America’s Great Radio Orchestras
By Ralph Graves
Analog Masters looks at a bygone tradition this coming Wednesday.
Radio orchestras play a significant role in the world’s musical culture — except in the United States. But that wasn’t always the case.
When radio was king, the great national networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) all had their own ensembles. These orchestras were led by the most outstanding conductors of the era. And the performances were captured on vinyl.
Analog Masters
Wednesdays at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm
exclusively on CharlottesvilleClassical.org
Featured recordings:
Rossini: Siege of Corinth Overture
Guido Cantelli/NBC Symphony PASC 166 Pristine (1953)
Handel/Harty: Water Music Suite
Bernard Herrmann/CBS Radio Symphony PASC 202 Pristine (1945)
Elgar: Serenade for Strings
Thomas Beecham/ABC Symphony PASC 461 Pristine (1945)
Mozart: Symphony 31, “Paris”
Thomas Beecham/ABC Symphony PASC 477 Pristine (1945)
Handel/Beecham: Great Elopement – Dance
Thomas Beecham/ABC Symphony PASC 461 Pristine (1945)
