Research Catalog

Little Orchestra Society concert recordings collection

Title
Little Orchestra Society concert recordings collection [sound recording], 1947-1957.
Author
Little Orchestra Society.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Scherman, Thomas
  • Anderson, Marian, 1897-1993.
  • Arrau, Claudio, 1903-1991.
  • Berger, Erna, 1900-
  • Britten, Benjamin, 1913-1976.
  • Ferrier, Kathleen, 1912-1953.
  • London, George, 1920-1985.
  • Pears, Peter, 1910-1986.
  • Siepi, Cesare.
  • Stern, Isaac, 1920-2001.
  • Szigeti, Joseph, 1892-1973.
  • Tucker, Richard, 1913-1975.
  • Town Hall, Inc. (New York, N.Y.)
  • Vronsky and Babin.
Description
  • 740 sound discs.; 12 in.
  • analog, 78 rpm ;
  • analog, 33 1/3 rpm ;
Summary
The collection consists of concert recordings, made for Mr. Scherman, from late 1947 to late 1957.
Subjects
Access (note)
  • Access to discs restricted; advance notification required.
Additional Formats (note)
  • Preservation tapes available in Archives. For specific listings, consult finding aid.
Biography (note)
  • Thomas Scherman founded the Little Orchestra Society for the 1947/48 season with the aim of performing contemporary orchestral and operatic works, including many works specially commissioned for the society.
Indexes/Finding Aids (note)
  • Finding aid available in: *L(Special) 88-30
Processing Action (note)
  • Cataloged
Call Number
*L (Special) 88-30
OCLC
NYPW88-A26
Author
Little Orchestra Society.
Title
Little Orchestra Society concert recordings collection [sound recording], 1947-1957.
Additional Formats
Preservation tapes available in Archives. For specific listings, consult finding aid.
Access
Access to discs restricted; advance notification required.
Biography
Thomas Scherman founded the Little Orchestra Society for the 1947/48 season with the aim of performing contemporary orchestral and operatic works, including many works specially commissioned for the society. The society consisted of a reduced orchestra that was large enough to reproduce major works, but small enough that it afforded a more chamber-like atmosphere. They regularly attracted famous soloists to augment the orchestra, and they emphasized 'authentic performances' - that is, performances which followed original instrumentation and original playing practices. Most of the Little Orchestra Society concerts took place in the Town Hall concert hall in New York City.
The Little Orchestra Society featured a number of famous performers in solo pieces. Some of these soloists were: Marian Anderson, Claudio Arrau, Erna Berger, Benjamin Britten, Kathleen Ferrier, George London, Sir Peter Pears, Cesare Siepi, Isaac Stern, Joseph Szigeti, Richard Tucker, and Vronsky and Babin.
The Little Orchestra Society premiered a large number of contemporary works, and revived many Baroque pieces. Because of this, the Little Orchestra Society recordings provide an important source for the performance history of these pieces.
Indexes
Finding aid available in: *L(Special) 88-30
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Finding Aid
Added Author
Scherman, Thomas Conductor
Anderson, Marian, 1897-1993. Performer
Arrau, Claudio, 1903-1991. Performer
Berger, Erna, 1900- Performer
Britten, Benjamin, 1913-1976. Conductor. Performer. Composer
Ferrier, Kathleen, 1912-1953. Performer
London, George, 1920-1985. Performer
Pears, Peter, 1910-1986. Performer
Siepi, Cesare. Performer
Stern, Isaac, 1920-2001. Performer
Szigeti, Joseph, 1892-1973. Performer
Tucker, Richard, 1913-1975. Performer
Town Hall, Inc. (New York, N.Y.)
Vronsky and Babin.
Research Call Number
*L (Special) 88-30
View in Legacy Catalog