March: Featured Classical Music

The Complete Recordings of Edvard Grieg
P0607.Camille Saint-Saëns, Jules Massenet, Claude Debussy, Louis Diémer & Raoul Pugno. 2 Marston 52054, recorded 1903-20. Transfers by Ward Marston. $35.90, the Set.

“In 1903, the Paris branch of the Gramophone and Typewriter Company made 27 incredibly important piano records. These documented the pianism of Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) and Raoul Pugno (1852–1914). The Grieg and Pugno recordings are some of the most rare and sought after discs and are unfortunately some of the most primitive and problematic. We are pleased to say that very recent technology has allowed us to greatly reduce these problems to produce these recordings in startlingly improved versions. This set also includes the equally rare 1904 G&T sides (five in total) of Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) playing various selections from his own works, the eight sides Saint-Saëns recorded for the Gramophone Company in 1919, and other important piano recordings made by G&T.”

- Marston Records

A–Z of Pianists
P0555. incl. Eugen d’Albert, Claudio Arrau, Wilhelm Backhaus, Simon Barère, Monique de la Bruchollerie, Una Bourne, Ferruccio Busoni, Robert Casadesus, Cecile Chaminade, Shura Cherkassky, Alfred Cortot, Solomon Cutner, Alan Feinberg, Jacques Fevrier, Edwin Fischer, Samson François, Ignaz Friedman, Ossip Gabrilovich, Walter Gieseking, Emil Gilels, Jakob Gimpel, Grigory Ginzburg, Leopold Godowsky, Percy Grainger, Alfred Grünfeld, Mark Hambourg, Clara Haskil, Josef Hofmann, Vladimir Horowitz, Wilhelm Kempff, Raoul Koczalski, Frederic Lamond, Yvonne Lefebure, Myra Hess, Mischa Levitzki, Josef Lhévinne, Robert Lortat, Nicolas Medtner, Marcelle Meyer, Aleksander Michalowski, Dinu Lipatti, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Benno Moiséiwitsch, William Murdoch, Tatiana Nikolayeva, Guiomar Novaës, Lev Oborin, Robinson Orozco, Vladimir de Pachmann, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Vlado Perlemuter, Egon Petri, Francis Planté, Sergei Prokofiev, Raoul Pugno, Sergei Rachmaninov, Walter Rehberg, Sviatoslav Richter, Édouard Risler, Moriz Rosenthal, Arthur Rubinstein, Walter Rummel, Camille Saint-Saëns, Jesús Mariá Sanromá, Vassily Sapellnikov, Emil von Sauer, Pietro Scarpini, Xavier Scharwenka, Artur Schnabel, Leo Sirota, Vladimir Sofronitsky, Magda Tagliaferro, Ricardo Viñes, Michael von Zadora & Carlo Zecchi. Accompanied by elaborate 861pp. book containing numerous photos & 300 biographies, by Jonathan Summers. (Hong Kong) 4-Naxos 8.558107/110. Transfers by Ward Marston. $39.90, the Set.

“This is no ordinary CD annotation, but a CD-size 861-page book boxed alongside a four-disc set of important and mostly rare piano recordings. Summers’ brief extends to an amazing 300 biographies [containing] a thumbnail review of each career and a short list of selected recordings, particularly valuable with those many artists whose records are nowadays almost forgotten….The transfers by Ward Marston are first-rate; as historical anthologies go, this has to be among the best-planned and the best-annotated. No piano buff…can possibly afford to be without it.”

- Rob Cowan, GRAMOPHONE, Sept., 2007

Léopold Simoneau & Pierrette Alarie
V1298. , w.John Newmark (Pf.); Pelletier, Bittner & Goehr Cond.: Arias, Duets & Songs by Mozart, Beethoven & Schumann; w.Catherina Delfosse, Grace Hoffman & Heinz Rehfuss; Goehr Cond.: Mass in b minor (Bach); w.Maureen Forrester & Joseph Rouleau; Pelletier Cond. Montréal S.O.: Choral Symphony #9 in d – Ode to Joy (Beethoven); w.Jean Cocteau (Narrator); Stravinsky Cond. OEDIPUS REX (Cond. by the Composer). (Canada) 4 Doremi 7916/19, recorded 1952-67, partially Live Performances. Specially priced at $49.90, the
Set.

