Record of Singing, Volume 3

The return, courtesy of Testament, of EMI's invaluable 'Record of Singing', covers a rich period of singing from just before the war

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Jacques Offenbach, Richard Strauss, Pietro Adolfo Tirindelli, (Charles Louis) Ambroise Thomas, John Charles Thomas, Pietro Mascagni, Claudio Monteverdi, Giacomo Puccini, Federico Ricci, Johannes Brahms, (Antonio) Carlos Gomes, Joseph Marx, Adolphe (Charles) Adam, Hector Berlioz, George Frideric Handel, (Johann Baptist Joseph) Max(imilian) Reger, Emil Paladilhe, Frederic Cowen, Amilcare Ponchielli, Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Richard Wagner, Johann Strauss II, Henry Purcell, Károly Goldmark, Giuseppe Verdi, Béla Bartók, Robert Schumann, James Philip Dunn, Giovanni Paisiello, Reynaldo Hahn, Berthomieu, Giuseppe Pietri, Othmar Schoeck, Vincenzo Bellini, Arrigo Boito, Gioachino Rossini, Frederick Delius, Arthur Goring Thomas, (Marie) Joseph Canteloube (de Calaret), Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Wilhelm Kienzl, Raoul Laparra, Gabriel Fauré, Georges Bizet, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Franz Schubert, Francois (Emmanuel-Joseph) Bazin, Zoltán Kodály, Richard Hageman, (Gustav) Albert Lortzing, William Garnet James, (Francesco) Paolo Tosti, Eugen (Francis Charles) d' Albert, Leo Blech, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomïzhsky, Franco Vittadini, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Enrique Granados (y Campiña), Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy, Friedrich (Adolf Ferdinand) von Flotow, (Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes, Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, (Lucien Denis Gabriel) Alberic Magnard, Gaetano Donizetti, Martin y Guerrero, Arthur (Seymour) Sullivan, Ludwig van Beethoven, (Carl) Otto (Ehrenfried) Nicolai, Joseph Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn, Christoph Gluck, Antonín Dvořák, Arturo Buzzi-Peccia, Giuseppe Torelli, Federico Longás Torres, ? Kashevarov, Engelbert Humperdinck, Francesco Cilea, Gaspare (Luigi Pacifico) Spontini, Mstislav Rostropovich, Conradin Kreutzer, Alfredo Catalani, Umberto Giordano, Pierre (Eugène Onfroy) de Bréville, Charles-François Gounod, Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Paul (Abraham) Dukas, Rudolf Wille, Traditional, César Cui, (Jacques-François-)Fromental(-Elie) Halévy, Robert Oboussier, (Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Franz Liszt

Label: Testament

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 727

Catalogue Number: SBT0132

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Tannhäuser, Movement: Dir töne Lob Richard Wagner, Composer
John Barbirolli, Conductor
Lauritz Melchior, Tenor
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Wagner, Composer
(Der) Ring des Nibelungen: Part 2, '(Die) Walküre', Movement: Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond Richard Wagner, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Ernst Viebig, Conductor
Max Lorenz, Tenor
Richard Wagner, Composer
Lohengrin, Movement: Mein lieber Schwan!. Richard Wagner, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Franz Völker, Tenor
Johannes Heidenreich, Conductor
Richard Wagner, Composer
Königsballade Rudolf Wille, Composer
Rudolf Wille, Composer
Tiefland, Movement: Wie ich nun gestern Abend (Träumzählung) Eugen (Francis Charles) d' Albert, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Conductor
Eugen (Francis Charles) d' Albert, Composer
Torsten Ralf, Tenor
Tiefland, Movement: Zwei Vaterunser bet'ich Eugen (Francis Charles) d' Albert, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Conductor
Eugen (Francis Charles) d' Albert, Composer
Torsten Ralf, Tenor
(Die) Fledermaus, '(The) Bat', Movement: Dieser Anstand, so manierlich Johann Strauss II, Composer
Berlin Staatskapelle
Cornelius Kun, Conductor
Johann Strauss II, Composer
Richard Tauber, Tenor
Vera Schwarz, Soprano
(Der) Evangelimann, Movement: ~ Wilhelm Kienzl, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Children's Chorus
Cornelius Kun, Conductor
Marcel Wittrisch, Tenor
Wilhelm Kienzl, Composer
(Der) Rosenkavalier, Movement: Di rigori armato Richard Strauss, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Herbert Ernst Groh, Tenor
Otto Dobrindt, Conductor
Richard Strauss, Composer
(Die) tote Stadt, Movement: ~ Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Composer
Joseph Schmidt, Tenor
Otto Dobrindt, Conductor
(Die) Entführung aus dem Serail, '(The) Abduction from the Seraglio', Movement: Konstanze...O wie ängstlich Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Julius Patzak, Tenor
Leo Blech, Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
(Der) Wachtelschlag Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Piano
Karl Erb, Tenor
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Liederkreis, Movement: No. 5, Mondnacht Robert Schumann, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano
Leo Slezak, Tenor
Robert Schumann, Composer
Hänsel und Gretel, Movement: ~ Engelbert Humperdinck, Composer
Berlin State Opera Chorus
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Engelbert Humperdinck, Composer
Gerhard Hüsch, Baritone
Hanns Udo Müller, Conductor
Zar und Zimmermann, Movement: Sonst spielt ich (Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
(Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Heinrich Schlusnus, Baritone
Eichendorff Lieder, Movement: Verschwiegene Liebe Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer
Franz Rupp, Piano
Heinrich Schlusnus, Baritone
