Fritz Reiner - Ford Symp. radio broadcast

Fritz Reiner conducting the Ford Symphony Orch. (actually the Detroit Symphony) performing von Suppe's Light Cavalry Overture in 1941 or 1942. I recently found a batch of 16" and 17" radio transcription discs all dated 1941 or 1942. Among them are several selections by Reiner. Reiner conducted this orchestra on the radio 42 times between 1936 and 1942. Henry Ford was very much involved in these programs, using them to promote his "conservative" views. He refused to permit any 20th century composers and the opening selection could not exceed 7 minutes. Edsel Ford also meddled. Reiner was strong willed as well so there were clashes. However, the money was good. These must have been FM broadcasts (FM began in 1940) because the sound quality is so good.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Reiner
• Detroit
• Symphony
• Ford
• Suppe

[beautman1]

Are you sure that it's a recording of a broadcast rather than a recording that was broadcast? I doubt it would have been FM. Even if the former, it could have been off the board rather than off the air.

[merrihew]

@beautman1 Good point. But since the performances continue from one side to the other ,sometimes with awkward stopping points, how could they have been played continuously? I have about a dozen of these discs. All recorded late 1940. On Audiodisc and Permadisc recording blanks. Fm broadcasts began in 1939.

[beautman1]

@merrihew Commercial FM broadcasting didn't start until much later. It isn't impossible it was FM, just doubtful. You're probably right that they're air checks, though, rather than prerecordings, esp. with the three hold in the center of the disc. Anyway, thanks for posting. I just found your channel and am enjoying it.

[merrihew]

@beautman1 Actually there were a couple of FM stations in NYC by 1940. One, WKCR (89.9) is still around.

[bunnyz324]

how do you download videos

[merrihew]

Most TV's have audio and video outputs. You can get a special cable to connect to your camera (if it has A/V input). Just play the source on your VCR/DVD and download to the camera and from there download to your computer.

[paulostroff99]

Awesome! TY very much merrihew for this great gift.

[ignaz1882]

@paulostroff99 Ditto for me...both statements!

[fromthesidelines]

I believe this is from the "FORD SUNDAY EVENING HOUR", which aired on CBS' Sunday night schedule at 9pm(et) from 1934 through '42. Lots of classical music, and an intermission which subtly sold Henry Ford's automobiles and his own personal beliefs at the same time...

[AulicExclusiva]

That Fritz Reiner is AMAZING!

Great rarity in superb sound. Thanks.

[mestredigital2]

Your record player can play 16-inch and 17-inch record??? What is the manufacturer / model?

[m2esectr]

Funny how I could mistake the portion from 4:19-5:25 for Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody 2, because I learned both works from the same cassette my mom had when I was a kid. No wonder whenever it came through my head it always lead to the unmistakable Light Cavalry theme!