are not brought about • DUKAS: The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Quintet and String Quartet, Robert Craft with such lightning suddenness. His is a SAINT·SAI!NS: Omphale's Spinning Wheel, condo Columbia MS 6084 $5.98; Mono-ML more romantic way, and the sound he gets Op. 31; RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite. 5341 $4.98 provides a broader perspective. Since he Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch conducts one of the best orchestras in the condo RCA Victor LSC 2292 $5.98; Mono -LM 2292 $4.98 • GESUALDO: Seven Madrigals: Luci world, the result is very satisfying even if serene e chiare; Ecco moriro dunque!; Ahi, articulation does take a secondary place. Musical Interest: Yes indeed! gill mi discoloro; Invan dunque, 0 crudele; All things considered, this remains a won· Performance: Excel/ent /tene 0 miei sospiro; Mentre madonna il derful album. J. T. Recording: Good lasso franco posa; Ahi! troppo saggia ne Stereo Directionality: So-so I'errar; FRESCOBALDI: Six Madrigals: For· • DEBUSSY: Printemps-Symphonic Suite; Stereo Depth: Too distant tunata per me, felice aurora; Ahi bella si, Oanse (orch. Ravel); TURINA: Danzas Fan. ma cruda mia nemica; Se la dogfia e 'I tasticas; La Procession Del Rocio. Royal If you want a truly topnotch performance martire; Oa qual sfera del ciel; Perche spess' Philharmonic Orchestra, Robert Irving condo of Ravel's Mother Goose in stereo your buy a veder la vostra luce; Amor ti chiam' if mondo. The Randolph Singers, David Ran­ Capitol-EMI SG 7130 $5.98 is still London with Ansermet (CS6023) dolph condo Mono-Westminster XWN with the Suisse Romande Orchestra; for it 18812 $4.98 Musical Interest: Interesting coupling is sonically far superior to RCA Victor's Performance: Good Debussy Recording: Adequate release, and the margin of superiority from Musical Interest: Still somewhat esoteric Stereo Directionality: Well placed the podium also seems to favor Ansermet. Performance: Columbia by a hair Stereo Depth: Shallow Munch is unhappily handicapped by a me· Recording: Both excellent diocre stereo disc processing job-strings Stereo Directionality: Good Irving conducts the early Debussy score tend to over· brightness ; there is too much Stereo Depth: Good with delicacy, but his treatment of the surface noise, as well as plenty of distortion Turina pieces is too suave, too pat. De· on inside grooves. He reads the exquisite The Columbia program includes twelve bussy's unique feeling for harmonic texture Mother Goose score straightforwardly, and madrigals (two of them double madrigals) is quite in evidence in Printemps, a product without much subtlety. plus the other types of voice and instru· of 1887, when La Damoiselle Elue was also The Sorcerer's Apprentice is uneven in mental pieces, making this a quantitative written. Where Argenta on London in. tempo, but very excitingly carried off. By bargain immediately. Craft and Randolph fuses Turina's music with contrasting Ian. and large, Omphale's Spinning Wheel, employ the same number of singers--five-­ guor and passion, Irving leads a merely shortest of all the selections, is the best per· each quintet comprising three female and competent but lack·lustre performance, and formed. two male voices. the sound of this stereo release suffers from When we turned to the mono disc, it The Randolph Singers are more modern lack of bass. came out sonically better on all counts. J. T. in style, with vibrato and wider dynamic Printemps is highly interesting as per. range. However, Craft builds up more ten· formed here, but not worth the price of a • ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance March­ sion in his interpretations and his perform· mediocre second side. Danse, originally a es Nos. I to 5. BLISS: Things To Come­ ances are more exciting. No numbers are youthful piano piece called Danse Styrienne Film Music; Welcome to the Queen. Lon­ du plicated on either record. is given the liveliest and most poetic treat. don Symphony Orchestra, Sir Arthur Bliss Randolph's early recording of Gesualdo ment of all. J. T. condo RCA Victor LSC 2257 $5.98 Madrigals (re·released as Westminster 18652) deserves credit for making the mu· Musical Interest: Sturdy music, mostly • DELIBES: Sylvia (complete bal/et). Performance: Surprisingly good sic of that boldly imaginative Renaissance London Symphony Orchestra, Anatole Fis. Recording: Above average nobleman known to us. In this new disc, toulari condo Mercury SR-2-9006 2 12" the performances have more vitality, and $11.90 Stereo Directionality: Nicely balanced Stereo Depth: Warm and full the statements about Gesualdo's passion and moderuity are borne out to more effect Musical Interest: Great classic bal/et Sir Arthur Bliss in 1953 was appointed Performance: In the great tradition than before. The Frescobaldi pieces are Recording: Superlative Master of the Queen's Music, and his con· conveyed with equal success. Stereo Directionality: Fine ducting on this recording is better by far This Gesualdo was a complex man, and Stereo Depth: Superb than the music he composes. Bliss is direct in performances that are not preciously an. and quick with the wonderful old Elgar tiquarian, the music reflects his tortured Again we are in Mercury's debt for the Marches, and the catalog has long needed Renaissance soul. It is Craft who possesses issuance of a superlative complete ballet fresh treatment of these fine pieces. No. 1 the key to the Gesualdo musical psyche and recording. The stereo counterpart of an in D, with its famous "Land of Hope and who unlocks it with searching and subtle already released magnificent monophonic Glory" melody sounds actually lovely under musicianship. album, Sylvia emerges in spatial sound with Bliss' baton, and the less familiar marches Both monophonic recordings are attrac. additional impact. Fistoulari is not afte~ are all led at brisk and vital tempo. RCA tively pure, but the interplay of the melo· ear.shattering nor does he dwell on fortes, Victor has also managed very good stereo. dies in this highly contrapuntal music is exaggerated pianissimos. He chooses rather processing. Side 2, which begins with better projected by the stereo. W. D. 48 HIFI REVIEW .. • GRANADOS: Goyescas (complete op­ 'tricks.' In many ways this Camden is su­ Decome reqUired reading for avowed Han­ era). Consuelo Rubio (soprano)-Rosario: perior to the more highly touted Red Seal delians. Ana Maria Iriarte (mezzo-soprano )-Papa: RCA Victor stereo. High frequency reo Be that as it may, no one can accuse Sir Gines Torrano (tenor)-Fernando: Manuel sponse is good, low frequencies especially Thomas of dullness and, unless your views Ausensi (baritone )-Paquiro. The Madrid Singers and The National Orchestra of Spain, solid, and middle frequencies in properly are very strong on revisions of this sort, you Ataulfo Argenta condo London OSA-IIOI modulated balance. A darned good buy, will find this a dynamic and engrossing per­ $5.98 this! J. T. formance, strengthened by stereo's added dimensions (the mono edition appeared Musical Interest: Seldom heard and • HANDEL: Organ Concertos Nos. 7-12 in 1956) _ Most striking is the reproduction worthwhile . (Op. 7, Nos. 1-6) . E. Power Biggs with the of purely instrumental passages-the cho­ Performance: Expert London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian ruses are not always consistent. There is Recording: Good, some reservations Boult condo Columbia M2S 604 2 12" $11.96; effective spatiality in "From the censer curl­ Stereo Directionality: Very good Mono-M2L 2 12" $9.96 ing rise," but the same quality is wanting in Stereo Depth: Very good "Shake the dome and pierce the sky," an Mu sical Interest: Sheer delight equally vigorous and richly harmonized cho­ Goyescas is a one-act opera in three tab­ Performance: Winning leaux, corresponding to three Goya paint­ Recording: Excellent ral passage. Generally speaking, the choral ings which inspired the composer. A story Stereo Directionality: Nice pick-up is somewhat distant, yet this tech­ of love, jealousy and violent death unites Stereo Depth: Fine nique seems to bring about a more satisfy­ the episodes, unfolding not unlike an Ibe­ ing depth illusion than experienced in cho­ rian-style Cavalleria Rusticana. But neither In a previous issue of HFR it was my ral recordings of more recent origin, which the libretto nor Granados's music hold the pleasure to review the first album in this stress presence at the expense of clear defi­ foreboding and ever-mounting tension that series of Handel Organ Concertos "Re­ nition_ lift the Mascagni opera into the most ex­ corded," according to the album cover, Of the soloists Lois Marshall yields most alted class of one-acters. "with an organ of 1749 designed and often listening pleasure, but Morison, Cameron Once reconciled to a slightly static qual­ played by George Frederick Handel, on the and Young are also highly competent ora­ ity that pervades this opera, the listener will estate of the Earl of Aylesford in the Forest torio singers in the sturdy English tradition. find many pages of captivating beauty, par­ of Arden, at Great Packington, Warwick­ G.J. shire, England." ticularly those enlivened by the national • HAYDN: Symphony No. 94 in G Major rhythms. The opening tableau is the most The appearance of this second album ("Surprise"). The ' Oslo Philharmonic Or­ colorful of the three-the second, which strengthens the enthusiasm with which I chestra, 0ivin Fieldstad condo Camden CAS follows the popular Intermezzo with the ball received the first. It would seem to me that 481 $2.98 scene and the challenge to the duel, prom­ this is the way that early organ music Musical Interest: Popular Viennese classic ises more than it delivers. should sound. No over-loading; no swal­ lowing up of polyphonic line by monstrous Performance: Muscular London's version, utilizing prominent Recording: Virile Spanish singers under the leadership of the 19th century organs with thick registration. Stereo Directionality: Very good brilliant Argenta, exudes authority and the Instead, here one hears the clarity of tex­ Stereo Depth: Very good principals sing with vigor and conviction, ture with a sense of relief, thanks to the though the tenor's contribution fails to use of the smaller instrument, and thanks Not all that seems economical is indeed reach the high level of his three colleagues. to Mr. Biggs' judicious registration. economical. Take this record, for instance. The engineering occasionally lends undue As regular readers may recall, I have Stereo at $2.98 seems fine, but only one prominence to the voices and the orchestral been consistently opposed to the perform­ Haydn symphony spread over both sides? writing, I suspect, is more incisive in the ances of the music of Handel and Bach on Compare this with the London record cou­ ensembles than revealed here. Also, and the gigantic, romantic organs, for the sim­ pling the Krips version of the "Surprise" this is a regrettable oversight, the stage in­ ple reason that the blur of sound resulting plus No. 99 (CS-6027) for $4_98_ Fjeldstad structions so vital in the concluding scene from the use of such instruments keeps one leads a muscular performance and the re­ are not realized sonically-the off-stage from hearing the music_ That is why I cording is very well engineered; but Krips screams signifying Fernando's fatal wound welcome these recordings-and the Kapp has the Vienna Philharmonic, the conven­ and his subsequent discovery are not heard, record (9018) of Handel's organ concertos ience of the complete symphony on one side, and who will scorn London's stereo? much to the detriment of dramatic illusion. performed by Lawrence Moe-with open G.J. arms. The music loses none of its power­ W. D. or its charm-for being played on the HAYDN: Symphony No. 104 (see MEN­ • GRIEG: Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 and 2. smaller instrument. DELSSOHN; MOZART) The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Odd The performances are idiomatic, and the Gruner-Hegge condo Camden CAS 480 excellent stereo recording adds to the sense HINDEMITH: Kleine Kammermusik (see $2.98 of gratification. For that matter, the mono­ DANZI) phonic version also sounds fine_ D. R. Musical Interest: Famous familiars KODALY: Hary Janos (see BART6K) Performance: Excellent • HANDEL: Solomon (somewhat Recording: Surprisingly good abridged). Elsie Morison (soprano)-Queen, • HOVHANESS: Mysterious Mountain, Stereo Directionality: Good balance Pharaoh's Daughter; Lois Marshall (soprano) Op. 132 ; STRAVINSKY: Divertimento from Stereo Depth: Fine in all departments -Queen of Sheba; John Cameron (bari­ "The Fairy's Kiss." Chicago Symphony Or­ tone)-Solomon; Alexander Young (tenor) chestra, Fritz Reiner condo RCA Victor LSC There is enormous variation in quality -Zadok. the High Priest. Royal Philhar­ 2251 $5.98 for records on all labels in the lower-priced monic Orchestra and Beecham Choral So­ bracket. Some are sensational buys, while ciety, Sir Thomas Beecham condo Angel S Musical Interest : A fine coupling 3546 B 2 12" $11.96 Performance: Stunning others released at the same time can be Recording: Very good woefully lacking quality. Since even the Stereo Directionality: Exactly right high-priced stereo field has this problem at M usica I Interest: Major Oratorio Performance: Handel with care Stereo Depth: Good times, it was with some misgiving that I Recording: Generally good placed this record on the turntable. But The stereo version of this fine issue is Stereo Directionality: Variable one of RCA Victor's best_ Somehow or surprisingly enough, this Grieg stereo Stereo Depth: Excellent turned out to be highly acceptable, not other nearly all Chicago Symphony discs only as a fine technical job, but as a glow­ For the purposes of this recording Han­ are much better in sound than the Boston ing performance by the composer's coun­ del's score has been re-arranged by Sir Symphony releases, which is rather too bad. trymen of the Oslo Philharmonic-a splen­ Thomas Beecham "on a fairly comprehen­ Hovhaness has written a modern master­ did sounding ensemble ably conducted by sive scale," (in his own words) and the piece with its brooding first section, a Odd Griiner-Hegge. He may not put into good baronet kids us not. His reasons are highly energized and rich sounding double these scores the heady dynamics you hear set forth in a characteristically terse and fugue by way of contrast, and a return to with Ormandy or Fiedler, but there is still assured foreword which makes a good deal the somber and reflective mood of the be­ plenty of fire, as well as freedom from of sense, though I doubt that it will ever ginning as the work concludes. Reiner JULY 1959 49 • leads his Chicago mUSICianS in a tremen­ of the two performances (in the Mendels­ Everest records it wilIt .a drier, crisper dous reading of the Hovhaness, as well as sohn, Bernstein tends to drag the slow move­ chamber-sound than was evidenced on the of Stravinsky's capricious, saucy Diverti­ ment and the minuet doesn't quite flow the TV show, and the sameobsen>ation holds mento. J. T. way it should). The recorded sound, both for the Bernstei~-conducted Columbia LP. mono and stereo, is excellent, with espe­ Engineering is better too. Sometimes a dry' cially full and warm stereo results. M, B. sound will make for· brittle string quality, • D'INDY: Symphony on a Fren~h Moun­ but the Everest record maintains a warm, tain Air; FAURe: Fantaisie for Piano and resonant timbre, while never losing the Orchestra; SAINT·SAIlNS: Wedding Cake clean articulation that is typical of good en­ for Piano and Orchestra. Grant Johanne,;en • MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No.4 in A gineering for smaIl orchestra. Milhaud's (piano) with London Symphony Orchestra, ("Italian"); Trumpet Overture in C, Op. 101. Sir EugeneG.oossens and Lawrence Colling­ London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Eugene score was introduced to the public several wood conds. Capitol·EMI SG 7132 $S.98 Goossens condo: Vienna State Opera Or­ months before Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and in some respects the two' scores Musical Interest: Three'charmers chestra, Hans Swarowsky condo (in the Performance: Unexceptionable Trumpet Overture), Urania USD-IO 13 $5.95; are similar. Milhaud is much more 'mod­ Recording: Full-blooded Mono-U-112 $4.98 ern'; his music reflects a deeper jazz in­ Stereo Directionality: Unobtrusive Musical Interest: Exalted in the sym­ fluence; and, he offers little in the way of stereo Depth: Good phony, less .so in the overture extended melody. Stravinsky's L'Histoire The stereo re-issue of these performances Performances: Symphony-Pedestrian; du Soldat had its best recording when done exhibits an added dimension of spacious­ Overture-OK in its original form with French narration Recordinq: Cloudy ness and depth over the corresponding years ago on Vox'PL7960, a disc now al­ Stereo Directionality: OK most non-existent. Although the sound on .. monophonic release. This is good stereo Stereo Depth: OK sound, rich and full-blooded, with no gim­ Everest represents 'allll'ge sonic improve­ mickry. The Italian Symphony sprawls over both ment, the Pathe-Vox was so tremendous Johannesen's performances remain idio- sides of these discs, two movements to a that it would behoove. the Stravinsky col­ matic if unspectacular. M. B. side, with the "Trumpet" Overture thrown lector to dig one up (mine is riot for sale). in as a filler on the second side. With all Pacing in this new version' and in the old this extravagance of space one would imag­ Vox are very .close, but comparison to the LALO: Le Roi d'Ys-Overture (see BER­ ine that Goossens, like Bernstein in his Columbia issue of the concert suite with LIOZ) complete-on-the-side recording of the Ital­ Stravinsky himself Conducting reveals that ian reviewed above, would repeat the expo­ the composer sets' an even brighter'tempo, • LlSZT: Mephisto Waltz; Les Preludes; sition of the first movement. But no, Goos­ and seems to direct with.more ,imagination SAINT·SAIlNS: Dance Macabre; WEBER: sens takes the second ending at the end of (ML 4964). But even with the Stravinsky- Der Freischiitz-Overture. Vienna State Op­ the exposition, making 'such lavish distribu­ , conductecl' set having the edge for interpre­ era Orchestra, Hermann Scherchen cond, tion of ' the material, on the disc even, less tation among available versions, the Everest Westminster WST 14054 $5.98 defensible. re!ease is a prize-winner for super engi- Musical Interest: A mixed bag of spooks 'IJ Bernstein drags the Andante, Goossens , neering. J. T. PerforMance: Fine for the most pa;t • , all but brings it to a complete stop. In a Recordinq: Good , movement which is a miracle of constant Stereo D'rectionality: Adequate forward moiion, such a treatment is deadly. I> MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B­ Stereo Depth: OK Elsewhere, too, Goossens' treatment robs flat Major (K. 595). Alfred Brendel with Orchestra of the Vienna Volksoper, Paul The element common to most of theEe the music of much of its momentum. Despite its late Opus number, the "Trum­ AngerEH' cond: Vox, STPL 511.260 $5.95; works is diablerie, and Scherchen for the Mono-with Mozart; Piano Concerto No. 17 most part communicates this element very pet" Overture is an early work composed in G Major (K. 453). PL 11.160 $4.98 convincingly. The Mephisto Waltz is espe­ when Mendelssohn was sixteen. As such, cially well done, with some details uncom­ , it is a serviceable addition to the Mendels­ Musical Interest: Supreme masterpiece monly effective, such as the unforgettable sohn discography, if without any really dis­ Performance: Excellent harp arpeggios near the end of the piece, tinguished features. Swarowsky seems to Recording : Outstanding, save for one more teIling here than I can ever remember. give it a sturdy, well-balanced performance. major blemish The Danse Macabre is understated and The recorded sound in the Symphony is Stereo Directionality: Ideal Stereo Depth: Good devastating at the same time. The perform­ a trifle muddy, as though the recording ance of Les Preludes is more uneven, being were made in an overly-large studio; it is First, let us dispose of all matters per­ most effective in the poetic middle sections better in the Vienna-originated Overture. taining to the music and the performances. but slightly out of control in the demonic M.B. The B-flat Concerto--Mozart's last for pia­ parts. And the end of it is rather casually no--is nothing short of amazing. The imagi­ ilirown away. The Overture to Der Frei­ • MILHAUD: La Creation du Monde; nation displayed in the development section schutz fares least well, lacking in romantic STRAVINSKY: L'Histoire du Soldat. London of the first movement, with its feeling of nobility. M. B. Orchestra Chamber Group, John Carewe resignation, is an endless source of wonder­ condo Everest SDBR 3017 $5.98 ment. Hardly less noteworthy is the beauti­ • MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No.4 in A Musical Interest: Divided ful slow movement. The performers all Major, Op. 90 ("Italian"); HAYDN: Sym­ Performance: Super seem wholly intent upon bringing us Moz­ phony No. 104 in D, ("London"). New York Recording: Same art's message, and to these ears, they suc­ Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein cond, Co­ Stereo Directionality: Matchless ceed admirably-in both concertos. lumbia MS-6050 $5.98; Mono - ML-5349 Stereo Depth: Same My only reservation has 'to do with the $4.98 Everest adds yet another outstanding recording. The acoustical envelope in Musical Interest: Classic staples record to its ever growing list, and this time which the recording was made is so "open" Performance: Mendelssohn' a trifle of the very best, from the standpoint of and so spacious that it almost suggests an finicky; Haydn fine stereo achievement. Of course things are outdoor performance that lias been ampli­ Recording: Good made simpler by the fact that the orchestra fied. It is difficult to imagine a concert Stereo Directionality: Fine is small, and scored in terms of sharply de­ situation in which an orchestra would Stereo Depth: Fine fined sonic textures. sound as it does on this record. Everything Back in the days when Bernstein used to La Creation du Monde was given nation­ is "larger than life". Moreover-and most attend Koussevitzky's concerts with the Bos­ wide publicity recently' when Leonatd Bern­ disturbing of all-the piano is so promi' ton Symphony Orchestra regularly he heard stein conducted it with the New York Phil­ nent, and so surrounded by space, that the both lIhese works often, for Koussevitzky harmonic on a TV show in a production "ring" of its tones actually hurts the ear, had a special flair and affection for both of that underscored Bernstein's remarkable whenever the volume is turned up sufficient­ them. Bernstein quite obviously has ab­ showmanship, but did not do much to con­ ly to bring the orchestra into balance. sorbed some of this, for both these perform­ vince the audience of Milhaud's genius. Actually, it is to the 'credit of the engi­ l] ances have a Koussevitzky-like elegance and Here, without the distraction of cameras, the neers that they were able to capture such balance. The Haydn is t.iJe more successful music is winningly conducted by Carewe. sounds, and still preserve the clarity of the 50 I NewH.H. St~reo :Am,llfie~ has features never ·before bffere·fl at $139.95*