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 11, Die Stadt Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Gerald Moore, Piano
Herbert Janssen, Baritone
(Das) Nachtlager in (von) Granada, Movement: ~ Conradin Kreutzer, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Conradin Kreutzer, Composer
Erich Orthmann, Conductor
Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender, Baritone
(Die) tote Stadt, Movement: Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen (Pierrotlied) Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Composer
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Composer
Karl Alwin, Conductor
Karl Hammes, Baritone
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
(Die) Meistersinger von Nürnberg, '(The) Masters, Movement: Verachtet mir die Meister nicht (Sachs' Panegyric) Richard Wagner, Composer
Berlin State Opera Chorus
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Clemens Schmalstich, Conductor
Richard Wagner, Composer
Rudolf Bockelmann, Bass-baritone
Elijah, Movement: Lord God of Abraham Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Friedrich Schorr, Bass-baritone
John Barbirolli, Conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
(Der) Ring des Nibelungen: Part 1, '(Das) Rheingold', Movement: Abendlich strahlt Richard Wagner, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Conductor
Hans Hermann Nissen, Bass
Richard Wagner, Composer
Arabella, Movement: ~ Richard Strauss, Composer
Alfred Jerger, Bass-baritone
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Clemens Krauss, Conductor
Richard Strauss, Composer
Viorica Ursuleac, Soprano
Zar und Zimmermann, Movement: O sancta justitia (Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
(Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Leo Schützendorf, Bass-baritone
(Die) Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, '(The) Merry Wives of Windsor', Movement: Als Büblein klein (Carl) Otto (Ehrenfried) Nicolai, Composer
(Carl) Otto (Ehrenfried) Nicolai, Composer
Berlin State Opera Chorus
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Conductor
Wilhelm Strienz, Bass
Macbeth, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Ivar Andrésen, Bass
(Der) Wildschütz, Movement: Fünftausend Taler! (Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
(Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
Alexander Kipnis, Bass
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Erich Orthmann, Conductor
(Le) Prophète Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
Rosario Bourdon, Conductor
Sigrid Onegin, Contralto (Female alto)
(La) Gioconda, Movement: ~ Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer
Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer
Berlin Staatskapelle
Frieder Weissmann, Conductor
Karin Branzell, Contralto (Female alto)
Samson et Dalila, Movement: ~ Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Frieder Weissmann, Conductor
Kerstin Thorborg, Mezzo soprano
Odeon Opera Orchestra
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 5, Aufenthalt Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
George Reeves, Piano
Maria Olczewska, Mezzo soprano
(9) Lieder, Movement: No. 2, Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen (wds. Daumer) Johannes Brahms, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Margarete Klose, Mezzo soprano
(La) Clemenza di Tito, Movement: Parto, parto, ma tu, ben mio Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Karl Alwin, Conductor
Rosette Anday, Contralto (Female alto)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
(Die) Allmacht Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Marta Fuchs, Soprano
Michael Raucheisen, Piano
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 2, Feldeinsamkeit (wds. Allmers) Johannes Brahms, Composer
Coenraad V. Bos, Piano
Elena Gerhardt, Mezzo soprano
Johannes Brahms, Composer
(49) Deutsche Volkslieder, Movement: Schwesterlein, Schwesterlein Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Julius Dahlke, Piano
Lulu Mysz-Gmeiner, Mezzo soprano
Paulus (St Paul), Movement: Jerusalem! die du tötest die Propheten Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Anonymous Organists(s), Organ
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Jo Vincent, Soprano
Mit einem gemalten Bande Othmar Schoeck, Composer
Othmar Schoeck, Composer
Paul Baumgartner, Piano
Ria Ginster, Soprano
Myrthen, Movement: No. 7, Die Lotosblume (wds. Heine) Robert Schumann, Composer
Arpad Sándor, Piano
Robert Schumann, Composer
Ursula van Diemen, Soprano
Lieder und Gesänge, Movement: Marienlied Joseph Marx, Composer
Elisabeth Schumann, Soprano
Joseph Marx, Composer
Karl Alwin, Conductor
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Soirées musicales, Movement: L'invito (bolero: wds. C. Pepoli) Gioachino Rossini, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Erich Orthmann, Conductor
Gioachino Rossini, Composer
Lotte Schöne, Soprano
Alessandro Stradella, Movement: Seid meiner Sonne stille zeugen Friedrich (Adolf Ferdinand) von Flotow, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Frieder Weissmann, Conductor
Friedrich (Adolf Ferdinand) von Flotow, Composer
Fritzi Jokl, Soprano
(Un) ballo in maschera, '(A) masked ball', Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Adele Kern, Soprano
Berlin-Charlottenberg Orchestra
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Julius Prüwer, Conductor
(The) Tsar's Bride, Movement: ~ Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Bruno Seidler-Winkler, Conductor
Miliza Korjus, Soprano
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Weine du nicht Robert Oboussier, Composer
