Fort Lauderdale News from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 58

10-E FT. LAUDERDALE SUNDAY NEWS, June 24, 1958 RCA Victor Overcomes Shortage Of Wagnerian Voices In United States German Cast Records Lohengrin ON REVIEW conducted by LAWSON E. PARKER I a. By BERENICE PARKER The scarcity of Wagnerian voices in the United States is reduced to a minor problem for American record enthusiasts by RCA Victor which has reached overseas and brought here the complete score of Richard Wagner's opera, TohengTin," in a four-record album LHMV-800. The master recordings by the German cast, chorus and orchestra were produced in new orthophonic high fidelity sound by The Gramophone in England, and reproduced here by Victor.

Encased in a beautiful folder with a cover photograph of a swan, with reed background in blue-grey tones, the album includes four long-play records. Accompanying them is a brochure including the German-English libretto of the story, a run-down of the distinguished cast with biographical notes, the story of the opera as reprinted from "The Victor Book of the Operas," plus notes on "Lohengrin" from Ernest Newman's book, "The Wagner Predominantly Teutonic, the singers featured in the production give an expert and understanding interpretation to this medieval legend concerning Lohengrin, the Knight of the Swan, and his defense of Elsa of Brabant, who had been accused of the murder of her missing brother. Rudolf "Schock, tenor, a native of Duisburg, known for his work in the Berlin Opera, the Salzburg Festival and at London's Covent Garden, is cast as Lohengrin. Maud Cunitz, soprano, a native of London and resident of Nuremburg whose operatic career began in 1944 and took her to leading opera centers of Europe, sings Elsa. Josef Metternich, bass, a native of Cologne who has.

sung in opera throughout Germany and in other leading European theaters, as well as at the Metropolitan, is cast as Frederick of Teiramund, Count of Brabant. Margarete Klose, mezzo-soprano, native of Berlin and star of the Municipal Opera there as well as featured soloist in opera companies of Europe, South America and the United States, sings Ortrud, Frederick's wife. Gottlob Frick, bass, who has sung with leading opera companies of Europe, is heard as Henry the Fowler, King of Germany. Others in the cast are Joshard Daus, Gunter Genersch. Ernst Max Luhr and Horst Sellentin, four nobles of Brabant, and Dorothea Forster-Georgi, Karla Durring.

Margot Fehling and Anny Cornelius, four pages. Accompanying the singers are the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Nordwestdeutschen Rundfunks. Hamburg, and the Male Chorus of the Nordwestdeutschen Rundfunks, Cologne. Wilhelm Schucter conducts the opera, with Max Thurn and Otto Franze, chorus masters. Wagner, peer of the German opera, wrote both the music and the librettos for his works.

He was a native of Leipzig and lived from May 22, 1813. to Feb. 13, 1883. Probably the best known and one of the most imaginative of his works, "Lohengrin" was first produced at Weimar, Germany, Aug. 28, 1850, under the direction of Frans Liszt.

The action takes place at Antwerp during the first half of the tenth century. Wagner first became intrigued with the legends of Lohen -X" iX With Assist By Tony Scoff, Norman Luboff I Harry Belafonte Reaches Top I In Interpretation Of Calypso grin in the summer of 1845 at Marlenbad. He found them in the poems of Wolfram von Eschenbach and the old German epic of Lohengrin, a knight of the Grail, sacred vessel of the Last Supper, lands from a Swan-drawn boat on the banks of tho Scheldt River in Act I of the opera, as Elsa prays for a champion to defend her, in a traditional ordeal by battle. She has been accused by her kinsman. Frederick, and his wife.

Ortrud. of the murder of her brother, young Duke Godfrey of Brabant. Upon decree of the king, Frederick must support his charges in battle. Elsa may choose a defender, and the victor will be recognized as the champion of right. Frederick is defeated but Lohengrin spares his life and the former and Ortrud are to be banned.

