Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra
Bell Laboratory Experimental High-Fidelity and Stereo Recordings, 1931–1932
54011-2 (4 CDs) | $84 ($72 to preferred customers)
OTHER
During the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 1931–1932 season, Bell Telephone Laboratories’ engineers were invited by Leopold Stokowski, the orchestra’s forward-looking conductor, to set up an experimental recording station in the cellar of the orchestra’s home, the Academy of Music, to try out new developments in improving recording technology. The historic results mark the first attempts of what we now know as high-fidelity recordings, represent the earliest experiments to record in stereo, and include repertoire that Leopold Stokowski and the orchestra did not record commercially. The sound was stunning when compared with the orchestra’s commercial records of that time.
Bell Laboratories preserved many of the discs made during these concerts, and in 1979 the orchestra issued two long-playing records containing highlights from these experiments. Additional material from the Bell Labs experiments were issued by the orchestra in their 1999 centennial CD set. These productions were remastered by Ward Marston and are highly prized by collectors. Yet, many of the discs Bell recorded have remained unheard. In 2025 Marston Records will be producing a four-CD boxed set containing all extant recordings using the latest digital restoration tools, including new improved restorations of all previously issued material.
(It should be noted that the time limitations of recording on single discs prevented the recording of complete works, but since recordings were made during Friday and Saturday concerts, it is possible to assemble complete performances of some of the music including Beethoven’s fifth and Haydn’s 88th symphony, and extended excerpts from two all-Wagner concerts.)
Due to the nature of the discs, Ward has devoted a tremendous amount of engineering time to preserve these important artifacts. We are pleased that a Philadelphia Orchestra donor has provided a lead gift to cover Ward’s time, but for those interested in this important project, additional contributions would be tremendously appreciated to defray the extensive production costs. Our sponsorship goal is $18,000, the cost to remaster and manufacturer this 4-CD set.