RECENT RECORDS
ORCHESTRAL—Heifetz's playing of the Elgar violin concerto with the L.S.O. is quite magnificent, outstanding in interpretation and breath- taking in technical finish. Bantock's Fifine at the Fair, played by the R.P.O. under Beecham, is an interesting historical oddity—a clever musical scrapbook by a shrewd observer of Tchaikovsky and R. Strauss. Otherwise H.M.V. issue two old friends played by the efficient rather than inspired Danish Orchestra, Dvortik's New World and Tchaikovsky's Francesca do Rimini; and Bach's B minor Suite played by the London Chamber Orchestra under Anthony Bernard. Columbia issue another oddity, Balakirev's C major symphony, admirably played by the Philharmonia under Karajan. This is a long work, unsatisfactory as a symphony but stuffed with musical plums. The same orchestra and conductor have recorded Roussel's fine fourth symphony, and Karajan con- ducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Beethoven's no. 5. Galliera, who conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Beethoven's no. 7, spoils ari otherwise satisfactory performance by hurrying the trio and the finale. Decca's most interesting new issue is a sensitive and finely articulated Petrushlw by the Suisse Romande Orchestra under Ansermet. At two opposite poles the fourth Brandenburg Concerto, played by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and a suite from Coppelia by the Conservatoire Orchestra under Desormiere are equally distinguished and delightful.
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