New Records

Since the first few record players designed for binaural sound appeared last fall (TIME, Nov. 10), more than 2,000 high-fidelity fans have invested in the basic equipment,* and new orders have been piling up. To supply records for the pioneers, a Stamford, Conn, engineer named Emory Cook has been recording music on binaural disks, now has ten LPs on the market. To help pay his costs, while he waits for binaural buyers to swell to the proportions of a full-blooded carriage trade, Cook has now spun music from some of his binaural tapes on to four standard, 10-in. LPs which can be played on any LP phonograph.

Technically, the resulting sound is not binaural, but thanks to the skill and care lavished on both the performances and the recordings, it is some of the finest sound to be heard on records. Cook's first symphonic releases include two potpourris: Masterpieces of the Dance, with such old war horses as the Emperor Waltz and Danse Macabre, and Masterpieces from the Theater, with music from Carmen, La Gazza Ladra and Euryanthe. The major effort is Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, which, despite a too-speedy finale, is the best available LP of the great work. All are played by the excellent Orchestral Society of Boston conducted by Willis Page.

Other new records:

Beethoven: Sonatas for Cello & Piano (Janos Starker & Abba Bogin; Period, 2 LPs). All five of the master's efforts for cello and piano. The cello is played with fire, tenderness and unerring accuracy by Hungarian-born Janos Starker of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. His partner is a talented young (27) American pianist.

Corelli: The Twelve Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 (string orchestra conducted by Dean Eckertsen; Vox, 3 LPs). A rich-voiced tribute to Italian Composer Arcangelo Corelli on the 300th anniversary of his birth. The symphony of its day, the concerto grosso contrasted a massed orchestra with a smaller group of solo instruments--here beautifully played by Violinists Daniel Guilet, Edwin Bachmann and Cellist Frank Miller. The music is vigorous and full of spirited contrasts.

MacDowell: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Vivian Rivkin; Vienna State Opera Orchestra conducted by Dean Dixon; Westminster). MacDowell, a contemporary of Debussy, is one of the few U.S. composers whose seat in the hall of fame is already secure, and his concertos were his entry ticket. Their style is closer to the romantic outbursts of Grieg and Schumann than to the moderns, and Pianist Rivkin gives them a rousing romantic reading while her conductor-husband gives her firm orchestral support.

Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex (Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus conducted by the composer; narrated by Librettist Jean Cocteau; Columbia). The famed Greek tragedy, telescoped by Cocteau into six scenes and sung in Latin with French narration. With its craggy outlines and dry orchestration, the score has a faddish sound (it was written 26 years ago), but there are moments of drama and fetching lyrical beauty. The voice parts are heavily emphasized, often obscure the orchestra.

Other notable new recordings: all of Bach's English Suites played by Fernando Valenti (Westminster, 3 LPs); Kodaly's Seven Piano Pieces, Op. 11, played by Ilona Kabos (Bartok Records); selections from Schumann's Piano Music, played by Andor Foldes (Mercury).

*A simple binaural playback machine, including twin-headed pickup arm, double amplifiers and speakers, can be assembled for about $250.

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