NRR Project: 'Pictures at an Exhibition': Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Kubelik, conductor (1951)

 

NRR Project: Pictures at an Exhibition

Composed by Modest Mussorgsky; Orch. Ravel

Performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Rafael Kubelik, conductor

Recorded 1951

28:49

The reason for the inclusion of this piece is its innovative use of improved technology to record a truer sound. At the National Recording Registry, Michael Gray explains.

The basic approach of the sound engineers who recorded this performance was simple. Recorded in Chicago Symphony Hall, rather than miking various sections of the orchestra and mixing the results, they set up a single condenser Telefunken U-47 microphone 25 feet above the conductor’s podium. They hit the sweet spot. The result is a “recording (that) was the inaugural release on Mercury’s Living Presence series.”

“In the liner notes for the Mercury rerelease, Robert C. Marsh commented that the original discs ‘represented the highest state of the art in monophonic recording technique.’” Listening to it today, its dynamic range leads one to agree that it makes for a perfect hi-fi demonstration record, for which it was used during the period. Its fidelity is remarkable.

 Interestingly, the piece was originally scored for solo piano. Written in 1874 by composer Modest Mussorgsky, it was not published until 1886. In 1922, Maurice Ravel orchestrated it, and it quickly became a concert-hall favorite. Mussorgsky commemorates the works of his late friend, artist Victor Hartmann. A connecting theme transitions the listeners from “painting” to sonic “painting.” Mussorgsky’s exceptional inventiveness keeps the conceit fresh and alive.

The LP sat on many a shelf in the early 1950s.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Pope Marcellus Mass.

NRR Project: 'Peace in the Valley' (1951)

 

NRR Project: “Peace in the Valley”

Written by Thomas Dorsey

Performed by Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys

Recorded 1951

2:08

Read John Rumble’s essay on this selection at the NationalRecording Registry, here!

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Pictures at an Exhibition.

 

 

NRR Project: 'How High the Moon' (Jan. 4, 1951)

NRR Project: “How High the Moon”

Music by Morgan Lewis; lyrics by Nancy Hamilton

Performed by Les Paul and Mary Ford

Recorded Jan. 4, 1951

2:08

Read Dave Hunter’s essay at the National Recording Registry here.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Peace in the Valley.

NRR Project: 'Dust My Broom' (Aug. 5, 1951)

 

NRR Project: “Dust My Broom”

Written by Robert Johnson

Performed by Elmore James                                                                                                                

Recorded Aug. 5, 1951

2:42

Read Jas Obrecht’s essay at the National Recording Registryhere!

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: How High the Moon.

NRR Project: Leon Metcalf Collection of recordings of the First People of Western Washington State

NRR Project: Leon Metcalf Collection of recordings of the First People of Western Washington State

Recorded 1950-1954

Well, here’s one I have no idea about. Fortunately, Jay Miller has written all about it; you can find his excellent notes on this selection here.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Dust My Broom.

 

 

NRR Project: 'The Tennessee Waltz' (1950)

 

NRR Project: “Tennessee Waltz”

Music by Pee Wee King; lyrics by Redd Stewart

Performed by Patti Page

Recorded November, 1950

3:01

This song has an interesting history.

First, read Ryan Dooley’s excellent essay on this piece at the National Recording Registry.

It was conceived by two country-music practitioners, Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart. On tour with their Golden West Cowboys in 1946, they heard Bill Monroe’s classic, the “Kentucky Waltz,” over the radio. King had written a waltz with no name; King and Stewart scratched out the lyrics that Monroe’s song inspired in the truck they were driving.

The Golden West Cowboys version sold well, and was covered shortly afterwards by Cowboy Copas. In 1950 Erskine Hawkins produced an R & B- flavored rendition. It was this iteration of the tune that caught the attention of reviewer Jerry Wexler, who brought it to manager Jack Rael. Rael, who was developing the career of singer Patti Page, though it would be an excellent idea to set the tune in a lush orchestral arrangement.

And, for the first time ever, a singer was overdubbed. Page had an excellent idea for a harmony vocal, but the money for a backup singer was not forthcoming. So, Page herself recorded both tracks – recording directly onto the acetate recording surface (multiple-track recorders not being utilized yet). The result is a haunting, wistful song that laments the loss of a lover while dancing with the singer’s friend during the song of the title.

The song was wildly popular and spurred a multitude of covers. Page’s career was made, and this became her signature song.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Leon Metcalf Collection of recordings of the First People of Western Washington State.

NRR Project: 'Teardrops from My Eyes' (1950)

NRR Project: “Teardrops from My Eyes”

Written by Rudy Toombs

Performed by Ruth Brown

Recorded 1950

2:55

Everything you need to know about this cut is present in Steve Bergsman’s excellent essay on the piece at the National Recording Registry.

It’s interesting that this song should be considered a precursor to rock ‘n’ roll. This song, if sung slowly and with expressiveness, plays out like any ballad; the difference here is that Ruth Brown, the “Queen of R & B,” takes the song at a jaunty, blistering pace, making it a song you can move to, that lifts you up out a state of neutrality. If that’s one definition of rock, so be it.

The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Next time: Patti Page sings Tennessee Waltz.