"Léopold Simoneau, the Canadian lyric tenor who dominated international Mozart performance in the 1950s, died [24 Aug., 2006] in Victoria, British Columbia. He was 90 and lived in Victoria….Mr Simoneau was the epitome of the French tenor, meaning that he had a light voice, beautiful diction and a mastery of musical nuance….By the time he made his Met début as Don Ottavio in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI, in 1963, Mr Simoneau was acknowledged as one of the world’s leading performers of the role….After initial voice studies in Québec City, he moved to Montréal…where he met Ms Alarie….they were married in 1946….In June, Mr Simoneau and Ms Alarie celebrated their 60th anniversary."

- Anne Midgette, THE NEW YORK TIMES, 29 Aug., 2006

Birgit Nilsson
V1317. w.Set Svanholm, Margareta Bergström, Joel Berglund, Sigurd Björling, Ingvar Wixell, Elisabeth Söderström, Kjerstin Dellert, etc.; Ehrling & Sandberg Cond. Royal Swedish Opera Ensemble: Tannhäuser, Parsifal & Siegfried – Excerpts. (Sweden) 2-Caprice CAP 22062, Live Performances, 1955-59, Stockholm. $39.90, the Set.

“Swedish Wagnerian singers had already risen to international fame by about 1900, at the same time as it had always been possible to raise an in-house chorus of the highest quality, singing in Swedish, for both the Ring and Parsifal, as well as Wagner’s ‘lighter’ earlier operas. New generations of singers and orchestral musicians were schooled in this tradition, simultaneously with the education of a knowledge ‘Wagnerian’ audience. Nearly all Wagner’s operas were on the repertoire practically every season, an offering that no international opera house would be capable of today. Stockholm Opera audiences were accustomed to great world-famous singers like Set Svanholm, Joel Berglund, Sigurd Björling and Birgit Nilsson returning regularly to perform Wagner on their home stage, at the same time as its other leading artists thought nothing of assisting as master singers, pages, valkyries and flower girls.”

I Pagliacci
OP1650., Live Performance, 10 March, 1934, w.Bellezza Cond. Giovanni Martinelli, Lawrence Tibbett, Queena Mario, Alfio Tedesco, etc. (E.U.) Walhall 0226. Specially priced at $13.95

“For Giovanni Martinelli and Lawrence Tibbett, the 1934 PAGLIACCI matinee broadcast was an occasion at least the equal of their legendary OTELLO. They’re more than ably seconded by Queena Mario’s bright, girlish Nedda…and the eager Silvio of George ehanovsky….Tibbett deports himself with the space and majesty of a great Shakespearean actor in a Prologue which encompasses both off-the-voice parlando and fearless attack on the unwritten…high notes….Martinelli’s dark Canio has little clown left in him; he’s shot and half-crazed by Nedda’s infidelity from his first words…The old Walhall transfer’s source suffered from variable sound and pitching. A new remastering [above] has just been reissued.”

- Mike Ashman, GRAMOPHONE, March, 2008

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February: Featured Classical Music

Der Ring Des Nibelungen
OP1635. Live Performance, 1955, w.Keilberth Cond. Bayreuth Festival Ensemble; Hans Hotter, Wolfgang Windgassen, Ramón Vinay, Astrid Varnay, Gré Brouwenstijn, Hermann Uhde, Josef Greindl, Ludwig Weber, Paul Kuën, etc. (England) 14-Testament Stereo SBT14 1412, from Unpublished Decca recording. Outstanding sound! Specially priced at $199.90, the Set.

“There are three, equally compelling, reasons to acquire this set of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ cycle. The first is the leadership of Joseph Keilberth….An equally important reason…is the quality of the cast, both individually and collectively. The spearhead of many live RINGs, the soprano Astrid Varnay here surpasses her numerous other recordings as Brünnhilde and leads the female side with great distinction. She is finely matched by Hans Hotter and Wolfgang Windgassen, both of whom are in notably fresher voice – as indeed is Varnay – than in many other versions caught on disc. Special mention should also be made of Brouwenstijn and Vinay….In fact, the depth of casting is impressive throughout….The final ‘plus’ factor is the extraordinarily lifelike quality of the early Decca recording….Testament’s digital remastering by Paul Baily may also be a significant factor here. No praise can be too high…."

- David Patmore, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Summer, 2007

I Vespri Siciliani
OP1598. Live Performance, 26 May, 1951, Firenze, w.Kleiber Cond. Maggio Musicale Ensemble; Maria Callas, Giorgio Kokolios-Bardi, Enzo Mascherini, Boris Christoff, Bruno Carmassi, Mario Frosini, etc. (Austria) 2-Testament SBT2 1416. From new masters (Walter Legge tape) - never before released. $43.90, the Set.

