The Hour Of Charm All Girl Orchestra"Rhapsody In Blue" 1927 78RPM Vogue R725/726
$
40
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Description
Phil Spitalny (born November 7, 1890, Tetiev, Ukraine (territory of Russian Empire) died October 11, 1970, Miami Beach, Florida) was a musician, music critic, composer and bandleader heard often on radio during the 1930s/40s. He rose to fame after he brought together an orchestra with only female musicians, a novelty at the time. Spitalny has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra was assembled by conductor and band leader Phil Spitalny who was said to have scoured the country for six months, at a cost of $20,000, auditioning some 1,500 women musicians, before selecting 22 of them to be in his group. Spitalny and the orchestra made their debut in New York City at the Capitol Theater, and began a network radio program, "The Hour of Charm," on January 3, 1935. He said that he found the best players in small towns, reasoning that the women were able to devote more time to practicing their instruments and developing good technique. He instructed them to follow a strict and rigid routine, rehearsing for five or six hours a day, and, as part of their contract, the women pledged not to leave and get married without giving six months' notice. Ranging in age from 17 to 30, it didn't take long for the band to become an attraction - and for years, their show was a fixture on Sundays, first over CBS (1935), then NBC (1936-46), and then back on CBS (1946-48). Spitalny's second spouse, Evelyn, was part of the group (she became its concertmaster) and was prominently featured as "Evelyn and Her Magic Violin."
Rhapsody in Blue is a 1924 musical composition by American composer George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band, which combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. The piece received its premiere in the concert, An Experiment in Modern Music, which was held on February 12, 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York, by Paul Whiteman and his band with Gershwin playing the piano. The Cambridge Music Handbooks stated that "The Rhapsody in Blue (1924) established Gershwin's reputation as a serious composer and has since become one of the most popular of all American concert works."
In 1947 The Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra under the direction of Phil Spitalny released “Rhapsody in Blue” parts I and II featuring Elanor at the Piano On the Vogue Picture Record label (R725/R726). This is a compilation of a single side of R725 and R726 to put both parts of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue on a single record and is considered rare.
The record overall is in Excellent (EX) condition. There is moderate surface noise at the beginning probably due to careless needle drops, but it decreases as the record plays. There are no scratches or abrasions affecting play. The pictures on each side are clear, bright and flawless. There are minor scratches and scuffing from previous play but it plays all the way through very nicely on both sided with no skipping or pops. The sleeve is gold paper. Please see the photographs for condition.
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