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SEND NOW FOR Rush me complete details on your new Model 222 and your complete 1959 Hi Fi Guide & Catalog. FREE HI-FI GUIDE Name______A.N D CATALOG Address: ______City State: ______individual woodwinds. What a pity that Angel (35415), Stokowski's reading is the and full and with fine detail and balance. they didn't aim for something a little less most lyrically sensitive of all. J. T. The Rachmaninoff Vocalise, which filled out spectacular. the second side in the monophonic issue, The same excessive "ring" of the piano PHILLIPS: Selections from McGuffey's is not included in the stereo disc. And is 'evident in the monophonic version. D. R. Readers (see CARPENTER) here's an oddity: the third movement in the stereo edition is two minutes shorter than in the monophonic release. Did the stereo • MOZART: Symphony No. 34 in C • PROKOFIEV: Classical Symphony in D; tape editors omit a repeat? Until I am (K. 338); HAYDN: Symphony No. 104 in 0 SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. I in F. able to compare the two editions with a ("London"). Philharmonia Orchestra, Rudolf Philharmonia Orchestra. Efrem Kurtz condo score, that question will have to go un­ Kempe condo Capitol-EMI SG 7150 $5.98 Capitol-EMI SG 7118 $5.98 answered. M. B. Musical Interest: Both high Musical Interest: A youthfully buoyant Performance: Unexceptional pair Recording: A little distant Performance: Brisk Stereo Directionality: Good Recording: Clean and well-balanced • PUCCINI: Madama Butterfly (complete Stereo Depth: OK Stereo Directionality: Good opera). Renata Tebaldi (soprano)-Butterfly; Stereo Depth: OK Carlo Bergonzi (tenor)-Pinkerton: Enzo Sor­ Kempe ~hows no profound insights into dello (baritone)-Sharpless; Fiorenza Cos· either score. These are straightforward, Capitol's stereo sound here is full and vi· sotto (mezzo-soprano)-Suzuki; Angelo Mer­ carefully-prepared performances without brant, much richer than in the monophonic curiali (tenor)-Goro & others. Chorus and the special glories which Beecham, say, version of this disc released some months Orchestra of L'Accademia di Santa Cecilia. would bring to the music. The Philhar­ ago. Rome, Tullio Serafin condo London OSA monia plays beautifully and the recorded Kurtz, as indicated in the review of the 1406 4 12" $23.92 sound is good, if a little distant. This is an monophonic disc when it was released, fol· unexceptionable, if hardly distinguished l;)ws the Shostakovich metronome mark­ Musical Interest: Indubitable Performance: Top-level product. M. B. ings as verified by the composer rather than Recordinq: Excellent the Italian language tempo markings in the Stereo Directionality: Well balanced score. The performance is a good deal more Stereo Depth: Very good • ORFF: Carmina Burana. Houston Sym­ brisk than we are accustomed to in this phony Orchestra & Houston Chorale with work. Such treatment accents the saucy Puccini's librettists did him no service soloists, Leopold Stokowski condo Capitol impertinence of the music, but the lyrical when they identified Madama Butterfly as a SPAR 8470 $5.98 sections suller thereby. M. B. fifteen-year-old-her rapturous, passionate Musical Interest: Still fascinating music is clearly not fashioned for that ten· Performance: Very good der age. For half a century now the search Recording: Excellent • . PROKOFIEV: The Love for Three has been on, Diogenes fashion, for the ideal Stereo Directionality: Just right Oranges-Suit, Op. 33a; RIMSKY·KORSA­ creature with fragile stage presence and a Stereo Depth: Soloists too far off KOV: Le Coq D'Or-Suite. Pittsburg Sym­ voice girlish enough to satisfy the libretto In 1953 a Decca recording (DL9706) of phony Orchestra, . William Steinberg condo Capitol SP 8445 $5.98 yet appropriately soaring and voluptuous Carmina Burana took the country by storm, to render Puccini his due. But it doesn't much to the pleased amazement of its offi­ Musical Interest: Always work. Singers answering the former quali· cials. The recording was responsible for Performance: Excellent fications have gone to glory as Oscars and many live college and privately organized Recording: Awful Stereo Directionality: Well spaced Musettas while others named Farrar, Mu­ performances, and before very long com­ Stereo Depth: Good acoustics zio, Easton, Albanese, Tebaldi and De los petitive manufacturers were releasing the Angeles have given us a gallery of decid· music of Germany's Carl Orll, who until An A·B comparison with the great mono­ edly post-teen but beautifully sung and phonic issue of this music proved to be that time had been a complete unknown in sometimes unforgettable Butterflies. startling, to say the least. The single chan· America. The other two parts of the trilogy, We now have Tebaldi's second recorded nel LP has fine balance throughout the Catulli Carmina, and Trion/o di A/ro~lite, interpretation of the role and it will hardly sonic spectrum-one of the best Capitol were released (Decca DL9824, DL9826) come as a surprise that her Cio-Cio·San is records released. The stereo, on the other and two of his operas have turned up on no more child-like now than it was when hand, is overbright, harsh, and badly lacks the Angel label (Die Kluge and Der Mond). she first recorded it seven years ago. But solid bass. Loud passages are pinched in However, none seem to have matched the it is a splendid replica of her admired stage sound and break up in the stereo, whereas enormous poularity of Carmina Burana. portrayal-{:arefully studied, tastefully ar­ the mono holds together magnificently. If And now Stokowski, long an admirer of tistic and intelligent in characterization. you play the stereo moderate volume, and Orll, and one who has conducted many per­ Her facility to color tones and control in­ attenuate treble, results will be tolerable. formances of Carmina Burana, has now flections have developed considerably dur­ .. The performance are "wizard," especially recorded it in highly individual style. He ing the past years, contributing to an inter­ the Prokofiev. J. T. has excellent soloists, especially in Virginia pretation of infinite charm as well as va­ Babikian, a good orchestra, and a well riety. Vocally the oft-praised virtues are in trained chorus. The recording could have • PROKOFIEV: Sinfonia Concertante for evidence. "Un bel di" is moving to the been a truly dazzling release save for the Cello and Orchestra, Op. 125. Mstislav Ros­ point of heartbreak, and the delicately fact that the soloists are too distant for well tropovitch with &oyal Philharmonic Orches­ floated phrase quando /a la nidiata il pet­ articulated pickup. tra, Sir Malcolm Sargent condo Capitol­ tirosso which precedes is perfection itself. Stokowski reads the so·called 'primithe' EMI SG 7121 $5.98 Some moments don't come 011 quite so well Orll Cantiones Pro/anae in opulent manner, Musical Interest: Variable -the Entrance scene is a bit edgy (the and with much more "romantic" feeling Performance: Authoritative climactic D-f1at is slighted, as usual), and than any of his competitors. His reading Recording: Good the lullaby of the last act-otherwise ex­ does not underline the sharp, barbaric Stereo Directionality: .Fine quisitely sung-{:omes to a disappointing rhythms of the score-which may be part Stereo Depth: Good end on a not quite perfect B-flat. But in of the pickup weakness. But he does exact In reviewing the monophonic release of the extended lyrical passages-the first act from this music many glowingly beautiful this performance several issues ago I went finale, the "letter scene" with Sharpless, moments. It still counts for a very good into some detail concerning the genesis of the Yamadori episode-her command of the result, even if the soloists are too distant; this music, which actually is an expansion role is complete and the loveliness of her and the singing of Miss Babikian will open of the composer's earlier First Cello Con­ tonal quality admits few comparisons. your ears! Her eloquence in In Trutina certo. The Sinfonia Concertante is at its London assembled an excellent cast. Bet­ mentis dubia is one of the highlights of the best when it is tightest, for example in the gonzi, a properly youthful-sounding Pinker­ entire performance piece. The auditorium broad and flowing Andante first movement. ton, has sung elsewhere with more vocal acoustics are odd, a bit hollow. Not as The writing for the cello is extremely idio­ freedom but his approach to the character thrilling sonically as the Vanguard issue matic and Rostropovitch plays the piece is sensitive, his tone bright and melliflu­ (1007) made in Hartford nor as crisp and with the deepest conviction. ous. Less ardent and assertive than Di dramatic as the SawalHsch recording on The stereo recording is excelleBt-warm Stefano (on Capitol) Bergonzi is the more S2 HIFI REVIEW •

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WRITE TODAY FOR ILLUSTRATED BROCHURE AND COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS F.lSHER RADIO CORPORATION. 21.3744th DRIVE • LONG ISLAND CITY 1, N. Y. Export: Morhan Exporting Corp., 458 Broadway, New York 13, N. Y. 53 JULY 1959 tasteful and disciplined singer. Ex·Metro­ ments in both the Entremont and Katchen Zsig mondy (violin ), Mikl6s R6zsa condo Westminster WST 14035 $5.98; Mono­ politan baritone Enzo Sordello is a bit col­ performances which could have stood a XWN 1880S $4.98 orless in the last act, his dialogue with little more rehearsal time to smooth out Suzuki is very dry-voiced, but otherwise his a ·few rough spots of faulty ensemble be­ Mu sical Inte rest: Worthwhile Sharpless is agreeably sung and character­ tween solo piano and orchestra. Both discs, P'erformance : Authentic ized. Fiorenza Cossotto, a new name, is an however, manage to include another work Record ing : Very good outstandingly good Suzuki and the minor alon'" with the Rachmaninoff Concerto. The Stereo Directiona lity: Very good principals are, without exception, adequate. Entr~m o nt performance of Franck's Sym­ Stereo De pth: Considerable Adequate, no more, is the Bonz of P.aolo phonic Variations (with Carl Barberger The Rozsa entries in the LP catalog are Washington-and here one sorely mIsses conducting) is facile and effi cient, the Kat­ mounting up. Whether this is due to the Fernando Coren a's dynamic stint in the chen performance of Balakirev's knuckle­ work he has done in Hollywood is moot; earlier London edition. This part should breaker is properly fl ashy. record buyers of serious music are not always have a fir st-class interpreter on rec­ The sound quality of the three discs is liable to be swayed by a movie reputation. ord'S-and RCA Victor was alert enough to about on a par: all are rich, resonant and Rozsa's concert music is as serious in obtain Coren a's services for its version. well-defined, with the London disc having its intent as the next composer's. It also is Tullio Serafin is, I believe, a "newcomer" a slight edge in directional illusion. M. B. apt to be more colorful, for he has tbe to the London label, and his kind of leader­ genuine Hungarian flair for harmonic and ship is always welcom e. The tempo he oc­ RAVEL: Mother Goose (see DUKAS) instrumental color. His music is not ex­ casionally favors (most noticeably in the perimental ; its modernism is decidedly un­ love duet of Act I) is a bit slow-moving for RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Le Coq d'Or-Suite obtrusive. It is lyrical in spirit and well-knit my taste, suggesting a tendency to go along (see BORODIN; PROKOFIEV) in texture. with Tebaldi's deliberate phrasing. But the As a conductor, Rozsa far surpasses the performance remain'S under perfect control usual composer-conductor standard. The -orchestra and chorus perform famously. • RIMSKY-KORSAKOFF: Scheherazade -Symphonic Suite, Op. 3S. Lond on Sy m­ recording is good both ways, with the Wide-spread and well distributed stereo stereo effectively underlining contrasting sound reveals fin e orchestral nuances and p ho ny Orchestra, Pierre Monteux cond o RCA Victor LSC 2208 $S.98 solo and full orchestral episodes. W. D. the third act prelude boasts of bird calls of rare profi ciency. Musical Interest: A color-fa neier's de- All in all, a very attractive "Butter/lr"­ light SAINT-SA~NS: Danse Macabre (see LlSZT) sonically surpassing all rivals except RCA's Pe rfo rm ance: Rousing stereo version (reviewed in this magazine's Recording: Excellent SAINT-SA~NS: Omphale's Spinning Wheel January '59 issue). Those undeterred by Stereo Directiona lity: Good (see DUKAS) Stereo De pth: Fine the price factor will find it a treasurabl e performance. G. J. The stereo relea'se of this previously-is­ SAINT-SA~NS: Wedding Cake (see sued mono.phonic recording brings with it D'INDY) • RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto improvement in its sound qualities. The No.2 in C Minor, Op. 18. Artur Rubin stein engineers give us full, wa rm and evenly­ • SCHUBERT: Symphony No.8 in B Mi­ with th e Chicago Sym phony Orchestra, Fr itz balanced stereo so und with good depth and nor ("Unfinished"). Ph ilh armo ni c Symphony Reiner con do RCA Victor LSC 2068 $S.98 directionality. O rc hestra of Londo n, Artur Rodzi nski condo Monteux turns in a splendid performance, Westminster WST 140S2 $5.98 • RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto one rich in color, dynamic shadings and Mu sica l Inte rest : A "must" masterpiece No.2 in C Minor, Op. 18; FRANCK: Sym­ care to detail. If I still continue to prefer Perform a nce: Heavy-handed phonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra. Beecham's masterly account of the score Recording : OK Phi lippe Entremont wi th the Neth e rl an d s for Angel (also available in stereo) it is Ste reo Directio nalit y: OK Philharmonic Orchestra, Walter G oehr, C arl because for my taste Beecham positively Stereo De pth: Adequate Bamberg er cond o Urania USD 1021 $S_95 luxuriates in the colorful music and makes Rodzinski is very heavy-handed and even more of a personal experience of it labored in his treatment of this music. • RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto than does Monteux. Beecham too , has bet­ What is needed is a more spontaneous and No.2 in C Minor, Op. 18; BALAKIREV: ter first-chair wind players than Monteux at the same time more loving account of Islamey. Julius Katchen with the Lond on and he gets them really to exalt in the Symphony Orchestra, G eorg Solti condo this treasurable score. glorious sounds that they are required to London CS 6064 $4.98 Westminster's engineers have given the produce. M. B. Mu sical Interest: Of course performance a satisfa ctory, if unspectacular Perfo rmances: All good sonic environment. M. B. Recordings: All good • ROSSINI-RESPIGHI: La Boutique Fan­ Stereo Directio nality: London is best tasque-Ballet. Royal Philh armonic O rches­ SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No_ I (see Stereo Depth: Uniformly good t ra , Sir Eugene Gooss en s cond o Capitol-EMI PROKOFIEV) SG 7103 $S.98 The Rubinstein and Entremont perform­ ances have been available previously as Mu si cal Interest: Ballet Favorite • SPOHR: Nonette in F Major, Op. 31. stereo tape releases; the Katchen is a new Perfo rmance: Dull Fin e Arts Q uartet and New Yo rk W oodwin d Quintet. Concert-Disc CS-201 $6.95 re-recording of the score by this artist wh o Recordinq: Fair made an earlier version of the music for Ste reo Directiona lity: Well divided Ste reo Depth : Too much Mu sical Inte rest : Fair London nearly ten years ago. Pe rfo rm a nce: Very good Between the three pianists I have no Sir Eugene Goossens leads the Royal Record ing : Very good hesitation at all in choosing Rubinstein as Philharmonic members through a dull per­ Stereo Directionality: Considerable the most perceptive and penetrating. In­ formance of Respighi's col orful ballet treat­ Stereo Depth : Sufficient deed, I know of no recording since the ment of Rossini tunes. The playing is Ludwig Spohr was born in 1784 and died composer's own 1929 performance with Sto­ nondescript, with some less than good in 1859 .. His lifetime spanned the careers kowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra wind phrasing. For me, London still wins of Beethoven, Schubert and Mendelssohn, which equals the Rubinstein reading for its the battle for the best "Boutique" with and lasted long enough for him to cham­ fusion of power, passion and elegance. And Solti and the Israel Philharmonic (CS pion Wagner. He was an outstanding vio­ no matter what disagreements they may 6005). Sound is too distant here, but this linist and he wrote a vast amount oE music, have had since, when Rubinstein and Rein­ is not a serious fault. J. T. very little of which has endured. er made this recording they were as one in The Nonette has antecedents in Beetho­ their attitude towards this work. ven's Septet and Schubert's Octet. It has • ROZSA CONDUCTS ROZSA-Con­ The two younger pianists offer perfectly many tunes, some very nice, none memor­ respectable readings, but it is their misfor­ certo for String Orchestra, Op . ..J 7; Kaleido­ scope, Op. 19a; Variations on a Hungarian able. There is no doubt about Spohr's abili­ tune to have to be compared directly with Peasant Song for Violin and Orchestra, Op. ty to construct a composition comprising Rubinstein: Furthermore, there are mo- 4. Vienna State Ope ra O rchestra and Denes four full movements ; what he lacked was 54 HIFI REVIEW the sIgn•

;;: of • erb nd

LANSING PRODUCTS

TUNERS· AMPLIFIERS • PREAMPLIFIERS • SPEAKERS ~ SPEAKER SYSTEMS • SPEAKER COMPONENTS • ENCLOSURES

For the name of your nearest ALTEC dealer write to: ALTEC LANSING CORPORATION, Dept. 7 MR A Subsidiary of Ling Electronics, Inc. 1515 S. Manchester Avenue, Anaheim, Calif. 12·69 161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13, N.Y. JULY 1959 55 stl'Ong-voiced and convi ncing Wotan, the ability to fill these movements with sig­ not sure that this Symphony profits from though yet without the dramatic authority nificance_ such understatement. For myself, I un­ of Hotter (Angel 35585) or the vocal steadi­ Three members of The Fine Arts Quar­ equivocally prefer Silvestri's way, shocks tet, a double-bass player, and The New and all, but both Monteux and Griiner­ ness of Edelmann (Angel 35571 ) . York Woodwind Quintet give a lively and Hegge should find plenty of supporters, to? Which brings up a long-standing reserva­ sympathetic reading of the Nonette. The The quality of recording in all three IS tion concerning this artist- it has to do with recording spreads out the players effective­ excellent, with RCA Victor here providing the quality of the voice itself. While in ly while preserving their chamber music one of its most natural-sounding registra­ range and power it is capable of coping character. . W. D. tions of the timbre of the Boston Symphony with challenging demands, its persistent in its Symphony HalJ. M. B. quaver and opacity beclouds the tonal focus. It is unfortunate that these tendencies, STRAVINSKY: Divertimento from Th e characteristic of the artist in tlle past, do Fairy's Kiss (see HOVHANESS) TURINA: Danzas & Processicn (see DE­ not seem to disappear, despite his con­ BUSSY) , stantly growing dramatic talents. G. STRAVINSKY: L'Histoire du Sold at (see J. MILHAUD) • VERDI OVERTURES-La Forza Del Des­ tino; I Vespri Siciliani; Nabucco; La Travi­ • WAGNER: Die Got+erdammerung­ • TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No.4 in F ata-Preludes to Act I & II. London Sym­ Brunnhilde's Immolation; Tristan and Isold e Minor, Op. 36. Bamberg Sympho ny Orches­ phony Orchestra, Antal Dorati condo Mer­ -Prelude and Liebestod. Eileen Farrell (so­ tra, Hein ri ch Hollreiser condo VOX STPL cury SR 90156 $5.95 prano) with Boston Symphony Orchestra, 511 , 190 $5_95 Charles Munch condo RCA Victor LSC 2255 Musical Interest: Broadly popular $5.98 Musical Interest: A classic Performance: So-so Performance: Good Recording: Fair Musical Interest: Great Wagner scenes Recording: Fine Stereo Directionality: Good Pe rformance: First-rate Stereo Directionality: Good Stereo Depth: Very good Recording: Good Stereo Depth: Excellent Stereo Directionality: Leans to right Dorati plays these matchless overtures Stereo Depth: Good This disc could well become a sleeper in and preludes of Verdi in cut-and-dried man­ Eileen Farrell's sumptuously vocalized the Vox catalogue. In the first place, the ner, missing completely the fierce suspense account of the two great 'Wagnerian finales recorded so und is the finest stereo I've yet" of La Fo rza Del Destino, the passionate received its well deserved praise ([or the heard from thi.s company-full, robust, well­ - tenderness of the Traviata Preludes, and mono edition) in' this magazine's March, balanced and natural. Secondly, Hollreiser the intensity of Nabucco. Everything is 1959 issue. The stereo version adds noth­ turns in a surprisingly idiomatic perform­ properly loud and soft, hut the beautiful ing truly revelatory to wbat was originalJy ance and the orchestra plays well for him. 'long-line' of Verdi is about as plastic and a very good recording. That the soaring In many respects this is the most recom­ subtle as a concrete wall. The fi nale of power of the soprano's voice remains un­ mendab!e of the half-dozen stereo record­ "La Forza" is properly thunderous, but it engulfed by the lavish orchestral outpouring ings of this work currently available. leaps out of an otherwise so-so, ho-hum, is an accomplishment to the lasting credit M.B. dust- dry reading. Sound is good, except of Miss Farrell's endowments, Mr. M unch's for high frequency distortion on ff passages. • TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 in E J.T. exciting, yet sensitively balanced, orchestral Minor, Op. 64 Boston Symphony Orchestra, background, and RCA's engineering skill. Pierre Monteux condo RCA Victor LSC 2239 However, the sound has a tendency to tlJin $5.98 • WAGNER: Der Fliegende Hollander­ out on occasion and the surfaces are not "Die Frist ist um"; Die Meistersinger-"Flie­ always quiet. G. J. 41 TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No.5 in E dermonolog"; "Wahnmonolog"; Die Wal­ Minor, Op. 64. Philharmonia Orchestra, Con­ kure-Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Mu­ WEBER: Der Fre ischuh-Overture (see stan.fin Silvestri cond o Angel S 35566 $3.98 si c ~ G-eorge London (bass-baritone ) with The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans lISZT) Knappertsbusch condo London OS 25044 • TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 in E $5.98 Minor, Op. 64. Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Odd Gruner-Hegge condo Camden CAS Musical Interest : G reat scenes COLLECTIONS 489 $2 .98 - Performance: Vivid characterizations Recording: Sumpt uous • ECHOES FROM A 16TH CENTURY Musica l Interest: Indeed Stereo Directionality: Natural CATHEDRAL-Motets by Victoria, Swee­ Performances: Monteux-Restrained; Sil­ Stereo Depth: Good linch, vestri-Iconoclastic but exciting; G ru­ Palestrina, Dez Prez, Hassle r, Viadana ner-Hegge-Orthodox and Nanini. Roger Wagner C horale. Cap­ The Metropolitan audience has not yet ita I SP 8460 $5.98 Recordings: All good, the Camden , ur­ heard George London in the three great prisingly so Heldenbariton roles portrayed on this rec­ Musical' Interest: Choral Masterpieces Stereo Directionality: All Ok Perform ances: Idiomatic and Sensi ive Stereo Depth: OK ord. If he is about to undertake Wotan and Sachs (he has already sung the Dutch­ Recording: Excelle nt Stereo Directionality: Indeterminate! The Griiner-Hegge is the only new per­ man in Bayreuth ) the signs are most en­ Stereo Depth: Magnifice nt f o~ma n ce of the three, the other two having couraging. The sonorous voice commands been re!eased previously as monophonic re­ the proper weight and darkness to suggest Generally speaking, this is one of the cordings by the respective companies. The the brooding figure of Vanderdecken and most successful discs I have heard by this Griiner-Hegge is one of a considerable num­ "Die Frist ist um" is projected with power, group. The music is well chosen and the ber of recordings made in Oslo a year ago pa:thos and conviction. His rather youthful­ performances are expressive, while main­ for original stereo releases on Camden. Like sounding Hans Sachs could be an interest­ taining careful regard for stylistic require­ the otbers in the series that I've heard, the ing portrayal on stage, lacking perhaps in ments. The chorus seems to be made up of quality of the recorded stereo is the equal the mellow philosophical appeal but lend­ professional singers, so that problems of of anybody else's stereo, and at 2.98 this ing more plausibility to Eva's fascination_ pitch and ensemble are conspicuously ab­ is real news. Griiner-Hegge's performance Both monologs have moments of rare ex­ sent. My one negative criticism stems, how­ of the Tchaikovsky ·Fifth is along solidly pressiveness but some tentative passages ever, from the very fact that the voices are traditional lines, including the "traditional" suggest the need for deepening experience. professional! The Sllpranos, in their lauda­ cuts in the finale. 1£ there are no pm-ticu­ The final scene of Die frI alkiire unfolds ble attempt to remove any traces of a mod­ lar qualities of distinction in this reading, in the deliberate and expansive Knapperts­ ern, "lush" tone and to substantiate a neither are there any distasteful elements. busch manner-but it all sounds eminently "pure" tone, occasionally become somewhat Silvestri, on the other hand, often violates right for this moving and majestic music. hooty. the letter of the printed page, but his emo­ The vi tal orchestral interludes are magnifi ­ Curiously, I could not "locate" any indi­ tion-fraught performance weaves an almost cently played and recorded-in fact the vidual choir sections. Yet the stereo re­ hypnotic spell. Monteux is content to let enveloping sound occasionally proves over­ cording supplies a spectacular illusion of the music play itself, more or less, but I'm powering for the vocalist. London is a depth and spaciousness. D. R. S6 HIFI REVIEW TH ESTER EO REEL THE STEREO REEL THE STEREO REEL

