Research Catalog

National Orchestral Association collection of rehearsal and concert recordings

Title
National Orchestral Association collection of rehearsal and concert recordings [sound recording], 1938-1968.
Author
National Orchestral Association (U.S.)
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Available Online

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Details

Additional Authors
  • Barzin, Leon.
  • WNYC (Radio station : New York, N.Y.)
  • American Music Festival.
Description
  • 26 linear ft. sound discs.; 10 in.
  • 322 sound tape reels : analog, 7 1/2 ips ;
  • analog, 33 rpm ;
Uniform Title
Behind the scenes in music (Radio program)
Subject
Note
  • Tape preservation copies have been made for the concert recordings.
  • Rehearsal discs unprocessed.
Access (note)
  • Access to discs restricted ; advance notification required.
Biography (note)
  • The National Orchestral Assocation (NOA) was founded in 1930 by Leon Barzin to give student musicians an opportunity to gain experience.
Processing Action (note)
  • Cataloged
Call Number
*L (Special) 88-10
OCLC
NYPW88-A48
Author
National Orchestral Association (U.S.)
Title
National Orchestral Association collection of rehearsal and concert recordings [sound recording], 1938-1968.
Access
Access to discs restricted ; advance notification required.
Summary
The collection consists of recordings of concerts and rehearsals of the National Ochestral Association between the years 1938 and 1968. The collection also includes intermission features with various soloists.
Some of the soloists included in the collection are: Abram Chasins; Emanuel Feuermann ; Nathan Milstein; Ossy Renardy; Artur Schnabel; Rudolf Serkin;Joseph Szigeti, and Rosalyn Tureck. Also included are many collaborations with the Dessoff Choir.
Some of the composers represented in this collection are: Johannes Brahms; Aaron Copland; Henry Cowell; Norman Dello Joio; David Diamond; Anis Fuleihan; Morton Gould; Roy Harris; Edouard Lalo; Edward MacDowell; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Joseph Reicha; William Schuman, and Lamar Stringfield.
Most of the performances included in the collection were broadcast on WNYC, some as portions of the WNYC American Music Festival. Most of the rehearsals were also broadcast on WNYC under the title "Behind the scenes in music."
Also included in the collection are the premiere performances of Chameleon variations, by William Laurence Bergsma and Concerto for piano and orchestra by Ezra Laderman.
Biography
The National Orchestral Assocation (NOA) was founded in 1930 by Leon Barzin to give student musicians an opportunity to gain experience. A New York Times article of December 7, 1930 defined the purposes of the N.O.A. as, "To furnish the American orchestral instrumentalist with the same practical opportunities in training and routine which have been open to the European-born players; to supply this training as post-graduate work which the directors of the organization assert is minimized in American conservatories; to prepare players in the reading of standard orchestral literature and to equip them for symphonic posts; to afford young soloists experience before audiences, to play works by young composers, to give apprentice conductors necessary baton technique and directing routine and also to train a nucleus of concertgoers". An important function of the N.O.A. was its role in commissioning and performing many new compositions.
Barzin served as conductor of the National Orchestral Associaton until 1958, when John Barnett became his successor, himself a graduate of the N.O.A. conductor training program. After a twelve year absence, Barzin once again assumed the position of musical director of the National Orchestral Association, but instead of assuming the conducting resposibilites as well, decided that the organization would be led by Americans who were part of the organization's new conductor's training program.
By 1948, former members of the orchestra were members of thirty seven leading American orchestras.
Barzin's final appearance with the National Orchestral Association occurred on April 6, 1976 at Carnegie Hall.
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NYPL Digital Collections
Finding Aid
Added Author
Barzin, Leon.
WNYC (Radio station : New York, N.Y.)
American Music Festival.
Added Title
Behind the scenes in music (Radio program)
Research Call Number
*L (Special) 88-10
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