GRAMOPHONE NOTES
MAY and June have brought some very interesting records. Among them is a fine recording of Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 5 in D, played by the Halle orchestra conducted by John Barbirolli (H.M.V. C7599-7603.) Personally, I much prefer this symphony to the one in F ; but then I also like his Pastoral symphony better than the " London " symphony. This composer seems to be most indi- vidual and attractive in his quieter and more reflective moods. Another welcome recording is Beethoven's Sonata for Horn and Pianoforte, Op. 17, played by Dennis Brain (horn) and Denis Matthews (pianoforte), Col. DX1152-3. This rarely heard work is given a delightfully smooth and satisfactory performance. Another unfamiliar chamber work beautifully recorded is Schumann's Sonata in A minor, Op. 105, played by Adolf Busch (violin) and Rudolf Serkin (pianoforte), H.M.V. DB3371-2.
Of the vocal records, I give preference to Maggie Teyte's- Chanson d'Estelle (Godard) and Pastorale (Bizet) ; then there arc two duets sung in English with more vivacity than polish by Webster Booth and Dennis Noble, from The Barber of Seville, with Basil Cameron and the Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra (H.M.V. C3398). Two Kings in a sentimental vein truly Tauberish will please his innumer- able admirers. " Angels Guard Thee " and " The Song of Florian " (Parlophone R020529). But anyone who thinks Tauber alone is a master of this sentimental style will be pleasurably surprised by Robert Wilson's "Beautiful Dreamer "—with which goes a recording arranged by G. Fox of "My love is like a red, red rose " (H.M.V. BD 1078). More to my taste are two regimental band recordings : "Desert Victory" and " The Eighth Army," both marches played by the Grenadier Guards, under Lieut. F. Harris (Col. DB2140) ; also the "National Anthem of the U.S.S.R.," and "Cavalry of the Steppes," played by the same band (Col. DB2r43). I recommend
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