tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post5001559070616062491..comments2023-11-21T10:49:05.724+00:00Comments on Fluff on the Needle: 'Complete' in just under sixteen minutesJolyon50http://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-39829903230348445362022-10-22T03:22:16.399+01:002022-10-22T03:22:16.399+01:00Muchas gracias por esta joya musical, saludos.Muchas gracias por esta joya musical, saludos.Francisco Ortiz Archilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01587038004351790083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-46899753815957840792014-11-11T19:36:53.470+00:002014-11-11T19:36:53.470+00:00Hello again! I didn't manage to listen to the ...Hello again! I didn't manage to listen to the Tchaikovsky when I first posted here but now I have - it's marvellous! Thank you so much for making it available for us to hear it, Jolyon. I wish I had met my Aunty Lily but she died before I was born. I feel so proud of her and so pleased that more and more people are talking about her, appreciating what she achieved, and are now transferring and sharing these extremely old and treasured recordings. She'd be amazed! :-)Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-89803282163581064822014-11-08T02:53:02.306+00:002014-11-08T02:53:02.306+00:00Philip, I am wondering if you would be able to sen...Philip, I am wondering if you would be able to send Chris Zwarg any "raw" digital recordings of your Lilian Bryant records that he doesn't already have as he has dedicated so much time and effort to researching her career and recording output and has produced those 2 wonderful CDs as a lasting memorial and tribute to her. A few years ago another 78 enthusiast I contacted sent him some and they were much appreciated by Chris. Although I haven't spent any time recently on further researching her career or promoting her recordings I do intend to continue to do this as I am very proud of her remarkable achievements and think she deserves further recognition.<br />Best wishes,<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-52355418222831927512014-11-08T02:50:37.478+00:002014-11-08T02:50:37.478+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-78591969121705170802014-11-08T02:03:03.360+00:002014-11-08T02:03:03.360+00:00Perhaps I should also point out that some of the b...Perhaps I should also point out that some of the biographical detail quoted above about Lilian Bryant must have been found on a thread I created in December 2011 on the r3ok forum called Recordings by Lilian Bryant where I post as MabelJane. Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-5047110965247057302014-11-08T01:51:22.181+00:002014-11-08T01:51:22.181+00:00Apologies for a late response to your replies, Jol...Apologies for a late response to your replies, Jolyon and Philip, but I've only just found them here. My aunty Lily was born in 1871, named Grace Lilian Bryant, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. She died aged 84 in Harrow in 1955. Here's a link (if it works) to a small section of the family tree with her parents and siblings: http://bryantsofwellingboroughengland.com/gedmill/indiI476.html<br />I will post more details about her another time.<br />Best wishes, JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-42441387784676030502014-07-29T19:27:25.685+01:002014-07-29T19:27:25.685+01:00I'm glad to hear that Baker was not thought &q...I'm glad to hear that Baker was not thought "a cad"; he seems to have been held in enormous professional and personal esteem by everyone who knew him, and I adore his records. The circumstances of the divorce at the time must have been a horrible strain on everyone concerned, but it appears some affectionate feeling between the families was restored later. It may be that Baker's not mentioning the earlier marriage in later life was his own delicacy in not wanting to hurt the Bryants by opening old wounds; his generosity of spirit comes through everything I've read that he wrote, and he certainly was one of the great musical diplomats in the UK during his life through his various chairmanships and committee activities. There have been so few really "good guys" in the music world that the few who fully deserve that sobriquet need wholehearted celebration. (I also owe Jane some transfers from my own collection which I must get on!) And thank you, Jolyon, for your kind words about me and my orchestra!Philip Carlihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844057931356875276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-29995185438990555102014-07-28T18:09:37.149+01:002014-07-28T18:09:37.149+01:00Dear Jane
Thank you for the new information - I h...Dear Jane<br /><br />Thank you for the new information - I have deleted my scurrilous comments on George Baker and reposted my reply below. Do you have by chance any furhter details of Lilian's birth or indeed where she was born - I hazard a guess that this part of your family came from Medway by Rochester but have no real proof of this.<br /><br />Jolyon<br /><br />You are quite right I think they do pitch at a ridiculously low speed for Pathe although my set seems to hover around 74rpm - as they state 90rpm on the sleeve, I can't think what the original listener thought when they played it at that suggested speed - A 440Hz would sound like a C in my set and in yours would have been even worse and be nearer D. I suppose it was the only way they could get 4 minutes on each side via their pantograph method.