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They recorded largely on cylinder in the 1908-1918 period; I think later they were known as the Metropolitan Quartet. I have a soft spot for hymns and religious music--and many of Edison's performers really sang religious songs with obvious conviction and feeling.

The soprano is particularly thrilling to hear.

I've searched on-line all over for the names of the individual singers, but thus far with no luck.

Ralph

Sutton's wax Amberol book (p. 186) says that the original lineup was Florence Hinkle soprano, Mary Porter Mitchell contralto, Harry Anthony aka John Young tenor, and James F. Harrison aka Frederick Wheeler baritone. He notes that Margaret Keyes replaced Mitchell in 1909.

A note under Metropolitan Quartet says that indeed it was generally the same group as the Mixed Quartet until 1912, after which there were numerous changes. A few of these are noted in Sutton's Blue Amberol book with the description of each cylinder.

52089 wrote:Sutton's wax Amberol book (p. 186) says that the original lineup was Florence Hinkle soprano, Mary Porter Mitchell contralto, Harry Anthony aka John Young tenor, and James F. Harrison aka Frederick Wheeler baritone. He notes that Margaret Keyes replaced Mitchell in 1909.

A note under Metropolitan Quartet says that indeed it was generally the same group as the Mixed Quartet until 1912, after which there were numerous changes. A few of these are noted in Sutton's Blue Amberol book with the description of each cylinder.

Thank you! I have the Dethlefson books on the Blue Amberols, but not the Sutton ones. Thanks for the quick response and giving me some names to work with.

pughphonos wrote:

52089 wrote:Sutton's wax Amberol book (p. 186) says that the original lineup was Florence Hinkle soprano, Mary Porter Mitchell contralto, Harry Anthony aka John Young tenor, and James F. Harrison aka Frederick Wheeler baritone. He notes that Margaret Keyes replaced Mitchell in 1909.

A note under Metropolitan Quartet says that indeed it was generally the same group as the Mixed Quartet until 1912, after which there were numerous changes. A few of these are noted in Sutton's Blue Amberol book with the description of each cylinder.

Thank you! I have the Dethlefson books on the Blue Amberols, but not the Sutton ones. Thanks for the quick response and giving me some names to work with.

You ought to get the Sutton Blue Amberol book from mainspring press while they're still available. These will no longer be printed. http://www.mainspringpress.com/ I think this book is much more useful than the Dethlefson books which I also have. Scroll down their website page to find it.
Bob

Thank you, Bob! Very good advice; I've been putting it off (re. Sutton books)

The cylinder that really focused me on the Mixed Quartet was one that arrived in today's mail (an E-bay purchase): BA 2351, Homer Rodeheaver "and chorus": "Mother's Prayers Have Followed Me."

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/searc ... linder2762

Recorded in March 1914, around a half-year before Edison stopped doing direct recordings for the Blue Amberols. Just lovely, both in terms of performance and in the quality of the recording.