“Erich Kleiber is not usually associated with the 19th-century Italian repertory but he leads a vigorous performance….For Callas and Christoff admirers, of course, this is an essential document….Giorgio Kokolios-Bardi…had been one of Callas’ leading men at the National Opera in Athens, and she particularly requested him for this part.”

- Patrick O’Connor, GRAMOPHONE, Jan., 2008

Aksel Schiøtz
V1319. Aksel Schiøtz – Complete Recordings, 1933-46. (Denmark) 11-Danacord 451/60, in Boxed Set, w.Elaborate 334pp. Book. Specially priced at $49.90, the Set.

“This comprehensive collection of the tenor Aksel Schiøtz’s recordings, from the prime period before illness affected his voice, was originally issued ten years ago. Now the ten volumes have been stoutly boxed….the booklets have been gathered into a 334-page book which rivals those of Opera Rara….the voice emerging clearly, the set is a model compilation of the most attractive recordings of a stylish singer….Predominant among the 270 tracks are Danish songs, with the last CD devoted to Carl Nilsen, some of whose songs are gorgeous….It is a pity that Schiøtz recorded so few operatic arias: six by Mozart, one each by Gounod and Tchaikowsky and four from Danish operas….In 1940, there were three ranking Danish tenors. The oldest, Lauritz Melchior, was regaling American audiences in opera; the next, Helge Roswaenge, was singing before the swastikas of the nation that had overrun his native land, while the third, Aksel Schiøtz, remained with the subjected people of that land, trying to lift their spirits.”

- John T. Hughes, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Winter, 2007

Frano Corelli
B0126. René Seghers. Franco Corelli – Prince of Tenors. New York, Amadeus, 2008. 526pp. Index; Bibliography; Exhaustive Chronology;
Photos; DJ. Newly Published. $34.90

“His exceptional good looks made him a matinee idol, and Franco Corelli—the Prince of Tenors—was dubbed “Mr. Soldout” for 20
consecutive years. In 1958, just seven years after beginning his career, he was already the highest paid tenor in Italy. Following his Met debut in 1961, he was celebrated as the greatest tenor in the world, a position that he retained until his departure from the Met in 1975. His charismartic performances in such operas as La Vestale and Fedora (both in collaboration with Maria Callas), coupled with a formidable mystique, as well as a number of notorious and colorful incidents, including his real-life sword fight with Boris Christoff in Rome, the Callas walkout there, the beating up of a spectator in Naples, and the alleged biting of Brigit Nilsson on a Boston tour of Turandot, created a mania for Corelli. Nearly a decade in the making, this definitive biography is based on the author’s extensive research of theater archives and interviews with the opera star’s numerous friends, family members, colleagues (Nilsson, Pavarotti, and many others), as well as the management of some of the world’s leading opera houses.”

- Amadeus Press

February: Featured Classical Musci

Der Ring Des Nibelungen
OP1635. Live Performance, 1955, w.Keilberth Cond. Bayreuth Festival Ensemble; Hans Hotter, Wolfgang Windgassen, Ramón Vinay, Astrid Varnay, Gré Brouwenstijn, Hermann Uhde, Josef Greindl, Ludwig Weber, Paul Kuën, etc. (England) 14-Testament Stereo SBT14 1412, from Unpublished Decca recording. Outstanding sound! Specially priced at $199.90, the Set.

“There are three, equally compelling, reasons to acquire this set of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ cycle. The first is the leadership of Joseph Keilberth….An equally important reason…is the quality of the cast, both individually and collectively. The spearhead of many live RINGs, the soprano Astrid Varnay here surpasses her numerous other recordings as Brünnhilde and leads the female side with great distinction. She is finely matched by Hans Hotter and Wolfgang Windgassen, both of whom are in notably fresher voice – as indeed is Varnay – than in many other versions caught on disc. Special mention should also be made of Brouwenstijn and Vinay….In fact, the depth of casting is impressive throughout….The final ‘plus’ factor is the extraordinarily lifelike quality of the early Decca recording….Testament’s digital remastering by Paul Baily may also be a significant factor here. No praise can be too high…."

- David Patmore, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Summer, 2007

I Vespri Siciliani
OP1598. Live Performance, 26 May, 1951, Firenze, w.Kleiber Cond. Maggio Musicale Ensemble; Maria Callas, Giorgio Kokolios-Bardi, Enzo Mascherini, Boris Christoff, Bruno Carmassi, Mario Frosini, etc. (Austria) 2-Testament SBT2 1416. From new masters (Walter Legge tape) - never before released. $43.90, the Set.

