The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Performed by Sergei Rachmaninoff himself! Edison DD 82169. Apologies for my poor recording equipment (digital camera).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skrw8uGof7s[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d06wD4ec8vQ[/youtube]

Tarheeltinkerer,

Ten stars! BRAVO! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Regards,
John

The Rachmaninoff Edison material sounds very good indeed, but when you listen to the bass it's pretty obvious that he was performing on an upright. Every time I listen to the Edison stuff I shake my head in disbelief at that fact. I understand that that was really the main reason Rachmaninoff left Edison. That and the little brouhaha over which takes were issued. And Edison referring to him as a " pounder" to his face. I've always wondered if that story is true, actually. But be that as it may, I think the main sticking point was in fact the instrument . Busoni had the same difficulty with his recording company , I read, but again I wonder if THAT story isn't apocryphal because by 1922 I am almost positive Columbia would have been using a grand. Some of these stories really do get silly: like the one that Olga Samaroff gave the Victor Talking Machine Company a piano because she was appalled by the one upon which she was to record. What I expect she DID do was bring in her OWN tuner. There are several of her sides where the piano is in appalling condition ...and I'm speaking here in my professional capacity !
Jim

Glad yall enjoy them. The record actually has some pits in the surface...not from wear, but it appears to be from when they stamped the disc! I realize it's a 1919 issue, so I'm guessing the poor materials and rushed production resulted in a few discs that were less than exemplary in quality.

Thanks for posting. It does sound pretty good for a 1919 recording. It's a great record to have. Keep posting more!

Now we need Part III !