Historic Masters

HISTORIC MASTERS – TENTH ISSUE PROSPECTUS (Notes by Stanley Henig) A new issue of direct vinyl pressings from 78 rpm masters, produced in collaboration with Thorn EMI from materials in their archives, is now available. This is the tenth issue in the series begun by The British Institute of Recorded Sound. The complete HISTORIC MASTERS series now numbers 68 discs, or 135 sides – of which at least 39 had  [ Read More ]

HISTORIC MASTERS – TWELFTH ISSUE PROSPECTUS (Notes by Stanley Henig) HMB 75 – Richard TAUBER (1891-1948) La Boheme (Puccini) – Che gelida manina Madama Butterfly (Puccini) – Addio fiorito asil Richard Tauber’s is one of the great names and central voices in opera, singing and recording. From his debut in Cheenitz as Tamino in the Magic Flute he soon became the leading Senan lyric tenor, performing extensively in Dresden and  [ Read More ]

Historic Masters are pleased to announce the thirteenth issue of direct vinyl pressings produced in collaboration with Thorn EMI from 78 rpm metals masters in their archives. The complete HISTORIC MASTERS series now numbers 86 discs comprising 171 sides of which at least 46 were never previously published in original form. Whilst the current issue includes only one item (the Tamagno) which was never published in 78 form, it will  [ Read More ]

Notes and Pitching decisions by Richard Bebb Historic Masters are pleased to announce the fourteenth issue of direct vinyl pressings produced in collaboration with Thorn EMI from 78 rpm metals masters in their archives. The complete HISTORIC MASTERS series now numbers 92 discs comprising 183 sides of which at least 48 have never previously been available in original form. It is a source of particular pride that we have been able to  [ Read More ]

Prospectus, pitching decisions, speeds* by Richard Bebb Historic Masters are pleased to announce the fifteenth issue of direct vinyl pressings produced in collaboration with Thorn EMI from 78 rpm metals masters in their archives. The complete HISTORIC MASTERS series now numbers 98 discs comprising 195 sides of which at least 52 have never previously been available in original form. It is a source of particular pride that we have been able to  [ Read More ]

Historic Masters are pleased to announce the seventeenth issue of direct vinyl pressings produced in collaboration with Thorn EMI from 78 rpm metal masters in their archives. The complete HISTORIC MASTERS series now numbers 110 discs, comprising 219 sides of which a quarter have never been available in any other 78 rpm form. The complete series includes records by no less than 94 singers. It is thanks to the unstinting  [ Read More ]

The sad news of the death of Desmond Shawe-Taylor only reached us after the last prospectus had gone to press. Many tributes have been paid to Desmond especially for his musical and other writings. He was a founder member of Historic Masters and made a significant contribution to our activities. He will be much missed by all of us on the Committee. Historic Masters are pleased to announce the eighteenth  [ Read More ]

A 1976 LP release of Melba recordings (EMI COLH 125) contained a critical sketch by Desmond Shawe-Taylor, who quoted a description of Melba’s singing by the great New York critic W.J. Henderson: “The quality of musical tone cannot be adequately described. No words can convey to a music lover who did not hear Melba any idea of the sounds with which she ravished all ears … It has been called silvery, but  [ Read More ]

Original masters of recordings made in the early 1900s by Dame Nellie Melba, the biggest singing star of her day, have been discovered. Roger Neill, of Historic Masters – who discovered the recordings – discusses the significance of the uncovered work in the following radio interview from BBC Radio 4. See also: Audio Recordings of the new Nellie Melba Issue Nellie Melba – Cumberland Place Recordings Nellie Melba and Pitch  [ Read More ]