“Erich Kleiber is not usually associated with the 19th-century Italian repertory but he leads a vigorous performance….For Callas and Christoff admirers, of course, this is an essential document….Giorgio Kokolios-Bardi…had been one of Callas’ leading men at the National Opera in Athens, and she particularly requested him for this part.”

- Patrick O’Connor, GRAMOPHONE, Jan., 2008

Aksel Schiøtz
V1319. Aksel Schiøtz – Complete Recordings, 1933-46. (Denmark) 11-Danacord 451/60, in Boxed Set, w.Elaborate 334pp. Book. Specially priced at $49.90, the Set.

“This comprehensive collection of the tenor Aksel Schiøtz’s recordings, from the prime period before illness affected his voice, was originally issued ten years ago. Now the ten volumes have been stoutly boxed….the booklets have been gathered into a 334-page book which rivals those of Opera Rara….the voice emerging clearly, the set is a model compilation of the most attractive recordings of a stylish singer….Predominant among the 270 tracks are Danish songs, with the last CD devoted to Carl Nilsen, some of whose songs are gorgeous….It is a pity that Schiøtz recorded so few operatic arias: six by Mozart, one each by Gounod and Tchaikowsky and four from Danish operas….In 1940, there were three ranking Danish tenors. The oldest, Lauritz Melchior, was regaling American audiences in opera; the next, Helge Roswaenge, was singing before the swastikas of the nation that had overrun his native land, while the third, Aksel Schiøtz, remained with the subjected people of that land, trying to lift their spirits.”

- John T. Hughes, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Winter, 2007

Frano Corelli
B0126. René Seghers. Franco Corelli – Prince of Tenors. New York, Amadeus, 2008. 526pp. Index; Bibliography; Exhaustive Chronology;
Photos; DJ. Newly Published. $34.90

“His exceptional good looks made him a matinee idol, and Franco Corelli—the Prince of Tenors—was dubbed “Mr. Soldout” for 20
consecutive years. In 1958, just seven years after beginning his career, he was already the highest paid tenor in Italy. Following his Met debut in 1961, he was celebrated as the greatest tenor in the world, a position that he retained until his departure from the Met in 1975. His charismartic performances in such operas as La Vestale and Fedora (both in collaboration with Maria Callas), coupled with a formidable mystique, as well as a number of notorious and colorful incidents, including his real-life sword fight with Boris Christoff in Rome, the Callas walkout there, the beating up of a spectator in Naples, and the alleged biting of Brigit Nilsson on a Boston tour of Turandot, created a mania for Corelli. Nearly a decade in the making, this definitive biography is based on the author’s extensive research of theater archives and interviews with the opera star’s numerous friends, family members, colleagues (Nilsson, Pavarotti, and many others), as well as the management of some of the world’s leading opera houses.”

- Amadeus Press

January: Featured Classical Music

A–Z of Pianists
P0555. incl. Eugen d’Albert, Claudio Arrau, Wilhelm Backhaus, Simon Barère, Monique de la Bruchollerie, Una Bourne, Ferruccio Busoni, Robert Casadesus, Cecile Chaminade, Shura Cherkassky, Alfred Cortot, Solomon Cutner, Alan Feinberg, Jacques Fevrier, Edwin Fischer, Samson François, Ignaz Friedman, Ossip Gabrilovich, Walter Gieseking, Emil Gilels, Jakob Gimpel, Grigory Ginzburg, Leopold Godowsky, Percy Grainger, Alfred Grünfeld, Mark Hambourg, Clara Haskil, Josef Hofmann, Vladimir Horowitz, Wilhelm Kempff, Raoul Koczalski, Frederic Lamond, Yvonne Lefebure, Myra Hess, Mischa Levitzki, Josef Lhévinne, Robert Lortat, Nicolas Medtner, Marcelle Meyer, Aleksander
Michalowski, Dinu Lipatti, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Benno Moiséiwitsch, William Murdoch, Tatiana Nikolayeva, Guiomar Novaës, Lev Oborin, Robinson Orozco, Vladimir de Pachmann, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Vlado Perlemuter, Egon Petri, Francis Planté, Sergei Prokofiev, Raoul Pugno, Sergei Rachmaninov, Walter Rehberg, Sviatoslav Richter, Édouard Risler, Moriz Rosenthal, Arthur Rubinstein, Walter Rummel, Camille Saint-Saëns, Jesús Mariá Sanromá, Vassily Sapellnikov, Emil von Sauer, Pietro Scarpini, Xavier Scharwenka, Artur Schnabel, Leo Sirota, Vladimir Sofronitsky, Magda Tagliaferro, Ricardo Viñes, Michael von Zadora & Carlo Zecchi. Accompanied by elaborate 861pp. book containing numerous photos
& 300 biographies, by Jonathan Summers. (Hong Kong) 4-Naxos 8.558107/110. Transfers by Ward Marston. $39.90, the Set.

