Lso discography

[a] Elsie Suddaby (soprano), Nellie Walker (contralto),

Walter Widdop (tenor), Stuart Robertson (baritone),

Philharmonic Choir (Charles Kennedy Scott)

[a] BEETHOVEN Symphony No.9 in D minor

Op.125 “Choral” CR759-69/78-82

[b] STRAUSS Don Juan Op.20 CR770-73

78rpm: [a] (Mar27) D1164-71; Victor set 12 = 9061-68,

[b] (Jan28) D1309-10; Victor 9114-15.

CD: [b] (Dec92) Koch 2CD set 3 7704.2,

[a] (’10) Historic Recordings HRCD0047 private issue.

Download: [a] Pristine Classical PASC296.

>A007 Eng: Arthur Clarke, Harold Davidson & G.W.George

25 Oct 1926 Kingsway Hall

[a] WEBER Oberon J306 : Overture CR806-7

[b] WAGNER Die Meistersinger : Dance CR814

[c] BORODIN Prince Igor : Overture CR815-16

[b] Coupled with “Tannhäuser” on CR675-77, recorded on 16 Sep 26.

78rpm: [b] (Dec26) D1139; Victor 9060,

[c] (Mar27) D1210; Victor 9123,

[a] (Jan28) D1311; Victor 9122.

CD: [a] (Dec92) Koch 2CD set 3 7704.2,

[b] (Jly97) Claremont CDGSE785070-71,

[a] (Sep02) 2CD set CZS5 75486.2,

[c] (’09) Historic Recordings PAGCD0021 private issue.

Download: [c] Pristine Classical PASC304.

One other recording from this period, made with an anonymous orchestra with strings totalling 22, and two tubas substituting for the double-bass section, is listed here as, like some of the preceding entries, it was treated as part of the extensive series of Wagner excerpts recorded in 1927-32, mainly by the LSO and mostly conducted by Albert Coates.

>A008 Eng: Arthur Clarke, Robert Beckett & Edward Fowler

16 Aug 1926 Kingsway Hall

Göta Ljungberg (soprano); [ab] Walter Widdop (tenor);

“Symphony Orchestra”, Lawrance Collingwood

[a] WAGNER Die Walküre : Schläfst du, Gast? CR610

[b] Die Walküre : Du bist der Lenz CR611/13

[c] Tristan und Isolde : Mild und leise CR612

[c] Coupled with sides recorded with the LSO in Aug & Oct 27.

[a] Unpublished: rejected and replaced by CR1367, recorded

with the LSO conducted by Albert Coates on 27 May 27.

78rpm: [b] (Nov26) DB963,

[b] (Feb28) D1322 in 14 disc set = auto D7041-54;

Victor sets 26&27 = 9164-77,

[c] (May28) D1417 in 5 disc set = (Jan33) auto D7438-42;

Victor set 41 = 9625-29.

LP: [b] (May83) HLM7283 = 0C 137 54392M in 7LP set RLS7711;

(Jun83) Seraphim 6130.

CD: [b] (Jun91) Claremont CDGSE785035-36,

[b] (Sep92) Claremont CDGSE785046,

[b] (Nov94) Pearl 7CD set GEMMCDS9137,

[bc] (Sep97) Pearl GEMMCD9257,

[c] (Jun03) Naxos Historical 8 110200-2,

[b] (Oct08) Gala 4CD set GL100668.

Download: [b] Pristine Classical PACO107.

>AG The Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra
In “Glyndebourne Recorded” by Paul Campion and Rosy Runciman (1994) it is asserted (on p.8) that “The orchestra which played at Glyndebourne from 1934 until 1939 ... was, in fact, the London Symphony, led by George Stratton.” That Stratton led both the London Symphony and the pre-war Glyndebourne Festival Orchestras is not disputed; the inference that the LSO played for Glyndebourne Festival Opera is more contentious. Like Albert Coates a decade earlier, and like several film studios in the decade ahead, John Christie apparently by-passed the Board of Directors and asked the LSO’s Secretary to engage the players required for his orchestra. George Stratton was probably involved in the selection and he was not exactly an LSO loyalist. He had joined the orchestra as a rank and file violinist in 1925, but was also Principal Second in the Queen’s Hall Orchestra and led his own string quartet. In 1929 he ceased playing with the LSO, though he retained his shares in the company. He was Principal Second in Beecham’s LPO for the 1932-33 season before being appointed Leader of the LSO in the summer of 1933. He held that position until 1952 but was at the same time not only Leader but also General Manager of the Queen’s Hall Orchestra following its reorganization in 1936. Clearly his contacts were such that Glyndebourne could depend on a substantial, but not an exclusive, LSO presence in the opera house pit. Personnel lists suggest that 28 of the 33 players in the Festival’s first season were members of the LSO, the proportion dropping to 25 out of 38 in 1937, and 30 out of 53 in 1939. The pre-war Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra recordings are therefore excluded from this survey, but full details may be found in “Glyndebourne Recorded”.