Erna Berger, Soprano
Eta Harich-Schneider, Harpsichord
Hans-Walter Schlief, Oboe
Robert Oboussier, Composer
Es muss ein Wunderbares sein Franz Liszt, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Emmy Bettendorf, Soprano
Franz Liszt, Composer
Otto Dobrindt, Conductor
(Le) Postillon de Lonjumeau, Movement: Je vais donc le revoir Adolphe (Charles) Adam, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Adolphe (Charles) Adam, Composer
Felicie Hüni-Mihacsek, Soprano
(14) Lieder, Movement: Nachtlied Othmar Schoeck, Composer
Margherita Perras, Soprano
Othmar Schoeck, Piano
Othmar Schoeck, Composer
Turandot, Movement: Tu, che di gel sei cinta Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Luise Helletsgruber, Soprano
(The) Tsar's Bride, Movement: Ivan Sergyich, come into the garden (Marfa's Mad S Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Frieder Weissmann, Conductor
Meta Seinemeyer, Soprano
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Daphne Richard Strauss, Composer
Richard Strauss, Composer
(Die) Meistersinger von Nürnberg, '(The) Masters Richard Wagner, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Delia Reinhardt, Soprano
Georges Sébastian, Conductor
Richard Wagner, Composer
(La) Bohème, 'Bohemian Life', Movement: Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Fritz Zweig, Conductor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Maria Cebotari, Soprano
(L')Africaine, '(The) African Maid', Movement: Adieu, mon doux rivage Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
Elisabeth Rethberg, Soprano
Frieder Weissmann, Conductor
Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
Odeon Opera Orchestra
(Die) Aegyptische Helena, Movement: Zweite Brautnacht! Richard Strauss, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Fritz Busch, Conductor
Richard Strauss, Composer
Rose Pauly, Soprano
Tannhäuser, Movement: Geliebter, komm! Sieh dort die Grotte Richard Wagner, Composer
Göta Ljungberg, Soprano
Lawrance Collingwood, Conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Wagner, Composer
Walter Widdop, Tenor
(Der) Rosenkavalier Richard Strauss, Composer
Richard Strauss, Composer
(60) Schlichte Weisen, Movement: No. 3, Waldeinsamkeit (wds. French folksong) (Johann Baptist Joseph) Max(imilian) Reger, Composer
(Johann Baptist Joseph) Max(imilian) Reger, Composer
Ivor Newton, Piano
Maria Müller, Soprano
(60) Schlichte Weisen, Movement: Zum Schlafen (wds. Schellenberg) (Johann Baptist Joseph) Max(imilian) Reger, Composer
(Johann Baptist Joseph) Max(imilian) Reger, Composer
Ivor Newton, Piano
Maria Müller, Soprano
(Die) Königin von Saba, Movement: Dein Freund ist dein (Sulamith & Chorus) Károly Goldmark, Composer
Karl Alwin, Conductor
Károly Goldmark, Composer
Maria Németh, Soprano
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
(Der) Fliegende Holländer, '(The) Flying Dutchman', Movement: Joho hoe! Traft ihr das Schiff Richard Wagner, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Elisabeth Ohms, Soprano
Manfred Gurlitt, Conductor
Richard Wagner, Composer
(Der) Ring des Nibelungen: Part 3, 'Siegfried', Movement: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich Richard Wagner, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Eduard Mörike, Conductor
Nanny Larsen-Todsen, Soprano
Richard Wagner, Composer
Wesendonck Lieder, Movement: Schmerzen Richard Wagner, Composer
Frida Leider, Soprano
John Barbirolli, Conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Wagner, Composer
(Der) Ring des Nibelungen: Part 2, '(Die) Walküre', Movement: Du bist der Lenz Richard Wagner, Composer
Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
Kirsten Flagstad, Soprano
Philadelphia Orchestra
Richard Wagner, Composer
(Il) Zingari in fiera, Movement: Chi vuol la zingarella Giovanni Paisiello, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Antonio Capdevila, Conductor
Conchita Supervia, Mezzo soprano
Giovanni Paisiello, Composer
Have you seen the whyte lilie grow? Traditional, Composer
Conchita Supervia, Mezzo soprano
Ivor Newton, Piano
Traditional, Composer
Carmen, Movement: ~ Georges Bizet, Composer
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Georges Bizet, Composer
Gianna Pederzini, Mezzo soprano
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Messa da Requiem, Movement: Liber scriptus Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Irene Minghini-Cattaneo, Mezzo soprano
Milan La Scala Chorus
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Samson et Dalila Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
(La) Favorita, Movement: ~ Gaetano Donizetti, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Florica Cristoforeanu, Mezzo soprano
Gaetano Donizetti, Composer
Mefistofele, Movement: L'altra notte Arrigo Boito, Composer
Arrigo Boito, Composer
Franco Ghione, Conductor
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Pia Tassinari, Soprano
(I) Lombardi alla prima crociata, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Soprano
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Loreley Alfredo Catalani, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Alfredo Catalani, Composer
Bianca Scacciati, Soprano
(La) forza del destino, '(The) force of destiny', Movement: Pace, pace, mio Dio Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Dusolina Giannini, Soprano
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
John Barbirolli, Conductor
Siberia, Movement: Qual vergogna Umberto Giordano, Composer
Giuseppe Antonicelli, Conductor
Maria Caniglia, Soprano
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Umberto Giordano, Composer
