[78-L] Stanford Music Symposium on Early Recordings!, January 14-18, 2009

[Kumaran Arul]

Reactions to the Record II:  Early Recordings, Musical Style, and the Future of Performance
January 14-18, 2009
Stanford University
http://stanfordmusicsymposium.stanford.edu

Stanford University Department of Music is hosting its second major symposium to celebrate early recordings and the unique legacy preserved on them.  The focus will be primarily on early classical artists- pianists, singers, violinists, orchestras, conductors- and the unique styles of performance from this era.  The "Rare Recordings" session on Saturday afternoon will include newly discovered 78s made for a private party by a major singer of the period (c.1930- the identity will remain a mystery for the experts to guess at before being revealed!).  In addition we will discuss and hear the stunning new Marston Records release of the Julius Block cylinders (see New York Times article) among other rare recordings and films.  Presenters include Jonathan Summers (archivist, British Library Recorded Sound Archive), Jerry McBride (from the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound), Allan Evans (director of Arbiter Historical Label) and a number of other experts on and collectors of historical recordings.  In addition, beautiful phonographs and other rare holdings from the Stanford Archive will be on display and heard.  Also a rare treat will be virtuoso pianolist, Rex Lawson, from England who will be bringing his beautiful pianola to Stanford for two performances (Saturday, January 17th, Sunday, January 18th at 8pm, Stanford University).  This is a very rare opportunity to hear a remarkably skilled musician making real music out of a player piano!  

Distinguished guests include Charles Rosen, Joseph Horowitz, Will Crutchfield, Robert Philip among twenty (!) invited guests.  Five days of events, eight concerts, lectures, and workshops makes this an event not to miss!  The 2007 Symposium received rave reviews from attendees (check the web).  Visit the website for Registration, Schedule of events, Concert programs and more.  
http://stanfordmusicsymposium.stanford.edu

We hope to see you there!

Kumaran Arul
Stanford University