Battle of the Speeds

Wednesday, April 16, at 9:00 am Analog Masters presents the battle of the speeds.

33-1/3 or 45? Columbia banked on the former, but RCA invested heavily in the latter. We present rare early 45 rpm discs by Leopold Stokowski, Guido Cantelli, and the Paganini Quartet.

The 45 rpm disc, with a little help from Elvis, revolutionized pop music. But these little records also had an impact on classical music. For a time in the late 40s and early 50s, RCA Red Seal issued all its most remarkable performances on these diminutive discs – in sound significantly superior to that heard on 78s or LPs. Featuring Leopold Stokowski, the Paganini Quartet, and Toscanini protegee Guido Cantelli. 

Analog Masters
Wednesdays at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm
exclusively on CharlottesvilleClassical.org

Featured recordings:

Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz— Leopold Stokowsky; NBC Symphony
RCA Era 257 (45 rpm) (1955)
Beethoven: String Quartet in A major — Paganini Quartet
RCA WDM 1363 (45 rpm) (1948)
Haydn: Symphony No. 93 in D major — Guido Cantelli; NBC Symphony
RCA WDM 1323 (45 rpm) (1950)