Previously (as in, 2006) I posted an LP-to-cassette recording of this concerto, but I again have a copy of the original LP. It showed up at eBay for a surprisingly low price, and I jumped on it. (Have you ever bumped your head on an HP Touchsmart screen? Ouch.) So, here's a fresh vinyl rip.
The LP itself features 78-rpm transfers from the 1940s, though I don't know for sure when today's selection--the Hangover Square piano concerto by Bernard Herrmann--was recorded. The 1940s, for sure, but that's as close as I've been able to determine. The other three tracks are traceable to their original 12"-78 RCA Red Seal versions, but so far I've found no evidence of a 78 release for this. I wouldn't be surprised if it was recorded the same year as the movie (1945).
Hopefully, that made some degree of sense. These things get complicated.
Had this been released as a 78, it would have been both sides of a single 12-incher (judging by the playing time of about 10 minutes). It's possible this Camden transfer was its first appearance. If anyone knows more than I, please share.
Anyway, straight from the vinyl transfer, this is the Janssen Symphony of Los Angeles, conducted by Werner Janssen, with Bernard Herrmann's Hangover Square piano concerto (a.k.a. Concerto Macabre), circa 1945. The outstanding pianist is Max Rabinowitsch. I've seen the movie a couple times, and I recall it's about a mad composer who murders women during blackouts (the psychiatric kind, not the wartime variety). He played this as the concert hall burned down. How Hollywood can you get?
To the concerto: Piano Concerto from Hangover Square
Bernard Herrmann--Piano Concerto from Hangover Square--Janssen Symphony of Los Angeles; Max Rabinowitsch, piano. (Camden CAL-205).
Lee
6 comments:
I got this from you back in 2006 when it was titled "Concerto Macabre".
Fine old Scottish name, MacAbre.
Thanks for posting it again; this one will for sure be a better copy.
I should've got this one when I saw it last night. Well, another round to the trolls.
Lee, I'm sadder than I can say. I took my eye off you some this year, and regret I let my attention wander. The web address in my browser always says musicyouwont dot blogspot dot com, and it seems eerily prescient now. Maybe some other time we can fire the thing up and have another old record party.
I would love if you could also upload the Showboat Scenerio
Maybe, when I have the time and it's no longer Halloween.
Thanks SOOO much for all the 'miracle resurrections' from the MediaFire debacle of late! Thought I'd lost this, plus Draclist 7 FOREVER!
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