The A-Z of Pianists surveys the lives, careers and recordings of 300 pianists. Illustrious names from past and present, forgotten titans of the keyboard, unsung geniuses: all the great pianists who have made recordings are included, from Argerich to Zadora. Amazingly, the text spans three centuries, from the birth of Francis Planté in 1839 to the established artists of today;
from the earliest, most primitive recording processes to contemporary, cutting-edge technology. The format is clear and simple to follow. The subjects are listed alphabetically, each one beginning with a summary of that pianist’s career and most important recordings before going on to an extended biography and critical appraisal of his or her recorded legacy. In addition, four compact discs present the author’s selection of seventy-five artists in new transfers by Ward Marston. This is a book which will appeal to enthusiast and scholar alike as a readable, informed and fascinating work of reference.

“This is no ordinary CD annotation, but a CD-size 861-page book boxed alongside a four-disc set of important and mostly rare piano recordings. Summers’ brief extends to an amazing 300 biographies [containing] a thumbnail review of each career and a short list of selected recordings, particularly valuable with those many artists whose records are nowadays almost forgotten….The transfers by Ward Marston are first-rate; as historical anthologies go, this has to be among the best-planned and the best-annotated. No piano buff…can possibly afford to be without it.”

- Rob Cowan, GRAMOPHONE, Sept., 2007

A–Z of Conductors
C0633. incl. Ansermet, Barbirolli, Beecham, van Beinum, Bernstein, Böhm, Boult, Busch, Cantelli, Celibidache, Cluytens, Coates, Désormière, Dorati, Fricsay, Furtwangler, Horenstein, Jochum, von Karajan, Kempe, Erich Kleiber, Klemperer, Knappertsbusch, Koussevitzky, Krauss, Krips,
Mengelberg, Mitropoulos, Monteux, Mravinsky, Münch, Nikisch, Ormandy, Reiner, Rodzinski, de Sabata, Scherchen, Schmidt-Isserstedt, Schuricht, Solti, William Steinberg, Stokowski, Strauss, Szell, Talich, Toscanini, Walter & Weingartner. Accompanied by elaborate 976pp. book containing numerous photos & 300 plus biographies, by David Patmore. (Hong Kong) 4-Naxos 8.558087/90. Transfers by Ward Marston, Mark Obert-Thorn & David Lennick. $39.90, the Set.

The A–Z of Conductors surveys the history of recording during the twentieth century, from the earliest days of capturing orchestral music on disc to the present era of the iPod, through the biographies of 310 of the most significant conductors whose art is preserved on record. In addition, the entry for each conductor contains a list of selected recordings and a career outline. Four accompanying CDs present excerpts from recordings by forty-eight of the conductors featured. The A–Z of Conductors will be of interest and value both to those new to orchestral music on record who wish to explore the huge resources of repertoire and performance available, as well as to seasoned collectors.

The Record Collector - 2006 Special Issue
V1300. incl. Beno Blachut: (Dalibor, Hubicka & Fidelio); Mary Losseff & Richard Tauber: (two Tauber songs from Der Singende Traum); Richard Bonelli: (Coates, Pinsuti & Taylor-Martin); José Mardones: (Simon Boccanegra & La Gioconda; Bein Batean loyolalan; La del pañuelo rogo); Cato Engelen-Sewing: (Mignon, Faust & I Pagliacci); Franz Steiner: (Grieg & Strauss); Zara Dolukhanova: (Tchaikowsky & Rachmaninoff; Don Carlos – O don fatale); . (England) The Record Collector TRC 25. Transfers by Ward Marston. $19.90

The Edison Legacy, Vol. 1, Unpublished Treasures of the Edison Archive
V1282. incl. Emmi Leisner, Carmen Melis, Lucrezia Bori, Lucette Korsoff, Rosa Olitzka, Emmy Destinn, Marcella Craft, Dinh Gilly, Edoardo Faticanti, Luisa Garibaldi, Italo Cristali, Melitta Heim, Frieda Hempel, Heinrich Hensel, Valentin Jaume, Paola Koralek, Oreste Benedetti, Maria Labia, Umberto Macnez, Margarete Matzenauer, Marie Rappold, Edyth Walker, Carolina White, Fritz Vogelstrom & Domenico Viglione-Borghese. 2-Marston 52042. Transfers by Ward Marston. $35.90, the Set.

