Re: [ARSCLIST] The First Symphony Orchestra in the World to Make Real Recordings of Classical Music

[Malcolm Smith <malcolms@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I suppose it would be a matter of what is a symphony orchestra. I  
have a berliner with an orchestra accompanying a singer. It seems to  
be earlier than other very early berliners I have of the same singer  
with piano accompaniment. The extremely uneven pitch is suggestive of  
it being hand cranked. I've no date for it so think of it as 'turn of  
the century'. I've recordings of the Berlin Philharmonic made in 1909  
which are referred to as the first serious symphonic recordings.  
Perhaps they are not.

Malcolm Smith.

On Jun 23, 2009, at 2:18 PM, Dave Lewis wrote:

> David N. "Uncle Dave" Lewis
> Assistant Editor, Classical
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> I am reviewing a 2-disc set of historical recordings by the Orchestre
> Colonne which states that this body was "the first symphony  
> orchestra in
> the world to make a real series of classical recordings." Included are
> some Pathe recordings of the Colonne, under its founder, made in
> 1908-1909.
>
> That's pretty early; I realize the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra was
> recorded, not well and mostly without their knowledge, by Lionel
> Mapleson in 1901-04. But apart from that, was there a full-fledged
> symphony orchestra in the world that committed itself to making
> commercial recordings than the Colonne? Is everyone comfortable with
> that milestone, or are there exceptions? What say ye?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Uncle Dave Lewis
> Ann Arbor MI