Rachmaninov was of course the brilliant virtuoso we all know, but as a genious composer he has as well his place in the standard classical repertoire. Here we hear him play the adagio sostenuto from his second piano concerto. This unique recording with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra directed by Leopold Stokowski was made for RCA in 1929.
Rachmaninov was of course the brilliant virtuoso we all know, but as a genious composer he has as well his place in the standard classical repertoire. Here we hear him play the moderato from his second piano concerto. This unique recording with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra directed by Leopold Stokowski was made for RCA in 1929. At request, I'm now uploading the first movement.
This is an exceptional showcase recording of Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra, made for Victor on April 13th, 1929. It recreates the atmosphere of a real concert situation at the Cotton Club. The band plays a medley, including:
1. Cotton Club Stomp
2. Misty Morning
3. Goin' To Town
4. Freeze And Melt
This is a unique record by this singer, stage comedienne and film actress. She was popular with her sometimes pretty risqué songs, but being born from Jewish parents, she recorded one song both in English and Yiddish. On this record, made for Columbia on June 20th, 1928, she was accompanied by Ted Shapiro And His Orchestra.
The clip contains both sides of this 78RPM record.
This brilliant ensemble was an inspiration for all close harmony groups, even for the greatest classical ones like the King's Singers. Since they are hardly represented on the site, I uploaded this song. It was recorded for Electrola in 1932.
Hoagy Carmichael was a genious songwriter and performer. On this sublime record, uploaded by request, he plays a piano solo version of one of his best known compositions. Record was made for Victor on December 6th, 1933.
At request, I've uploaded a second Ethel Waters song: this unforgettable version of "Stormy Weather", recorded for Brunswick on May 3rd, 1933. She was accompanied by a brilliant studio orchestra including Tommy Dorsey on trombone and his brother Jimmy on clarinet.
At request, another moving Kreisler upload, the famous "Méditation de Thaïs" from Jules Massenet's homonym opera. On this recording, made for Victor on February 2nd, 1928, he was accompanied by pianist Carl Lamson.
Louis Armstrong, being a jazz icon, couldn't be absent on this channel; this beautiful piece was recorded for Okeh on November 26, 1929. Trumpet solo by Louis Armstrong himself.
I had been considering this upload for several weeks when I got a specific request. So here it is: an unforgettable interpretation of Edvard Grieg's violin sonata no. 3, by violinist Fritz Kreisler, accompanied by Sergei Rachmaninov at the piano. This video features the first movement, allegro molto ed appassionato. Recording was made for Victor on September, 14th and 15th, 1928.
At request, I'm uploading one of the many versions Kreisler recorded of his work "Caprice Viennois". This one is the last version he made for RCA-Victor at the Philadelphia Academy of Music on January 15th, 1942, accompanied by the Victor Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles O'Connell.
Scott Joplin was the King of Ragtime, and I thought it was interesting to post a pianola roll of one of his compositions, made at the beginning of the 20th century. This roll, attributed to Joplin, is probably played by a pianist from his entourage (who remained uncredited however).
This may be the ultimate cheer-up song of the Depression. For sure, Hylton & His Orchestra (with uncredited vocal trio) recorded one of the most smashing, lusciously orchestrated versions of it in the Small Queen's Hall in London. It was issued on a HMV, dated January 30th, 1930.
Brice was an excellent comedienne, actress and singer. This was her signature song, recorded for Victor on December 17th, 1928, with the Victor Orchestra, directed by Leonard Joy.
![Fritz Kreisler plays \"Méditation\" from Massenet\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/G8IyoNTaeT0/2.jpg "Fritz Kreisler plays \\"Méditation\\" from Massenet\")
![Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra - When You\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/Du8a7gpj7iY/2.jpg "Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra - When You\")
![Kreisler and Rachmaninov play Grieg\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/Y33I8alSB1c/2.jpg "Kreisler and Rachmaninov play Grieg\")
![Billie Holiday - It\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/zmzlJ4Nen0s/2.jpg "Billie Holiday - It\")
![Fritz Kreisler plays his \"Caprice Viennois\" op. 2](http://img.youtube.com/vi/MF8ZPRfz43o/2.jpg "Fritz Kreisler plays his \\"Caprice Viennois\\" op. 2")