Reviewed by JOHN THORNTON

• COPLAND: Appalachian Spring-Bal­ Performance: Weary Zentner release, and he explains expertly let. London Symphony Orchestra, Walter Recording: Good both what the band is not, and what it is, Susskind condo Everest STBR 3002 $10.95 Stereo Directionality: Suitable in a few short paragraphs-outstanding mu­ Stereo Depth: Fine Musical Interest: American dance classic sicianship and the discipline that goes with • Performance: Fine Give an excellent artist like Harry Bela­ it; the style that is the heart of its person­ Recording: Fine fonte a group of folk tunes so re-arranged ality; and expert arranging. Zentner's band Stereo Directionality: Perfect spatiality is in the mold of all great bands, except Stereo Depth: Couldn't be better and 50 thick with the syrup of maudlin sentiment that not much is left of the that this outfit is good in everything, not Seldom does an English orchestra and original, and what you get is a weary re­ restricted to narrow specialization_ conductor manage to give a thoroughly con­ sult. Belafonte has real great talent, but This bunch of tooters can charm you, ex­ vincing performance of music that gets its apparently no perspective, for he goes on cite your corpuscles, arouse your admiration inspiration from regional American sources. and on with each number in the same slow­ for their technical proficiency, set your feet Susskind leads the Londoners in a lively slow ballad way, so that each has a same­ to tapping, your head to nodding, your rendition of Copland's marvelous score, as ness, and it all adds up not to nostalgia but hands to moving. Zentner can lay on the nostalgia too, as in the dreamily produced good a reading as you'll find anywhere, and morbidity. Some major liberties are taken twice as "purty" on a magnificently pro· with the old tunes, which may be Bela· Love Is the Thing, and I Start To Miss You. duced tape. My only complaint is the same fonte's prerogative, but there just is not But neither this review, nor Mr. Spector­ as noted below in my review of Everest's enough variety of mood here, and the ar­ sky's liner comment can convey the sound Francesca da Rimini and Hamlet, a lack of the band" makes_ Like the man say's .•. rangements are 50-SO, too. sheen in the first string section. But this "You gotta' hear it, Mac." could be just a personal preference for • INTRODUCING 51 ZENTER AND HIS brighter articulation, 50 go ahead and buy BAND. Siboney; I Start To Miss You; The it. It's a beauty! Nearness Of You; Hollywood Freeway; Love 7~ ips 4-Track Is The Thing; Back In Your Own Back Yard; Turnaround; Everything I've Got Belongs To • TCHAIKOVSKY: Francesca da Rimini, You. Bel Canto STB 43 $9.95 • FLOWER DRUM SONG-Overture and Op. 32; Hamlet, Overture-Fantasy, Op. 12 selections from the Rodgers and Hammer­ 67a. Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New Musical Interest: Good pop menu stein Musical featuring Cely Carrillo, Edna York, Leopold Stokowski condo Everest STBR Performance: Topnotch McGriff, Jean Arnold, Wayne Sherwood, 3011 . $10.95 Recording: Exciting Artie Malvin, June Ericson, Chorus and. Or­ Musical Interest: Hamlet has it Stereo Directionality: Well balanced chestra, Jimmy Carroll condo Stereophonic Performance: Exemplary Stereo Depth: Acoustically tops Music Society S 2 4-track 7'12 ips $7.95 Recordinq: Extremely good A. C. Spectorsky, Associate Publisher of Musical Interest: Great musical theater Stereo Directionality: Sharply divided Playboy Magazine, writes the notes for this Performa nee: Surprisingly good Stereo Depth: First strings a little distant Recording: A lulu! Performance-wise, these Tchaikovsky Stereo Directionality: Perfect Stereo Depth: Couldn't be better items are carried off by Stokowski and the Where Are the Tape Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York, At this stage of the art of mass produced (the Summer Philharmonic) in finely dis­ Reviews? pre-recorded tape, this SMS release pro­ ciplined readings, cast in the lush inter­ Our readers who find pre-recorded vides a good answer to a critical problem. pretive manner of a conductor whose tape the ultimate in stereo deserve an Since discs have brought stereo to the forte is music of just this dynamic colora­ explanation for the currently sporadic American consumer at a price within his reach, the once thriving and growing busi­ tion. "Francesca" is lurid, filled with the coverage of new releases in these pages. ness of stereo tapes has slowed down to a somber smoke and thunder of Dante's In­ The fact is simply that new stereo tape ferno, served up in a smoking series of near standstill. releases are few and far between-and repetitive tableau. Here now is one competitive answer in For this listener it is not the best of chances are they will remain so until the the form of 4-track 7% ips tape that is Tchaikovsky, but all is saved by a mag­ stereo tape manufacturers standardize both reasonably priced, and of quality com­ nificent performance of Hamlet, a seldom their efforts-between the heretofore parable to the best 2·track 7% ips tape played masterpiece_ Some of its pages are standard 7% ips 2-traek; the suggested product, which offers complete with all of magnificently wrought, and it is most wel­ 7'12 ips 4-track; the experimental 3% ips the obvious advantages of tape over disc. To come to the stereo tape catalog. Everest's 4-track; or even the nebulous 3 % ips 4- my car, this example quarter-track sound sound is. gorgeous, up to the first string quality is every bit as good as conventional track cartridge. half-track! Flower Drum Song as produced body, where there is a curious lack of silki­ Mail from readers and reports from ness and sheen-sound is soft, where there by SMS is a real technical triumph. The the field show a continuing substantial should be more bite. sound is crisp, the dynamic range is wide interest in ta pe as the true stereo hi-fi and full. and reproduction over-all is as listening medium. We assure readers of faithful as I have ever heard on the best of • LOVE IS A GENTLE THING-HARRY BELAFONTE with Orchestras directed by our own interest in giving stereo tape full regular stereo tape. Alan Greene, Bob Corman_ Fifteen; I Never editorial review coverage as soon as the The performance, too, is surprisingly Will Marry; I'm Goin' Away; Small One; resumption of new releases warrants it. good, even superior in many spots. SMS Bella' Roea; Green Grow The lilacs; Times deserves high praise for this release which Are Gettjn' Hard; Turn Around. RCA Vic­ All tapes reviewed here are 2-track. 7'12 could well pave the way for a comeback 'Of tor CPS 152 $8.95 ips, unless otherwise noted. pre-recorded tape for the mass market. Musical Interest: Dressed-up folk tunes Tape deck advocates, take heart! J. T. JULY 1959 57 Special to our readers for only ...

As a man who is seriously interested in hi-fi, you will certainly Special features of elECTRONICS WORlO 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 checks only­ inside-out. As a result, your listening enioyment will be even plus three bands for checking stereo or monophonic equ ipment! greater than ever before. • Made of top·quality virgin vin~1 for long wear! Here ~re some of the questions traordinary 2-way value you get from this special test record. First, it guides • Specially-reinforced center resists thrs record will answer for you! you in evaluating the quality of repro­ wear! duction your equipment now produces. .. ",,"!-low 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 vlllope-dust and dirt .are sealed out! V What about my stereo cartridge? you have ever' heard! Add up the ad­ ~ Fully guaranteed! Does it have enough vertical compli­ vantages! Check the special low price! 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 mulated know-how into this project for V What sort of standing waVes do I get will only be sold to you by mail, at the in my listening room? 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 cor~ can be sure that it comes as close to be first-come, first-served! Avoid dis­ rectly? Are they phased properly, and is the correct speaker connected perfection as is humanly possible, be­ appointment-place your order right to the right stereo channel? cause the editors of Electronics World now. Fill in and 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! ~------_____ .~~ ______~~~ ______M Y What about separation? Is it adequate? HiFi REVIEW· P.O. Box 211, New York 46, 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 Address' ______the thorough results you want - all checks can be made by ear! City~,______Zane __Slale ______As a man who is seriously interested in hi-fi, you can immediately see the ex- SORRY-no charges ar C.O.D., orders! H7 Reviewed by BEST OF THE MONTH MARTIN BOOKS PAN WARREN DeMOTTE • Capitol-EMI reveals the genius of Mikhail Glinka, father of Russian music, in a remarkable Christoff-sung Markevitch-directed reading of GEORGE JELLINEK A Life for the Tsar.-"a conductor who works magic with the score ... DAVID RANDOLPH J principals who for the first time reveal the grandeur of Glinka's vocal • JOHN THORNTON writing." (see p. 62)

• Columbia's pairing of two great Mozart Piano Concertos-D Minor and B~C:~: Italian ConcertQ, etc. (see p. 43) F Major with Rudolf Serkin displays that artist at his very peak-"His BACH: Mass in B Minor (see p. 43) . . . approach brings out the poetry in the music." (see p. 65)

a EACH: Recitative and Aria frQm Can­ • Angel's re-issue of., the 1952 Flagstad-F urtwangler complete Wagner tata No. 73-Herr, wie du wi list, so schick's mit mir ; Aria from Cantata No. 8-liebster Tristan und Isolde restores a historic lal'ldm~rk of the repertoire.-;-"The Gott, wann werd'ich sterben? Cantata No. likelihood of this "Tristan" becoming obsolete or even second best .iust 158-Der Friede sei mit dir (complete ); Aria and Chorale from Cantata No. 13- doesn't seem to be in the cards." (see p. 66) Me in e Saufzer, meine Tranen; Aria and Chorale from Cantata No. 157, Ich I ~ : se dich nicht, du segnest mich denn; Ar:a ull d Chorale from Cantata No. I 59-Sehet, wir geh'n hinauf gen Jerusalem. Di etrich Fi sche r­ Dieskau (baritone) with Choir of St. Hed- ' version holds its own nicely. The chorus is It . BEET.,HOVEN: Piano Quartet in E-flat, wig 's Cathedra l, gerlin and Berlin Philh ar" good; the opening is taken at a suitably Op .. 16; SCHUMANN: 'Piano Quartet in E­ monic Orchestra, Kar l Forster condo Angel brisk tempo; and the soloists sin g intelli­ flat, Op. 47. Th e " Festival Qua.det. RCA 35698 $4.98 gently and expressively. To these ears, the V}ctor LM 2200 $4.98 . Musica l Interest : Specialized " Fecit potentiam" episode would have bene­ Musica l Interest: Considerable Performance: First rate fitted had the chorus sung with more . Performance : Polished Recording: Excell ent vigor, and the magnificent duet "Et miseri­ ~e'cording: Clear A program wisely chosen from a rela­ cordia" might have been a shade slower. Piano Quartets are rar.ely played in con­ tively uncharted and rewarding r ealm. Half (We won't quibble about the fact that the cert as the players. usually must be espe­ of these excerpts, so far as my research altos sing one A-shm'p instead of an A­ cially assembled and rehearsed for the natural in bar 10 of the final chorus.) As occasion. Thus, a t;io sometimes invites a ...~. could determine, are entirely new to rec­ ords, and those previously recorded (Can­ seems to be customary with German sing­ guest· violinist; a string trio may invite a tatas 73, 156 and 158) are certainly no, ers, the Latin word "qui" emerges as piani ~ t; or a string quartet may have an match for Fischer-Dieskau's eloquent and "levee." assisting' pianist, in which case one of t.he polished performance. Cantata No. 156 is The Easter Cantata receives a very sym­ fiddl ers takes time off. For this reason, the given here in its entirety, but the high ,pathetic performance. Again, there is a formation of the F estival Quartet by points on this record, in my opinion, are the gratifyingly vital quality to the choral sinO'­ Szymon Goldberg, violinis~, William Prim­ aria and chorale from the passionate Can­ ing in the ·openi,;g. Both' the bass and the rose, violinist, Nikolai Graudan, cellist, and tata No. 13 and the majestic Es ist voll­ tenor s'oloists do very fine work in their Victor Babin, pianist, as' a permanent unit bracht from Cantata No. 159. respective contrihutions. The bass, espe­ bodes well for the literature both in concert and on records_ . Cantata No.8-in which Bach hails the cially, invests his singing with a very ex­ prospect of "sweet death" with some of his pressive and moving quality and ~he tenor, The Beethoven Quartet was re-scored by most joyful music-contains a light-footed thanks to the excellence of .his voice, is also , the composer from his Quintet fo r Piano flute obbligato reminiscent of the B minor very convincing. The soprano soloist has and Winds. While the Quintet is more in­ Suite. There and throughout the entire a clear, lyrical voice whose lightness con­ teresting and colorful, the Quartet is also program the orchestral participation' is of , trasts nicely with the dark tone of the oboe an appealing compositi on. The Schumann the highest order_ G. J. d'amore. , is not quite of the same stature as that As for the quality of the recording itself, master's Piano Quintet, but it has moments the acoustics seem ideal. There is th e that are as intense and lyrical as any he • BACH: Magnificat in 0 M(lior; and nb­ Easter Cantata (No_ 31) . Friederike Sailer quisite spaciousness, without loss of detail ever wrote. The F estival Quartet, which (soprano), Margarete -Bence (contralto), and above all, there is a gratifying warmth derives it name from the summer musical Werqer S. Braun (tenor ), August Messthaler to the sonnd. D. R. activities as Aspen, Colorado, plays both (bass) Fr iedrich Milde (oboe d'amore), works with insight and vitality, while the Martin Galling (harpsichord) with the Ba­ recording is engineered 'with fine instru­ roque Chorus and Ensemble of Stuttga'rt, mental balance. W. D. Marcel Couraud condo Columbia ML 5342 All records reviewed in this column $4.98 may be played on either single speak­ • BERG: Three Pieces for Orchestra, Op_ Mu sical Interest: Bach masterpieces er monophonic or two speaker stereo­ 6; STRAVINSKY: Agon-Ballet; WEBERN: Performance: Completely idio'matic phonic equipment. They are 33 113 rpm Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6. Sudwest­ Recording: Excellent records that should be played with deutsches Orchester, Hans Rosbaud condo The Bach Magnificat is becoming almost the RIAA setting. Westminster XWN 18807 $4.98 ' a familiar item on records these days. This , Mu sical Intere st : Remarkable for moderns 59 consists of singing actors who display Musical Interest: Lofty Performance: Very good Performance: Excellent Recording: Very good strong theatrical gifts and excellent diction Recording: Good but generally lack the vocal qualities nee?ed Rosbaud's performances of these modern to make Blitzstein's occasionally beaut~ful This same combination of performers is masterpieces are wholly admirable. He has writing sound truly beautif.ul.. Car~l BrIc.e, responsible for one of the best recordings his orchestra well under control and he whose luscious contralto IS Just Ideal m of the Beethoven Violin Concerto in the establishes a mood appropriate for each the part of the faithful Addi~, is a welco~e catalogs (Epic LC 3420). Grumiaux plays composition. The recording is so~ewhat exception and Brenda LeWIS succeeds m the Brahms Concerto with equal distinc­ rich for the character of the mUSIC, save projecting the conniving and corrupt cen­ for the Mahleresque Berg pieces recorded tion. Here is bold, sensitive playing, with tral character with such a forceful and a keen sense of the architectural structures here for the first time. This is particularly convincing directness as to make the occa­ true in the Stravinsky. However, these of the music. Grumiaux doesn't have the sional vocal lapses seem trifling. But the three scores in combination make Up a biggest tone in the business, but he has other principals are rather unattractive v?­ splendid program very well performed. some of the finest musical taste and he W.D. cally. Helen Strine captures Alexa?dr~ s gives us a Brahms performance that ranks personality with remarkable }ramau~ I~­ with the best. sight but her rapturous aria What WIll It For his part, the late, lamented van BERLIOZ: Roman Carnival; Corsair (see p. be for me" is ineffectually sung. The low­ Beinum turns in an orchestral performance 44) lying tessitura of Horace elicits tonelessly of similar high quality and the engineers hollow sounds from Joshua Hecht, and the have enveloped the whole enterprise in BIZET: Patrie (see p. 44) interpreters of Ben, Oscar and Leo Giddens sound of great warmth and beauty. M. B. succeed in underlining the unpleasant image of these portrayals with vocal quali­ DEBUSSY: Images for Orchestra (see p. 45) BLISS: Things to Come; Welcome to the ties to match. Queen (see p.48) The orchestra and chorus perform ad­ • BLlTZSTEIN: Regina (complete opera). mirably. Blitzstein's orchestral writing, • DEBUSSY: Suite Bergamasque: RAVEL: Brenda Lewis (soprano)-Regina ~idde~s; like almost everything else in the score, is Sonatine· Valses nobles et sentimentales; AI· Helen Strine (soprano)-Alexandrla; E!"z, remarkably appropriate to the dramatic borada del Gracioso. Leon Fleisher (piano). abeth Carron (soprano)-Birdie; Carol Broce situations with long stretches of efficient Epic LC 3554 $4.98 (contralto)-Addie; ~oshu~ ~echt (bass);­ Horace; George Irvonq (barltone)-Benla­ functionality relieved by instances of un­ Musical Interest: Yes! min; Emile Renan (baritone)-Oscar; Loren common inventiveness. One particularly Performance: Major Driscoll (tenor)-Leo & others. New York lingering impression is found in the finale Recording: Excellent of the second act with Regina's chilling, City Opera and Chorus. Samuel Krachmal­ Young Leon Fleisher is moving stead.ilY nick condo Columbia 03L 260 3 12" $14.94 measuredly contemptuous I hope you die upward toward major status as an artIst. soon delivered against the whirling back­ This is one of his most satisfying records Musical Interest: Stimulating .. round of Offenbachian gaiety. The re­ Performance: Variable yet, and it presents him in music not gen­ Recording: Vivid ~orded sound is first class and the album erally associated with his career. is visually very attractive. G. J. If this enterprise-produced under the He reveals here a subtlety of touch and auspices of the Koussevitzky Music Foim· phrasing rather unsuspected from listening • BRAHMS: Sonatas for Violin and Piano to his recordings of more virtuosic reper­ dation Inc. and engaging the forces of the -G Major, Op_ 78; A Major, Op. 100; D New York City Opera-heralds a burgeon· toire. His Debussy and Ravel have clarity Minor, Op. 108; SCHUBERT: Fantasie in C of outline together with grace of phrase ing series of recorded American operas, all Major, Op. 159. Yehudi Menuhin (violin) concerned are entitled to a hearty round of and Louis Kentner (piano). Capitol-EM I and rhythm. Of course, in the Alborado, compliments. And the initial choice is an GBR 7142 2 12" $9.96 his dexterity and power has an opportunity admirable one-Regina, based on Lillian to shine, and that they do_ Epic's recording Musical Interest: High does the playing full justice. W. D. Hellman's memorable The Little Foxes, is Performance: Feeling strong, vital theater and a musical tour-de­ Recording: Well balanced force of impressive individual qualities. Maybe I shouldn't confess this publicl!, DUKAS: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (see p_ Leaning strongly on traditional operatic but I enjoy hearing the Schubert Fantasle 48) elements, the emerging musical profile of more than I do any of the Brahms Violin Regina is neither derivative nor in any way Sonatas. There is something about the • DVOiAK: Symphony No.5 in E Minor, revolutionary. It is a work of thoroughly intensity of the opening that "sends" me, Op. 95 ("From the New World"); SME· American character that makes effective and I find it hard to resist the trills and har­ TANA: The Moldau. Berlin Philharmonic use of spirituals and jazz strains to estab­ monic riches of the Sei mir gegrilsst varia­ Orchestra. Herbert von Karajan condo Angel 35615 $4.98 lish a needed atmosphere-and then passes tions that are the core of the work. But on to episodes where overtones of Italian then, the annotator of this album dismisses M usica I Interest: Repertoire favorites opera and operetta predominate. There are these passages as "brilliant if somewhat su­ Performance: Sensitive frequent instances of spoken dialogue and perficial ornament." Perhaps our emotions Recording : Excellent at one point the otherwise fast-moving emote differently. drama comes to a dead halt while four Until now Dvoi'lik's "New World" Sym­ Menuhin does his best work in the Schu­ principals comment on the falling rain in phony has somehow escaped the attention bert. Its rhapsodic character is more suited a charmingly written vocal ensemble. But of Herbert von Karajan on discs_ This re­ to the present day quality of his tone and these apparent incongruities blend into a lease, as might have been anticipated, his occasional lack of technical poise. He very satisfying whole through the compos­ shows him to be an excellent interpreter of still does have musical conviction, and that er's craftmanship and inventiveness_ Blitz­ the score. His is a poetic approach, with carries him a long way. There is force in stein's methods are forceful and natural, carefully adjusted dynamics and balances_ his playing, and warmth. and his secure sense of showmanship rarely For more robust qualities one must look to The pianism of Kentner is unalloyed joy. resorts to such instances of obvious arti­ the recordings by Toscanini (RCA Victor) It is a treat to hear violin-piano duos with ficiality as Regina's stentorian monotone and Silvestri (Angel), but Karajan's is also exhortations in the first scene of Act I. so sensitive and individual an artist. The a valid approach. close collaboration between these eminent Leonard Bernstein, whose perceptive Karajan is equally successful with The 1949 comments are quoted in the accom­ artists raises these performances to a level Moldau, giving us a reading of passion and panying booklet, makes the interesting of high distinction, and the sensitive bal­ surge. The playing of the Berlin Philhar· point that even the unsavory characters­ ance of the recording maintains the rela­ monic is of hair-trigger precision in both tionship to perfection. W. D. and Regina is teeming with them-are scores and the engineers have provided given exquisite music to sing. And here excellent sound. M. B. lies the basic weakness of a performance • BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77. Arthur Grumiaux with the Amsterdam Con­ which otherwise captures a great deal of certgebouw Orchestra. Eduard van Beinum ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstanc:e Marches the opera's theatrical excitement. The cast condo Epic LC 3552 $4.98 (see p_ 48) 60 HIFI REVIEW The Copy-Cats Are Imitating Our Enclosure, Our Price, Our Advertising, -BUT ...

