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The Symphonies of the World

A collection of concerts by the CBS, NBC, and ABC network orchestras provided to AFRS.

Symphonies of the World

8 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 7 hours, 2708 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
8 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from October 20, 1946:

"NBC Beethoven"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Symphony is a beautiful word which comes from the Greek meaning "sound together" has come to describe both a musical composition and the instrumental ensemble which plays it. The ensemble meaning of the word is more properly a shortening of the term symphony orchestra. In the Middle Ages, symphony referred to instruments which could make more than one form of sound, originally two-headed drums and eventually including hurdy-gurdy type instruments. Early English dulcimers and German spinets and harpsichords were referred to as symphonies.

ABC Symphony OrchestraThe compositional form of symphony came into use during the 17th century when symphonies were the instrumental portions of larger works such as operas, sonatas, and concertos. The orchestral symphony grew from the Italian Overture from opera, consisting of a three-movement format such as: fast, slow, fast and dance-like. In the earliest symphonic compositions, the composer rarely gave precise designations of which instruments would take a particular part. Early symphony orchestras were composed of strings, and eventually, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instrumentation became formalized as part of the symphonic experience.

During the 1700's, symphonies and symphonic composers were often under the patronage of wealthy families and "the symphony was cultivated with extraordinary intensity". This was the period which gave us the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Bach. The three-movement style evolved into the four-movement, but innovation within the formalized styles remained a hallmark of symphonists. The was best demonstrated in the early nineteenth century by Beethoven who brought unprecedented emotion and style to his symphonies.

A series called Symphonies of the World from someone like the Armed Forces Radio Service would be expected to be a collection of symphonic recordings from symphony orchestras in different cities. In fact, the series is a collection of concerts by the CBS, NBC, and ABC network orchestras. The different networks provided the recordings to AFRS free of charge, just as they had with other content, but as the concerts were mostly sustained programming on the commercial networks, they were simpler to "decommercialize" than sponsored programming. The AFRS announcer was Jack Little.

For additional classical and opera radio shows, see also:

    Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

    These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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      COMMENTS

      Broadcasts are complete except for one Rare recordings of the CBS and ABC Symphony Orchestras from 1946 Sound is fair to good

      Radcliffe Verified Purchase

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    • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



      8 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 7 hours, 2708 min
      8 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
      total playtime 7 hours, 2708 min
      Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

      1. 8 shows – total playtime 7 hours, 45 minutes
      2. SotW 0001 460714 Cbs No 31 D Major Mozart Maurice Ravel.mp3
      3. SotW 0003 460915 Nbc Prelude In C Minor Rachmaninoff No.2.mp3
      4. SotW 0004 460728 Cbs Alexander Borodin Program C.mp3
      5. SotW 0007 460804 Cbs Soloist Very Brodsky Kabalevskys.mp3
      6. SotW 0011 461020 Nbc Beethoven Of Prometheusizoncr.mp3
      7. SotW 0012 461102 Abc Mendelssohns Ov Midsmr Night Dream.mp3
      8. SotW 0013 461027 Nbc Wagners Faustizoncr.mp3
      9. SotW 0015 461109 Abc Wagner Die Meistersingerizoncr.mp3
    • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



      8 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 7 hours, 2708 min
      8 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
      213 MB – total playtime 7 hours, 45 min
      Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

      1. 8 shows – 213 MB – total playtime 7 hours, 45 minutes
      2. SotW 0001 460714 Cbs No 31 D Major Mozart Maurice Ravel.mp3
      3. SotW 0003 460915 Nbc Prelude In C Minor Rachmaninoff No.2.mp3
      4. SotW 0004 460728 Cbs Alexander Borodin Program C.mp3
      5. SotW 0007 460804 Cbs Soloist Very Brodsky Kabalevskys.mp3
      6. SotW 0011 461020 Nbc Beethoven Of Prometheusizoncr.mp3
      7. SotW 0012 461102 Abc Mendelssohns Ov Midsmr Night Dream.mp3
      8. SotW 0013 461027 Nbc Wagners Faustizoncr.mp3
      9. SotW 0015 461109 Abc Wagner Die Meistersingerizoncr.mp3
    • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



      8 recordings on 8 Audio CDs. Total playtime 7 hours, 45 min
      8 recordings on 8 Audio CDs
      total playtime 7 hours, 45 min

      Symphonies of the World Disc A001

      1. SotW 0001 460714 Cbs No 31 D Major Mozart Maurice Ravel

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A002

      1. SotW 0004 460728 Cbs Alexander Borodin Program C

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A003

      1. SotW 0007 460804 Cbs Soloist Very Brodsky Kabalevskys

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A004

      1. SotW 0003 460915 Nbc Prelude In C Minor Rachmaninoff No.2

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A005

      1. SotW 0011 461020 Nbc Beethoven Of Prometheusizoncr

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A006

      1. SotW 0013 461027 Nbc Wagners Faustizoncr

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A007

      1. SotW 0012 461102 Abc Mendelssohns Ov Midsmr Night Dream

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
      Symphonies of the World Disc A008

      1. SotW 0015 461109 Abc Wagner Die Meistersingerizoncr

      Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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