Search - Various Artists :: The Record of Singing, 1899-1952: The Very Best of Vols. 1-4
Various Artists The Record of Singing, 1899-1952: The Very Best of Vols. 1-4 Genre:Classical EMI Classics is proud to present two 10-CD boxed sets of The Record of Singing. The first release covers the earliest vocal recordings from 1899 through 1952 (when the era of the 78 rpm shellac record effectively ended), a... more »nd the second set is from 1953 to 2007 (the introduction of the vinyl LP through the digital era and the CD). Together these 20 CDs offer a breath-taking overview of the past century of classical vocal music. The recordings from the first box are all taken from the beloved original four volumes of The Record of Singing, issued by EMI on LP between 1977 and 1989 (all tracks have been re-processed at Abbey Road Studios to improve the sound). Divided under headings such as "The Old School," "English-Speaking Singers," "The Emergence of Verismo," among others, the set begins with recordings of enormous historical importance that preserve the art of a number of singers from the so-called "golden age" at the end of the 19th century whose careers largely predated the beginning of sound recording, including Adelina Patti, Lilli Lehmann, Sir Charles Santley, Victor Maurel, Édouard de Reske, and Francesco Tamagno. Then comes a generation of stars whose careers ran parallel to the development of the gramophone, foremost among them being Enrico Caruso and Dame Nellie Melba. The selection of artists includes the great names of the past whose records were found in the collections of all discerning music lovers: Beniamino Gigli, Amelita Galli-Curci, Luisa Tetrazzini, Giovanni Martinelli, Tito Schipa, Jussi Björling, Lotte Lehmann, Lauritz Melchior, and literally hundreds of others. Because each singer appears only once, these sets allow the listener to compare and evaluate the voices and singing styles of the whole of the 20th century, as well as marvel at the development of sound recording through the years, from the primitive sounds of the earliest shellac discs through the introduction of electrical recording in 1925, the arrival of tape recording in 1949, the introduction of stereo in 1955, right up to the sophisticated refinement of today's digital technology. A must-have for fans of vocal music!« less
EMI Classics is proud to present two 10-CD boxed sets of The Record of Singing. The first release covers the earliest vocal recordings from 1899 through 1952 (when the era of the 78 rpm shellac record effectively ended), and the second set is from 1953 to 2007 (the introduction of the vinyl LP through the digital era and the CD). Together these 20 CDs offer a breath-taking overview of the past century of classical vocal music. The recordings from the first box are all taken from the beloved original four volumes of The Record of Singing, issued by EMI on LP between 1977 and 1989 (all tracks have been re-processed at Abbey Road Studios to improve the sound). Divided under headings such as "The Old School," "English-Speaking Singers," "The Emergence of Verismo," among others, the set begins with recordings of enormous historical importance that preserve the art of a number of singers from the so-called "golden age" at the end of the 19th century whose careers largely predated the beginning of sound recording, including Adelina Patti, Lilli Lehmann, Sir Charles Santley, Victor Maurel, Édouard de Reske, and Francesco Tamagno. Then comes a generation of stars whose careers ran parallel to the development of the gramophone, foremost among them being Enrico Caruso and Dame Nellie Melba. The selection of artists includes the great names of the past whose records were found in the collections of all discerning music lovers: Beniamino Gigli, Amelita Galli-Curci, Luisa Tetrazzini, Giovanni Martinelli, Tito Schipa, Jussi Björling, Lotte Lehmann, Lauritz Melchior, and literally hundreds of others. Because each singer appears only once, these sets allow the listener to compare and evaluate the voices and singing styles of the whole of the 20th century, as well as marvel at the development of sound recording through the years, from the primitive sounds of the earliest shellac discs through the introduction of electrical recording in 1925, the arrival of tape recording in 1949, the introduction of stereo in 1955, right up to the sophisticated refinement of today's digital technology. A must-have for fans of vocal music!