Lohengrin and Elsa are wed to the ethereal bridal music which was conceived by Wagner and since has accompanied countless brides to the altar. Elsa must pledge, however, never to question the origin of her knight. Ortrud causes Frederick to challenge Lohengrin's victory as a fete of magic. She manages to throw doubt into Elsa's mind to the extent that Elsa breaks her pledge and insists that Lohengrin reveal his identity. Frederick is killed when he attacks Lohengrin.

The holy knight reveals his true origin, making it necessary for him to leave Brabant. When his Swan-boat returns for him the Duke of Brabant is found as Ortrud boasts she has turned him into the Swan. Lohengrin breaKs her spell, a celestial dove appears to draw his boat and Elso faUs lifeless on the river bank. By JACK W. GORE A few months ago when Harry 4 1 i 5 I 4 Belafonte appeared on a national television program and did a couple of true calypso tion if made more readily available on a single disc.

Accompanying Belafonte on this album are Tony Scott and his orchestra along with Norman Luboff on the vocals and Millard Thomas on the guitar. The calypso fan will quickly note that the drum techniques employed here are nrobablv a numbers we wondered how long it would be before one of the major recording companies recognized that in this particular field of music this man Belafonte stands absolutely alone at the top of the ladder. closest reproduction of the erue island drum work that has yet made. Its appearance in th ARTURO TOSCANINI Interprets Mozart States and the same can be said for the flute tones which are actually produced by a tin-penny whistle. This instrument Toscanini Enhances the hands of a skiUed Ja Fortunately for calypso fans, it didn't take very long for RCA Victor to give Belafonte an opportunity to greatly enlarge upon his television appearance and this month, in an album entitled "Calypso" LPM-1248, the results become self-evident.

We expected something special maican is a more versatile in strument than anyone mieht be lieve PIANIST LEONARD PENNARIO establishes bond with listener Pianist Records For Capitol Sparkling Technique Shoivn By Pennario In 'Concert Encores' HARRY BELAFONTE he stands alone Those who have never heard Brilliance calypso done by a real artist will marvel at the way Bela when we previewed this album as we have heard a lot of calypso music and we know how truly the experiences he has had in the West Indian Islands, in fonte manages to bring to life the charm and the irrepresible delightful it can be when done reeling this music possesses, Of Mozart Mexico and in the slums of New York rubbing off on him and Even avid calypso fans will find some of their old favor right. But even so this album was a surprise though we were prepared for a good one. "Calypso," as done by Harry Bela leaving him with a deep insight into the troubles, the joys and the basic makeup of people to whom music and rhythm are second nature. ites like "Brown Skin Girl" and "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" given a new and a By WANDA WILSON The iridescence of Mozar The poetic young American pianist. Leonard Pennario.

has fonte, is without any doubt whatsoever the finest example of traditional island music we recorded another album for Capitol in high fidelity full dimen delightful originality by the combined with the sensi Belafonte treatment. have ever heard. tivity of Toscanini and the TREAT FOR LISTENERS Lis'tening to Belafonte in resulting superb musician As we said before we've heard a good bit of calypso music and sionai sound. "Concert Piano Encores" tP-83381. In this, his seventh, album.

Pennario reveals again that in addition to his brilliant and sparkling technique, he is enough of a showman to seek to play that which will establish a bond of appreciation between himself and his listeners. He chooses the classics, but the classics which are so well TRUE BACKGROUND Most of the so-called calypso ship of the NBC Orchestra terpret this music thus adds up to a rare treat. Whether he is is RCA Victor's latest contribii- artists try hard but few of them most of the recognized artists in this field. But Belafonte tion to the Mozart year. singing the plaintive lament of have any real talent to give this kind of music the depth and the known that many who seldom visit the concert hall are familiar stands head and shoulders above the laborers who load the ba The top-notch playing is proof that high fidelity in musician with his pieces.

Having done this, the artist plays his selections feeling it should have. But Belafonte not only has the talent, he ship can never find a substitute the pack and there Is nothing we have ever heard that will come close to matching this al sssssj jS-sssvs 3 so that they are renewed in their native appeal. For his Encore album Pennario plays "Etude in Flat nana boats as he does in "Day and "Star or whether he Is doing a traditional West Indian love song like "I Do Adore Her" or "Jamaica FareweU," the in mere high fidelity sound. has the background and the bum. experience to make this music mere is too much belief that the magic words "hi- really come to life.