<br /><br />I can only conjecture that having a unknown woman conductors name on the disc outside the UK may have given rise to the possibility the performance was not serious enough. Lillian was known in the UK, but nowhere else I assume. I don't know if they were issued in the USA prior to 1917 although they still being marketed with you in 1925<br /><br />I don't think I have the Merry Wives although I do have the Richard III, which is excellent, and also his Welsh Rhasody conducted by Lillian. Poor Edward German is so out of fashion I can't think how these pieces will ever be revived today. Still Bach was in the doldrums until Mendelssohn came along and rediscovered him – maybe James Levine or some such legend of the podium will do the same for German!.<br />Jolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-8110895487292938882014-07-28T00:30:31.962+01:002014-07-28T00:30:31.962+01:00Goodness, lots of interest here about my great gre...Goodness, lots of interest here about my great great aunt Lilian Bryant! I corresponded with Christian Zwarg of Truesound Transfers a couple of years ago to piece together biographical details and, together with his painstakingly dedicated work cataloguing her recordings. and with documentary evidence confirming her marriage to and subsequently divorce from George Baker (my family already knew about this) we built up a detailed picture of her remarkable pioneering work in the recording industry. I am indebted to CZ for the huge amount of time and effort he has put into his research into her life and production of 2 CDs showcasing her recordings as pianist, conductor and arranger. They are available here: http://www.truesoundtransfers.de/Titellisten/TT3111.htm <br />and I hope there are still some available for those who want them. By the way, I do not believe that George Baker was "a bit of a cad" - he kept in touch with the family (my father knew him well) and I am in possession of an affectionate letter he sent to Lilian's younger sister Ethel (a music hall soubrette) when she was residing in a home for retired artistes in the 1960s. I never met Lilian (she was known by my grandma and father as Aunty Lily) as she died before I was born. I would like Lilian Bryant to be featured on Radio 3 one day but word is slowly spreading of her remarkable achievements and I feel so proud to be one of her great great nieces, 100 years since she made so many wonderful recordings. (previous comment removed due to typos)Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-25690442810772268432014-07-28T00:24:27.858+01:002014-07-28T00:24:27.858+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783735830390389500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-41132583976520060202014-05-08T21:01:21.157+01:002014-05-08T21:01:21.157+01:00You must be one and the same as PHILIP C. CARLI AN...You must be one and the same as PHILIP C. CARLI AND THE FLOWER CITY SOCIETY ORCHESTRA - Great stuff you do. Played all your samples just now. <br /><br />I had better send you scans of a book I have which you may not have a copy of - Playing to pictures,: A guide for pianists and conductors of motion picture theatres,by W Tyacke George. Published by The Kimatograph Weekley, London, 1914<br /><br />JolsJolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-20279478479731183692014-05-08T20:51:01.844+01:002014-05-08T20:51:01.844+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-91394475957211234012014-05-08T01:31:20.855+01:002014-05-08T01:31:20.855+01:00I recently acquired US 14" outside-start pres...I recently acquired US 14" outside-start pressings of this, and I have the first two movements on a later UK outside-start 11 1/2" disc. Did you run into the problem on your original 14" issue that I had with the first two movements in both my copies -- that is, to get them into pitch I had to slow the turntable down to 63 rpm? (I'm not kidding!) I have quite a few of Bryant's orchestral and band Pathés, and they are fascinating, both as performances and as physical artifacts. For instnace, the original 14" British issue of her MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR OVERTURE has the inscription "The Pathé Symphony Orchestra conducted by Miss Lillian Bryant", but neither the 14", 11 1/2", or 10" American issues credit her (and the 10" credits the Imperial Symphony Orchestra), and her name does not appear in the US Pathé catalogues. Probably my favourite recording of hers is Edward German's RICHARD III overture with her leading the Pathé Military Band; a terrifically colourful performance. <br /><br />The divorce proceedings read rather painfully, and I don't think it was a mutual arrangement -- evidently she and Baker had had one stillborn child, Bryant's statement to her solicitor about Baker's affair is pretty strongly worded, Baker was assigned all costs in the divorce (well over 600 pounds, as I recall), and he apparently never mentioned his first marriage in later life; in fact, Baker's obituaries only mention his later two marriages.Philip Carlihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844057931356875276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-87021510196718533532014-03-20T19:07:22.449+00:002014-03-20T19:07:22.449+00:00Never a waste, what you do with records! You'r...Never a waste, what you do with records! You're quite right, it's not a bad recording at all. I've now enjoyed listening to it several times - thanks again for a fascinating and rewarding post! GNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01447090393898006955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-64723508270110941622014-03-19T18:26:47.596+00:002014-03-19T18:26:47.596+00:00Dear Philip