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December: More Featured Classical Music

The Record Collector - 2006 Special Issue
V1300. incl. Beno Blachut: (Dalibor, Hubicka & Fidelio); Mary Losseff &
Richard Tauber: (two Tauber songs from Der Singende Traum); Richard Bonelli: (Coates, Pinsuti & Taylor-Martin); José Mardones: (Simon Boccanegra & La Gioconda; Bein Batean loyolalan; La del pañuelo rogo); Cato Engelen-Sewing: (Mignon, Faust & I Pagliacci); Franz Steiner: (Grieg & Strauss); Zara Dolukhanova: (Tchaikowsky & Rachmaninoff; Don Carlos – O don fatale); . (England) The Record Collector TRC 25. Transfers by Ward Marston. $19.90

The Edison Legacy, Vol. 1, Unpublished Treasures of the Edison Archive
V1282. incl. Emmi Leisner, Carmen Melis, Lucrezia Bori, Lucette Korsoff, Rosa Olitzka, Emmy Destinn, Marcella Craft, Dinh Gilly, Edoardo Faticanti, Luisa Garibaldi, Italo Cristali, Melitta Heim, Frieda Hempel, Heinrich Hensel, Valentin Jaume, Paola Koralek, Oreste Benedetti, Maria Labia, Umberto Macnez, Margarete Matzenauer, Marie Rappold, Edyth Walker, Carolina White, Fritz Vogelstrom & Domenico Viglione-Borghese. 2-Marston 52042. Transfers by Ward Marston. $35.90, the Set.

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December: Featured Classical Music

Special Holiday Sale

Through 15 December, 15% discount on every CD in our catalogue. We welcome all shopping cart and telephone orders!

(use coupon code cds15 upon checkout to receive discount when ordering online)

The Edison Legacy, Vol. 1, Hidden Treasures of the Edison Archive
V1282. It is not an exaggeration that the Edison Legacy series will be one of the most significant historical releases ever. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in the last quarter of the 19th Century. He began recording artists in the late 1800s and by 1929 his record company was out of business. In this short period of time, he captured some of the greatest voices of the dawn of the recording era and yet, many of the recordings have never been published and have only
been heard by Edison and his staff. These historic documents are some of the rarest and most important recordings in the world. The first volume of this series contains selections of Leisner, Melis, Bori, Walker, White, Korsoff, Olitzka, Destinn, and many other important singers of the last century. 2-Marston 52042. Transfers by H. Ward Marston. $35.90, the Set.

Vocal Record Collectors' Society – 2006 (50th Anniversary)Double Issue
V1181. incl. Jane Cros (Tannhäuser - Dich, teure Halle); Forrest Lamont (Cavalleria Rusticana - Siciliana); Laura del Lungo (Mignon - Elle est là…Elle est aimée); Alexis Boyer (Le Maître de Chapelle - Pour imiter ton
charme séducteur); Bertha Kalich (Sappho - Matouschka Golobouschka (Mother dearest) [J. Gordon]); Johannes Sembach (Frühlingszeit [Becker]); Ebe Boccolini (La Wally - Ebben, ne andró lontana); Erich Bye (Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern); Lily Dupré (Les Huguenots -Au beau pays de la Touraine); Kapiton Denisovich Zaporozhets (Song of the Flea [Moussorgsky]); Jane Bourguignon (Sapho - O ma lyre immortelle); Lambert Murphy (Boat Song [Ware]; Livine Mertens (Roméo et Juliette - Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle?); Carlo Morelli (Il Trovatore - Il balen); Helen Gahagan Douglas (Tosca - Vissi d’arte [Unpublished Victor (mx T-1020-1)]); Margherita Carosio (I Pastori [Pizzetti]); Elsa Alsen (Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod); Fernando Autori (L’Amore dei Tre Re - Italia, Italia e tutto il mio ricordo!); Maria de Macchi (Lucrezia Borgia - Come è bello); Regina Pinkert (La Perle du Brésil - Charmant oiseau); Mario Laurenti (Hérodiade -Salomé! demande au prisonnier); Ellison van Hoose (O come with me in the summer night [van der Stucken]); Evgeniya Ivanova Zbruyeva (A broken vase [Arensky]); Jean Vallier (Le rêve passé
[Helmer - Krier]); Tina Desana (Ruy Blas - O madre mia dall’intimo [Marchetti]; Fernando Carpi (Mefistofele - Giunto sul passo estremo); Rosina Buckman & Walter Hyde (O lovely night [Ronald]); Jeanne Korolewicz-Wayda (Lohengrin - Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen); Marie Delna (Le Prophète - Ah! mon fils!); Virgilio Lazzari (Ernani - Infelice! e tuo credevi); Hipolito Lázaro
(Maria La Tempranica - Romanza de Miguel [Torroba]); Magda Spiegel (Rienzi – Gerechter Gott! In seiner Blüthe bleicht mein Leben); Charles Soix (Le petit Grégoire [Botrel]); Theo Beets (La Juive - Rachel, quand du Seigneur); Yvonne Brothier (Manon Lescaut - C’est l’histoire amoureuse (L’Éclat de rire) [Auber]); Vera Schwarz (Der Widerspenstigen Zähmung - Die Kraft versagt [Goetz]); Hjördis Schymberg (Si J’étais Roi - Des souverains du rivage); Herbert Witherspoon (By the Short Cut to the Rosses; Black Sheela of the silver eye [both old airs]; Reinald Werrenrath (Special Holiday Greetings Record, Victor “Personal Record” (mx C-28896-3), recorded 15 Nov., 1923). 2-VRCS 2006. Transfers by Seth B. Winner. $39.90, the Set.