On side one of this long olav 1 Black Key Etude and "Noc-. turne in Flat" Op. 9. No. 21 i by Frederic Chopin 1810-1849; his nan t.rnnsprint.inn nf tio It is often said that before can cover a.

multitude of sins. This is particularly true any artist can really do "folk" music and that's actually what In the widening field of poor "Emporor Waltz" by Jo ha nn -4 Strauss Jr. 1825-18991; "Re- album Belafonte does "Day "I Do Adore Her," "Jamaica Farewell," "Will His Love Be Like His and "Dolly Dawn." On side two there is "Star "The Jack-Ass Song," 111 listener gets the impression that here is an artist who knows what he Is singing about and who has the rare ability to carry the listener right along with him all the way. There are numbers in this calypso Is he must know some musicianship. Actually, insufficient talent and training are 1 1 s' 1 pin-pointed cruelly by high fi delity.

"Hosanna," "Come Back Liia," thing about the people and the way of life he attempts to portray. Perhaps this is why Harry Belafonte does such a terrific job on this album. He certainly didn't reach the heights he has veiie aim l.h nus wue Liente by Claude Debussy 1862-19181. "Serenade" the Liszt transcription 1 by Franz Schubert 11797-18281; "Polichinelle" tPunchl by Sergei Rachmaninoff 11873-19431; "Waltz in A Flat" bv "Older" taping methods used in this Toscanini long play album "Brown Skin Girl," and "Man K'f I I Smart Woman Smarter." All album that once heard literally cry for rehearing again and again. "I Do Adore Her" Is one do nothing to detract-from the SCHUBERT SCHUMANN are good and we don't hesitate superlative musicianship.

It is in a bit in recommending this al achieved today without a hard. that is particularly appealing struggle and without some of land could easily sweep the na- bum all the way. finitely preferable to have the non-hi fi records with real musicianship behind them than the Johannes Brahms 1833-18971; "Traumerei" Dreaming from "Scenes from Childhood" by Robert Schumann 1810-18561; and "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" by Franz Liszt 1811-1888. TR03IBONIST BILLY BYERS arranges, composes and performs latest sound reproduction high This group of miniature masterpieces is pleasant to have on the shelves.

They are delightfully played. For dinner or lighting indifferent playing. Jazz Workshop Album Clicks The Mozart "Symphony No. 39" mood music they are highly recommended. The Encores are a logical sequel to Pennario's six other al Is taken from an NBC broadcast of March, 1948, and the New Trio, The Wayfarers, Sings The Folk Music Of Many Lands bums: "Favorite Classics for Piano." P-8312; "La Valse," P-8294; Divertimento" is a re-issue of "Waltzes" Chopin, complete, P-8172: "Piano Music of Spain" an earlier Victor recording.

This i'-eiyu; -fictures at an Exhibition" Moussorgsky and "Piano Billy Byers Hits Mark As Composer, Arranger is Toscanini's first Mozart re lease in 1956 LM-2001. Music" Tchaikovsky, P-8323; and "Andalucia" Lecuona and "Songs of Spain" Albenizl, P-8319. Berenice Parker With the famous conductor at By JOE BRYANT Lovers of folk songs have a the helm, there is no doubt as to delicacy of interpretation, per. real treat In store in "The Way fection of balance and immacula farers" LPM 12131, a 12-inch teness of technique. This must new orthophonic, high fidelity re be stated even with full real cording by RCA Victor.

A unique ization that everything worth By DON L. McIVER The Jazz Workshop series by RCA Victor is beginning to click with the latest album, "Billy Byers" LPM-1269, which is the best of the releases so far in the project. Although the musicians play well, my main reasons saying has already been said new trio which gives the long-play album its title. The Way about the great man. farers make a recording debut The combination of Toscanini A Favorite Sings 'Favorites9 Gladys Swarthout Records Album Of Sweetheart Songs By ANN BRYANT One of America's favorite classical vocalists proves to be a romantic young-at-heart on "Gladys Swarthout Sings Your Favorites" TCAL 2801, a new RCA Camden recording.

