Monday, Jan. 13, 1947
New Records
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 (Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski conducting; Columbia, 10 sides). This is the first U.S. recording of Prokofiev's thundering new symphony, one of the major works of recent years. It is a compelling performance. Record buyers, however, may want to wait to compare it with Serge Kous-sevitzky's soon-due Victor version, since it was Koussevitzky who introduced the Fifth to the U.S. (TIME, Nov. 19, 1945).
Debussy: Preludes, Book II (Robert Casadesus, pianist; Columbia, 12 sides); Pour le Piano Suite and Danse (Gaby Casadesus, pianist; Vox, 4 sides); Milhaud: Le Bal Martiniquais (Robert and Gaby Casadesus, duo-pianists; Columbia, 2 sides). Husband & wife take turns working over the iridescent music of a fellow Frenchman. Robert's album is deeper and moodier; Gaby plays more lightly-turned caprices. Their joint record is light, witty.
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 ("Jupiter") in C (NBC Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini conducting; Victor, 7 sides). The Maestro's "Jupiter" suffers from mushy recording, which makes Bruno Walter's 1945 version with the New York Philharmonic preferable.
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 In D (San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux conducting; Victor, 8 sides). A clear, unsentimentalized performance of Brahms's romantic "pastoral."
Jazz Concert at Eddie Condon's (Decca, 8 sides) New 52nd Street Jazz (Victor, 8 sides). Condon's old guard (Max Kaminsky, Billy Butterfield, Pee Wee Russell and others) doggedly play The Sheik of Araby, Atlanta Blues, etc., Chicago style, circa 1928. The initiated will prefer it to Dizzy Gillespie's "bebopping" in the 52nd Street album,
Stravinsky: Ebony Concerto (Woody Herman Orchestra, Igor Stravinsky conducting; Columbia, 2 sides). On first hearing, a hackle-raiser, whether the listener is a lover of classics or a lover of jazz; but after the third or fourth playing it becomes an engaging experiment in classical dissonances impeccably played on jazz instruments (TIME, April 8).
September Song; Just a Gigolo (Joe Mooney Quartet, Decca, 2 sides). The first record by the quietly unorthodox new jazz group which became an instant success in Manhattan (TIME, Oct. 28).
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