Andrea Chénier, Movement: ~ Umberto Giordano, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Lina Bruna Rasa, Soprano
Umberto Giordano, Composer
(La) Fanciulla del West, '(The) Girl of the Golden, Movement: Laggiù nel Soledad Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Gina Cigna, Soprano
Ernani, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Iva Pacetti, Soprano
Lorenzo Molajoli, Conductor
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Madama Butterfly, Movement: ~ Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Browning Mummery, Tenor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Margaret Sheridan, Soprano
Maristella Giuseppe Pietri, Composer
Giuseppe Pietri, Composer
Colombetta Arturo Buzzi-Peccia, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Arturo Buzzi-Peccia, Composer
Claudia Muzio, Soprano
Lorenzo Molajoli, Conductor
Otello, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Hina Spani, Soprano
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Iris, Movement: Io pingo Pietro Mascagni, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Maria Farneti, Soprano
Pietro Mascagni, Composer
Lodoletta, Movement: ~ Pietro Mascagni, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Mafalda Favero, Soprano
Pietro Mascagni, Composer
Manon Lescaut, Movement: In quelle trine morbide Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Dino Oliveri, Conductor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Licia Albanese, Soprano
Turandot, Movement: Signore, ascolta! Giacomo Puccini, Composer
EIAR Orchestra
Franco Ghione, Conductor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Magda Olivero, Soprano
(Il) Guarany, Movement: Gentile di cuore (Antonio) Carlos Gomes, Composer
(Antonio) Carlos Gomes, Composer
Armando Giannetti, Conductor
Bidù Sayão, Soprano
Brazilian RCA Victor Orchestra
(15) Tonadillas al estilo antiguo, Movement: El majo discreto Enrique Granados (y Campiña), Composer
Conchita Badia, Soprano
Donato Oscar Colacelli, Piano
Enrique Granados (y Campiña), Composer
(15) Tonadillas al estilo antiguo, Movement: El majo timido Enrique Granados (y Campiña), Composer
Conchita Badia, Soprano
Donato Oscar Colacelli, Piano
Enrique Granados (y Campiña), Composer
Adriana Lecouvreur, Movement: ~ Francesco Cilea, Composer
Adelaide Saraceni, Soprano
Francesco Cilea, Composer
Franco Ghione, Conductor
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Piero Pauli, Tenor
(Il) Re, Movement: O colombello, sposarti Umberto Giordano, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Mercedes Capsir, Soprano
Umberto Giordano, Composer
Maori lullaby William Garnet James, Composer
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Toti dal Monte, Soprano
William Garnet James, Composer
Rigoletto, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Lina Pagliughi, Soprano
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Messa da Requiem, Movement: Confutatis maledictis Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Ezio Pinza, Bass
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Milan La Scala Orchestra
(La) Bohème, 'Bohemian Life', Movement: Vecchia zimarra (Coat song) Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Tancredi Pasero, Bass
Mefistofele, Movement: ~ Arrigo Boito, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Arrigo Boito, Composer
Nazzareno De Angelis, Bass
Crispino e la comare Federico Ricci, Composer
Federico Ricci, Composer
Don Pasquale, Movement: ~ Gaetano Donizetti, Composer
Afro Poli, Baritone
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Ernesto Badini, Baritone
Gaetano Donizetti, Composer
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Falstaff, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Mariano Stabile, Baritone
(Il) Figliuol prodigo Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer
Zazà, Movement: Buona Zazà del mio buon tempo Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Composer
Apollo Granforte, Baritone
Carlo Sabajno, Conductor
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Composer
Guglielmo Ratcliff Pietro Mascagni, Composer
Pietro Mascagni, Composer
Tosca, Movement: ~ Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Giovanni Inghilleri, Baritone
John Barbirolli, Conductor
Mistica Pietro Adolfo Tirindelli, Composer
(Anonymous) Ensemble
Carlo Tagliabue, Baritone
Pietro Adolfo Tirindelli, Composer
Ideale (Francesco) Paolo Tosti, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Francesco) Paolo Tosti, Composer
Riccardo Stracciari, Baritone
(La) Sonnambula, Movement: ~ Vincenzo Bellini, Composer
Dino Borgioli, Tenor
Gina Pedroni, Mezzo soprano
Ida Mannarini, Mezzo soprano
Maria Gentile, Soprano
Milan La Scala Chorus
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Vincenzo Bellini, Composer
Do not go, my love Richard Hageman, Composer
Dino Borgioli, Tenor
Ivor Newton, Piano
Richard Hageman, Composer
Werther, Movement: ~ Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Franco Ghione, Conductor
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Tito Schipa, Tenor
En effeuillant la marguerite Federico Longás Torres, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Dino Oliveri, Conductor
Federico Longás Torres, Composer
Tito Schipa, Tenor
Gavilanes Martin y Guerrero, Composer
Martin y Guerrero, Composer
Anima allegra Franco Vittadini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Franco Vittadini, Composer
Luigi Fort, Tenor
Turandot, Movement: Nessun dorma! Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Alessandro Ziliani, Tenor