This is a collection of "sweetheart music" especially for lovers to celebrate all-enduring affections. Whether it be The Boy carrying The Girl's books home with 17 authentic folk songs and Mozart forms a succulent from America and nine other lor liking this album better lands. than its predecessors are concoction because of the mutual exchange of fervency and genius. the orchestrations and the As usual, Mozart was in fi composition by Byers. nancial distress when he wrote Billy, who now is in Paris the symphony in nine days.

But uninspiring Al Cohn on baritone sax and clarinet. In sharp contrast are Funk's wonderful sax and Byers' ballad trombone on "I See a Million People." "Back in Your Own Backyard" and "The Funky Music Box" are the standard one-chorus and then everybody-for-yourself type, except for Wechs- with him, the more strain, the Each member of the 'trio is an accomplished soloist, and each is from a different field: Paul Bain is an operatic baritone and concert recitalist; Ilka Sylvern is a dancer with a strikingly dramatic soprano voice, and Lee Schaefer is a jazz singer. This blending, backed by the composing and arranging for Ray Ventura, has done considerable writing and scoring for film more the of inn Vi W-- mmam from school, couples caught in the shimmering spell of campus! romance, a newly married couple or the folks next door celebrating their silver anniversary all was no stopping the remarkable flow of composition. "I am, so studios and TV for three years. He gamed "big" band experience writing for Georgie Auld.

Buddy Rich, Charlie Ventura and Benny Goodman. ler's tinkling celeste on "Music Box." "The Great Ratinnli7Pr" "September Song," "The Lovely Song My Heart Is Singing," "I'll Remember April." "It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow," "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." "Dancing in the Dark," "Give Me One Hour" and "The Man I Love." Miss Swarthout 's beautiful guitar accompaniment of Ilka features a swinging trombone 11 to speak, buried Byers first album consists of in music; it goes hearts will respond to these familiar popular favorites. TOP TUNES The album includes two selections bv Rndeers nnri Hart- quartet along with Hinton's competent bass. In "Sundavi anout witn me all day long, so three contrasted orchestral settings: One featuring strings, another in which he is part of a trombone quartet along with tnai 1 speculate Funk again plays a beautiful sax part and the trombones tio a double-time bit in the middle. "Misty Osie," dedicated to "Falling In Love With Love" and mezzo-soprano voice is flawlessly and Paul, results in a different and enchanting musical gem.

The three artists excel in imparting the individuality belonging to each of the tunes, yet inserting a touch of their own style a trait which marks good folk music. The musical bill of fare served up by The Wayfarers runs the gamut from a moun accompanied by the Victor Con trumpet, saxophone, bass and bum lb uver in M074RT drummer Johnson, takes off cert Orchestra and by Russ Case my mind," he something like the old Jimmie drums, and a more conventional third with three horns and three rhythms. said. Even while at the opera. Lunceford two-beat that few and His Orchestra in this collection of favorite show tunes of romance.

if his expression had a certain. "My Heart Stood Still." Also, there are the ever-beautiful Cole Porter tunes. "Begin the Be-guine" and "In the Still of the Night." "Through the Years" and "You're Everywhere" represent Vincent Youmans' fine talent. Other favorites presented are look, his friends knew that the PERSONNEL LISTED Musicians taking part, besides THE WAYFARERS, A UNIQUE TRIO Elka Sylvern, left; Paul Bain, Lee Schaefer music he heard was coming from tain lullabye to an old English within, not from the stage. He 4I? I' Vl er "equenuy Is not recognized ibeautifully plainUve melody from the was often "lost" this way, whether playing billiards, dancing or the South African Veldt; "Ah! songs as varied as as the religious song it is.