You are quite correct that George Bak...Dear Philip<br /><br />You are quite correct that George Baker is the G&S singer. Lilian (or to give her full name Grace Lilian) was Baker’s first (of three wives). <br /><br />He had recorded for Pathe in 1909 and when she came to Pathe a year or so later they must have worked together and fallen in love.<br /><br />When they married on the 14th of November 1911 Lilian Bryant was 36 – actually Lilian may have been a bit older, probably 40 for I believe she was born in or about 1871, anyway I think she is allowed to knock a few years off. <br /><br />George deserted Lilian who was forced to file a court order for the ‘restoration of conjugal rights’ in 1921. Apparently George had been living with another woman at the Thames Hotel, Maidenhead between the 16th April to 30 May 1921. George seems to have ignored the courts 7 Lilian's request so divorce was fairly inevitable in 1922. George it seems was the guilty party but one really does not know, dispite the evidence it may have been a mutual arrangement, but in order to have a divorce decreed the court would have to be supplied with a story to satisfy the law as it then stood.<br /><br />JolyonJolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-34981961278387524862014-03-18T19:46:49.633+00:002014-03-18T19:46:49.633+00:00Fascinating! The recording is worth hearing as a...Fascinating! The recording is worth hearing as an artifact of the period. But your piece on Lillian Bryant is a real treat. I wonder if the George Baker to whom she was married was the Gilbert and Sullivan singer. <br /><br />Thanks for a great posting, Satyr.<br /><br />Philip in CanadaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-27227180179110836222014-03-17T22:36:17.917+00:002014-03-17T22:36:17.917+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-63151036299369496042014-03-17T22:36:03.473+00:002014-03-17T22:36:03.473+00:00Wasting time with records I think but it keeps me ...Wasting time with records I think but it keeps me quiet and out of trouble<br /><br />JolsJolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-51740695113160590572014-03-17T18:19:32.576+00:002014-03-17T18:19:32.576+00:00Thanks so much, Jols, looking forward hugely to he...Thanks so much, Jols, looking forward hugely to hearing this! I was wondering what you were up to... All the best, GNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01447090393898006955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-74704313493969386132014-03-17T11:58:49.090+00:002014-03-17T11:58:49.090+00:00Thanks Peter
I suppose I don't really mind ho...Thanks Peter<br /><br />I suppose I don't really mind how mangled the performance is I am only so glad they did it at all. As you say it takes some competence to reduce a 45 minute work with and still include all the 'big tunes.' <br /><br />I don't doubt that Lilian was the arranger of this. When she was with the Sterling Record company, a few years before this recording was made ,she worked with the violinists Charles Stroh of Stroh violin fame] and Stroud Haxton, who had a rather complicated love life. Probably they are also playing on this this recordings too. The combinations sounds like a military band augmented with a few Stroh violins, in any case all of these musicians are really interesting recording pioneers.<br /><br />Best wishes<br /><br />JolsJolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-62426574906373894712014-03-17T11:32:57.562+00:002014-03-17T11:32:57.562+00:00Dear Satyr
Your pretty good yourself at unearthin...Dear Satyr<br /><br />Your pretty good yourself at unearthing unconsidered trifles, hope you like it.<br /><br />JolsJolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-33239999610737275202014-03-17T11:30:58.163+00:002014-03-17T11:30:58.163+00:00It is great that even now there is so much still t...It is great that even now there is so much still to discover and how incomplete our knowledge still is. Apparently she was called 'Billy' by other the musicians when she worked for Louis Sterling around 1905-1910. Just so little information about her other than anecdote.<br /><br />JolsJolyon50https://www.blogger.com/profile/01331882838796428888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-62308129781893308042014-03-17T00:44:33.605+00:002014-03-17T00:44:33.605+00:00Wow -- yet another sensational find of vast histor...Wow -- yet another sensational find of vast historical importance. The interpretation may not be one for the ages, but sheer competence is enough in light of the technological challenges (and the deliberate pacing of the march is fascinating and quite unusual, especially given the time constraints). Thanks so much for making this available!Peter Gutmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06782272764374474712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-5738662560091437052014-03-16T23:37:51.260+00:002014-03-16T23:37:51.260+00:00It's a miracle how you always succeed in suppl...It's a miracle how you always succeed in supplying a very interesting item to your blog! I'm very curious to hear such an early Tchaikovsky, also very nice it's a woman conductor. Thanks!!!Satyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882844330262516582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765243585194738114.post-12171849065149389682014-03-16T22:01:37.459+00:002014-03-16T22:01:37.459+00:00Amazing - never heard of her!Amazing - never heard of her!Busterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08918896767504950096noreply@blogger.com