Franco Ghione, Conductor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Manon Lescaut, Movement: Donna non vidi mai Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Francesco Merli, Tenor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Otello, Movement: Dio! mi potevi (Monologue) Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
John Barbirolli, Conductor
Renato Zanelli, Tenor
Renato Zanelli, Baritone
Aprile (Francesco) Paolo Tosti, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Francesco) Paolo Tosti, Composer
Beniamino Gigli, Tenor
Lawrance Collingwood, Conductor
(La) Belle Hélène, 'Beautiful Helen', Movement: Au mont Ida (Paris) Jacques Offenbach, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Jussi Björling, Tenor
Nils Grevillius, Conductor
Manon Lescaut, Movement: ~ Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Franco Ghione, Conductor
Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, Tenor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Milan La Scala Orchestra
Parysatis Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Gustav Cloëz, Conductor
Lily Pons, Soprano
Hippolyte et Aricie, Movement: Rossignols amoureux Jean-Philippe Rameau, Composer
Gaston Grunelle, Flute
Jean-Philippe Rameau, Composer
Leila Ben Sedira, Soprano
Pierre Jamet, Harp
(Les) Brigands Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Lakmé, Movement: C'est pour admirer la déesse (Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes, Composer
Elie Cohen, Conductor
Germaine Féraldy, Soprano
Guillaume Tell, Movement: Sombre fôret (Selva opaca) Gioachino Rossini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Eidé Norena, Soprano
Gioachino Rossini, Composer
Henri Defossé, Conductor
(3) Songs, Movement: No. 1, Les berceaux (wds. Prudhomme: 1879) Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Gabriel Fauré, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
Marguerite Long, Piano
Ninon Vallin, Soprano
Tu lo sai Giuseppe Torelli, Composer
Daisy Bucktrout, Piano
Giuseppe Torelli, Composer
Povla Frijsh, Soprano
(3) Chansons de Bilitis, Movement: La chevelure Claude Debussy, Composer
Claude Debussy, Composer
Jane Bathori, Mezzo soprano
Jane Bathori, Piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
(2) Mélodies hébraïques, Movement: Kaddisch Maurice Ravel, Composer
Berlin Soloists
Madeleine Grey, Soprano
Maurice Ravel, Composer
Marie-Magdeleine, Movement: ~ Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Germaine Martinelli, Soprano
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Sapho Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Ariane et Barbe-bleue Paul (Abraham) Dukas, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Elie Cohen, Conductor
Paul (Abraham) Dukas, Composer
Suzanne Balguerie, Soprano
Lohengrin, Movement: Einsam in trüben Tagen (Elsa's Dream) Richard Wagner, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Germaine Lubin, Soprano
Henri Defossé, Conductor
Richard Wagner, Composer
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
(La) Jeune fille parle Pierre (Eugène Onfroy) de Bréville, Composer
Claire Croiza, Mezzo soprano
Pierre (Eugène Onfroy) de Bréville, Composer
Pierre de Bréville, Piano
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Orphée et Eurydice, Movement: Quel nouveau ciel pour ces lieux Christoph Gluck, Composer
Alice Raveau, Contralto (Female alto)
Christoph Gluck, Composer
Henri Tomasi, Conductor
Paris Symphony Orchestra
Sigurd, Movement: ~ (Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Composer
Eugène Bigot, Conductor
Georges Thill, Tenor
Standard Hour Symphony Orchestra
Hérodiade, Movement: ~ Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Piero Coppola, Conductor
René Maison, Tenor
Polyeucte Charles-François Gounod, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Bayreuth Festival Chorus
Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Charles-François Gounod, Composer
Eugène Bigot, Conductor
José Luccioni, Tenor
Sigurd, Movement: Un souvenir poignant (Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Composer
César Vezzani, Tenor
Georges Lauweryns, Conductor
(La) Juive, Movement: Dieu! que ma voix tremblante (Jacques-François-)Fromental(-Elie) Halévy, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Jacques-François-)Fromental(-Elie) Halévy, Composer
Henri Defossé, Conductor
René Verdière, Tenor
Mireille, Movement: ~ Charles-François Gounod, Composer
Charles-François Gounod, Composer
Ensemble Plus Ultra
Ensemble Plus Ultra
Gaston Micheletti, Tenor
Gustav Cloëz, Conductor
Opéra-Comique Orchestra
Illustre Fregona, Movement: Mélancholique tombe le soir Raoul Laparra, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Miguel Villabella, Tenor
Raoul Laparra, Composer
Various Artists
Maître Pathelin, Movement: Je pense a vous quand je m'éveille Francois (Emmanuel-Joseph) Bazin, Composer
André d' Arkor, Tenor
Francois (Emmanuel-Joseph) Bazin, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
Maurice Bastin, Conductor
Théâtre de la Monnaie Orchestra
Luisa Miller, Movement: ~ Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Giuseppe Lugo, Tenor
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Philharmonia Hungarica
(Le) Roi d'Ys, Movement: ~ Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Composer
Joseph Rogatchewsky, Tenor
King's College Choir, Cambridge
(L') Enfance du Christ, Movement: Les pèlerins étant venus Hector Berlioz, Composer
Hector Berlioz, Composer
Jean Planel, Tenor
Paris Symphony Orchestra
(La) Damnation de Faust, Movement: Esprits des flammes (Evocation) Hector Berlioz, Composer
Charles Panzéra, Baritone
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Hector Berlioz, Composer
King's College Choir, Cambridge
Pasdeloup Concert Association Orchestra
