By Jonathan Summers, Curator of Classical Music

Berliner E500 Cecil March recorded 18th August 1898

Welcome to the first of an occasional series of podcasts showcasing treasures from the classical collection of the British Library Sound Archive.

Part one of the podcast details the background to the first orchestral recording made in Britain in 1898 by the Hotel Cecil Orchestra. 

Part two  pieces together the extraordinary story of the orchestra's conductor, Norfolk Megone.  Below are images referenced in the conversation.

 
Front page of the Hotel Cecil magazine (BL collections) 

Back page of the Hotel Cecil magazine (BL collections)

Introduction by G. P. Bertini, manager and dedicatee of the Cecil Two-Step (BL collections)

Title page of sheet music (BL collections)

Berliner E5009 Serenade by Schubert played by Will E Bates recorded 16th August 1898

 
(Courtesy Marlborough Rare Books)

(Courtesy Marlborough Rare Books)

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