“This compilation marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Vocal Record Collectors’ Society. In addition to the traditional selection, a second CD contains eighteen records issued on VRCS vinyl LPs between 1959 and 1992. Both discs have been scrupulously transferred from good original copies and the standard of presentation, including full recording details and excellent biographical notes, is quite exceptional….This is an admirable souvenir of an important occasion, and all that remains to be done is to congratulate the Vocal Record Collectors’ Society on achieving its Silver Anniversary and wish it well for the future.”

- Robert Bunyard, THE RECORD COLLECTOR, 2007

Collectors’ Treasures, Vol. II
V0650. incl. Maclennan (Tannhäuser), Russitano (Otello), Mantelli (Lucrezia Borgia), Chambon (La Juive), Kirchner (Le Prophète), Cucini (La Gioconda), de Frate (Nabucco), Greeff-Andriessen (Die Walküre), Walker (Der Evangelimann), Molin (Lakmé), Panina (Pique Dame), Yuzhina (Pique Dame), Markovich (Snegoroutchka), Katulskaya (Sadko), Koshetz (The Enchantress), Biel (Il Trovatore), Ancona, Kruszelnicka, Delmas, Jeritza, Adini, de Negri, Mei-Figner & Gryzunov. (UK) Collectors’ Treasures GECT 002, recorded 1902-30. Produced by Bill Breslin. Biographical notes by Alan Bilgora. Transfers by Norman White. $19.90.

“The initial volume in this series gave so much pleasure that it seemed unreasonable to hope that a second volume could equal, let alone surpass it. However, not only does it exceed expectations, but emerges as perhaps one of the most enjoyable collections yet encountered. If any single compilation CD could inspire newcomers to historic vocal recordings to develop an abiding enthusiasm in this field, it might be just the one to succeed. Quite apart from the extraordinary rarity of several items here, it includes a high proportion of unusual, worthwhile music and some particularly fine voices and interpretations. All in splendidly engineered transfers, taken from mainly fine copies….Altogether, this is a further, highly worthwhile production…which can be unhesitatingly recommended.”

- Vivian A. Liff, The Record Collector, 2005

In Memoriam – Richard Bebb
V1287. incl. Frozier-Marrot (2), Jo Vincent, Eduard Boleslawski (2), Clara Butt, Ronald Murgatroyd, Mary McCormic (2), Kate Winter, Joshie Fujiwara, Elena Ruszkowska, Charles Friant, Giuseppina Cobelli, François Viannenc, Carolina Pietracewska – Elisa Tromben, Arthur Preuss, Anni Christiansen, Mattia Battistini (2), Helene Offenberg, Robert Couzinou, Luise Perard-Petzi & Garcia. Notes by Jean Ziegler & Patrick Bade. (France) Malibran 670. $19.90.

November: Featured Classical Music

Most recent MALIBRAN issues (almost entirely in stock, or already on their way from France, and due momentarily), offered by Norbeck, Peters & Ford:

Historical Reissue Classical CDs Classical Music CDs
Malibran CDs 78rpm Auctions

October: Featured Classical Music

Special Offer:
20% discount on ALL BOOKS offered in our Catalogue – through 1 November, including these indispensable Mainspring Press titles:

Latest Release — Now in Stock! THE AMERICAN STAGE PERFORMERS DISCOGRAPHY Actors, Vaudevillians, and Musical Comedy Stars (Vol. 1: 1891–1932) Allan Sutton Detailed bio-discographies of more than 460 stars, from legitimate theater to vaudeville and burlesque. Covers over 10,000 cylinders, 78s, radio transcriptions, and synchronized soundtrack discs.