Piero Coppola, Conductor
D'une prison Reynaldo Hahn, Composer
Charles Panzéra, Baritone
Madeleine Panzéra-Baillot, Piano
Reynaldo Hahn, Composer
Standard Hour Symphony Orchestra
(L')Aurore Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Francis Poulenc, Piano
Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Pierre Bernac, Baritone
Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, Movement: Chanson épique Maurice Ravel, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Martial Singher, Baritone
Maurice Ravel, Composer
Piero Coppola, Conductor
(2) Songs, Movement: Lydia (wds. L. de Lisle: ?1870) Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano
Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Roger Bourdin, Baritone
Guercoeur (Lucien Denis Gabriel) Alberic Magnard, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Lucien Denis Gabriel) Alberic Magnard, Composer
Arthur Endrèze, Baritone
Brewer Chamber Orchestra
François Ruhlmann, Conductor
Patrie!, Movement: C'est ici le berceau de notre liberté Emil Paladilhe, Composer
Albert Wolff, Conductor
Emil Paladilhe, Composer
Lamoureux Concerts Orchestra
Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra
Robert Couzinou, Baritone
Robert Macaire Berthomieu, Composer
Berthomieu, Composer
(Les) Contes d'Hoffmann, '(The) Tales of Hoffmann', Movement: ~ Jacques Offenbach, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
André Pernet, Bass
Gustav Cloëz, Conductor
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
National Philharmonic Orchestra
(L') Ombre Friedrich (Adolf Ferdinand) von Flotow, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Elie Cohen, Conductor
Friedrich (Adolf Ferdinand) von Flotow, Composer
Lucien Fugère, Baritone
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Plaisir d'amour Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Composer
Jean-Emil Vanni-Marcoux, Bass
Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Composer
Lucien Petitjean, Piano
(La) Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein, Movement: ~ Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Henri Büsser, Piano
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Minnesota Orchestra
Yvonne Printemps, Soprano
(La) Boulangère a des écus, Movement: Les charbonnieres et les farniers Jacques Offenbach, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Reynaldo Hahn, Piano
Reynaldo Hahn, Tenor
(La) Boulangère a des écus, Movement: Que voulez-vous faire? Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Reynaldo Hahn, Piano
Reynaldo Hahn, Tenor
Falstaff Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire
Hamlet, Movement: O vin, dissipe la tristesse (Brindisi) (Charles Louis) Ambroise Thomas, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Charles Louis) Ambroise Thomas, Composer
John Charles Thomas, Composer
Nathaniel Finston, Conductor
(Il) Barbiere di Siviglia, '(The) Barber of Seville' Gioachino Rossini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Dennis Noble, Baritone
Gioachino Rossini, Composer
Hamlet, Movement: Comme une pâle fleur. (Charles Louis) Ambroise Thomas, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
(Charles Louis) Ambroise Thomas, Composer
Georges Lauweryns, Conductor
John Brownlee, Baritone
Onaway, awake beloved Frederic Cowen, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Frederic Cowen, Composer
Harold Williams, Baritone
Laudantes Consort
Messiah, Movement: Why do the nations? George Frideric Handel, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Lawrance Collingwood, Conductor
Peter Dawson, Bass-baritone
Ulsamer Collegium
(The) Bitterness of love James Philip Dunn, Composer
Edwin Schneider, Piano
James Philip Dunn, Composer
John McCormack, Tenor
Scherzi musicali, Movement: Maledetto sia l'aspetto Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
Reginald Boardman, Piano
Roland Hayes, Tenor
(La) Jolie fille de Perth, '(The) Fair Maid of Per, Movement: À la voix d'un amant fidèle (Sérénade) Georges Bizet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Georges Bizet, Composer
Heddle Nash, Tenor
Nice Baroque Ensemble
Esmeralda, Movement: O vision entrancing Arthur Goring Thomas, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano
Arthur Goring Thomas, Composer
Nice Baroque Ensemble
Tom Burke, Tenor
Tosca, Movement: Recondita armonia Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Clemens Schmalstich, Conductor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Richard Crooks, Tenor
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Acis and Galatea, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Lawrance Collingwood, Conductor
Walter Widdop, Tenor
(The) Tempest Henry Purcell, Composer
Henry Purcell, Composer
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Menuet Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano
(Mme) Charles Cahier, Mezzo soprano
Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Composer
Paulus (St Paul) Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
(The) Lost chord Arthur (Seymour) Sullivan, Composer
Anonymous Organists(s), Organ
Arthur (Seymour) Sullivan, Composer
Clara Butt, Contralto (Female alto)
(Der) Tod und das Mädchen Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Kosti Vehanen, Piano
Marian Anderson, Contralto (Female alto)
(3) Songs, Movement: No. 3, Le secret (wds. Silvestre: 1880-81) Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Gabriel Fauré, Composer
Gerald Moore, Piano
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
Susan Metcalfe-Casals, Mezzo soprano
Chants d'Auvergne, Movement: Baïlèro (Marie) Joseph Canteloube (de Calaret), Composer
