Cleveland
Orchestra
Conductor: Artur Rodzinski Released
1940
Issued as Columbia MM478-6 Duration 4'09"
Play
30s sample:
During
the late 1930's and early 1940's the conductor Artur Rodzinski
(above) developed his reputation as an orchestra builder with the
Cleveland Orchestra. Although the orchestra's greatest years were
yet to come, the results of Rodzinski's work were enough to tempt Columbia
into recording a number of 78rpm album sets.
Although
many of these recordings have already been reissued, it seems a handful
of shorter works and some filler sides have been ignored, and that is
the basis for these two releases. The Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture (PASP005)
was issued as a four-side album, complete with colourful picture front
and sleevenotes typical of US Columbia issues of the day and a foretaste
of the LP covers to come. Meanwhile the Moussorgsky was found tucked
away as the 'spare' side on Columbia's set of Tchaikovsky's Romeo &
Juliet.
Both
recordings are well worth a listen and their release here helps to complete
the catalogue of Cleveland Orchestra recordings under Rodzinski.
(A
note about spellings - I have it on good authority that much has been
lost between the original Russian and these westernised spellings. In
particular Moussorgsky is now normally spelt Mussorgsky.
However, what is shown here is what appears on the original discs - mistakes
and all!)