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The opera's action takes place in tile 17th EI Amor Brujo, Orchestre National de century (shortly after the death of Boris l'Ope ra de Paris, Manuel Rosenthal condo Godounov) and it deals with the frustrated wi th Yvonne Loriod (piano), Amparito Peris attempt of Polish invaders to destroy Rus­ de Pruliere (m ezzo-sopra no ). Westminster sia's Tsar Mikhail Romanoff. The focal XWN 18803 $4.98 character is the heroic peasant I van Susan­ Musical In terest: Falla's masterpieces in, who leads the Polish soldier into the Performa nee: Very good marshes and destruction, sacrificing himself Recording: Top Westminster effort so that the Tsar might be saved. The con­ If Westminster's engineers had chosen flict between the two nations is highlighted closer miking for Yvonne Loriod's piano, in Glinka's music by an inventive employ­ BARGAIN this would be a marvelous disc, for here is ment of Polis h strains. Act II opens with almost the only flaw. Rosenthal has made a festive scene to the background of ap­ SUPPLEMENT some splendid records for Westminster, in· propriately colorful national dance music. cluding a breathtaking performance of De· Al! subsequent reappearance of Polish sol­ bussy's Jeux (XWN 18771), and he con· diers is accompanied by polonaise and ma­ {itt) ducts magnificently on these two sides. zurka rhytllms--an intriguing and mildly Pianistically speaking, I've yet to hear the disconcerting device which works out amus· BIGGEST VALUES EVERI Save most equal of Novaes on the old Vox set (PL ingly when these rousing dance rhythms on Stereo hi-fi. See top buys in Allied­ recommended complete systems, 8520), but Loriod is good enough and the mask some ominous and terrifying utter­ KNIGHT quality Stereo compo­ o~chestra is considerably better. ances. A subtle touch is added, however, nents, and KNIGHT-KIT build­ El Amor Brujo is outstanding for the in the episode where Susanin feigns to ac· your-own Stereo. Hundreds of values in famous name amplifiers, tuners, constant suspense that Rosenthal maintains cept the Polish bribe-at that one point changers, speakers, accessories-as throughout, and the familiar Fire Dance is he too sings "Polish music." well as recorders, P.A. systems, test not conducted here as a tour de force but Admittedly, one couid find many faults instruments and electronic supplies. with this opera, but its positive values­ Send for your FREE Allied Supple- retains a balanced place in the whole. . ment packed with bargains and new Mezzo·soprano Amparito Peris de Pruliere its pages of startling originality, the force­ products. Save as never before! sings her role adequately, if not with the ful choral writing, and particularly the passion of Iriarte in the older Angel set, image of Susan in, the folk hero, as brought which is a corker. (Argenta on Angel to life by Glinka's musical characterization 35089, with Master Peter's Puppet Show.) --all these are astonishing coming from a ALLIED RADIO, Dept. 145·G9 The set is worthwhile because of the con· time (1836) when both Wagner and Verdi lOa N. Weltern Ave., Chicago 80, III. dL: cting of Rosenthal, who impresses me were hardly more than apprentices in the D Send FREE Allied Supplement No. 1 85 more every time I hear him. J. T. operatic art. I Nome ______The two previously released complete re­ cordings (Vanguard and London) of this I Address ______FRESCOBALDI: Madrigals (see p.48) opera are completely overshadowed by the present release, recorded in Paris under the LI City ______zone ____ Stote ______J' GESUALDO: Madrigals (see p. 48) leadership of Igor Markevitch and built around the choral forces and minor per­ • GLINKA: A Life For the Tsar (complete formers of the Belgrade Opera (Oscar opera). Boris Christoff (bass }-Ivan Su sa­ Danon, who conducted ilie same ensemble nin; Te resa Stich-Randall (soprano }-An­ ton ida ; Nicolai Gedda (tenor}-Sobinin; for London is choral director here) . Aside Mela Bugarinovitch (contralto }-Vanya and from the presence of a superior orchestra others. Chorus of the Beigrade Ope ra and and a conductor who works magic with tile the Orchestre de l'Association d es Concerts score the Capitol set boasts cast of princi­ Lamoureux, Ig or Markevitch con do Capitol­ pals who for the first time reveal the EMI GCR 7163 $14.94 grandeur of Glinka's vocal writing. Chris· Musical Inter est: Rewarding toff is, of course, born to the part of Performance: Exciting Susanin, endowing it with passionate, mov­ Recording: Excellent ing eloquence. The aria "They guess the Aside from being a mighty landmark in truth" is unforgettable, as is the tender Russian music, A Life For the Tsar may be farewell to his daughter when Ivan departs considered the first manifestation of nation­ to certain death. Vocally Christoff is in alism in all opera. But Glinka, unlike other characteristic form-fanciers of bel canto .' path. breakers of loftier genius, merely set phrasing and the amenities of controlled the stage for a genera tion of his betters who voice production will not be fully satisfied brought fulfillment to his still formative here nor are tIley likely to get more satis­ efforts. Consequently his operas receive faction from this artist in future undertak­ little attention nowadays outside of Russia, ings. He is what he is-a latter day Chali­ and are overshadowed by the superior crea­ apin-but I personally think our age may tions of Moussorgsky, Tchaikovsky and consider itself fortunate to listen to such a Rimsky.Korsakov--all of whom, incidental­ Boris Godounov and Ivan Susanin. ly, reverently acknowledged their indebted­ Whatever tonal beauty may be missing ness to tlle earlier master. in the Christoff interpretation is redeemed Glinka's musical nationalism was tenta· with interest by Teresa Stich-Randall. It is tive and intermittent, a phenomenon which unlikely that this American soprano could filled pages of this powerful opera with un­ have lived with the part of Antonida very avoidable incongruities. The overture is long, which makes her success all the more Beethoven-inspired, with overtones of Web· striking. The superb assurance and purity er, while many of the arias and vocal en­ of intonation she displays in the first act sembles betray the Italian influence from cavatina and the pearl·like tones and phras­ which Glinka vainly tried to free his style ing of Mozartian delicacy ip. the Romance --notable examples are the trio and finale of Act III place her into the front line of of Act I which sound like late Rossini. But present-day singers, ready for all vocal hon· the choral writing and much of Susanin's ors. Nicolai Gedda, who apart ·from being music display the powerful national inspira­ an excellent tenor also appears to be a lin· tion that was to reach full fruition in Mous· guistic wizard, turns in an impressive per· sorgsky's scores. formance as Sobinin, Antonida's heroic be· 62 HIFI REVIEW trothed. Since, according to a hasty tally, his big aria con tains a s uccession of two Concerning Electrostatics ... D-flats surrounded by no less than six high Cs, more cannot be asked of any tenor. Mela Bngarinovitch (presumably of Bel­ Among the many high frequency speakers available today, we be­ grade) ro unds out the principals. Hers is lieve the electrostatic merits special consideration for the serious an Azucena voice-a circumstance which listener. This is not to imply that all electrostatics automatically militates against the intended image of guarantee superior reproduction. When properly designed and Susanin's adopted son Vanya. An evident carefully manufactured, however, the push-pull electrostatic will fa ux pas in casting, but she sings well outperform all other types of tweeters in terms of low distortion, enough to make me wish to hear her as excellent transient response, and wide range - qualities most im­ Azucena some day_ portant to serious listeners. What is left to praise ? Oh, yes, the sound As a guide for . prospective purchasers, the manufacturer of the is up to the highest current standard. Good JansZen has compiled the following most commonly-asked ques­ historical notes and new translation are supplied. Also the usual phonetic translit­ tions about electrostatics: eration from the Russian, from which I have taken the liberty of lifting a succinct quote Q. What are the basic differences be­ the grill doth. No potential trouble to sum up my opinion of this Capitol re­ tween electrostatics now on the spots have been found during JansZen's lease : ... '' ~ORA! '' G. J. market? continuous accelerated life tests which age tweeters 10 years in 1; hence A. Electrostatic speakers all utilize the · a straightforward 2-year written war­ HANDEL: Organ Concertos Nos. 7-12 (see electrostatic principle, but there the ranty is furnished with every JansZen. p.49) similarity ends. Three commonly-used electrostatic designs are shown below. After long and continuing tests of all Q. JansZen electrostatics are called • HANSON: Symphony No.2, Op. 30 types, JansZen believes that only the "mid/high range" tweeters. Exactly (,"Romantic"); The La ment for Beowulf, Op. push-pull design really meets high fi­ what does this mean? 25. The Eastman -R ochester Sym phony Or­ delity requirements. Its balanced and A. While most electrostatics are lim­ chestra and Ea stman School of Music Chor­ opposing electrostatic forces operate ited to frequencies above about 5,000 us, H oward H anson condo Mercury MG simultaneously on both sides of the dia­ cycles, the response of the JansZen ex­ 50 1'12 $4.98 phragm - one pushes while the other tends down through the mid-range of pulls - to give precise control over dia­ Mu sical In terest: For modern romantics 700 or 500 cycles depending on model. phragm movement. In single-ended and Thus, the JansZen may be used with Perform ance: Superb double-single-ended designs, electro­ Recording : Great any good woofer without the need for static forces acting on only one side of a costly separate speaker and cross­ Dr. Hanson enjoys an atmosphere not the diaphragm cannot provide the de­ over network to handle middle frequen­ gree of control necessary for good tran­ cies. The wide range of the J ansZen is given to many American contemporary com­ sient response and low distortion. posers. He is a respected educator and ad­ not achieved without cost, however. ministrator and he is in the rare position of Extra care in the manufacture of the electrostatic radiators and larger, more being able to rehearse and conduct his own 176 SHEATHED CONDUCTORS ELECTRODE ELECTROOE expensive power supply components works frequently with a fine symphonic ...... are required to insure that mid-range ~ ------... ensemble. It is more than a merely happy o 0 response retains the same transparent coincidence th at Hanson manages to write o 0 clari ty that makes the J ansZen so -de­ so much first rate music, and that he can o 0 sirable as a high frequency reproducer. o 0 interpret his compositions with such con­ 0 0 ductorial skill. His Romantic Symphony 0 0 0 0 Q. What is the purpose of the power is everything the title implies, and it has / ./ I supply in electrostatics? hecome over the years something of an DIAPHRAGM DIAPHRAGM DIAPHRAGMS1 A. In the dynamic speaker, a magnet American cla·ssic. JansZen true Double-Single- furnishes the force to move the cone. Single· En ded Ended Hanson joins a keen understanding of Push-Pu II Electrostat ic Ele ctrostatic Electrostat ic In the electrostatic, the power supply harmonic structure with a brilliant com­ furnishes " plus" and "minus" voltages mand of instrumentation. The Romantic to move the sensitive diaphragm. Spe­ cial transformers in the J ansZen power Symphony is accordingly full-blown, lush, Q. J ansZen literature stresses" virtually moody, heroic, and brimful of skillfully supply provide a step-up ratio which massless diaphragms" and" sheath!f!d remains uniform from the critical mid­ managed orchestral color. conductors." Don't all electrostat£cs range to beyond audibility. This as­ The Lament for Beowulf is even more have these? sures flat response throughout the wide impressive, calling for large and varied A. No! The JansZen diaphragm is the frequency range encompassed by the orchestral forces and a chorus of over 200. thinnest, lightest, most chemically JansZen-and with less than 0.5% total Hanson sets everything in motion with a stable material used in any electro­ distortion. pulsating rhythmic beginning, punctuated static. Thus it has virtually no inertia by huge percussive effects. It seems a trifle to resist the electrostatic forces or to Q. Aren't electrostatics quite ineffi- long, and the chorus can seldom be under­ produce hangover, distortion, or poor cient? stood, but the over-all sound is tremendous. transient response. The sheathed con­ ductors are another JansZen exclusive A. The unusually flat response an? All Mercury records made in the Eastman wide range of the J ansZen may make It Theater are sonically among the best to be that contribute materially to long, troublefree life and lowest distortion. seem less efficient than a less uniform had, and this issue is no exception. J. T. 88 sheathed conductors, stretched taut tweeter whose efficiency is measured at on either side of each diaphragm, pro­ some peak in the response curve. The vide the controlling push-pull electro­ JansZen can be used with any good am­ HAYDN: Symphony No. 104 ("London") plifier capable of 20 or m?re clean.watts (see p. 50) static forces. Tolerances as close as 1/1000-inch are rigidly maintained dur­ output. When companng e~Clency, ing the several hours required to assem­ note that the JansZen reqmres no LALO: Le Roi d'Ys (see p. 44) power-robbing attenuator pad in ~he ble each JansZen radiator. woofer circuit· it readily balances wlth most good 10"';' frequency direct radia­ MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No.4 {"Ital­ Q. How durable are electrostatic radi- tors. ian"} (see p. 50) ators? A. JansZen's patented sheathed c

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PAS DE DEUX~The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Robert Irving condo Excerpts From Adam: Giselle; Chopin: Les Sylphides; Delibes: Sylvia & 5 others. Capital-EMI G 7160 $4.98 WALTZ MASTERPIECES-Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York, Pcliakin condo 1 1 J. Strauss: Wiener Blut; Tchaikovsky: Waltz Of The Fl owers & 5 others. Everest LPBR 6025 $3.98 " PAUL ROBESOI\:-FAVORITE SONGS 10 Hammer Songs; Jacob's Ladder; Stand Sti ll Jordan & 13 others. Monitor MP 580 $4.98 ROMANTIC ARIAS FOR ORCHESTRA-Andre Kostelanetz end His Orchestra 10 Puccini: Arias From La Boheme, Tosca; Bizet: Le oncavallo & others. Columbia CL 1263 $4.98 WORLD'S FAVORITE WALTZES-Philadelphia Orchestra, Ormandy cond o 10 Blu e Danube; Emperor W altz; Merry Widow Waltz; Invitation To The Dance & 2 others. Columbia ML 5359 $4.98 THE BEST OF STRAUSS-Mishel Piastro and His Concert Orchestra 8 Emperor Waltz; Blue Danube; Artist's life; Voices Of Spring & 5 others. Decca DL 8826 $3.98 ITS CLASSIC BUT ITS GOOD-RCA Symphony Orchestra, Robert Russell Bennett condo I I I 8 Selections By Tchaikovsky; Mozart; liszt & others. RCA Victor LM 2238 $4.98 SONGS OF OLD RUSSIA-sung by Lemeshev, Kozlovsky, Eisen, Kirichek I I" 8 Dunya Th e Weaver; Snow Flurries; Gray Dawn; The little Bell & 10 others. Monitor MP 500 $4.98 STRINGS IN HI-FI-Domenico Savino & His Symphonic Strings I I 8 G ranada; To A Water lily; In Th e Orient; St ranger In Th e City & 10 others. RCA Camden CAL 487 $1.98 IGOR BEZRODNY PLAYS GERSHWIN 11,f 7 Th ree preludes by Gershwin & 11 other violin selections not by Gershwin. Monitor MC 2028 $4.98 BOLSHOI-Strings of the Bolshoi Theater arch., Reentovich condo 7 Selections by Rimsky-Korsakov; Ravel; Dvo~ak ; Prokofiev & others. Monitor MC 2035 $4.98 GEORGE FEYER-MEMORIES OF POPULAR OPERAS 7 Madame Butterfly; Faust; La Boheme; Rigoletto & others. RCA Vielor LPM 1926 $3.98 MARIO!-Mario Lanza (tenor! with Chorus & Orchestra 7 Funiculi Funi cula ; Maria Mari; Santa Lu cia Lunta na & 9 others. RCA Vielor LM 2331 $4.98 MElACI-;RINO'S MAGIC STRINGS 7 S£huma nn: Traumerei; O. Straus: Waltz Dream; McHugh : Lovely Lady & 8 others. ABC-Paramount 249 $3.98 OPERA FOR ORCHESTRA-Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Sy Sheffer condo 7 Bizet: Carmen; Gounod: Faust; Offenbach: Tales of Hoffmann. Westminster XWN 18823 $4.98 OPERA FOR ORCt-:ESTRA-Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Sy Shaffer condo 6 Arias from La kme; Samson and Delilah; M ignon; Tu randot; Manon Le scaut; Gianni Schicchi. Westminster XWN 18843 $4.98 OPERA WITHOUT WORDS-Rome Symphony Orchestra, Domenico Savino condo 6 Bellini: N·orma. Kapp 9027 $3.98

Musical Interest: Excellent "" " " Ple~sing Fair " " Disappointing " Good Superb """" Adequate "" Dull " . OK Poor ., Brlttiant """" Fair " "

64 HIFI REVIEW (K. 314); Andante (K. 315). Elaine Shaffer This disc adds little to the discography This is Milstein at his bes t. No small with Philharm onia Orchestra. Efrem Kurtz of Mozart Symphonies. Schmidt-Isserstedt share of the beauty of this record, however, condo Capitol-EM I G 7135 $4.98 offers a very routine version of the great is due to the sensitive pianism of Pommers. Musica l I'nterest : Gems of their kind E-llat Symphony, with little of the passion The performances are delightfully spir­ Performance: Beautiful and drive inherent in the music. Things ited and fully polished. Besides the ob­ Recording : Fine are better in the "Jupiter," but the best of vious technical fa cility that each perform­ those previously available (Klemperer and Curious, that Mozart could write such er brings to his task, there is also in evi­ Toscanini, to name only two ) remain un­ dence a fin e sense of ensemble. fin e music for an instrument that he did not challenged. like! One would hardly suspect his bias The recording itself presents the two in­ The recorded sound is on the shrill side. struments in perfect balance. Curiously, from the results, and Miss Shaffer (Mrs. In short, a disa ppointing release. M. B. Efrem Kurtz) certainly plays the music as a result of the true-to-life quality of the con amore. In fact, the performances are • MOZART: Violin Sonatas-C Major recording, one hears Milstein breathing all that could be desired. Miss Shaffer is a (K. 296), E Minor (K. 304). G Major (K. before each phrase, especially in the slow master of her instrument and her approach, 301.) Natha n Milst ein with Leon Pomm e rs, movements. with its leisurely tempi, gives a sense of (piano) . Capitol P 8452 $4.98 The technical quality of the record and complete poise to the performances. Espe­ Musi cal Inte re5t: Gems the fin e sense of style of the performances cially noteworthy is her control in the beau­ Perform a nce: Finely molded make this an excellent disc, indeed. D. R. tiful slow movement of the G Major Con­ Record ing : Excellent (Continued on next page) certo . ., The orchestral support is completely sym- pathetic, and the recording is spacious and well balanced. Highly recommended. D. R.

MOZART: Piano Concertos-Nos. 17 & 27 DEDICATED TO PERFECTION (see p. 50)

• MOZART: Piano Concertos-No. 20 in /iJf!!.fJJV f f ss o Minor (K. 466) No. II in F Major (K.413). Rud olf Se rki n wi th the Ma rlboro Fest ival Orchestra. Al exa nd e r Schne id er condo Columbia ML 5367 $4.98 Musica l Inte rest : Unquestioned Perfo rm a nce: Vigorous and perceptive Recording: Very good This is a recording to reckon with. From the very opening bars of the magnificent D Minor Concerto, conductor Alexander Schneider leaves no doubt about his ap­ proach to the music. He invests it with an almost demoniac feeling, so that one senses that the music is about to explode at any moment. The first entrance of the piano, wi tIl its faster-than-usual tempo, sustains this feeling of suspense and tension. This is hy far the most dramatic version of the work that I know, and it is a most com­ pelling one. To these ears, also, Serkin's tempo in the slow movement is far more gratifying than S tereo, we are told. is an ill'U.s'ion. T his r ecording gives one a that adopted by Casadesus in another Co­ very c011tplete illusion, f or h ere 'we eX1}erience sonte of the 1vorld's greatest mnsicict1ls in extracts of beloved operas a?l d lumbia disc, or by Edwin Fischer on Angel orchestral master1Jieces. T h e syn thesis of Jcn 01v-ho'w in soun d release. His more relaxed approach brings re]Jroduction and engineeri11g skill are exemplified in these out the poetry in the music whereas the momen ts ta'/cen front Lon don's extensive catalogue. other two, with their faster pace, seem to The opera stage is represented by the glorious voice of Renata gloss over it. In the recent Vox disc, In­ Tebaldi in a portion of "Un bel di , vedremo " taken from the re­ grid Haebler takes an approach similar cently issued complete edition of Madama Butterfly; the fast rising to that of Serkin. However, she fails to young Italian tenor, Carlo Bergonzi, is heard in the famous "Re­ condita armonia" out of Puccini 's Tosca ; the incomparable Kirsten bring out the excitement of the turbulent Flagstad voices her unforgettable rendition of " Du bist der Lenz" middle section of that movement. as in Wagner's music-drama, Die WalJiure ; also included are thrill ­ For all the above reasons, this new disc ing portions from the complete history·making London edition of would be my first choice for the D Minor Das Rheingold and the soon to be released version of Boito's, Mefistofele, starring Cesare Siepi, Renata Tebaldi and Mario Concerto, even if it didn't contain the de­ del Monaco. lightful F Major as a bonus. The recording, as such, is good, and the From the concert-halls of the world comes Ernest Ansermet to lead $2~~ L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in a portion of Beethoven's piano seems to be placed with the orchestra, LP . Fifth Symphony ; Georg Solti directs the Israel Philharmonic Orches­ instead of being made overly-prominent. tra in the bouncing Tarantella from La Boutique Fantasque and D.R. never have Res~ighi ' s arrangements of · Rossini 's piano pieces shown so brilliantly; Karl Miinchinger. founder and conductor of LIMITED the renowned Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, shows us their way • MOZART: Symphonies-No. 39 in E­ with a Bach Brandenburg Concerto. The legendary Wilhelm Back­ EDITION haus assisted by the illustrious Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra de­ flat; No. 41 in C ("Jupiter"). London Sym­ light us with a segment of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 and ph ony Orchestra, Hans Schmidt-I ss erstedt Write fot free complete catalog ' the sterling members of the Vienna Octet demonstrate stereo in cond o Mercury MG 50184 $4.98 LONDON RECORDS INC. the field of chamber music via a portion of Schubert's delightful Dept·. LN, 539 West 25th Street Octet in F. The recording concludes with the rousing finale to Musical Interest: Two monuments of the Tchaikovsky 's 1812 Overture as performed by The London Sym­ symphonic literature New York I, N. Y. phony Orchestra and The Band of the Grenadier Guards. Performance : No. 39-Flabby; No. 40- better Record ing : On the shrill side JULY 1959 65 RAVEL: Mot he r Goose (see p. 48) STRAVINSKY: Agon (see BERG) sound is full-bodied and luminous, and" bal­ ances are as near" perfection ' as one has a RAVEL: Sonatine ; Valses nobles et senti­ • VIVALDI: Si x Conce rt os for Flute, right to expect in such a monumental un­ mentales; Alborada del gracioso (see DE­ Strings and Contin uo, Op. 10. Gastone Tas­ dertaking. BUSSY) si na ri with I Musici . Epic LC 3541 $4.98 The real significance of this performance Mus ica l Interest: Delightful cannot, however, be discussed in engin eer­ ROZSA CONDUCTS ROZSA (see p. 54) Perform a nce: Con amore ing terms. The Flagstad voice of 1952 still Recording: Spacious and clear retain ed enough of its splendor to co mmit SAINT.SAENS: Omphale's Spinning Wheel The above capsule descriptions just about to disc an image of what will be remem­ (see p. 48) sum up this record. It remains to be said bered as the Isolde of our times. Wa.rm, that here is fifty-five minutes more of that opulent and secure, its flooding slI" ength • SCHUBERT: Die Schone Mullerin apparently inexhaustible store of music rises above the orcheslI"a with soaring ease (song-cycle). Helmut Krebs (tenor) and Fe­ No.2, with its beautiful slow movement, and nowhere with more convincing rna lery lix Schroed er (piano ). Westminster XWN than in the pages of the Liebeslod. Both 18815 $4.98 sub·titled "Sleep," is a gem. D_ R. Blanche Thebom's Brangane and Ludwig Musi cal In terest: Definitely • WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde (com­ Suthaus's Tristan are somewhat overshad­ Pe rfo rm ance: Bland plete opera). Kirsten Flagstad (soprano )­ owed by the Flagstad magnetism, but their Reco rding: Good Isolde; Blanch.e Th e bo m (mezzo-soprano)­ contribution is nothing short of fir st-rate. This poignant music requires a voice wi th Bran gane; Ludwig Suthaus (tenor) -T ris tan; The mellifluous Marke of Josef Griendl Josef Greindl (bass )-King Mark; Dietric h adds impressively to the total effort and fl exibility and color, and musicianship Fischer-Di eskau (baritone )-Kurwenal ; Ed­ F ischer-Dieskau, though slightly uncomfort­ searching and profound. Krebs has a flexi­ gar Eva ns (te nor)-Melot and others. The ble voice and he is musical. What he lacks Phil harmonia Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwa n­ able in the fir st act, sings Kurwenal's music is the ability to so inflect the tones he pro· gler con do Angel 3588 5 12" $25.90 in Act III with a lyricism alid eloquence duces that they mean different things at seldom encountered on the stage. Musica l Interest: Outstanding Molding the vocal elements Into a bal­ different times. There is always danger of Performance: Outstanding monotony when interpreting long cycles Rec9rding : Outstanding anced totality, and eliciting a beautiful such as this. Krebs fails to avoid this dan­ orchestral performance from the Philhar­ ger because of his limited command of This performance is a milestone in re­ monia, Furtwangler leaves no doubt of hi s color and emotion. Schroeder's pianism is corded opera. While marching time bas authority in what turned out to be one of more that of accompanist than genuine col­ been turning "definitive" renditions of the his last and per haps most lasting phono­ laborator. W. D. past into respectable, but fading, so uvenirs graphic achievements. G. J. at an alarming rate, th e likelihood of this SCHUBERT: Fantasie in C Major (see Tristan 'becoming ob s o~ete or even second WEBERN: Six Pi eces (S'ee BERG) BRAHMS) best just doesn't seem to be in the Cal"ds. Stereophony was hardly more than a SCHUMANN: Piano Quartet in E-flat (see vi sion when HMV recorded this set in COLLECTIONS BEETHOVEN) 1952. But no apologies are needed on tech­ nical grounds-it stands comparison with • THE GOLDEN AGE OF BRASS-Ga· SMETANA: The Moldau (see DVORAK) the best efforts of the current year. The brieli , Pezel, Bach, Bonelli, Purcell, Holborne,

