The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all,

I would guess I am among a small group who almost always have favored classical selections over popular pieces in collecting. Not that I don't enjoy good pop pieces but as the victor book on getting the most out of your victrola that I read long ago said, in so many words, "while the pop pieces may fade in a few months or years the classics will endure for a lifetime". I have found that to be quite true. In that search I have owned many acoustic and early electrical recordings. Many of which due to space and changing taste have come or gone. Many years ago when I got in to first hearing Edsions I always thought there was something a bit different about the recordings in sound, both classical and pop. I knew nothing about it then an only what I hear now, but I have come again to realize what a wonder the sounds can be from a Edison in good shape and played by such groups as the American Symphony Orchestra. As any house orchestra ( which I assume them to be?) their selections range from corny to wonderful. Its the latter for which I am writing this thread. My hope is that some who also find early orchestral works especially on Edison to perhaps share with us some titles of things that when played provide a rich sound experience. In my testing and listening to various diaphragms and tinkering with my own, some records have come to be ones I reach for first to hear how things are working. I am listing a batch of titles here that I find would be worth hearing for those interested in the abilites of Edison to reproduce the tonal range in a way that few did. Some of the latter acoustic recordings of other companies come to mind as well but for this topic I am focusing on Edison.

Here are some favorites titles which have excellent effects if you have a good copy:

Unless otherwise noted they are by the American Symphony Orchestra,


Prelude from L"Arlesienne Suite No. 1 (George Bizet) 80836

Stradella Overature (Flotow) 80819

Dance of the Hours (Ponchielli) 80438

In A Persian Market/ In a Chinese Temple Garden (Ketelbey) 80853

Leonore Overture (Beethoven) 80775 (one of my favorites for tone and performance)

Der Freischutz Overture (Weber) 80610


While some of these are etched label records most are white. However I find that if your lucky to have a good copy of a black label record the quality of sound can be equal to or in a few cases better than the others.

Hopefully some others will let us know which pieces they would recommend for satisfying listening.


Larry

Andante fr. Concerto No.2 in D - Minor (Golterman) Willem Willeke (6186 matrix)

Is this a solo instrument piece or an orchestral version?

thanks

Larry

Cello and piano.

Thanks, I will check and see if I have this, have quite a number of cello and violin pieces and it may be among them. I am not as good at recalling all them as I am the symphonic works.

Larry

Among acoustically recorded records, it seems to me like Edison captured the unique sonority of the cello best. Other brands give it wiry somewhat strident edge, or it's just under recorded totally.

I think edison had an edge because his diaphragm uses the baffle to enhance the richness of the bass tones when the other machines do not quite have the same ability. I have tired strictly mica diaphragms in my search for good sound and while they can be very clear they often are clear in a cold way as well. "tone" was what edison was looking for and I think he found it best.

larry

I can only speak for what they sound like on modern equipment, I don't have an Edison DD phonograph.

But that richer lower midrange, upper bass may correspond.

Hi Larry! Erich here. I own 10 or 12 Red Label Victors that are the "stereotypical" classics like...Caruso singing "O Sole Mio", etc. I'm not a big fan of classical/instrumental accoustical recordings but I really admire the passion that you clearly have for them. Good to see you online again! Have a great Holiday Season! Erich