CD Reviews
Only highlights of vol 1-2 available
Malverns | Europe | 07/22/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It is better to clear up the confusing situation a bit. In LP era, EMI released 4 separate LP collections Record of Singing vols 1-4 (13 LPs, 8 LPs vol 4 = total 47 LPs). These boxes are in time order, vol 1 covering earliest recordings, from 1899-, vol 4 ending in 1952. Complete vol 3 (1926-1939) has seen CD format (Emi & Testament) and Emi has released also complete vol 4. In 2009 Emi has released in CD format highlights of vols 1-4 (in 10 cds) and made a new vol 5 only in CD format. This last volume covers period 1953-2007, singers ranging from Tito Gobbi to Rolando Villazón.
Thus cd collectors miss some tracks from original LP volumes 1, 2 and have some duplication with CD highlights vol 1-4 set compared to CD/Testament vol 3 & CD/Emi vol 4.
How much from LP vols 1 and 2 is missed? In highlight set, 2 first complete cds are devoted to period 1899-1919 (vol 1) plus 1st track of cd 3. CDs are 76 and 79 minutes + 3 min track - but seems quite a lot from original 13 LPs is missed. CDs 3, 4 and half of cd 5 are devoted to vol 2. In minutes these are about 74', 76' and about 38' (tracks 1-8) - so once again one can guess a lot of music and singers are left out from original 13 LPs. And the rest of 5 and half cds are duplicated for those lucky ones having both cd format volumes 3 and 4.
I like the original idea of the great LP set very much - to present all major national singing schools from different periods - and one track for one singer, however great she or he is/was. I think it is shame EMI did not make bold decision to have us it all in CD format as well. I would have rather seen also volumes 1-2 separately, complete in cd format, with better leaflets. The idea to add vol no 5 is good. Emi leaflets only have track details and one short essay - only one photo! Only singers are listed in CD cardboards - at least composer name should have been there. Testament pack is tighter, but I think new Emi sets are easier to handle, because cds are in complete box.
I would definitely liked to give 5 star to these sets they deserve - to memory of great singers of the whole history of gramophone. EMI should have been prouder of its former enterprise, I can now give only 4 stars, hoping there will be complete volumes 1 and 2. I would also be delighted of possibility of having a cd-rom or else covering all info provided by original LP sets. Emi, please! Yet, I feel these anthologies are essential for any singing enthousiast, even in present cutted format.
"
The Record of Singing, 1899 - 1952 : The Very Best of Vols.
Peter Keith | Wagga Wagga NSW AUSTRALIA | 06/01/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For one who has collected recordings of great singers for 50 years from my teenage years, to have such an excellent overview of both familiar and unfamiliar artists (mostly just one item per singer )in excellent reproductions and at a favourable price, is a great bonus. The individual track descriptions are clear, while the accompanying notes are fairly brief but adequate and well-informed. I like the boxed set format - no breakable plastic !"
Indespensible!
Stanley Hauer | Hattiesburg, MS USA | 04/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is every opera lover's dream come true. All of your favorite singers--plus some--gathered into one package. It's like a party to which you had invited all your best friends of a lifetime. I had preferred that EMI release vols. 1 and 2 (not on CD's), but this is what they gave us. Don't deny yourself this great pleasure. And while you're at it, go ahead and order Volume 5, about the singers after this set."
What a treat to hear the great voices of yesteryear
Marmez1@aol.com | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are some great singers today. Among my favorites are Placido Domingo, Thomas Allen, Natalie Dessay, Juan Diego Flores, Rene Flemming, Anna Netrebko, Angela Gheorghiu, Frederica von Stada, Dawn Upshaw. But truth be told, the stars of today have different voice qualities from those of the past.
Perhaps one reason is that the stars of today sing in enormous halls that put a premium on vocal power, often at the expense of sweetness. Another is the recording industry itself that values "note perfect" singing over more expressive chance-taking. Be that as it may, there are charms from past voices that endure.
As one who values music over sound and interpretation over perfection, the singers of the past shed great insight on opera and on the particular selections they perform. This collection, culled from the original series that was once on vinyl, gives an outstanding sample of opera before stereo and digital. I had previously owned the CD of the full volume 4 (which I believe is out of print). I also have Volume 5 which I also highly recommend.
Not everyone is included in this set but it is a delicious treat for the lover of voice for whom the charms of an earlier era still hold fascination."