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1 HIFI REVIEW etc. The Brass En semble, Roger Voisin condo and his playing of Gershwin, Debussy, Pro· interesting is the number of virtuoso tran· Kapp KCL 9028 $3.98 kofiev and Kabelevsky has more to offer scriptions-also becoming rare in our day. Musical Interest: Growing than his interpretations of Mendelssohn, In general, this is more to the good. I think Perfo rmance: Very good Chopin and Scriabin. It is that shying away it is generally co nceded that we get to hear Record ing: Very good from caressing a phrase or a note-to give more good music than our forebears did, This record had an earlier incarnation it more color or emphasis-that inhibits his even though we don't always hear it as well on the now defunct Unicorn label. It was playing of the Romantic composers. How· played. Of course, not every pianist of that praised then for' unhackneyed repertoire, ever, the program is co mm endable in its day was a Rachmaninoff either, and we the beauty of the music, the excellence of variety and the recording is excellent. W. D. need not regret that we are spared the the performances, and the clarity of sonic necessity of listening to the repertoire typ i· texture. • THE ART OF SERGEI RACHMANIN­ fi ed by this record as played by one of his OFF-Vol. 2: BACH-RACHMANINOFF: The change in labels has dimished in no lesser contemporaries. On its own terms, Violin Partita No. 3 Pr elud e ; CHOPIN­ way the quality of the original effort. The however, this disc is an outstanding value. LlSZT: The Maiden's Wish; SCHUBERT: Im­ It off ers more great playing at a lower price Brass Ensemble is from the ranks of the promptu in A Flat .. Op. 90 , No.4; GLUCK­ Boston Symphony Orchestra and the play· SGAMBATI : Melody; RACHMANINOFF: than almost any other record, save for The ing is exceptionally fine. W. D. Serenade; BEETHOVEN·RUBINSTEIN : Turk­ Art of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Vol. 1 (Cam· ish March; KREISLER-RACHMANINOFF: den 396), and the sound is surprisingly " PRELUDES-MENDELSSOHN: Prelude Liebesleid ; SCHUMANN-TAUSIG: Th e good. W.D. and Fugue. Op. 35, No. I; CHOPIN: Pre­ Smuggler; CHOPIN-LlSZT: The Return .., ludes-A Major, Op. 28. No. 7; E Minor. Home; CHOPIN: Waltz in A Flat, Op. 64, Op. 28, No.4; C Minor, Op. 28, No. 20; No.3; LlSZT: Dance of the Gnomes; SCHU­ • OPERATIC RECITAL: Victoria de los D Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15; D Minor, Op. BERT-LlSZT: Wandering; BORODIN: Scher­ Angeles-VERDI: Ernani-Sorta e la notte; 28, No. 24; GERSHWIN: Three Preludes; zo; DAQUIN : Le Coucou; TCHAIKOVSKY: Ernani, involami; Otello-Era piu calmo?; PROKOFIEV: Prelude in C Major, Op. 12 Humoresque; HENSELT: Were I A Bird; Ave Maria (Willow Song) (W. Gianella Bo­ No.7; DEBUSSY: General Lavine-Eccen­ DEBUSSY : Golliwogg's Cakewalk. Serge i relli, mezzo-soprano); PUCCINI: La Boheme tric; La puerto del vino; Feuilles mortes; Rachmaninoff ( piano). Camden CAL 48b -Si, mi chiamano Mimi, Donde !ieta usci; BOITO: Mefistofele-L'altra notte; ROSSI­ SCRIABIN : Pre lude in E-flat Minor, Op. Ib, $1.98 NI : La Cenerentola-Nacqui all'ffanno . .. No. 4 ; KABELEVSKY : Preludes, Op. 38, No. Mu sica l Interest: High I; Op. 38, No.2. Perry O'Neil (piano). Non piu mesta ; MASCAGNI : Cavalleria Performance: Tough on other pianists Rusticana-Voi sapete; CATALANI: La Kapp KCL 9029 $3.98 10 Record ing: Surprisingly good Wally-Ebben? Ne andro lontana-with Or· Musical Interest: Popular keyboard fare Only Josef Hofmann could dispute Rach· chestra of th e Ro me Opera, Giuseppe Mo· Performance : Fa ir to good maninoff's claim to the title of "The great· rell i condo Capitol-EMI G 7172 $4.98 Recording: Good est pianist of his time." Here the great, Musical Inte rest: Choice recital fare P erry O'Neil is a young American pianist gaunt Russian is heard in a treasury of Pe rfo rm ance : Outstanding who as a boy won many prizes and has been encore pieces, and he plays them with a Recording : Good giving concerts for more than a decade. beauty that was rare enough in his day and Like so many of his co ntemporaries, he has which now seems to have pretty well dis· This is an excellently planned, beauti· fast, accurate fingers and a crisp style. appeared altogether. fully executed program, affording a wide· Hence, his aptitude is for modern music What makes this program particularly range display to one of today's rarest vocal

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I JULY 1959 67 talents. (The identical LP was previously and the sound, endowed with an over· available as RCA Victor LM 1920). abundant measure of echo, is adequate. Whether on the familiar testing grounds G.J. (Boheme, Otello) or in a less likely setting (Cavalleria Rustica.na ) De los Angeles ex· • CHQRAL MASTERPIECES OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH-TRAD.: hibits glowing vocal qualities framed in By the Waters of Babylon ; WEDEL: Confes­ deeply felt dramatic interpretations. Ex­ sion; KIEV'S CHANT: The Only Begotten quisite, too, are the Bo'ito and Catalani One; KIEV'S CHANT: Thy Dwelling Place ; arias-executed with the needed passion TURCHANINOV: The Last Supper; VOROT. 2120 S. Michigan and intensity without' any lessening of tonal NIKOV : The Thief Forgiven; TURCHANI­ beauty. To round out the picture of a NOV: The Cry of Joseph; Pre-Easter Prayer. prima donna assoluta, the grand Ernani The Don Cossacks Choir, Serge Jaroff condo scene is sum ptuously vocalized and the col­ Decca DL 9403 $4.98 oratura-mezzo acrobatics of La Cenerentola • DIVINE LITURGY; REQUIEM MASS whet the appetite for a complete recording -Music of the Russian Orthodox Church. with the victorious Victoria in the title role. The Don Cossa cks Choir, Serge Jaroff condo The Ernani and Otello scenes are pre­ Decca DXD 158 2 12" $9.96 sented in their entirety- for which special Mus ical In terest: limited praise is due. Fine orchestral support and Performance: Authentic recorded sound. G. J. Recording: Rich • ZARA DOLUKHANOVA-VERDI: Don The music of the Russian Orthodox Carlo-O don fatale; ARUTYANIAN: Lull­ Church dates back to ancient Byzantine aby; BEETHOVEN: Four Russian Songs; plainsong, which, in turn, was influenced TRADITIONAL: Two Greek Folk Songs; by Syrian and Hebraic music. The basic KHUDOYAN: All for you; MEDTNER: Sleep­ style is modal chanting, mainly in unison, lessness; Spanish Romance; Winter Evening; with harmonization being a relatively re­ PElKa: I mount my horse; MAKAROVA: To Nursery. Zara Dolukhanova (m ezzo-soprano ) cent development. The music is dignified, with State Radio Orchestra, Samuel Samo­ quite dark in color, and emotionally mov­ sud, Eugene Svetla nov conds.; instrumental ing. It has a spiri tual quality that is im­ trio and piano accompaniments. Monitor mediately apparent. 2029 $4.98 The "Choral NJ asterpieces" disc consists Mu si cal Interest: Uncommon program of unrelated compositions. The Divine Lit­ Performa nce: Uncommon artistry urgy is a Thanksgiving Service centering Recording: Very commcn around a setting of the Sermon on the On the evidence of this recorded recital Mount. It has sections set by val'iolls com­ portfolio of o Dolukhanova, who recently made her posers, among them Tchaikovsky and Rach­ United States debut, comes near to living maninoff. The Requiem Mass differs alto­ AHMAD JAtvlAL (.!) up to her advance publicity-a rousing ac­ gether from that of the Roman Catholic complishment for any co ncert artist in this Church. It has no Dies !rae ; its essence [t: day and age. is comfort and solace. The remarkable thing about the lady is One of my less reverent colleagues r efers to the Don Co ssack singers as Muscovite AHMAD JAMAL LP 2638 the well-rounded evenness of the voice in « all registers, and a complete freedom from Ink Spots. In their concerts and on so me 2 RECORD ALBUM such mezzo-soprantics as the uncontrollable of their discs, they do play at singing much vibrato and all too well·co ntrolled and cal· of the time. In these records, however, tlley culated "voluptuous" chest tones. Less im­ eschew the vocal acrobatics that have >­ pressive is her breathing technique, which brought them both fame and musical no­ toriety. al is far too audible, but this may be the res ult of careless microphoning. The music itself permits a marvelous While it would be interesting to compare demonstration of their vocal abilities. Their Dolukhanova to other ar!ists in a more con­ basses rumble impressively low and their ventional repertory, it is refreshing to get tenors reach into the heights. Their sing­ >­ ing is sweet and pleasing to the ear and they such an unhackneyed program once in a UJ while. The haunting Lullaby-from the achieve the dramatic legitimately, while the Cantata of the Motherland by the young recording is clear, resonant and well bal­ (f) Armenian composer Arutyanian-is partic­ anced. W.D. ularly suited to the singer's velvety voice. • EASTER AT GRAILVILLE - PALES­ (f) The unfamiliar Beethoven settings of the TRINA: 3 Motets; JOSQUIN DES PRES: Four Russian Songs are accompanied by a Ave verum; ALSCHINGER: Regina coeli; *LEM WINCHESTER trio of violin, cello and piano and are quite LASSUS: In pace in Idipsum; Gregorian >­ remal'kable. One of them, the Ukrainian Chants, etc. The Gra il Singers, Angela Mil­ RAMSEY LEWIS 642 o l khav Kozak Za Dunai, turns out to be a ler condo Period SPL 746 $4.98 so urce songwriters have been cheerfully Musical Interest: Limited I'aiding for decades. (Yes, my darling Perform ance: DecHcated o daughter, etc.) Recordin g : Very good The singer's rare technical command-as The lovely voices of the Grailville girls evid enced by the vocal embellishments of establish a religious mood that is sympa­ o the Greek folk ·songs and the exquisite vocal­ thetic and sincere. The songs for Lent are ise in Medtner's Sleeplessness-suggests meditative; those for Easter are more jubi­ that her schooling rests on a solid founda­ lant. They are songs of prayer and praise, tion. She does not, however, give a co nvinc­ ranging from ancient chants to Negro ing account of her operatic gifts. The vocal spirituals. quality in 0 don fatale is beautiful and The Grail movement is composed of there is an interpolated B·flat which is as young women who lead a Christian life of stunning as it is uncalled for. But the study and work. This chorus is not made tempo drags unmercifully, becoming down­ up of professional singers, but it is well RED RODNEY 643 right impossible in the cabaletta. In sum, trained and it benefit s from the enthusiasm though, this is still a very enjoyable disc of the dedicated amateur. W. D. 68 HIFI REVIEW Stereo Entertainment