B0123. The American STAGE PERFORMERS Discography, Vol. I (1891 – 1932),
Actors, Vaudevillians, and Musical Comedy Stars, by Allan Sutton. Denver, CO, Mainspring Press, 2007. 430pp. Detailed bio-discographies of more than 460 stars, from legitimate theater to vaudeville and burlesque. Covers over 10,000 cylinders, 78s, radio transcriptions, and synchronized soundtrack discs. Indices. $74.90

Volume I (1891–1932) draws on original recording files, trade-press and newspaper articles, and other primary-source documents to provide the most comprehensive bio-discography of early stage stars to date. Features include: Listings of all known 78s and cylinders (including private issues, tests, and unissued masters); radio transcriptions; and synchronized soundtrack discs. Full discographic information, including recording dates and locations, matrix and take numbers, catalog numbers, accompanists, and pseudonyms. Detailed capsule biographies of all performers, listing show credits with theaters and opening dates; film and radio credits; career histories, and other significant facts. Title and show / film indices.

- Mainsprimg Press

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THE VICTOR RED SEAL DISCOGRAPHY Volume II: Double-Sided Series to 1930 John R. Bolig Also available: Volume I — Single-Sided Series

B0080. The Victor Red Seal Discography, Vol. I - (Single-Sided Series, 1903 - 1925), by John R. Bolig. Denver, CO, Mainspring Press, 2004. 448pp. Indices; Bibliography; Exhaustive Discography; Photos of labels & artists. Includes issues from imported masters that do not appear in previous Victor discographies. Data include ‘master’ and ‘take’ numbers; recording dates; release dates and duration in catalogues; credited and uncredited accompanists; export, club, and cancelled issues; couplings, dubbings, and reissues in 78 format; and other fine discographic detail (e.g. double-sided issue numbers, foreign issue numbers, private issue numbers, etc.). Conveniently arranged by catalogue number, with artist, title, and coupling indices. $75.00

“For anyone with Victor Red Seal single-sided records in his or her collection, or with an interest in the issues in North America of HMV artists or in Europe of Victor artists, this volume is self-recommending….To say that this first volume of The Victor Red Seal Discography is essential reading seems almost redundant. It’s simply a ‘must-have’ reference for the individual collector, discographer and institutional librarian….setting new standards in discographical research.”

- Barry R. Ashpole, THE RECORD COLLECTOR, 2004

B0117. The Victor Red Seal Discography, Vol. II - (Double-Sided Series, to 1930), by John R. Bolig. Denver, CO, Mainspring Press, 2006. 604pp. Indices; Bibliography; Exhaustive Discography. Includes issues from imported masters that do not appear in previous Victor discographies. Data include ‘master’ and ‘take’ numbers; recording dates; release dates and duration in catalogues; credited and uncredited accompanists; export, club, and cancelled issues; dubbings and reissues in 78 format; and other fine discographic detail (e.g. foreign issue numbers, private issue numbers, etc.). Conveniently arranged by catalogue number, with artist and title indices, and records released as Sets in Album. $75.00

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THE VICTOR DISCOGRAPHY Green, Blue and Purple Label Series 1909-1926 John R. Bolig

B0105. The Victor Discography - Green, Blue and Purple Labels (1909-1927), by John R. Bolig. Denver, CO, Mainspring Press, 2006. 268pp. Indices; Bibliography; Exhaustive Discography; Photos of labels & artists. Data for all green-label, blue-label and purple-label records, including cancelled issues, export releases, and pressings from imported masters. Complete discographic
detail from the Victor and Gramophone Company files and catalogs, carefully checked against the original records. Recording dates and locations; release dates and duration in catalog; master and ‘take’ numbers; corresponding couplings, reissues, and foreign releases; accompanists and conductors, and more. Organization by catalog number, with an introductory history, plus artist
and title indices. $55.00

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CARUSO RECORDS A History and Discography John R. Bolig

B0045. (CARUSO) John R. Bolig. Caruso Records – A History and Discography. Denver, CO, Mainspring Press, 2002. 206pp. Indices; Bibliography; Exhaustive Discography; 32 elaborate color photos of various labels; DJ. $49.90