The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I wonder if the record posted by Marco is the early (1926) but remarkably good version by an unidentified orchestra conducted by Albert Coates? The double run-out groove and the archaic single-sided reference number (4-0790) certainly suggest a master originally dating from the 1920s. Coates's 1926 Ride (not to be confused with the older acoustic version cited earlier in this thread) was issued in Britain in the black-label D series, but I have not got the details at hand.

Oliver Mundy.

I would say no, as the record sounds more recent than an average 1926 recording, but you never know... I am also surprised about the lack of information on the label: no orchestra, no director... Can the recording you mentioned be listened anywhere, and compared to this one?

I was almost right! It is indeed Coates's version, but the original catalogue number (D. 1815, originally black label) suggests a date two or three years later than I thought: certainly no later than 1930, since Elgar's set of his First Symphony dates from that year and is numbered D.1944 onwards. See and hear the Coates Ride on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxMrjcieBCI.

Oliver Mundy.

Dearest Olivier and all others, I thought to make a videoclip of this recording being played. Should you be able to compare to Coates' take, I would be glad to know if it's it indeed.

Please find the clip here.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:Dearest Olivier and all others, I thought to make a videoclip of this recording being played. Should you be able to compare to Coates' take, I would be glad to know if it's it indeed.

Please find the clip here.

AW4118 and D1815 are certainly the same recording. I imagine that in time of war the Italian branch of H.M.V. felt it was judicious to conceal the British origin of the record.

Interestingly, Marco's version, played on an H.M.V. 163, is slightly less bright in tone than the one on YouTube which was recorded from a 109 (a table model of the previous generation – late 1920s – and apparently retaining the original mica-diaphragm [No. 4] soundbox); this may be partly a matter of microphone placement and partly a result of Marco's use of a soft-tone needle. Nonetheless, the cymbals are significantly clearer in Marco's version, which also seems to undergo less distortion towards the end; evidently the 163 has better tracking. In terms of bass response I cannot hear any difference at all.

Oliver Mundy.

If you haven't already found one, I have Ride of the Valkyries on a one-sided Victrola red seal record 12" of the Philadelphia Orch. conducted by Stokowski. It's in excellent condition and is for sale.