What an inspired performance! I found this original performance of this classic at publicdomainreview.org. The former song-plugger turned composer wrote this song in 1924, and it still resonates today. I especially enjoy this version, and am very glad to share it with you.
Here is a fantastic early recording of the Hallelujah chorus, from Handel’s Messiah. Originally released on Edison Diamond Disc, (a format which pre-dated even the 78 RMP record!) this remarkable performance by a virtuoso oratorio chorus from 1916 is now available for us to enjoy as an mp3. George Frideric Handel could scarcely have known when he composed this masterpiece in 1741, that it would ever be recorded in any audio format – after all, they didn’t even have electricity yet! I expect he would be amused and delighted to know that anyone in the world can listen to this now.
Here is a stellar performance of Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5, in E-flat Major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”), by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by George Szell, featuring Benno Moiseivitch on piano. The audio quality is superb, especially when you consider this was recorded in 1938 and only much later transferred to a digital medium. Here’s the first movement.
I. Allegro
It was the holiday season, December 17, to be exact, in 1936, when this magnificent performance of Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” was recorded by The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Under the inspired leadership of the great German conductor Bruno Walter, each movement of the masterpiece comes to life and crackles with joyful energy.
Kudos to F. Reeder for the outstanding audio transfer to digital from the original Victor 78 RPM record. Here are all four movements, as breathtaking and unpretentiously beautiful as any music ever conceived. You can click the first one and the player will take you through the rest in sequence, or if you prefer you can download them by right clicking the links, select “save as” and download the files. Enjoy!
I. Allegro
II. Romanze (Andante)
III. Menuetto and Trio (Allegretto)
IV. Rondo (Allegro)
