A happy choice in many formats and performances in the acoustic and early electric era. If you don't have the Long Play version, the original 10" DD sides from 1918 offer a really colorful and energetic performance as well (indeed led by Sodero - he gets really tight playing from the strings in the Overture Miniature), lacking the March, which was subsequently issued by Edison in 1920 in a version by Conway's Band. We have two versions for the season: four sides of Herman Finck and the Palace Theatre Orchestra's second recording of the suite, done in 1914 for English Columbia (brilliantly recorded, with the slowest yet most precise version of the March I've heard), and Percy Pitt leading the B.B.C. Wireless Symphony Orchestra in 1927 on six sides (stylish and brightly colored in the manner of 1920s English orchestras - those narrow-bore piston-valve French horns and straight-toned double-reeds really cut). Also, the Pryor Band's 1912 Victor recording of the Overture is re ally wonderful - as finished woodwind playing as has ever been recorded, and rather startlingly delicate. P. Carli ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] on behalf of Jim Cartwright [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 9:37 PM To: 'Antique Phonograph List' Subject: [Phono-L] Nutcracker Suite
Since World War II, Tschaikowsky's Nutcracker Ballet , always a popular concert item has become a Holiday Season favorite. I just cranked up my Edison C-2 Long Playing Phonograph & listened without record change interruptions to the slightly abridged Edison long-playing diamond disc record (30004) of Casse-Noisette (Nutcracker) Suite performed by Edison's "house" orchestra, the American Symphony Orchestra, no conductor listed on the label but no doubt directed by Cesare Sodero. At this time of year I recommend this record to all collectors of antique phonographs despite its low volume level & the occasional skip or repeat but be sure to fully wind the phonograph before starting since the music lasts almost 20 minutes. Merry Christmas! Jim Cartwright Immortal Performances, Inc. _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ________________________________ This email message and any attachments may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are prohibited from using the information in any way, including but not limited to disclosure of, copying, forwarding or acting in reliance on the contents. If you have received this email by error, please immediately notify me by return email and delete it from your email system. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
