February Records

Ernest Chausson: Symphony in B Flat Major (Chicago Symphony, Frederick Stock conducting; Victor; 8 sides). Chausson's symphony, written in 1890 before the composer's death (at 44) in a bicycle accident, combines somewhat Wagnerian romantic fervor with fine Parisian workmanship. Performance: excellent. Recording: good.

Debussy: Images Nos. 1 & 3 (San Francisco Symphony, Pierre Monteux conducting; Victor; 4 sides). Seldom performed, never before recorded, Debussy's Gigues and Rondes de Printemps have never been so popular as Image No. 2, better known by its subtitle Iberia. Nor are they quite up to Iberia as music. Performance: excellent. Recording: excellent.

Gustav Holst: The Planets (Toronto Symphony, Sir Ernest Macmillan conducting; Victor; 8 sides). One of the best 20th-century English orchestral works, abbreviated (Planets Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are missing). Performance: good. Recording: excellent.

Mozart: Concerto No. 12 (K.414) for Piano and Orchestra (London Philharmonic, Sir Thomas Beecham conducting, with Louis Kentner; Columbia; 6 sides). First U.S. release of a European recording of one of Mozart's most ingratiating concertos. Performance: fair. Recording: good. Johann Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz (NBC Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini conducting; Victor). A fascinating illustration of a great conductor's weakness. Maestro Toscanini's Danube is a swift torrent of molten lava. Recording: fair.

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