Early classical recordings unearthed in Russia

The cylinders, believed to have been lost forever in the aftermath of World War II, contain early recordings of Bach, Wagner, Verdi, Chopin, Schumann and the first recordings of legendary pianist Josef Hofmann.

Other performers include one of Tchaikovsky's students, Sergei Taneyey, who has never been heard in recorded form before, Anton Arensky, who recorded his Piano Trio No 1 in D minor, and Liszt pupil Paul Pabst.

Owned by music-loving businessman Julius H Block, the 200-cylinder collection - made between 1890 and 1923 - now gives listeners an opportunity to discover how classical music was composed and performed through the centuries.

'Considering when they were done and the people that Block contacted, they are extremely exciting,' said Raymond R Wile, a retired librarian who has written extensively about the early phonograph industry, including the Block cylinders. 'I never thought they would surface.'

The musical snippets - plus spoken word pieces from the likes of Tolstoy - will be released by Marston Records early next month. You can listen to excerpts from the collection at the link below.

New York Times

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