GRAMOPHONE NOTES
THE most original item in H.M.V.'s recent lists is the set of madrigals by the Cambridge University Madrigal Society. It is a representative collection (twelve sides), and the singing is good amateur, which is what madrigals need. Like games, they give most pleasure to the performer ; but many people enjoy an afternoon at Lords and many people will enjoy these records. The L.P.O. under Furtwangler have recorded a very fine Brahms No. I (H.M.V.), really big and tragic ; and an exciting En Saga under de Sabata (Decca). Some of the finest playing and recording are to be found in Delius's Brigg Fair by the R.P.O. under Sir Thomas Beecham, and Stravinsky's enigmatic but beautiful Concerto in D by the Halle Orchestra under John Barbirolli (H.M.V.). The Philharmonia Orchestra have made some good recordings for Columbia—Rimsky- Korsakov's little-known Skazka (Fairy Tale) under Constant Lambert, Leonora No. 3 and Liszt's second piano concerto (in which Malcuzynski is the soloist) under Paul Kletztki. Their strings under Issay Dobrowen have made an excellent recording of Tchaikovsky's Serenade in C. The L.S.O. under Krips have recorded Mozart's E flat major symphony and the Boyd Neel Orchestra with Kathleen Long a pleasant concertino by Walter Leigh (Decca). The New York Philharmonic under Bruno Walter bring the only other contemporary work, Samuel Barber's dark-hued Symphony in One Movement.
Dinu Lipatti's playing of Ravel's Alborada de Gracioso (Columbia) is both brilliant and subtle, and Cortot's Kinderscenen (H.M.V.) contain some passages of very beautiful and sensitive playing. For Decca Franz Osborn and Max Rostal play Beethoven's Spring Sonata, and for H.M.V. Erna Berger has made an excellent record of Constanze's big air from II Seraglio, Martern aller Arten (though it is unfortunately translated " Martyrs of all kinds " on the label,
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