Remembering Leo Slezak

[epigramophone]

Having just returned from a local antiques fair with this record, I consulted my reference books and made the co-incidental discovery that it was ON THIS DAY IN 1899 that Slezak's career really took off, when he sang Lohengrin in Breslau.

I wound up a circa 1912 gramophone, played this circa 1912 record and raised a glass to one of the greatest heroic tenors of all time, yet whose records do not turn up very often here in the UK.

Late in life, Leo Slezak enjoyed a second career in films, but it is as the father of the Hollywood character actor Walter Slezak that he is remembered today.

Perhaps it is time for a re-appraisal.

[Nat]

I've got a number of his records, and have heard many more. I have to admit that he's one of those singers I just can't enjoy (Picaver is another, though vastly different). Slezak always sounds flat - perhaps it's the lack of vibrato? However, given how much some liked - and like - him, I suspect he was one of those singers you have to have heard in person.

I can't stand del Monaco on records, but I heard him once in the 60's, and was blown away.

John Steene, of blessed memory, wrote a number of articles, as did Herman Klein, on the difference between what we hear in the theatre, and what we hear on records. The question remains as relevant today as it did then - and suspect Slezak might have been a "victim" of the gramophone.

[Valecnik]

I've got a couple Slezak recordings on 4 min wax concert cylinders. I've not listened to either out of fear of breaking them. I think I'll take the chance & listen to them once, recording for youTube at the same time... We'll see.

[Wagnerian]

I agree with Epigramophone, it is time Slezak took his rightful place amongst the pantheon of great singers of the 20th Century. If you don't believe how good Slezak can be, try his only Blue Amberol cylinder 28146 "E Lucevan Le Stelle" from Tosca and it will blow your socks off.

I'm just off to listen again to it now!

Tim W-W

[epigramophone]

BA28146 is on my "Wanted List". Will I get lucky at Phono 2012?

Slezak's big voice might have caused problems in the acoustic recording studio with the lateral cut process, but Edison's stylus would just have bitten a little deeper into the wax.

Some of Slezak's finest recordings, all pre-1914 except one, can be heard on Nimbus Prima Voce CD NI7909. I played it all the way through only yesterday.

[Valecnik]

BA28146 is on my "Wanted List". Will I get lucky at Phono 2012?

Slezak's big voice might have caused problems in the acoustic recording studio with the lateral cut process, but Edison's stylus would just have bitten a little deeper into the wax.

Some of Slezak's finest recordings, all pre-1914 except one, can be heard on Nimbus Prima Voce CD NI7909. I played it all the way through only yesterday.

A nice copy of BA28146 sold on eBAY awhile back. I bid on it but it went very high. I don't recall exactly for how much. By the way, what equipment do you play your cylinders on? I get the impression from the UK board that there's not much interest in Edison phonographs in the UK now.

[Wagnerian]

Dear Epigramophone and Valecnik,

As far as I know, there is still plenty of interest in Edison and cylinder phonographs in the UK. It is just that we don't have a sensible forum in the UK where ordinary people would feel comfortable posting views and thoughts on Edison, cylinders or Diamond Discs; which is why many from the UK would rather post here and on the Edison Discussion Forum.

Epigramophone - have you had a look at the next SAS Auction on 4th October? There is at least 1 Slezak wax Amberol in one of the lots. I don't know about 28146 but there are a couple of lots of 28xxx series cylinders so you may be lucky. I played 28146 at one of the CLPGS meetings in London last year and may bring it with me for the Blue Amberol Centenary programme on 16 October when we will be playing the BAs on a Triumph B with 4-minute gearing, Diamond B reproducer and Cygnet Horn.It would be great to see you if you could make it up to London

Valecnik - I play BAs on an Opera, the Triumph B (as noted above)or Amberolas III, VI, 30 or 75.

All the best

Tim W-W

[Valecnik]

Wagnerian,

You are very well set then for playing BAs or 2 & 4 minute wax with the proper O or L reproducers of course.

The two Grand Opera Amberols I have by the way are:
- B158 La Boheme - Wie Eiskalt is das Hunchen
- B155 La Tosca - E Lucevan le Stelle (28146 on BA)

Both with original box & correct lid

[epigramophone]

Yes I received my copy of the SAS catalogue this morning, having bought over 50 BA's at their last sale, but I am unlikely to go to the next one as I will be leaving for Malvern the following day.

As Wagnerian rightly points out, Edison products have a strong following in the UK. Our leading dealer is currently selling an average of two Standards a week!

The CLPGS West of England Group has several very keen Edison collectors among the membership, who make regular buying trips to the USA.

So much for there being "not much interest".

[Valecnik]

Yes I received my copy of the SAS catalogue this morning, having bought over 50 BA's at their last sale, but I am unlikely to go to the next one as I will be leaving for Malvern the following day.

As Wagnerian rightly points out, Edison products have a strong following in the UK. Our leading dealer is currently selling an average of two Standards a week!

The CLPGS West of England Group has several very keen Edison collectors among the membership, who make regular buying trips to the USA.

So much for there being "not much interest".

Epigramophone, I'm glad to stand corrected re. "not much interest"~

Could you enlighten me re. the "SAS catalogue & sale"? I've not heard about it.