(Marie) Joseph Canteloube (de Calaret), Composer
Gladys Swarthout, Mezzo soprano
Jean-Paul Morel, Conductor
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
(La) Bohème, 'Bohemian Life', Movement: Che gelida manina Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Academy of Ancient Music
Alberto Erede, Conductor
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Ina Souez, Soprano
Psyché Emil Paladilhe, Composer
Emil Paladilhe, Composer
Gerald Moore, Piano
Maggie Teyte, Soprano
Theodora, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Isobel Baillie, Soprano
Stockholm Royal Orchestra
Irmelin Frederick Delius, Composer
Anneliese Rothenberger
Dora Labbette, Soprano
Frederick Delius, Composer
Geraldine Graunke
Thomas Beecham, Piano
Madama Butterfly, Movement: Un bel dì vedremo Giacomo Puccini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Alexander Zakin
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Isaac Stern
Joan Cross, Soprano
(La) Vestale Gaspare (Luigi Pacifico) Spontini, Composer
Edvard Syomin
Gaspare (Luigi Pacifico) Spontini, Composer
Sigurd, Movement: O palais radieux (Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Composer
(Louis-Etienne-)Ernest Reyer, Composer
Hermann Prey
Leonard Hokanson
Marjorie Lawrence, Soprano
Pasdeloup Concert Association Orchestra
Piero Coppola, Conductor
Turandot, Movement: ~ Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Eva Turner, Soprano
Giacomo Puccini, Composer
Lazar Berman
Lorenzo Malajoli, Conductor
Orchester der Tiroler Festspiele
Stabat mater, Movement: Inflammatus et accensus Gioachino Rossini, Composer
Derek Wadsworth
Florence Austral, Soprano
Gioachino Rossini, Composer
John Barbirolli, Conductor
Prague City Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden
Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden
Rusalka, Movement: Hair, golden hair have I Antonín Dvořák, Composer
Antonín Dvořák, Composer
Arpad Sándor, Piano
Jarmila Novotná, Soprano
Jutta Czapski
Roswitha Trexler
Rusalka, Movement: O, moon high up in the deep, deep sky (O silver moon) Antonín Dvořák, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Ada Nordenova, Soprano
Albert Gassner
Antonín Dvořák, Composer
Josef Weber
Peter Schranner
Wolfgang Sawallisch
(The) Wounded birch Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Composer
Alexander Gretchaninov, Piano
Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Composer
Alexei Zybtsev
Maria Kurenko, Soprano
Mstislav Rostropovich, Composer
Snowflakes Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Composer
Alexander Gretchaninov, Piano
Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Composer
Herbert von Karajan
Maria Kurenko, Soprano
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
(4) Songs, Movement: No. 2, Enslaved by the rose, the nightingale (wds. A. Kol'tsov; 1866) Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra
Alexander Kitschin, Conductor
Christopher Wilson
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Xenia Belmas, Soprano
(6) Songs, Movement: I remember quiet, clear golden days (Tetmajer) Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, Composer
Ada Sari, Soprano
Christopher Wilson
Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, Composer
Otto Schulhof, Piano
Lullaby Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Composer
(Arnold) Schoenberg Choir
Alexandr Tikhonovich Grechaninov, Composer
Erwin Ortner
Oda Slobodskaya, Soprano
Percy Kahn, Piano
(4) Songs, Movement: Leave me alone Antonín Dvořák, Composer
Antonín Dvořák, Composer
J Charvát, Piano
Maria Krasová, Mezzo soprano
Pierre Monteux
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
(8) Hungarian Folksongs, Movement: Black is the earth Béla Bartók, Composer
Bela Bartók, Piano
Béla Bartók, Composer
Maria Basilides, Mezzo soprano
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Willi Boskovsky
(8) Hungarian Folksongs, Movement: Wives, let me be one of your company Béla Bartók, Composer
Bela Bartók, Piano
Béla Bartók, Composer
Coenraad Van Bos
Herbert Janssen
Maria Basilides, Mezzo soprano
Salvator Rosa, Movement: ~ (Antonio) Carlos Gomes, Composer
(Antonio) Carlos Gomes, Composer
Albert Coates, Piano
Mark Reizen, Bass
Narciso Yepes
Bolero Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomïzhsky, Composer
Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomïzhsky, Composer
Feodor Chaliapin, Bass
François Le Roux
Pascal Rogé
Piero Coppola, Piano
Háry János Zoltán Kodály, Composer
Budapest Opera Orchestra
François Le Roux
Imry Palló, Baritone
Izabella Nagy, Soprano
Nándor Rékai, Conductor
Pascal Rogé
Zoltán Kodály, Composer
Hunger César Cui, Composer
César Cui, Composer
Davitt Moroney
Ivor Newton, Piano
Vladimir Rosing, Tenor
Tranquillity ? Kashevarov, Composer
? Kashevarov, Composer
A.V Slutzky, Piano
Rosario Bourdon
Sergei Lemeshev, Tenor
Tito Schipa
Victor Orchestra
(6) Original Canzonettas, Book 1, Movement: Pastoral Song Joseph Haydn, Composer
Joseph Haydn, Composer
Rosario Bourdon
Tito Schipa
Victor Orchestra

To recapitulate: 'The Record of Singing', the most exciting project of its kind ever devised and carried out, undertook to survey the whole field of recorded singing in the first half of the 20th century. There were four volumes, the first issued in January 1978, the last in April '89. Volume 4 was transferred to CD first (4/92), issued by EMI and enthusiastically received. Testament follows now with Vol 3, and we must hope that Vols 1 and 2 (1/80) will also be forthcoming, they being historically the most important (the material being the most difficult to reassemble in the future) and commercially the most risky.
