GRAMOPHONE

ToP of any gramophone notes this " month must come the grand new recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major by Jascha Heifetz with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Walter Susskind (H.M.V. D.B. 21228-21231). In the same catalogue Heifetz appears as the soloist in this great concerto with the London Philharmonic, conducted by Sir John Barbirolle Though it must always be a matter of taste, I very much prefer the new recording.
The masculine and forceful genius of Solomon interpreting the everpopular Beethoven Sonata Path& tique (No. 3 in C Minor) is now available to compare and contrast with those of Edwin Fischer and Moiseiwitsch in the same catalogue. These three records (C.4117-4119) are a most welcome addition to both the Beethoven and the Solomon " library."
Another solo piano record which has special interest, albeit nostalgic, is the recording made shortly before his death by Artur Schnabel, of the Schubert Impromptu in 0 Major. This is a beautiful piece of work fD.B.21335).
COLUMBIA
LATE in reaching me hut never too late to mention with praise and commendation, is the new recording by Walter Gieseking. With the Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Herbert van Karajan, on Col umbia (L.X.1443-1446). This is a most moving performance characterised by extreme clarity and precision and the recording is such that the solo instrument is clearly audible in the loudest full orchestral passages, giving the listener the kind of version of this great work which the solo artist must himself get.
Finally, two records made by Sir Thomas Beecham with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra must find at least a mention; the one is the perennial von Suppe Morning. Noon and Night in Vienna, and the second a Rossini Overture that deserves to be much better known La Camblale Matrimonio ("The Marriage Con
tract ") LX.I458. B. J. P.