Jazz, Pops, Stage and Screen BEST OF THE MONTH Reviewed by • Atlantic offers one of the great jazz discs of this or any other' year in RALPH J. GLEASON Blues from the Gutter with Champion Jack Dupree-"This is one record STANLEY GREEN that will be played a long, long time .... A remarkably honest album, this is a major achievement." (see below) NAT HENTOFF • Decca's new Carmen McCrae Birds of a Feather album is another jazz JAZZ topnotcher-"the most impressive Carmen McCrae album yet ... her phrasing is constantly illuminating and her pulsation is sure." (see p. 70) • BLUES FROM THE GUTTER. CHAM­ PION JACK DUPREE (piano and vocals), Pete Brown (alto saxophone). Ennis Lo wery • United Artists scores highest in this month's rash of Porgy and Bess (guitar), W e ndell Marshall (bass ), Willie releases, thanks to Diahann Carroll backed by Andre Previn's jazz combo Jones (drums) . Atlantic Stereo SD 8019 $5.98 -"her most mature singing on record so far .... In addition to charm, Musica l Interest: A great record she also has the emotional capacity to dig deeply into musical material Pe rform ance: American cante hondo Recordi ng: Ve ry good without overplaying." (see p. 74) Stereo Directiona lity: Good Stereo Depth: Superior for context This, I'm sure, is one record from this Burns alternates between the too care ful Musica l Inte rest : Rumpus Room year's thousands of jazz releases that will gloss of the ballad arrangements and the Performa nce : Loud be played a long, long time. Jack Dupree, a good jazz of the medium and up·tempo Reco rdi ng : Brittle 49·year·old New Orleans· born blues pianist scores. The latter, though, have nonethe· Stereo Directionality : Sloppy and singer has never been so well recorded less li ttle organic emotional relationship to Stereo De pth : Shallow technicall y and he has rarely communicated the original. The improvisations are chiefl y Although the trumpet stays on the left such raw power and depth of feeling. by Al Cohn, Irvin Markowitz, Eddie Costa channel, the clarinet wanders around from Some of the lyrics are unusually frank and Urbie Green. N. H . right to left. The sound is a bi t too bright -as in Junker's Blues and Bad Blood­ and the stereo effects aren't particul arly and there is no evidence anywhere that • THE DUKES OF DIXIELAND-Vol. 2. intriguing, but it's the music that is really Jack tried to dilute his blues for a more Sweet G eorgia Brown; My Blue H eaven ; Limehouse Blues ; Tha t Da Da Strain & 8 dull. This is fake dixieland at its WOl'S I. " po pular" audience. There's very good sup· others. Audio Fid elity AFSD 5840 $6.98 On this album, for a change, Sid Frey has port from aggressive guitarist Ennis Low· wri tten only one tune, according to the eq ; P ete Brown, who has been sadly neg· Mu si cal Inte rest: Lim ited credits : Down By The Riverside. R. J. G. lected by record companies in recent years; Performa nce: Mechanical and Wendell Marshall and Willie Jones Record ing : Shrill Stereo Directional ity: Variable who lay down a solid beat. A remarkably Stereo De pth: Shallow • THE HIGH AND MIGHTY HAWK. honest album, this is a major achievement. COLEMAN HAWKINS (tenor saxophone) , Once again the music is of limited appeal Producer was Atlantic's Jerry Wexler. Buck Clayton (trumpet), Hank Jones (pi. N. H. except to those hardened so uls for whom a na) , Ray Brown (bass). Mickey Sheen the adage of "if yo u can't pl ay good, play (drums) . Bird O f Prey Blues; My O ne And • PORGY AND BESS IN MODERN loud" is gospel. The vocal is on the left Only Love; Vi gnette; O oh.wee, Miss G .P.!; JAZZ-Ralph Burns and his Orchestra. Sum­ channel, the clarinet on the ri ght and the You've Cha nged; G e t Set. Felsted Stereo mertime; It A in 't Necessa rily So ; Oh, Bess, drums drift to the middle now and again SJA 2005 $5.98 Oh, Where's My Bess & 7 others. Decca from the left. R. J. G. DL 79215 $5.98 ; Mono-DL 9215 $4.98 Musica l Interest: Hot and high • UP THE MISSISSIPPI with the DUKES Pe rform a nce : Hawk's inexhaustible Mus ical Interest: Burns misses point OF DIXIELAND, Vol. 9. South; Beale Street Record ing: Very good P'e rformance: Some fin e solos Blues; Old Ma n River ; Down By The River· Stereo Directionality : Competent Re co rding: W e ll balanced sid e & 8 others. Audio Fid e lity AFSD 5892 Stereo De pth: Ta steful Stereo Directionality: Sensitive $6.98 Stereo Depth : Very good This is one of the most consistently val· A disappointing "modern jazz" treatment uable of the Felsted series of "mainsU'eam of the Gershwin score. Burns remains a A ll records reviewed in this column as jazz" made in America by British critic ti kilful writer but he's becom e ra ther slick, stereo mu st be played on stereophonic Stanley Dance. Dance was concerned wi th at least here. There ar e moments of poign. equipment. They CAN N OT be preserving the work of those players whose ancy and wit, due mostl y to the soloists, played on old style monophonic (si n­ roots are mainly in the music between the New Orleans·Dixieland era and the arrival but the over·all effect is self·co nscious. Both gle speaker) equipme nt without per­ vel'sions are well recorded but the depth of of modern jazz. It is this area that has been manently damaging the record. Play the stereo version makes the details of neglected until recently by most American 1 scoring much clearer, although no more at 33 / 3 rpm with the RIAA setting. reco rd la bels. i m pressi ve. Coleman Hawkins, who rem~ in s yo uthful J ULY 1959 69 and interested in all aspects of jazz, is at Pe rformance : Excellent Pe rformance: Excellent his best here with plenty of room to solo Reco rding: Topnotch Reco rd ing : Benign and wiLh lucid, sympathetic accompani. Stereo Directionality : Good Ste reo Dir ectionality :. Good ment. He plays with characteristic big tone, Stereo Dept h: Adequate Stereo De pth: Good passion and highly resourceful imagina· Jackson is one of the most consistently This collection of folk melodies adapted tion. Buck Clayton, who also continues to fin e performers in jazz and he has here the for and played by a series of jazz groups grow and deepen with age, plays some of help of two good jazz flute players : Frank with reeds, brasses and strings is a pleasant lhe hottest, most stinging horn he has put Wess and Bobby Jaspar. The result is a sur prise. The Katz treatment here is more on record. Both, for all their heat, are really moving album, with a fine compelling rooted in jazz than his work with Chico masters of what Whitney Balliett has called pulse, deep·rooted, earthy solos and a solid Hamilton, the over-all sound is quite pleas­ "co ntrolled lyricism." Excellent rhythm sec· jazz feel throughout. R. J. G. ant and the stereo effects are fin e. The tion. N. H. arrangements displ ay imagination, a good • FOLK SONGS FOR FAR OUT PEOPLE grasp of jazz fundamentals and a delight in • BAGS AND FLUTES featuring MILT featuring Orchestras conducted .by Fred surprise. R. J. G. JACKSON. Bag s' New Groove; Sweet And Katz. So metimes I Feel Lik e A Mothe rl ess Lovely; G hana & 4 othe rs. Atlantic 1294 C hil d; O ld Pa int; Fogg y, Foggy Dew & 6 • BIRDS OF A FEATHER-CARMEN $4.98 othe rs. Warner Bros. WS 1277 $4.98 McRAE (vocals) with Orchestra d irected Musical Interest: Strong modern jazz Musica l In terest : Intriguing by Ralph Burns. Skylark: Th e Eagle And Me ; Baltimore Oriole & 9 ot he rs. Decca OL 78815 $5.98; Mono-OL 8815 $3.98 'Musi cal Inte rest : Major Perfo rmance: The Best of Carmen Record ing : Excellent Ste reo Directionality : Sensible Stereo De pth : Very good ACCLAIMED This is the most impressive Carmen McRae album yet. Both versions are well recorded. Though I- prefer the accompani­ ment in stereo, you won't go wrong with " ... a formid· either. Carmen is in complete control of able array of II •• • a perform­ her vocal equipment. In addition to her artists - an im· ance w i th pressive piece sweep and vig­ usual refreshingly crystalline diction, her of music mak· or. Hearing the . phrasing is constantly illuminating and her ing." stereo discs .. . Christian Sci· is a revelation ." pulsation is sure. There is wit as well as ellce Mottitor High Fidelit)' warmth in her message. The selection of tunes is excell ent. None "Now it is here have been ov e rd o ~ e , and all are worthy of " The best stereo - with such a her when she's in this good a form. The recording of cast of mu s i­ Beethoven's cians and sing­ arrangements by Ralph Burns could hardly Ninth. Separa· e rs . . . t hat be more appropriate. They're softly imagi­ tion excellent ... it pales any pre­ well chosen vious dream of na li ve and don't get in her way. That un­ cast." BENffOfioVEN perfection ." identified tenor saxophonist, by the way, is United Press Buffalo 111lernalional NINTH- SYMPHC)NY Evening N ews Ben Webster. N.II. • SITfR[O . rORREST[R • IlAEfliGER f1S0lER-OIESKAU l.6J(J![O'ttRnP.frfl3-1tMf)l10'.'OOlI!£ POPS THE MIGHTY "NINTH"-A REVELATION IN STEREO! o BACCALONI IN STEREO with Enoch "Superb and vital ... marks a new milestone in the symphony's long life . A glorious Light and his Orchestra. Arrived erci, Roma; cast •.. a chorus that is about the best in existence. The conductor reaches his own high point ••• intense, eloquent playing." Edward Tatnall Canby, Harpers '0 Sarracino; G uaglio ne & 9 ot hers. Grand Award GA 230·50 $4.98 Beethoven: Symphony No . 9 IChoral) Op. 125 (with " Leonore" # 3 and "Egmont" Over. Musical Inte rest : Una varieta tures). Frrcsay-the ,Berlm Philharmonic. Soloists: Seefried, Forrester, Haefliger, Fischer. ~Ieskau . St. HedWig s Cathedral Choir. Notes, text and background. Oe lu xe set. Availab le Perform a nce: Can entusiasmo m Stereo and Monaural high fidelity. DXA.157 Stereo: DXSA.7157 Recording : Forte Stereo Depth : Buono Stereo Directionality: Non necessaria OTHER RELEASES OF SPECIAL INTEREST Far better than the practice of having opera singers trying to do popular Amer. ican songs is this program featuring former Met basso buffo Salvatore BaccaJoni boom­ ing out popular Italian songs, many of which he has known all his life. Included are a few ringers, however, such as Rudolf FrimI's Donkey Serenade (well it sO ll nds Italian ) and two Hollywood numbers, but Signor Baccaloni makes them all sound like Stereo Requiem Award Winner Introductory Release: the rea:! thing. S. G. Music of the Russian Or· National Academy of Re· Deutsche Grammophon thodox Church: Divine Lit· cording Arts and Sciences Bruckner: Symphony No.5. urgy; Requiem Mass. A award, 1959. Segovia A brilliant performance. • AMERICAN MILITARY MARCHES­ unique recording - 2 rec· Golden Jubilee - commem­ E. Jochum - The Bavarian ords. The Don Cossack orating 50 years of con­ Radio Symphony . 2 rec· BANDA TAURINA, Genaro Nunez condo Choir, Serge Jarott, Condo cert mastery. 3 records. ords. (Also, Wagner: Pars i­ Stars And Stripes Fo rever; EI C apitan: King Notes 8. Texts . DXA-158 De luxe set. Monaural only. fal excerpts.) DGMA-300 Cotto n & 10 othe rs. Audio Fidelity AFSO Stereo: DXSA·7158 DXY·14B Stereo: DGSA·7300 5836 $6.95 Musi ca l Interest : Not much any more Pe rfo rmance: Flabby DECCA . RECORDS Recording: Well done Stereo Directiona lity : Effective Gold Label ~ A New World of Sound® Stereo Dept h: Very good The official band of the Plaza Mexico in Mexico City plods its way through some of 70 HIFI REVIE'" the stapl e items in the local fi remen's band fashioned concert in the park have been repertory- and manages to sound just like captured here in a recording that is s ure to the local fi remen's band. The title is rather evoke memories in all old-timers and would­ misleading as all but one number, the be old·timers. The arrangements make $ * Mexican March of the Zacatecas, are prod­ imaginati ve use of the fl avor of the pre- ucts of only the United States. S. G. 1920 period, and if yo u're in the mood for dreaming just listen to Louis Hirsch's The • BALLADS BOUNCE & BIVONA-Gus T ickle To e and Hello, Frisco. Now those Bivona (clarinet) and his Band. Southe rn were tunes ! S. G. SAVE NOW Fried ; Octoroon; It's Magic & 9 ot he rs. Warner Brothers Stereo WS 1264 $4.98 • STEREO/HIFI MARCH AROUND THE Mu sical In terest: For dancers WORLD-MUSIKKORPS DER BUNDES­ Performance: Professional WEHR, HAMBURG, Capt. Gerhard Scholz Reco rdin g: Very good condo Stars And Stri pes Forever; EI Ca pitan; Stereo Directionality: Fair King Cotton & 10 others. Urania USD 1033 Stereo Depth : Well done $5.95; Mono-UR 9015 $3.98 This is a conventional dance band album Mu si cal Interes t : Heavy on Sousa in which the arranging is competent but Perfo rm ance: Impeccable never freshly imaginative. The band plays Recordin g: Needs bass Stereo Directiona li ty: Impressive the notes correctly but projects little con­ Stereo Depth: So is this viction or enthusiasm. Good enough for dancers, but quite dull for listening only. The Musikkorps der Bundeswehr, Ham­ N.H. burg, is the offi cial West German Army Band--:-if that impresses yo u- and it is cer­ • TERESA BREWER AND THE DIXIE· tainly one of the most precise, spit-and­ LAND BAND. G eorgia On My Mind ; Bas in polish groups to be heard on discs today. Street Blues ; Weary Blu es; When The Sa in ts The stereo includes the almost inevitable Go March in g In & 8 others. Coral CRL " marching" of the music from one speaker The most advanced audio techniques 757245 $5.98; Mono-CRL 57245 $3.98 to the other, but I guess peo ple would feel bring this brand-new recording breath­ Mus ical Interes t : Negligible cheated without it. S.G. takingly alive! This Suite from the Performance: Spirited award-winning TV score is now avail­ Recording: Good • FUEGO DEL ANDE featuring YMA Stereo Directional ity: Good SUMAC with Moises Vivanco and his Or­ able in Living Stereo for the first time. Stereo Depth : Shallow chestra. La Molina; L1 0ra Corazon; Mi Also on regular Long Play. Buy either Palomi ta; Clamor & 8 others. Capitol ST album ~,.and you save $2! It seems a shame to waste stereo on really 1169 $4.98 dull music like this. Miss Brewer has a When ordering Stereo, ·say. . • voice that can penetrate steel and she does Mu si cal Interest: Exotica her best to make this clear throughout. The Perfo rm ance: Good e RC.l\~~.IQJt @ accompanying band and chorus, directed by Recording: Good *O ff manufacturer's nati onal ly advert ised price" Dick Jacobs and including such jazz rene­ Stereo Directiona li ty: Adequate gades as Yank Lawson and Boomie Rich­ Stereo Depth : Good YOUR COPIES OF man, is just mechanical ; the rhythm Miss Sumac is the original freak vo ice ricky.tick. R. J. G. singer, with a sideshow range. Since she sings such exoti c (and original) material, • CHA CHA CHA-THE JOE LOCO all one can say is that it so unds interesting, HiFi QUINTET-Joe Loco (piano) . Rest of per­ is performed with spirit, but is less in­ mmm sonnel unidentified. Catalina; The G lo ry Of triguing sound-wise than Martin Denny, for Love; Piragua & 9 others. Fantasy 8022 instance. The spread is quite wide and the ARE VALUABLE $4.98; Mono-3277 $3.98 voice drifts from center to right. R. J. G. Mu sica l Interest : For dancing Pe rfo rmance: Leader's the weakest o GILBERT AND SULLIVAN REVISITED Record ing: Excellent -JIM TIMMENS and his Jazz All-Stars. We Stereo Directional ity: Very good Sa il Th e O cea n Blue; W he n I Was A Lad ; Stereo Depth: Superior Three Little Mai ds; Ti t-Willow & 8 others. Although very well recorded-'-with the Warner Bros. WS 1278 $4.98 stereo version particularly stimulating he­ M usica I Int erest : Not for Savoyards Keep them neat ..• cause of the interplay of rhythms behind Perfo rm ance: Savoyard birds Loco-this is a rather routine cha·cha al­ Record ing: Excellent clean ••• ready for bum. Chief reason is the wooden piano of Stereo Directiona lity: You can't miss it instant reference! the leader. He is expert in the fo rms of Stereo Depth: Satisfactory this music but his playing lacks fire and When I was a lad there was something of Now you can keep a year's caples of HiFI REVIEW in a rich-looking leatherette fil e imagination as do his arrangements. The a fad of swinging Gilbert and Sullivan th at makes It easy to locate any issu e for rhythm section provides the most invigorat­ operettas, (i.e. The Hot Mikado) but this is ready reference. ing element of the session and could well the first attempt at this sort of thing on Specially designed for HiFi REVIEW. have been given more space on its own. records. I can't help feeling that it is here this h andy file-with its distinctive, wash­ able Kivar cover and 16-carat gold leaf N.H. only because it has never been done befo re; lettering-not only looks good but keeps there can sW'ely be little sympathy for every issu e n eat, clean and orderly. • CONCERT IN THE PARK-PAUL MIL­ the original works by the musicians repre­ So don't risk t earing and salling your cop­ LER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO MARCH­ sented. Of the soloists, Jimmy Cleveland ies of HIFI REVIEw- always a ready ING, TROTTING AND WALKING BAND. demonstrates a commendable, though basi­ source of valuable information. Order Battle Hymn Of The Republic; Spl as h G alop; several of these HiFi REVIEW volume cally meaningless, dexterity on I Am the fil es today. They are $2 .50 each, postpaid Ragging Th e Scale & 9 others. Fantasy 8023 - 3 for $7.00, or 6 for $13 .00 . Satisfaction $4.98; Mono-3276 $3.98 Very Model 0/ a Mo dern Major General, and AI K1ink'·s tenor saxophone is most guaranteed, or your money back. Music al In terest: For the nostalgic ex pressive on Poor Wandering One. The Order dLIect from: Performance : Perfect directionality adheres to a strict lineup of JESSIE JONES BOX CORP. Recording: Clear and clean brass at the left and reeds at the righ t. S.G. Stereo Directionality : Well done Dept. HF, Box 5120, Philadelphia 41, Pa. Stereo Depth: Tops • OVER THERE-ALBERT WHITE AND (Established 1843) All the irresistible pleasures of an old­ HIS GASLlG'HT ORCHESTRA. My Bu ddy; 71 JULY 1959 Rose O f No Man's Land ; That Old Gang and-dance version of Sean O'Casey's juno O f Mine & I I others. Fantasy 8020 $4.98: and the Paycock is rich in atmosphere, has JAZZ!HI-FI NOTES Mono-3273 $3.98 dramatic appeal and lyrical beauty, and is from CONTEMPORARY RECORDS. INC. Musical Interest: For the nostalgic performed by an understanding and sensi­ Pe rformance : Atmospheric tive cast. producers 0/ Recording: Tops This is not, however, to say that it suc­ CONTEMPORARY RECORDS Stereo Directiona li ty: Favors left GOOD TIME JAZZ ceeds entirely in bringing a new dimension CR COMPOSERS SERIES Ste reo De pth: Sufficient to O'Casey's masterpiece. Perhaps if M.r. CALIFORNIA RECORDS SFM (Society for FOTaotten The lighthearted and lachrymose ~elo. Blitzstein had gone all the way and made it MUoS ic) • STEREO RECORDS dies of the fir st World War have been given into an opera it may have been more suc­ authentic interpretations that bring out the cessful; as a Broadway musical it was Barney Kessel has an exciting areat appeal that these songs undoubtably . forced to make concessions which could not new album - music from "SOME ~tilJ have. Wood blocks used to simulate help but rob it of some of its potential im­ LIKE IT HOT"- Prohibition Era marching feet are heard on It's a Long Way pact. This becomes immediately apparent tunes featured in Billy Wilder's to Tipperary- on stereo they seem to go in the casting of such outstanding, though smash film starring Marilyn across from left to right, on mono they vocally limited, actors as Shirley Booth and Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack appear to come forward. S. G. Melvyn Douglas in the leads. As both stars Lemmon. had to be given songs simple enough for The stars of Barney's album • SWING FEVER featuring SI ZENTNER them to do effortlessly, th eir ma terial is are Shelly Manne, Art Pepper­ and his Orchestra. Avalon; The Song Is largely querulous or comic, with the burden CR's newest exclusive recording You: Bye Bye Blues ; J olly Roger & 8 others. of singing the more demanding arias falling artist on alto, tenor and clarinet; Bel Canto SR 1014 $5.98: Mono-BCM 3b to just one singer, Monte Admundsen. When, the sensational young trumpeter $3.98 at the end, a deeper emotion is required for Joe Gordon, who just joined Shelly Musica l In terest: Good. big band Miss Booth'·s hearthreaking prayer, Mr. Manne & His Men; pianist Jim­ Performance: Slick. bright Blitzstein can add little to the situation mie Rowles and bassist Monty Recording: Good musically and must even fall back on the Budwig. Tunes are a delight in Stereo Directionality: Adequate O'Casey play itself for the words. Stereo De pth: Good modern jazz. There are still, however, a good many We're pi'oud of Andre Previn and This is a fine dance band with good thin o-s of o-e nuine distinction in the sco re. his winning an Academy A ward arrangements and a good group feeling. It W e';e Aliv~, the opening number, creates a Oscar for scoring GIGL Andre's isn't a jazz band, but it is certainly nice to perfect musical picture of Dublin in the jazz version merits some sort of hear. The stereo is pretty good, wi th the early 1920's, while the more personal con· an award too for being one of the sax solo on the left channel and the trum· f1i ct between Juno and her husband are re­ happiest in the "Broadway Goes pets on the right, with a nice depth to en­ vealed through the amusingly bitter It's An to Jazz" series on Contemporary. hance th e effect. R. J. G. Old Sayin'. I Wish I Knew is a poignant, Most everyone has the jazz MY affec ting piece, beautifully sung by Mi ss FAIR LADY album played by STAGE, SCREEN & TV Admundsen, and in One Kind Word, an Andre and Shelly Manne - iVs effec tive musical-dramatic device is used by been on best-seller charts for over • GIRL CRAZY {George Gershwin}. Ruby having a romantic young man so intent two years! Their versions of Braff & t he Shubert Alley Cats. Warner upon his amorous pleading that he is ob­ LI'L ABNER and PAL JOEY are Bros. WS 1273 $4.98 livious to his girl's down-to-earth words necessary to round out your col­ Musi ca l In terest: Gershwin gems spoken as a -sort of counterpoint. lection of these Previn/Manne Performa nce: Under control Mr. Blitzstein is also a master at imitat­ collabora tions. Recording: Tops ing and parodying musical styles. Perhaps Speaking of Shelly-his PETER Stereo Direction ality: Pronounced Daarlin' Man is too close to George M. GUNN album on Contemporary, Stereo Depth: Sufficient Cohan Irish, but What Is the Stars? is fujI another best-seller, received 5 Covering eight songs from the 1930 musi· 'of the salt spray of a true sea chantey. It's stars in Down B eat. Moreover, cal, Ruby Braff and his colleagues seldom Not Irish is surely the mother song to end many thousands of our friends go far out, preferring the melodies to carry all mother songs, and The Li/fey Waliz has who bought the album consider it as much of th e improvisations as possible. an irresistible hurdy·gurdy quality. one of the very best in their collec­ Occasionally, the stereo gives yo u that The stereo version is the most effective I tions. Shelly's other new album is "Where's it gonna corne from next?" feel· have heard so far of an original Broadway THE GAMBIT-and like GUNN ing, but there are many enjoyable moments cast. While there is no actual movement, it has had great reviews. whenever Mr. Braff's rather hi gh-pitched the singers have been placed in such a way So much is going on at CR trumpet duets with Al Cohen's low register that there is the illusion of action through­ there's not space enough to write clarinet or tenor sax. Girl Craz)" inciden­ out. Duets are wi sely confined between the t · of it here in detail. Drop us a tally, may well have been the start of the speakers, with the extremities usually re­ card, or letter; and we'll send you now accepted custom of swin gin g show served for the choruses and the gossips' our bi-monthly GTJ & CR NEWS, tunes, as its pit orchestra was led by Red song, You Poor Thing. Stereo is also a boon plus catalogs - all free. You'll dis­ Nichols with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller to the orchestral sound and to the splendid cover a number of wonderful and Gene Krupa among the sidemen. S. G. arrangements of Russell Bennett, Mr. Blitz­ t. albums you'll want to own. stein, and Hershy Kay. S. G. The sound on alJ but certain of • JUNO {Marc Blitzstein} . Origina l cast our historic catalog items-re­ recording with Shirley Booth. Melvy n Doug­ corded before the advent of hi-fl, las. Jack MacGowran. Monte Admundsen. • MY FAIR LADY (Frederick Loewe-Alan is absolutely sensational! And all Loren Drisco ll & othe rs. with Orchestra & Jay Lerner) . Original Lo ndon cast record­ recent records are to be had in C horus. Robert Emmett Dolan condo Colum­ ing with Rex Harrison. Julie Andrews. Stan­ stereo to boot. bia as 2013 $5.98: Mono-OL 5380 $4.98 ley Holloway. Robert C oote. Leonard W eir Our records are ava.ilable at Musica l Interest: Much and others. wi th Orchestra and C horus. record stores everywhere. Nation­ Pe rformance: Fine company C yril Ornade l condo Columbia as 2015 $5.98 ally advertised manufacturer's list Recording: Perfect prices are $4.98 for all our 12" Ste reo Directionality: Very effective Musical Interest: Hard to lose Stereo Depth: Splendid Performance: Still superb long-playing albums, and $5.98 for The decision of Columbia's president, Recording: Remarkable presence all our stereo albums. Ste reo Directionality: Occasionally ef­ Goddard Lieberson, to release both mono­ fective lJMJ~ phonic and stereo versions of j uno, even Stereo Depth: Extremely g o od Editor. GTJ & CR NEWS though the musical lasted but sixteen per­ PUBLISHED BY CONTEMPORARY RECORDS. INC. formances on Broadway, merits not only Until this stereo version of My Fair Lady 8481 Melrose Place. l.os Angeles 46. California respect but gratitude. For the music that we have never had the opportunity of com­ Marc Blitzstein has created for the song- paring performances of the same principals 72 HIFI REVIEW of a musical three years after making their original cast recording. With the stars of KIT BUILDERS EVERYWHERE ASKED FOR IT! the New York production supported by members of the London company, this year's My Fair Lady has now fi lled the' Completely new edition of stereo gap in most elegant style. One of the most impressive things about ELECTROniC HITS it is th e feeling of depth. Directionality is probably handled best in the opening num­ now on sale at newsstands ber, Why Can't the English?, with Mr. Harrison roaming about the center as Miss or order bV mail todav! Andrews' firs t "A·o-o·o·w !" is heard almost startlingly from the right 'speaker. I was rather surprised at the lack of movement in The Rain In Spain but this is amply com­ pensated for by the performances which build up the excitement of the scene even better than on the original cast release. Stanley Holloway's two solos, which should convey the impression of his prancing around the stage, are likewise limited in movement. If Mr. Harrison and Miss Andrews seem to take their songs at a slightly more de­ liberate pace than in the older album, it is only due to added vocal "business" they have a~c um u l ated through the year's. Miss Andrews' Just You Wait sounds somewhat more menacing than before while at the same time, by simply adding a sniff in the middle of. the number, she manages to create a more fully realized characteriza­ ti on. Unfortunately, Mr. Harrison has al­ lowed his fin al so ng, I've Grown Accustomed over 160 pages-600 illustrations to Her Face, to get a bit too mushy, even to • HOW TO BUILD A KIT the extent of putting a slight tremor in his voice on the next to last line. • KIT CONSTRUCTION CHECK LIST Assuming you already own the mono­ • HOW NO'T TO MAKE MISTAKES phonic version, I still think you'll find much I • WORKING WITH WIRE pleasure in having this set as well. I'd even suggest getting the one they'll make three KITS FOR • YOUR HI-FI years from now. S. G. • YOUR SHOP • YOUR HAM SHACK • THE NAKED MAJA (Angelo Lavag­ nino). Soundtrack recording with Orchestra, • YOUR HOME Angelo Lavagnino condo United Artists UAS 5031 $4.98 Because of the wide popularity of its first Annual on kit cc :::truction, Ziff-Davis now offers thi s exc iting follow-up-the 2nd Edition of ELECTRONIC KITS ! Thi s brand·new Musical Interest: Yes, indeed sequel will save you money on hi-fi, ham radio , other electronic devices by showing Performance: Frequently exciting you how to use easy-to-asse mble kits! What's more, ELECTRONIC KITS-2nd Edition­ Recording : Brilliant features a big up-to·date directory of available kits, complete with speCifications, Stereo Directionality: Well done price s, and manufacturers' names! Stereo Depth: Sple ndid Be sure to pick up ELECTRONIC KITS-2nd Edition-at your newsstand-or se nd for Whether by accident or design, United a copy, usi ng the handy coupon belo w. Only $1. 00, it's a terrific buy! Artists has turned out three of the best soundtrack releases of recent years- Jerome Moross' The Big Country, Johnny Mandel's Pick up your copy of Electronic Kits-2nd Edition today I Want to Live, and now Angelo Lavagnino's at your Newsstand or Radio Parts Store-or order by The Naked Maja. Opening with an im· pressive' fanfare on trumpets, the current mail. using handy coupon. work vividly paints an a ural picture of eighteenth century Spain that manages to AAAA.AAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA capture all the color and excitement of the ~ ~ period- and, possibly, even adds some of ~ Ziff-Davis Publishing Company ~ its own. The composer is new to me, but by ~ Department H-7/9 ~ creating a background score that can stand ~ 434 South Wabash Avenue ~ impressively on its own without any dra­ ~ Chicago 5, Illinois ~ matic association, he has done something ~ Please send me a copy of the new ELECTRONIC KITS-2nd Edition. I enclose $1 .00, ~ many better-known screen writers have been ~ the cost of the Annual , plus 10¢ to cover mailing and handling charges . ~ able to accomplis.h all too seldom. S. G. ~ ~ ~ (Canada and Forei gn, $1.25 plu s lO ¢ postage.) ~ ~ ~ • A PARTY WITH BETTY COM DEN ~ ~ AND ADOLPH GREEN. I Said Good ~ NAME...... ~ Mornin g ; The Fre nch Lesson; Movie Ads; In spiration & 12 others. Capitol SWAO ~ ~ 1197 $5.98 ~ ADDRESS.. •••••••• • •• • •• • ••••• ..•• .. •• .•.. •• .• .• •• .. .. .•.•••••••• •• • ~ Musical Interest: Lots of fun Perfo rm a nce: A ball CITY . ...••. .• •••••••..•.••.••....•.•.... ZONE. . .• . •.. STATE. ..•••••••• Recording: Satisfactory Ste reo Directio nality: Has moveme nt TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTYTTT JULY 1959 73 Stereo Depth: All right • 77 SUNSET STRIP. Warren Barker and There may be more skilled lyricists today his Orchestra. Warner Bros. WS 1289 $4.98 STEREO-FAX Lut very few can match the ability of Betty Musical In terest: Something for every- Provides Stereo Realism Com den and Adolph Green as interpreters From Monaural Source body of their own material. Capitol has wisely Performance: It won't bore you recorded them before a live audience thus Recordi ng: Perfect achieving a spontaneous atmosphere aided Stereo Directionality: Imaginative immeasurably by the stereo illusion of an Stereo Depth: Fine actual performance in yo ur home. Most of the ·songs are from their Broad­ Following in the gum-shoed footsteps of way hits, plus others from movies, night RCA's music from Peter Gunn, Wa~n ers has clubs, and, in the case of Inspiration, from found another mediocre television show a show, Bonanza Bound, which closed on fr om which to cull the background score. the road. Occasionally they build their This collection contains both original and humor upon an overly exaggerated premise, standard numbers, and makes sure to in­ as in I Get Carried Away and Catch Our clude every type of popular rhytbm from H ear new depth and brillian_ce fr,om YO~ l r monaural tape and r ecord collection by m· A ct at the Met, and as performers they rock and roll to cha·cha (both incidentally, J stalling the STEREO-FAX in your high f idel· used for the title theme). One particularl y ity stereo system. This n etwork component so metimes attempt songs (If, A Quiet Girl) p erm its you to take full advant age of your fol' wh ich they lack sufficient vocal ability. ingenious use of stereo is fea tured on Cole stereo syst em with a ll monaural program material by introducing phase displace· But these drawbacks matter little. Comden Porter's I Get a Kick Out of YOlb, in whicb ment" between ampl ifiers. The result is ex· and Green are obviously having the time of a piano on the right carries the theme while traordinary rea lism. Get new en joyment • from ALL radio bl"oadcast s. Written up i n their lives at their " party," and we are lucky the one on the left does the improvising. H i-Fi Directory and other lead i n g public ~· tions. Unit comprises a p assive RLC circuit to be allowed to share the fun. S. G. S.G. requiring no power source. Easily installed without disruption of existing hook·up. Porgy and Bess Specials • PORGY AND BESS (George Gershwin- story into an opera, the name was changed DuBose Heyward-Ira Gershwin). to Porgy and Bess to avoid confusion wi th the original. The opera has had two major Musical In terest: Gershwin's masterpiece productions ·since its premiere, and now the Available on ly by m ail. postpaid if cash with order, or C.O.D. plus p ostage. (Calif. In the early 1920's, a crippled Negro saga has been filmed by Samuel Goldwyn residents add 4 % tax.) Shipping weight beggar named Samuel Smalls was a famil­ app rox. 11/2 Ibs. for either model. Complet e with a huge and impressive cast. Three of technical d ata. sim p le installation instruc· iar figure to the citizens of Charleston, S. C. the members, Diahann Carroll (who pl ays tions. and schem atic included w ith each order. Satisfaction guaranteed. DuBose Heyward wrote a novel about Goat Clara in the movie but does not sing in it) , AUDIOPHILE MODEL STANDARD MODEL Sammy, a he was called, and later Hey­ Sammy Davis, Jr. (Sportin' Life) and P earl U·3A $19.95 U-4B $16.95 ward and his wife, Dorothy, adapted it into Bailey (SeI'ena) have cut Porgy and Bess ORDER NOW o r write for full info rmation a play. Both novel and play were called albums for rival compani es, and the multi­ Dept. Gaylor Products CO. SA.79 Porgy, but when George Gershwin col­ tude of jazz versions are just beginning to 2505 Canyon Oak Dr., Los Angeles 2B, Calif. laborated with Heyward in turning the appear. Goat Sammy really started some­ thing. S. G, ------~------It PORGY AND BESS. PEARL BAILEY on record so far. (My Man's Gone Now is with Th e Voices of the Ambassadors and a high point.) She proves that in addition Orchestra, Budd y Baker cond o Mono-Rou­ How can two lette R 25063 $3 .98 to charm, she also has the emotional capac­ ity to dig deeply into musical material Performance: Pearl is Pearl without overplaying. stereo speakers Recording: Slightly harsh The only clinker is I Got Plenty 0 ' Nuuin' in which Andre Previn's affectation Rather than do a whole disc£ul of Porgy of a honky tonk piano style is thoroughly cost so little? and Bess, Pearl Bailey limits herself to fi ve irritating. For the rest, Previn is a sensi· songs from the opera, plus 'seven topnotch tive, intelligent accompaniment. N. H. Gershwin pieces hom other so urces. She is an accomplished, if highly perso nalized, • PORGY AND BESS. SAMMY DAVIS, crooner who can make almost everything JR. and CARMEN McRAE, with Orchestras, she sings seem as if it were written for her. Jack Pleis, Morty Stevens and Buddy Breg­ In fa ct, even when she gets her words mixed man condo Decca DL 78854 $5.98; Mono­ up, as in Bess, You Is My Woman Now, it Decca DL 8854 $3 .98 sounds as if she is ad-libbing. S. G. Performance: One of Davis' best Recording: Stereo excel/ent; mono OK • PORGY AND BESS. DIAHANN CAR­ Stereo Directiona lity: Well surrounded Made in England ROLL (vocals), Andre Previn (piano), Joe Stereo Depth: Couldn't be better Mondragon or Red Mitchell (bass) , Larry Judging by this record, Sammy Davis' No mistake ... you heard the price correctly! Bunker or Fred Capp (drums). There's Some. It's unbelievable because you'd expect to body Kn ocki n'; Summertime; Oh, I Can't Sit approach to Sportin' Life's songs is drivi ng pay so much more for just one super·b high Dow n & 7 othe rs. United Artists UAS 5021 and hard·hitting rather than the more unc· fidelity speaker. How much does R&A cost? Let your dealer teH you the price twice $4.98 tuous style of his predecessors in the part, (you 'll raise your eyebrows the first time). Performance: Diahann's best Avon Long and Cab Calloway. Still, it is But it's true! Compare R&Ats ··full-spec­ one of Mr. Davis' best efforts, and he is even trum·of-sound" performance with hjgher­ Recording: Well balanced priced speakers. Convince yourself that your Stereo Directiona li ty: Competent satisfactory on some of Porgy's arias. Un· stereo speaker investment can be m inimized Stereo Depth: Good fortunately, Carmen McRae's thin, reedy without sacrificing quality. If stereo is in your future plans, single R&A s peakers voice and her clipped consonants are com­ offer superb Hi-Fi enjoyment at a most Diahann Carroll appears in tbe film ver­ pletely out of place; indeed her rendition of sens ible price. Coaxial construction! sion of Porgy and Bess, but apparently her 111y lJllan's Gon.e Now carries all the emotiou 8" , 10" a nd 12" models ... Alcomax HI Aniso-tropic Magnet syst em of voice will not be on the so und track. I ex· of a woman whose husband has just gone to ) 2,000 Gauss F lux Dens ities. pect that's unfortunate, because in this pro­ the co rner for a newspaper. Stereo's three At better Hi-Pi dealers. gram of everybody's ·songs from the score dimensional effects make the monophonic B uy i t ••• try it ... 'm011 ey back gllaTantee. (Porgy's and Sportin' Life's as well as the version sound fiat by comparison, but there ERCONA CORPORA"'ON traditional female ones), she is almost al­ is surely no reason why Mr. Davis and Miss (Electronic Divis ion) ways warm, natural and convincing. In fact, McRae must sing their duet, I Loves You, 16 W. 46 Street, Dept. 38, N. Y. 36, N . Y. this album contains her most mature singing Porgy, from opposite speakers. S, G. 74. HIFI REVIEW Jazz, Pops, Stage and Screen BEST OF THE MONTH Reviewed by • United Artists scores a clean beat with Blues in the Mississippi Night, RALPH J. GlEASON a singular production from fo}klorist Alan Lomax dating from 17 years STANLEY GREEN ago. Time not withstanding, HFR's reviewer calls this-liThe most impor­ NAT HENTOFF tant documentary record on the social context of the blues ever made." (see p. 77)

