Now that the long nights are upon us, and the out-of-doors in our semi-lit towns has lost much of its allurement, the musical among my readers may be interested in a novel form of entertainment which recently gave me great pleasure.
My mail included an intimation that Mr W. J. Blank requested the pleasure of my company at a gramophone recital at his residence (place, date and time stated), when the following works would be given: Beethoven's `Emperor' Concerto, by the London Symphony Orchestra; Chopin's Nocturne in D flat major Op. 27, by Leopold Godowaky.
(Interval.)
Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in A major, by Lener Quartet and Draper.
Mendelssohn's Concerto in E minor Op. 64 by Kreisler and the Berlin State Orchestra.
I arrived a trifle late at my friend's home to find over a dozen gentlemen seated comfortably around a cheerful fire in a room lit only by the fire's glow and a subdued light over a grafonola, from which the majestic strains of Beethoven's `Emperor' flowed with that exquisite clarity and tone which only the perfect recording can give.
My host, who operated the instrument and whom we later toasted for his operative abilities, silently indicated my chair.
The Irish Times, October 26th, 1940.