Re: [ARSCLIST] Discographical puzzle

[Howard Friedman <hsf318@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Someone wrote

Out of line, no!

Leopold Jacobs was their first conductor until he was succeeded by Jean
Lensen, according to, once again, Claude Graveley Arnold's extremely
indispensable book "The Orchestra on Record- 1896-1926". 
To Quote Mr. Arnold, "Jacobs was the first conductor engaged to make
recordings with his orchestra for the newly formed Gramophone Company
(cf.F. W. Gaisberg, Music on Record. With a forward by Compton McKenzie
[London: Robert Hale, 1946], p.28; and Stuart Upton, Vintage Light
Music, No.25
[Winter 1981], 14). 
He led the Trocadero Orchestra until 1916, when he was succeeded by Jean
Lensen (q.v.)."  

I see no reference to the Mendelssohn concerto having been recorded, or
perhaps recorded but not issued, attributed to the Trocadero Orchestra 
in Gravely Arnold.

I hope this helps! - And a grand HUZZAH for Claude!

 Best!

Bob Hodge

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Howard Friedman
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 12:03 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Discographical puzzle

Hi, all,

I know, I'm probably WAY out of line with this request, since it doesn't
fit any subject here.  But can anyone out there tell me anything about
the violinist/leader of the Trocadero Grill Orchestra, which was working
in London on Wardour Street behind Piccadilly, in the late 1890s and
early 1900s?  He recorded quite a few records under Fred Gaisberg,
including probably the first issued 10-inch disc.  I am looking
particularly for his recording of the Andante movement of Mendelssohn's
Violin Concerto.  Fred Gaisberg gives his first name as Leopold, Alan
Kelly says Jacques, which is probably correct, but his record labels all
say G. Jacobs.

All assistance greatfully received and acknowledged.

Howard Friedman

Be it known that Fred Gaisberg is one of, if not THE greatest story tellers of the 20th century.  By the time he told his "tales," almost all of his comperes were either dead or dying, and his memory for dates, sequences, and other required featyres for autobiography was either faded or fading.  We start with the story of the famous (INfamous?) telegram "Fee exorbitant.  Forbid you pay."  As we all know, there never was such a telegram, Fred never dealt directly through the London Office, that was the job of the local Branch Managers, in this instance Alfred Michaelis ofthe Milan Branch.  And so it goes on.  ONe can put VERY little stock in Fred's dates, sequences, etc.!!!!!!  To quote Sir William S. Gilbert (once again!), "Oh, the tales that were unfolded...."!

Howard