This, their subjects. Ives, is nnp nf manv fniir' Si Mon Moine," traditionally riding horseback, Byers, are: Nick Travis and Bernie Glow, trumpets; TJrbie Green, Fred Ohms, and Chaun-cey Welch, trombones; Al Cohn, clarinet, tenor and baritone sax; Phil Funk, clarinet and alto sax; Jerry Sanfino, flute and alto sax; Milt Hinton, bass; Osie Johnson, drums; Moe Wechs- hymns based on personal re sung in French Canada by chil The opening, robust chords of On the first few playings, five old favorites hold sway as most 'LA TRAVIATA ALBUM PLANNED BY VICTOR RCA Vivtor is scheduled to release a recording of Verdi's "La Traviata" next fall. George Marek, Victor vice president in charge of the album dren during their top-spinning contests; a bouncy little jig from drummers can play well, but when the Byers group does it, they swing. "Thou Swell" is another run-for-the-hills arrangement, but Byers follows with his best solo work on "You're Mine, You," accompanied by strings and Sanfino's flute. The latter is a fine example of ballad writing for a group small or large and shows what one can expect from Byers as a soloist.

I liked this album which shows planning and thinking by Byers and good work by the in popular. Ireland, "Mr. McGuire," and "El OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS These are "Down In the Val ler. piano and celeste; Joe Ve- nuto, vibes; Gene Orloff, vio ley." one of the best known of America's folk songs: "The Lass from the Low Countree," a Scot the first movement of the symphony was revolutionary in 1788, as were the harmonic progressions and relative dissonance toward the end of the same section. In fact, the Symphony No.

39 was the first of three which represent Mozart at his height of compositorial maturity. SHEER LYRICISM The slow movement is sheer Venadito," a Mexican cowboy song narrated and sung by Paul Bain with some sparkling guitar work thrown in. Rounding out the album are lin, and Alan Schulman, Lucien Schmidt and Bernie Greenhouse, cellos. tish ballad still sung today in division. Is in Italy to supervise the recording of the opera at the Rome Opera House.

It will star Rosanna Carteri, Leonard Warren and Cesare Vallettl. Pierre the Southern mountains; "Hush, the well-done arrangements of Little Baby," a beautiful lullabye dating back to the days of the strumentalists, except for Cohn. ligious experiences which were brought forth in the great religious revival in Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas in the early 1800s. FROM THE WEST From America's west come two other contributions to "The Wayfarers" album: "Old Paint," one of the most famous cowboy songs, and the less known "Chilly which captures the bitterness and sadness of those who lost their homes to the dust storms of the 1930s. But with successive playings, several of the 10 tunes from other lands become strong contenders for "most popular." Notable among these are "When the Sun Goes Down," a Monteux will conduct the or 1 nope you like it too.

the well-known "Waltzing Matilda," and five others: "Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl," an lyricism, grace and delicacy ner- early American pioneers; "Lolly Too Dum," a teasing mountain chestra. old English drinking song: A GOOD BET A ballad with a future is "Love "Alone Together" features Joe Venuto's marimba and a beautiful blend of the three cellos. "The Tickler" is a Byers original spotlighting a muted Nick Travis trumpet, Byers' trombone and a fine low register clarinet solo by the terrific Phil- Funk. This is the best Byers original in the album. "Billy Bones" and "Chinese Hammsi," a Turkish soldier's song; "La vaquiiia, a Mexican song in which a 14-year-old girl wails for permission to marry and end the "14 long years Tve been livuV all alone," and "Wayfaring Stranger." This last tune, popularized in recent years as the theme song tune: "Zemer Lach," sung in sonifed.

The third movement is, of course, the famous minuet. The finale sounds as if Mozart had come into a fortune, it rollicks, it bubbles and laughs. It is almose unbelievable that at this time the composer was in a situation which would have deeply depressed anyone else. HIGH FLYER Soaring in sales nationally is "Rockta Ghost," an ethereal number with an rock roll base, by Archie Bleyer's orchestra and chorus on the Cadence label. Ain't Right" as sung by Kay Starr on the RCA Victor label.

It's a change of pace from Kay's tremendous "Rock 'n Roll Waltz," but is sung effectively by the verstaile "Victor girl." Israel by dancers whirling through the traditional "hora," and "Linstead Market," a Calyp GLADYS SWARTHOUT sings "favorites" of Burl Ives, well-loved folk sing-' so song irom Jamaica, Water feature a.