New Records

Khachaturian: Violin Concerto (David Oistrakh, violinist, with the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Gauk conducting; Mercury, 10 sides). An excellent recording of an energetic but empty piece, notable because it gives U.S. music lovers a first chance to hear one of the world's greatest living violinists. David Oistrakh, now 40, won an international competition for violinists in Brussels in 1937 (among the judges: Joseph Szigeti), has rarely been far out of Russia since.

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms (the London,Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Ernest Ansermet conducting; English Decca, 6 sides). In his first successful concert work for chorus and orchestra,* written in 1930, Stravinsky shows that he knows how to use voices as well as instruments with pungency, economy and originality. Fellow composers, in & out of Hollywood, have borrowed from it. Performance: excellent. Recording: excellent.

Debussy: Quartet in G Minor (Paganini String Quartet, Victor, 7 sides). The two inner movements of Debussy's only work in this form are as beautifully made as anything Debussy ever wrote. The Paganini plays it well. Recording (on Viny-lite): fair.

Copland: Rodeo, and Waltz from Billy the Kid (Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati conducting; Victor, 6 sides). Five dances from the popular ballets; much of it is derivative, but also bright and fetching. Performance: good. Recording: good.

Mozart: Quartet in 6 Major, K.387 (Griller String Quartet, English Decca, 8 sides). One of Mozart's greatest; the performance lacks the fire to make it great. Recording: good. Concerto in A Major, K.488 (Clifford Curzon, pianist, with the National Symphony Orchestra, Boyd Neel conducting; English Decca, 6 sides). Another great work, played by one of Britain's best pianists. In this dull, muffled recording, however, it sounds as if his piano were out in the wings.

Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 (the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting; Columbia, 10 sides). Ormandy catches both the power and the magnificent lyricism--and the bombast too. Recording: good.

Ives: Sonata No. 2, "Concord" (John Kirkpatrick, pianist; Columbia, 9 sides). Written around 1913 by the long "forgotten" U.S. composer who is a recluse in Connecticut, this sonata, has been called "the greatest music composed by an American," which is neither true nor saying so much as it seems to. Listeners will find it hard digging at first, but there is gold there. The performance is better than the dull recording.

Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 (Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Charles Munch conducting; Columbia, 8 sides). A powerful work horse with plenty of power left; powerfully played. Recording: good.

*His early cantata, The King of theStars (1911), is so difficult it has never been performed.

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