• Columbia's latest Doris Day pop lP Cuttin' Capers is a delight.-"Doris JAZZ Day does indeed do everything well-ballads, swingers, even novelties . . . . Her approach remains fresh and individual ... based on musical • SATCHMO IN STYLE-LOUIS ARM· STRONG (vocals) with .Gordon Jenkins, his understanding." (see p. 77) Chorus and Orchestra. Blueberry Hi ll ; Th e Whiffenpoof Song; When -It's Sleepy Tim e Down South & 9 others. Decca DL 8840 • RCA Victor has come through with a real charmer in Mary Martin's $3.98 Cinderella and Three to Make Music.-"One of her very best perform­ Musical Inte rest: Only for Lou is Pe rforma nce: Louis against odds ances on records." (see p. 78) Recording: Good It's unfortunate that Decca should choose tbis inferior Armstrong to reissue whil e there are scores of superior out·of.print • THE SOUND OF BERNHART - Milt TERESA BREWER (see p. 71) Decca discs with Louis. On this dozen, the Bernhart (trombone) with several units. Don't arrangements of Gordon Jenkins for chorus Blame Me; Le gend; Poor Pierrot & 8 others. PORGY AND BESS-RALPH BURNS (see and orchestra are appallingly banal, and yet Decca DL 9124 $4.98 p. 69) Louis does manage to cut through the mo· M us ica I I nterest: Mixed lasses and by himself makes this album • PORGY AND BESS featuring MILES Performa ne e : Expert worth hearing. He sings on all the tunes, Record ing : Very good DAVIS and Orchestra under the direction and his singing is so warm and swinging of Gil Evans. Bess, You Is My W o man Now ; that he almost makes one forget the in· First of all, although this is part of Dec· Summertime: I Love You, Po rgy; Th e re's A excusable back!!rounds. On Trees and ca's "Mood Jazz" series, large sections of it Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York & 9 others. Columbia CL ·1247 $3.98 Spooks!, howev;r, even Louis can't van· have very little to do with jazz. Bernhart quish the material. himself, while an experienced and flu ent Mu sica l Interest: Considera ble Included is the polemical change of The trombonist, seldom indicates superiority as Perfo rma nce: Excellent Whi/Jenpooj to the Boppenpooj Song with a jazz improviser in the couple of places in Recording: Excellent its attack on modern jazz. Louis might bet· which he's allowed to go for himself" If there had not been a previous Gil tel' have directed his ire at his associates on For the rest of the album, there are occa· Evans/ Miles Davis collaboration, this LP these )·ecordings. There's some Armstrong sionally witty arrangements by Calvin Jack­ would have had much more impact than it son for a brass group and rhythm and sev· trumpet, but not enough to erase those has now. However, the particularly sub· strings and voices. N. H. eral by Fred Katz for four celli, trombone dued, slick and almost ingrown Evans/Davis and bass. The Katz "classical.in·jazz" scores styl e becomes a bit cloying here. The tunes are superior music at best and at worst are PORGY AND BESS-PEARL BAILEY (see are excellent, of course, and Miles is par· .p. 74) self-consciously' deriva tive of contemporary ticularly moving on Summertime and classical music. In either case, they have There's a Boat That's Leaving. Taken out • I N PERSON! featuring Tony Bennett almost nothing to do with jazz. Jackson's of the LP, these tunes have great jazz with Count Basie and his Orchestra. J ust writing loo is much less jazz than clever merit; but the over·all performance smacks In Tim e : Tak in g A Chance On Love; Pennies showcasing of Bernhart's horn. There's su­ a bit less of art than artifice. R. J. G. From Heaven ; Lulla by of Broadway & 8 perb bass wOl·k throughout by Red Mitchell. others. Columbia CL 1294 $3.98 The album is mainly for mood music buyers PORGY AND BESS-SAMMY DAVIS, JR. Mu sica l Interest: A jazz attempt looking for something different and more (see p. 74) Pe rformance : Disappointing challengin g than usual. N. H. Recordi ng: On location • A BACKWARD GLANCE - TOMMY AND JIMMY DORSEY. Music of the Roar­ Tony Bennett really can't sing well All records reviewed in this column enough to earn the support of a band like ing Twenties as played by The C:;alifor.nia may be played on either single speak. Ramblers with probable personnel including this. Basie, who made Nat Cole sound bet· er monophonic or two speaker stereo­ Red Nichols, Bill Moore (trumpets), Tommy tel' than he had in years, just brings out all phonic equipment. They are 33 th rpm Dorsey (trombone), Jimmy Dorsey, Arnold th e faults in Bennett; poor intonation, poor Brillhardt, Freddie Cusick, Bobby Davis (clar­ phrasin g and great determinlltion to be dra· records that should be played with inets and saxophones). Adrian Rollini (bass matico The band itself sounds like it was the RIAA setting. saxophone), Irving Brodsky (piano), Tom~y kidding part of the time. R. J. G. Fellini (banjo) , Stan King (drums), Ed KIr- JULY 1959 75 listen to, but the other side of the LP has keby (leader) . Riverside RLP 12-834 $4.98 side before. The Hendersons were part of a previous Riverside 10" LP. N. H. some of the most moving Lewis solos I Mu si cal Interest: limited have heard. He is an eloquent primitive Performance: At least authentic • HAPPY SESSION - BENNY GOOD­ musician, with an important role in jazz Re co rding: Very good transfer MAN I clarinet) and his Orchestra featur­ history, though the notes err in inferring his band was a unit prior to his emergence These 1924-46 recordings by the Califor· ing Andre Previn I piano) and Russ Freeman with Bunk Johnson's band. This side has nia Ramblers, including the Dorsey broth­ (piano). Indian Summer; Having A Bal l; Diga Diga Doo & 7 others. Columbia CL two vocalists on it: Sister Berenice Phil· ers, are of most interest for nostalgic and 1324 $3.98 lips, who is sometimes striking in her historical reasons. Although it contains emotional quality, and a blanQuincy Jones, an Perfo rmance: A free spirit on shelf, ta ble or tucked away in your library . Use excellent jazz writer, Miss Vaughan sings Recording: Perfect singly, in pairs or with hidea way bass . some really delightful ballads in her own Tammy Grimes, an uninhibited pixie with Send lDday for FREE brochure /0 musicianly style_ Even on the dullest pop a pliable frog voice, has been a ·stellar at­ WEATHERS INDUSTRIES tunes, of which there are none present here, traction at Julius Monk's Downstairs at the DIVISION OF ADVANCE INDUSTRIES, INC. she has the spark of the true jazz singer. Upstairs night club in New York, and she 66 E. Gloucester Pike, Barrington, N.J_ I was particularly taken with her version of is heard here on fifteen of the very superior Export : Jos. Plasencia, In c., 401 Broa dway. N. Y. 13, N.Y. J ULY 1959 77 numbers she does there. Her trick voice is when she does albums of standards (her used with equal ease whether tearing off on pop single recordings are often something Let's Take a Walk Around the Block (in else). Her interpretations are neither par· PURCHASING which she accompanies herself with a drum ticularly imaginative nor emotionally incan· roll on the line, "Then to Mandalay" ) or descent, but she always does turn in a A HI-FI intoning the ironic I Loved Him,. Among professional performance. N. H. the other gems are such unjusti,fiably neg· lected items a's We'll Be the Same by • PATACHOU - LA BELLE ePOQUE SYSTEM? Rodgers and Hart, a Cole Porter "laundry (Songs of Aristide Bruant) with Joss Baselli PARTIAL LIST list" song Alpha to Omega, and a very and his Orchestra, and Orchestra and OF BRANDS funny vaudeville turn called Billboard. S. G. Chorus, A. Goraguer condo L'Soir a Mont· IN STOCK martre; L'Oseille; La Binette; Rue Saint-Vin· Send Us Alteo: Lansing cent & 14 others. Columbia WL 140 $4.98 Eledrovoio:e • MOULIN ROUGE - Raymond Lefevre Jensen Your Hartley and His Orchestra. Val entine; La Belle Hel ­ Musical In terest-; Atmospheric University e ne; Paris Canaille & 8 others. Kapp KL Pe rformance: Expressive Ao:oustio: 1121$3.98 Recordin g: Realistic List Of Researo:h Janszen Musica l Inte rest: Parisian bouillabaisse Aristide Bruant wa s a celebrated poet, Wharfedaie J Karlson Pe rformance: Sauce piquant composer, entertai~er and politician of the Components Viking Recording: Delicieuse turn of the century Paris. Lacking any Concertone Bell. G.E. With great flair and flavor, Raymond Le· marked gifts of melody, his songs never· For A Weathers theless captured the essence of the left bank Harman-Kardon fevre creates something very fresh and even Eio:o • Pilot exciting in this collection of Parisian melo· proletariat in their sad tales of s treet walk­ Package Sherwood ers, pimps, poverty, war and prisons. These Ao:rosound dies. Brass is used to good effect as a con­ Fisher trast to the strings, and s parkling louches pieces may well have to be an acquired Quotation Bogen • Leak are provided through the imaginative use taste to many, but as they have been splen. Dynakit didly interpreted by Patachou and the WE WON'T BE H. H. Scott of solos by oboe, accordion, harp and xylo· Ferrograph phone. S. G. chorus of A. Goraguer, it is certainly worth UNDERSOLD! Tanberg Pentron the effort. S. G. Ampro • VM A 11 merchandise Revere • Chal· • PARADE OF THE POPS-RAY MAR­ is brand new, lenger TIN leads The Swingin' Marchin' Band. Man· SAN FRANCISCO MARCHING, WALK· factory fresh & Wollensak guaranteed. hattan Spiritual; Teasin' ! My Happiness & lNG, TROTTING BAND (see p. 71) Garrard oth ers. RCA Victor LPM Mirao:ord 9 1960 $3.98 Glaser·Steer. Musi cal Interest: Disappointing • PAT SUZUKI'S BROADWAY '59 with Rek·O·Kut AIREX Components Perfo rma nce: Slick George Siravo and his Orchestra. Just For Norelo:o Recording : Good Once; To night; Just In Tim e & 9 others. Fairo:hild RCA Victor LPM 1965 $3.98 Pio:kering • Gray British leader·arranger Ray Martin, now RADIO Audio Tape based in this country, has scored various Musical Interest: High average Full Line of CORPORATION Cabinets pop tunes for a marching band. As the Performance: Topnotch be Iter Reco rding : Echo-chambery sound 64-MR Cortlandt St., N.Y. 7, CO. 7-2137 notes point out, there has been a marked rise in the number of high school and col· From seven current- or recent- Broad­ lege bands that include pop themes as well way musicals, Pat Suzuki has chosen a as the more traditional marches in their dozen attractive numbers and puts them HiFi REVIEW repertory. I would hope, however, that other acr(}ss in her customary forceful, direct writers in this field are more inventive and manner. She is at her best with the less HAS A BUYER FOR less insistently "commercial" than Mr. subtle pieces such as the two songs, I En· Martin. joy Being a Girl and Sunday that she also YOUR USED EQUIPMENT The marching band instrumentation can does in Flower Drum Song ; but the satiric be challenging for an arranger, but Mr. Two Faces in the Dark or the deeply·felt If you have hi-fi equipment, acces­ Martin has mostly transferred pop orches· Love, Look Away are quite beyond her tal· sories or records to sell, look to the tration cliches into this new context. Better ents. One of the songs in this collection, classified columns of HiFi REVIEW Sousa straight than mechanical corn. N. H. the torch ballad Not Like Me, was cut from First Impressions before it reached New for fast results. • ,GLOW with THE MILLS BROTHERS. York. S. G. Your message, placed in our classi­ The Glow W o rm; Dream Of You; Be My fied columns, will he read hy more Life 's Compa nion; Change For A Penny & • WOOD BY THE FIRE featuring GLO· than 123,000 hi-fi fans. 8 others. Decca DL 8827 $3.98 RIA WOOD. A Stranger In Town; In A Sen· Musica l Interest : Charming pop singing t im ental Mood ; I G ot It Bad: G ood-bye & Best of all, your classified ad costs Performance: Very professional 8 others, Columbia CL 1286 $4.98 you only 35c per word (including Recordin g: Good Mu sical Interest: Dull name and address.) For further Apparently re·issued from the Decca fil es, Performance: Gimmicky in formation write: but still sounding good to these ears, the Recording: Very echo·ey Martin Lincoln, HiFi REVIEW tunes herein include The Glow Worm and This is the trick·voiced young lady who Dream of You, two of the most pleasant made Hey Bellboy! a few years back. Here, One Park Avenue Mills Brothers vocals. This group always she sounds more like Chris Conner, when New York 16, New York swings, has good, if simple, harmony and a she eventually manages to conquer the echo. voice blend tllat might be an ear·opener to But most of the tunes, one place or another, the younger generation. R. J. G. contain some silly voice trickery and note UNHAPPY bending that is quite unnatural and ineffec· • PATTI PAGE-I'LL REMEMBER APRIL tive. R. J. G. WITH "HI" -with Jack Rael and his Orchestra. A Blos­ som Fell; Breeze; April Showers & 9 others. HI-FI PRICES? SI ZENTNER (see p. 72) Mercury MG 20406 $3 .98 Write us your hi·fi needs -you'll be pleasantly sur· Musical Interest: Moderate prised. Ask Jar our Jree Performance: A real pop pro THEATER & TV audio catalog, too. Recording: Clear and alive KEY ELECTRONICS CO. P atti Page is an accomplished, straight. • CINDERELLA (Richard Rodgers-Oscar 120 Liberty 51. forward singer of pop material. If she lacks N.Y. 6, N.Y. Hammerstein II); THREE TO MAKE MUSIC the exuberance and spontaneous warmth of EVergreen 4-6071 {Mary Rodgers-Linda Melnick}. Ma ry Mar­ a Doris Day, she at least avoids gimmicks tin, Dirk Sanders with t he Little Orchestra HIFI REvmw RATE: 35¢ per word. Minimum 10 ·words . . Septemb er Issue closes July 3rd. Send order and remittance to : HiFi REVIEW. One Park Ave .. New York 16 . N. Y. THOUSANDS of Satisfied Audiophiles Buy Famous F&B Recording Tape- Top Quality 30-15000 CPS Guar­ anteed-Complete Satisfaction or Money Refunded­ 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. DISGUSTED with "HI" Hi-Fi Prices? Unusual Dis­ 1800 Ft. 7" Reel-Mylar 8ase-3 for $6 .85. 2400 Ft. HI-FI Salons and Record Stores! Someone " borrowing" counts On Your High Fidelity Requirements. Write 7" Reel-Mylar Base-3 for $10.60_ Mail Orders your personal copy of Hi-Fi Review each month? You Key Electronics, 120 Liberty St., New York 6, N. Y. Filled. Please add 15¢ PP & Handling-Per Reel. ought to be taking advantage of Hi-Fi Review's con­ EVergreen 4-6071. Write for free Complete Hi-Fi Catalog. Florman & venient re-sale plan . Sell copies in your ~tore • . _ Babb, Inc. , 68 W. 45th St. , N. Y. 36, N. Y. SOUNDTASTIC-That's what our customers are ,saying perform a good service for your customers ... with upon receiving our price sheets on our latest High HI-FI Tape Buy-Splice Free . 40 / 50,000 CPS. Per­ no risk involved. For details, write: Direct Sales De­ Fidelity Stereo and Monaural, amplifiers, tuners. turn· manently lubricated. Money back guarantee. 7" Boxed partment, Hi-Fi Review, One Park Avenue, New York tables, speakers, tape recorders, kits. All brand ne w Reels . Acetate 1200' 11/2 mil 4/ $5 .20 . 1800' 1 mil 16, New York. with factory guarantee. Prompt in-stock service. Fre e 4/ $6.76. Mylar 1800' 4/ $9.60. 2400' 1/2 mil 4/$13.00. selector and planning booklet #M. available on re­ Po sta ge 15¢ per reel. Hi-Sonic, Box 86G, New York quest. Audio World , 2057 Coney Island Ave .• Brooklyn 63, N. Y. 23, N. Y. WE will not be undersold! We meet any competition! AMPEX . Concertone, Crown, Ferrograph, Presto, Tand­ Send us any competitor's advertising, showing a lower berg, Pentron, Bell , Sherwood, Rek-O-Kut, Dynakit, price for a tape recorder and will not only meet this others. Trades. Boynton Studio, Dept. HM, 10 Pennsyl­ lo we r price , but will in clude with your purchase, a vania Ave ., Tuckahoe, N. Y. 1200 foot tape of your choice, Free! (73 models in WR ITE for q uotat"'io=-=n,-'':con=-=-a"'ny-'---;;H"i "Fei "'c"'om= po'--n:-:e-n"ts-. --;CSo- u-n--;d stock). Commissioned Electronics, 1776 Columbia Road, Washington, D. C. Reproduction Inc., 34 New St., Newark, N. J. Mitchell A HANDY GUIDE TO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. NOT 2-6816. NECESSARILY IN THE HIGH FIDELITY FIELD . BUT OF HI-FI-Haven , New Jersey's leading sound center. Write WIDE GENERAL INTEREST. for information on unique mail order plan that offers professional advice and low. 28 Easton Ave ., New Brunswick, N. J. PRICES? The Best! Factory-sealed Hi-Fi components? Yes ! Send for free Catalog. Audion. 25R Oxford Road. WANTED I Massapequa, N. Y. SALE,: 78 R.P.M. Recordings, 1902-1950. Many types. HI-FI EQUIPMENT, Free lists. Collections bought. Mr. Ellie Hirschmann, P.O.B. 155 (HM), Verona, New Jersey • . ACCESSORI ES SAVE $$$. Fresh 8mm , 16mm B&W and color fil.m . HI-FI Lowest quotes: write for prices. R. Bruna, 162 Home Processing Equipment. Free Catalog. Superior E. Cook Ave., Libertyville, Illinois. OR RECORDS! Bulk Film Co., 458 N. Wells, Chicago 10. UNUSUAL Values . Hi Fi Components, tapes and tape recorders . Send for. Package quat, tions. Stereo Center, 18 W. 37 St., N. Y. C. 1. The 125,000 people who purchase INDUCTORS for Crossover Network, 118 types in stock. HiFi REVIEW are always in the Send for brochure. C & M Coils, 3016 Holmes Avenue, market for a good buy. So if you N. W. Huntsville, Ala. NEW 'Connoiseur Turntable, Hysteresis motor-$60. have something to sell, let HiFi Blaupunct SD / SW Car Radio-$70. S. Saltzman 1221 REVIEW readers know about it MAKE $25-$50 Week, clipping newspaper items for So. 17th St. , Las Vegas, Nevad :::a .~-=~=-----:-----;"""",,-;­ publishers. Some clippings worth $5.00 each. ~ar­ NEW Four Counties Music Hall , 359 Chestnut St. , through our classified columns. It ticulars free. National, 81-DG, Knickerbocker Station. Oneonta , N. Y. Large stock leading Hi Fi Component costs very little; just 35¢ a word. New York. record changer, turntable-J. B. Lansing, Wharfdale. Jensen Electro-Voice speakers and systems. Tape Re­ Minimum message: 10 words. For JOBS! Overseas! Write Janecek Development Co. , 109 corders Pentron, Superscope Bell Sound system etc. Hob Station, New York 55, N_ Y. Tape s. Prerecorded tapes and large stock records. further information, write: EARN Extra money selling advertising book matches. Write for your requirements. Free samples furnished. Matchcorp, Dept. MD-49, Chi­ Martin Lincoln cago 32, IIlinois_ HI FI REVIEW One Park Avenue , New York 16, New York ALL Makes High Fidelity Speakers Repaired. Amprite, OPTICAL Bargains-Request free Giant Catalog " CJ." 70 Vesey St. , N. Y. 7, N. Y. BA 7-2580. 96 pages-Astronom!cal Telescopes, Microscopes, SCOTT, Harman-Kardon, Ampex, Garrard. Prompt serv­ Lenses Binoculars, Kits, Parts. Amaz\ng wa r surplus ice to factory specifications by factory appointed bargains. Edmund Scientific Co.. Barrington, New agency. Lo'ng experience in high fidelity and tape Jersey . re co rder service. Mr. Moss , Sigma Electronic Com­ pany, 11 East 16th Street, New York 3, N. Y. BARBELLS , Courses, Apparatus. Catalogue 10¢. Good RECORD S & Tapes-Factory Fresh-All Labels-Dis­ Barbell Co ., Dept. 0, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. count Pri ces-Free Catalog. G.T.R.S., Box A-102 , ELECTRIC Penc il: Engraves all Metals, $2.00. Beyer Wanta gh, N. Y. Mfg., 10511-ZD Springfield, Chicago 43. RECORDs=-,-'-7M:-'a-'-st:-e-rs-,-::Cpr-e-s--;s i-ng-s-a-n"7d -:-T:;"a"'p-'-e-s-(;;;S·te:-::r-::eo~o:-::r BIZARRE Fashions! Illustrated Catalogue, $1.00. Monaural) duplicated from your tapes or discs. (Also Renee', Box 2804-P, Hollywood 28 , Calif. profess ional hi gh speed tape duplicating.) Quantity discounts, spe cialized services. Write-Merle Enter­ "WINEMAKING; Beer, Ale Brewing." Illustrated. ~2.00 . pri se s, Sox 145, Lombard , Illinois. Eaton Books, Box 1242-VF, Santa Rosa , California.