Another part of the original plan was to publish a book for each volume, not merely to accompany the records but to chart the history of singing within its period. Only two of these appeared, published by Duckworth, superbly produced in every respect. The author was Michael Scott, who also writes the valuable notes for Vol 3. Transfers for Vol 1 were the work of Bryan Crimp, the others were by Keith Hardwick, who also re-edited the first volume, published with additions as 'A Record of Singers' (11/82). Almost every singer of importance who recorded in the 78rpm era is represented, the majority by a single item, a few by more. Collectively, it is the nearest thing we have to an encyclopedia in sound.
The present volume opens with a clarion call from Lauritz Melchior, Tannhauser's 'Dir tone Lob' recorded in 1930. He sounds like a man in a hurry, and somewhat Gladstonian in the manner of his address to Venus, but the voice is magnificent. He is followed by the young Max Lorenz, who sounds magnificent, too: imaginative, even poetic, in his 'Wintersturme'. Franz Volker in the next track is a supremely lyrical Lohengrin, and Helge Roswaenge most exciting in a song from an operetta, Konigsballade, by Rudolf Wille. Each of these, at the start at least, sounds more wonderful than the last, and yet the first was probably best of all, its singer certainly being the most important. The four introductory tracks exemplify the individuality of each singer, but, as all are shown in the best light and at roughly equal length, the great and the good are brought to a common level. Each has something its predecessor did not have, and each is enjoyable on its own terms.
That may seem to be only just, and in a broad context it is, for the accepted perspectives need periodic revision; after all the accepted great are regularly reissued while the good are in danger of being forgotten altogether (moreover the allegedly great may actually have been merely good, and vice versa). All the same, it is well to remember that 'The Record of Singing', for all its generous scope, is only a very selective anthology; grounds for judgement on a singer's art and historical contribution can be claimed only after wider listening, and a good deal of reading, too.
Many of the most attractive items here are contributed by relatively unfamiliar singers. The collection is arranged under national schools, so let us take one from each. Among the 'Germans' is the Hungarian soprano Huni-Mihacsek, vibrantly in the prime of life as she recorded her solo from Le postillon de Lonjumeau. Among the Italians, Maria Farneti has the kind of vibrato which the standardising trends of our time have ironed out, but with something felt and memorable in every phrase of her Iris in 1931. The French had a good supply of tenors in those days, towering over them, physically at any rate, the hugely built Rene Maison, impassioned in Flaubert's unorthodox view of John the Baptist as purveyed by Massenet.
English and Americans, Australians, too, are grouped together and room is found for Harold Williams, who manfully demonstrates his fitness in Cowen's 'Onaway, awake beloved'. Then, finally, the east European/Slavic school brings some surprises, including a duet by Kodaly, with the original Harry Janos, Imry Pollo, a high baritone of whom it would be good to hear more.
The interest of 'The Record of Singing' is indeed not confined to singers and singing. Over its 12-and-a-half hours of playing time it ranges musically from Monteverdi (Roland Hayes) to Bartok (Maria Basilides). There's no Bach, it must be admitted, and precious little Purcell, Handel, Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven. But plenty of Verdi and Puccini, of course. But in general care has been taken to compile an interesting repertoire. A few of the recordings were issued here for the first time: Janssen's 'Die Stadt', Anday's 'Parto', Ljungberg and Widdop in Tannhauser, Bernac in Faure's 'Aurore', Tibbett's 1926 Ford's Monologue, Slobodskaya singing Gretchaninov's Lullaby, and most fascinatingly one of Mark Reizen's test-recordings made in London in 1929 with Albert Coates at the piano. There are also a few alternative versions and takes.
Each of the discs has its own envelope and a well-chosen photograph, and the booklet, with Michael Scott's biographies, is a useful document in itself. The digital remastering by Paul Baily and Andrew Walter brightens to a degree the sound as we heard it originally on the LPs - to which I still return with affection. But the original producer gives an endearing benediction to the new issue; Keith Hardwick adds that he has corrected some pitches and fortified his belief that singing did not decline in the 1930s. On the evidence here, few would disagree.'

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