TAPE re corders, Hi-Fi components, Sleep Learning EqUipment, tapes. Unusual va lues. Free Catalog. Dre ss ner, 69-02HF 174 Street,. Flushing 65, New York. EXPECTING A CHECK? Youlll get it quicker if -ROBERTS Stereo Tape Recorders, Hi-Fi- Components, Catalog. Efsco , 270 Concord, West Hempstead, N. Y. you give your postal delivery zone number with HI -FI , Recorders. free Wholesale Catalogue_ Carston, 215-L, Ea st 88, N. Y. C. 28. LEAR N Wh i Ie As I e ep with''''''y'''oC:-uC:-r ---::-re:-:c-=-o"'rd"e-=-r _---;A"'m-:-:a=-=z"'i n:-::g your address. . book gives full instructions. $2.00. Satisfaction guar­ anteed. Sleep-Learning Research Association, P.O. The Post Office has divided 106 cities into postal delivery Box 24-MR, Olympia, Washington. HAPPY Birthday Tapes-The:::"iM;:u"s~ic:':a:'1 "'S"irt" h=-=dO::a"'y"G"'re=-=e"'t"in:::-g. zones to speed mail delivery. Be sure t.o include zone number Perso nalized-any na,me within reason recorded in vocal. Organ Music-Party Club Background. Stereo when writing to these cities; be sure to Include your zone num­ or Hi -Fi Ampex Equipment used. No C.O.D.'s or stamps. $1.98 each or 3 for $5.00-Postpaid. Bob Miller Tapes, ber in your return address-after the city, before the state. P. O. Box 132-H, Cranford , N. J. J ULY 1959 79 Soc iety. Thomas Scherman condo RCA Vic­ tor LPM 2012 $3.98 Musi cal I nterest: A charmer Performance: So is this Recording: Splendid Possibly because she has been doing this music on her recent cross·country tour, Mary Martin here gives one of her very best STEREO "THEATER COVERAGE" performances on records_ Cinderella is a FM/Q ~ one· woman show using the lovely songs of FOR THE HOME the 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein tele­ ANTENNAE Developed by Hollywood Engineer, AES vision production, and, to keep things in THE FINEST OF ITS KIND ••• the family, Rodgers' two daughters are re­ Get more FM stations with the world's most Get the full range of sound ANYWHERE IN THE sponsible for the delightful Three to Make powerful FM Yogi Antenna systems. ROOM by converting your present speakers or building new speakers from our plans! You'll Music, in which Miss Martin sings about have no "dead spots," no " phantom channels"! music to a clown. S. G. To be fully informed, You ' ll have balanced , full·range stereo ANY­ send 25~ for book PLACE IN THE ROOM . . . just as in a theater!! • FIRST IMPRESSIONS (Robert Gold­ "Theme And Varia· This new principle has been scientifically de­ tions" by L. F 8. Carini veloped, tested and proven in our own labora­ man-Glenn Paxton-George Weiss). Original tories. Complete set of plans which include 14 cast recording with Po lly Bergen. Farley and containing FM drawings and the fa cts "What is Stereo," Granger. H e rmione Gingold , C hrist o pher Station Directory. only $2.00 ppd_ Hewett, Phyllis Newman. Elle n Hanley, Do n­ STEREO DESIGNERS ald Madden and others, wi th Orchestra and APPARATUS DEVELOPMENT CO. Cho ru s. Frede rick Dvonch condo Columbia Wethersfield 9, Connecticut 3377 Charleston Way, Hollywood 28, Calif. OL 5400 $4.98 Musical In terest: Somewhat hidden Performance : Leads are inadequate Recording : Well done Huvy gauge black wrought iron. Ten Upon fIrst hearing the original cast re­ separate compart· ment!, designed by Audiomaster cording of First Impressions, my initial im­ anoutslandinR ~rti · TOP pression was that the three gentlemen san to accommo ­ leads with better stereo per­ date 250 Lip .1 · in British formance, better styling. bums: features I credited with the score, Robert Goldman, lop shelf for ttle Write now for leafl ets and .jackets of records fuU specifications of the Glenn Paxton, and George Weiss, were · ~1 y,u'J.ei4 ~er~~~e; craftsman-built Stereo Con­ somehow all lyricists. Upon rehearing it, I 'must for the dedi­ STEREO trol Unit. Prices from $79. realized what the trouble was-tbere are cated aUdiophile. Completely assem­ Designed and built for the enthu· melodies to be sure, there just aren't enough bled . Hominal EI~ . ChR . siast, facts prove that Audiomas· singers to sing them. As she is a comedi­ fer gives you exceptional value. enne we may excuse Hermione Gingold, $ startling performance I who has her own amusing style of leering Write now to: her way through a lyric, but the romantic leads, Polly Bergen and Farley Granger, ~~~:E-S-S------~ Henry Davies Ltd., almost seem to be vying wi th each other to -----~------:z: CITY % DENMARK HOUSE, DENMARK RD. determine which one has the more limited EALING, LONDON, W. 13. baritone. The musical was adapted from Jane Aus­ BEFORE YOU BUY A RECORD RACK ten's Pride and Prejudice, and to their credit the trio of writers has kept tlle COUNT THE LEGS! songs more or less in the spirit of tlle "BUCK STRETCHER" early nineteenth century period in which the play is set. The tunes, though n~t par­ HI-F. VALUES! ticularly sU'ong, nevertheless are appropri­ Expand the buying power of your Hi-Fi dollar at ate to the characters who sin g them. In Sun Radio with substantial fact, apart from Love Will Find Out the savings on new and fully guara nteed name brand Way, a gentle period piece sung to harpsi. Hi·Fi components! chord accompaniment, and I Feel Sorry jor Send for our 8pecial price quo­ the Girl, a somewhat jarring so ft shoe tations and our Hi-Fi package Rac ks with less than Leslie Creations rack with 8 number, all of the songs fIt logically into special8! Dept. W9 8 legs. may sag under legs, plus sfeel reinforced the action of th e story. weight of heavy LP's! shelf below, will never sag! SUN Radio & ElectroniC! (0., Inc . Our' I':lc k h o lds 2 00 LP's (W t . 12 oz. ea.) T h nt's 150 Ibs. Though the principals may be vocally of records, w hi c h cost you a bout $700. In selecting a 650 6th Ave., New York 11, N. Y. !'ccOrd J'ack. be s w'c the s upporting s h e lf is BELOW when:~ limited, there are occasional bright spots I~t cou nts! .Make certain it h as 8 LEGS, so the ccnLc',· won't Phone: ORegon 5-8600 SAG nnd WARP YOUR RECORDS ! Ol'del' the orig inal. sold supplied by Phyllis Newman, Donald Mad­ by mail fo!" 5 year s! Fully assembled, 10 compartme nts. t den and Ellen Hanley. Now if only they ~~~~V~ot~e~~~'M~;~~DBac~eg~~I'~;l~ ~~f: . . ~ ~i~~~ . $9.95 @ LESLIE CREATIONS, Dept. 11 N, Lafayette HnI, Pa . had had the leads ! S. G. SEND HiFi REVIEW na me JUNO (Blitzstein) (see p. 72) • REDHEAD (Albert Hag u e- D orot hy EVERY MONTH address Fields) _ H il l Bowen and his Orchestra, with Rita Willia ms, Bryan Johnson. Fred Lucas HiFi city zone state and Cho ru s, Mike Sammes dir. RCA Cam­ "''''' .... or.... d e n CAL 521 $1.98 Check one: 0 3 yea r s for $10 Musica l Interest: Infrequent o 2 year s for $ 7 Performance : Adequate o 1 year for $ 4 Re co rdi ng: Too sharp ]n the U. S .• its possessions and Canada To supplement its original cast LP, RCA F oreign rates: Pan American U nion countries, a dd $.5 0 p e r has released a "road company" Redhead to year ; a ll oth e r fo r e ign to ur the supermarket circuit. Recorded in countries, a dd $1. 00 p e r year. London, it contains ten of Lh e six teen num­ bers in the score, all performed in a style Mail to: HiFi REVIEW H.7.9 as close to that of the Broadway cast as 434 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago 5, Ill. possible. S. G. 80 HIFI REVIEW HiFi Review JULY 1959 Index of Advertisers HiFiREVIEW CODE PAGE NO. AD VERTISER NO. Acoustic Research, Inc ...... 8, 9 INFORMATION 69 Airex Radio Corporation ...... 78 3 Allied Radio ...... 62 2 Altec Lansing Corporation ...... 55 SERVICE 100 Apparatus Development Co ...... 80 He re's how you can get additional informa­ 156 Argo Record Corporation ...... 68 t ion, promptly and at no charge, concerning 5 Audio Devices, Inc ...... 23 the products advertised in this is sue of Hi 83 Audio Fidelity, Inc...... 3 Fi REVIEW. This free informa tion will ad.d 143 Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc . .. .. 22 to your understanding of high 6delity and 9 British Industries Corp...... 4 the equipment, records and tape necessary 111 Columbia LP Record Club ...... • .. . .. 11 for its fullest enjoyment. 167 Contemporary Records ...... 72 166 Davies, Henry, Ltd ...... 80 Print or type your name and address on 85 Decca Records Inc...... 70 1 the coupon below. 146 Dynaco Inc...... 14 10 EICO ...... 24 Check in the alphabeti cal advertising index, Electronic Kits-2nd Edition ...... 73 2 left, for the names of the advertisers in 115 Electro-Sonic Laboratories, Inc ...... 77 whose products yo u are interested. Electronics World Stereo Disk ...... 58 11 Electro-Voice, Inc ...... 4th Cover In front of each advertiser's name is .a 62 Ercona Corporation ...... 74 3 code number. Circle the appropriate num­ 40 Ferrodynami cs Corporation ...... 62 ber on the coupon belo.w. Yo u may circle 13 Fisher Radio Corporation ...... 21, 53 as many numbers as yo u wish. 9 Garrard Sales Corporation ...... 4 92 Gaylor Products Co ...... 74 Add up the number of req uests you have 14 Glaser·Steers Corporation ...... 6 4 made and write the total in the total box. 99 Harman·Kardon, Inc ...... 2nd Cover 41 Heath Company ...... 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Cut out the coupon and mail it to: Hi Fi Review Classified ...... 78 5 Hi Fi Review Subscriptions ...... 80 77 JansZen Loudspeakers ...... 63 Hi Fi REVIEW Jones Box Corp ., Jesse ...... 71 P.O. Box 1778 86 Key Electronics Co...... 78 CHURCH STREET STATION 20 Lansing Sound, Inc ., James B...... 7 New York 8, New York 88 Leslie Creations...... 80 46 London Records Inc ...... 46, 47, 65 HI Fi REVIEW Box 1778 TOTAL NUMBER 162 Nagoya Associates Inc ...... 80 CHURCH STREET STATION OF REQUESTS 77 Neshaminy Electron ic Corp...... 63 New York 8, New York 62 R & A Speakers ...... 74 Please send me additional information concerning the products of the advertisers w hose code n umbers I have circled. 54 RCA Victor ...... 71 109 Radio Shack Corporation ...... 61 2 3 5 9 10 11 13 14 20 29 30 31 105 Rockbar Corporation ...... 3rd Cover 34 40 41 46 54 62 68 69 77 83 85 86 88 29 Scott Inc., H. H...... 51 30 Sherwood Electronics Laboratories, Inc. 41 92 98 99 100 101 105 109 111 115 121 143 146 156 31 Shure Brothers, Inc...... 13 162 163 166 167 163 Stereo Desi gners ...... 80 98 Stromberg-Carlson ...... 66, 67 NAME 121 Sun Radio & Electronics Co ., Inc . ... . 80 ADDRESS 34 University Loudspeakers, Inc ...... 20 101 Weathers Industries ...... •...... 77 CITY ZONE __STATS 68 Westminster ...... 42 JULY 1959 81 I

Oliver P. Ferrell. Ed it~r

Case of the Missing Product Design The Corner Keeps Getting Closer • The path to stereo has been smoothed by the variety • On page 106 of the March issue, I mentioned that of designs to amplifiers, preamplifiers, adapters and many hi-fi equipment prototypes are shown to dealers j tuners. You can buy a complete stereo integrated ampli­ in May and June. If 1959 was any different from any fi er (preamp and power amplifier-twice over- on the of the preceding ten years, it was only in the area of same chassis), or separate stereo preamp and separate quantity. There are just not going to be many new twin power amplifier,

Listen to stereo records and discover the most exciting way of c. Spindle assembly: Typical of Collaro precision quality listening to music in your home. Listen to the new Collaro is the spindle shaft which is micro-polished to .000006 (6 stereo changer and discover the changer which provides truly millionths of an inch) for smoothness - insuring no injury silent performance to meet the rigid quality demands of to records. stereo. Here's why Collaro is your best buy: There are three Collaro changers priced from $38.50 to $49.50. A. Five-terminal pIng-in head: Exclusive with Collaro. The changer illustrated here is the new Continental, Model Provides two completely independent circuits thus guaran­ TSC-840. teeing the ultimate in noise·reduction circuitry. For full information write to Dept. MR7 Rockbar Corporation, Mamaroneck, N. Y. B. Transcription-type tone arm: As records pile up on a changer, tracking pressure tends to increase. Result may be damage to records or sensitive stereo cartridge. This can't happen with the Collaro counter-balanced arm which varies less than 1 gram in preSSUl'e between the top and bottom of a stack of records. Arm accepts any standard stereo or mon­ aural cartridge.

American sales representative for Callara Ltd. & other fine companies. RCB OooceH Iii toe c9un .WITH 2-WAY WIDE-RANeE ~!e&~&£:.® MUS ICASTER'

all-weather high-fidelity speaker system -'<.

Now you can very easily set up a permanent or portable outdoor extension of your high-fidelity music system ... for relaxed enjoyment. Take the MUSICASTER to the patio, or pool ... and treat yourself, your family, your guests to the pleasure of a full concert or background music .. . or even the ball game.

Unique design of this compact, integrated loud­ speaker system assures superb musical balance and clarity. Exceptional bass response is achieved through the back-loaded folded horn. High frequencies are smoothly and efficiently radiated from the exclusive E-V Radax dual­ cone speaker. Wide projection angle simplifies placement of the MUSICASTER for complete listening coverage.

All-weather performance is guaranteed by special silicon­ treatment of the cone assembly. The speaker is fully protected by the rugged diecast aluminum housing ... handsomely fin­ ished in Mesa Tan baked enamel. You can set the MUSICASTER anywhere on its built-in rubber feet. Use the mounting bracket as a convenient carrying handle.

DOUBLE YOUR FUN WITH STEREO. You can add the ex­ citement of stereo sound outdoors with a ~econd M USICASTER. Ideal combination of wide-range response and wide-angle dispersion give you the startling realism of 3-dimensional reproduction.

E-V MUSICASTER High-Fidelity Speaker System . Response: 60- 13,000 cps. Dispersion: 120°. Impedance: 8 ohms. Power handling capacity: 30 watts. Size: 21;;''' h. x 21X" w. x 8W d. Net wt. 231bs. List Price, $80. Net Price, $48. Accessory Model MB-1 Surface Mounting Bracket. For neat, unob­ trusive installation on flat wall. List Price, $4.50. Net Price, $2.70

See it . .. Hear it . . . Enjoy it ... on Money-Back Guarantee

At Your E-V Franchised High-Fidelity Dealer -or write for Free Bulletin No. 258A to Dept. 79-F

ELECTRO-VOICE, INC .• BUCHANAN, MICHIGAN

Research-Engineered High-Fidelity Speaker Systems, Phono-Cartridges, Microphones, Sound Projectors, Communications Equipment, Marine Instruments, and other Electro-Acoustic Products . .:_