>AC Cinema Films made before 1968
Muir Mathieson, who was Musical Director of London Films from 1934, was a great proponent of the use of specially composed orchestral music in films and Denham Film Studios, opened in 1936, were accordingly designed to include provision for orchestral recording. Mathieson worked mainly with the LSO, but some members objected to the engagement of the orchestra for film sessions and during 1938 he used the title “London Film Symphony Orchestra” for some of his work. During World War II film work came to provide a substantial portion of the LSO’s income, but even in the early 1950s film sessions were not always listed as official engagements. Those entered in the schedules failed to identify the title of the film, so it has not been possible to date these sessions precisely from LSO sources – nor from elsewhere since filmographers usually date films by the first showing.
Between 1947 and 1959, Rank Films produced a series of more than a hundred ten inch 78rpm discs (the FM numbers apply to sides, not discs) containing excerpts from soundtracks. These were for archive or promotional purposes and not intended for commercial distribution, but a few were transferred to LP and (since the expiry of copyright) some have appeared on CD.
Some of the smaller film studios did not have the facilities for making orchestral recordings. For entries where the studio is listed in parentheses, the soundtrack was probably recorded elsewhere, perhaps Watford or Wembley Town Hall.
Soundtracks that were transferred, in part, to commercial 78rpm discs are listed in the main discography.
Like his predecessor in 1924, the LSO’s Secretary Arthur Maney was dismissed on 14 Nov 35 for taking fees for arranging engagements without notifying the Board of Directors. This came to light when he was found to have contracted for film sessions as “Manager of the players of the London Symphony Orchestra”. The Minutes reveal that the Board was concerned to prevent the use of the LSO’s name unless a fee was paid, but that a suitable payment could legitimate an unofficial booking. In dealing with this very grey area, the following criteria for inclusion have been adopted where no specific justification is given.
Entries for which the LSO’s on screen credit has been verified are marked OSC; those marked noc have no on screen credit for any orchestra. Films as yet unseen and marked BFI are attributed to the LSO on the British Film Institute’s website; those marked RFM evidently credit the LSO on the labels of the Rank Film Music 78rpm discs and entries marked HUN were attributed to the LSO by John Huntley in 1947.
There is no doubt that many other soundtracks not listed below were played by ad hoc studio orchestras including some members of the LSO.

>A101 “Sanders of the River” film soundtrack HUN

(cOct?) 1934 [first shown Apr 35] Shepperton Film Studios

composed by MISCHA SPOLIANSKY and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (Oct97) Carlton 30074 0122.3.

DVD video: (’16) Network 7954484.

H.M.V. recorded Paul Robeson in four songs from this score in Apr-May 35,

with Mathieson conducting an anonymous orchestra (nine strings) on B8315-16.

“Things to Come” film soundtrack noc

See the main discography, 0150 at 3 Mar 1935.

>A102 “Elephant Boy” film soundtrack noc/HUN

1937 (?) [first shown Feb 37] Denham Film Studios

composed by JOHN GREENWOOD and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (’84) Polygram 790 255.2,

(Mar97) Carlton 30074 0093.3.

DVD video: (Jun06) Network 7952460.

>A103 “Victoria the Great” film soundtrack OSC

On being assured that “at least 75% of the members of the Orchestra would take part” the Board of Directors “resolved to allow the film company the privilege desired [of naming the LSO in the credits] to increase the funds of the Orchestra.” (Minute Book, 9 Jly 37)

(?) Jly 1937 [first shown Sep 37] Denham Film Studios

composed by ANTHONY COLLINS and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (Jan01) DD Video DD3379.

DVD video: (Jan11) Optimum OPTD1937.

>A104 “The Mikado” film soundtrack OSC

(Jun ?) 1938 [first shown Jan 39] Pinewood Film Studios

D’Oyly Carte Chorus, Geoffrey Toye

SULLIVAN The Mikado

John Barclay (bass) Mikado

Kenneth Baker (tenor) Nanki-Poo

Martyn Green (baritone) Ko-Ko

Sydney Granville (baritone) Pooh-Bah

Gregory Stroud (baritone) Pish-Tush

Jean Colin (soprano) Yum-Yum

Elizabeth Paynter (mezzo-soprano) Pitti-Sing

Kathleen Naylor (mezzo-soprano) Peep-Bo

Constance Willis (contralto) Katisha

CD: (’98) Sounds on CD VGS203.

VHS: (US: ??) Home Vision MIK03V.

DVD video: (Nov98) Image Entertainment ID4529JF,

(’06) DD Home Entertainment D23879,

(Feb10) DD Home Entertainment DD123879.

>A105 “The Four Feathers” film soundtrack noc/HUN

(?) Mar 1939 [first shown Apr 39] Denham Film Studios

composed by MIKLÓS RÓZSA and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (’84) Polygram 790 252.2,

(c95) Video Collection VC3396,

(Jun96) Carlton 30074 0065.3.

DVD video: (Mar03) Carlton 37115 0477.3,

(Feb07) Network 7952605.

>A106 “Major Barbara” film soundtrack noc

Stewart Craggs lists this as played by the LSO in his studies of the composer.

(Jan ?) 1941 [first shown Mar 41] Denham Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM WALTON and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (US: ??) Facets S13734,

(Aug93) Home Vision unidentified catalogue number.

DVD video: (Aug07) Second Sight 2NDVD3124.

“Dangerous Moonlight” film soundtrack noc/BFI

See the main discography, 0173 at 27 Mar 1941.

The LSO also appears on screen accompanying “Stefan Radetzky” (played in vision by Anton Walbrook and in sound by an uncredited Louis Kentner) in the opening bars of BEETHOVEN’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto and in excerpts from RADETZKY’s (ie: Richard Addinsell’s) “Warsaw Concerto”.

>A107 “49th Parallel (The Invaders)” film soundtrack OSC

(May ?) 1941 [first shown Oct 41] Denham Film Studios

composed by VAUGHAN WILLIAMS and conducted by Muir Mathieson

led by George Stratton

VHS: (’85) Rank 0207A,

(Apr02) Carlton 30370 6077.3.

DVD video: (Apr02) Carlton 37115 0309.3.

Decca & H.M.V. recorded excerpts in 1946/49: see the main discography.

>A108 “They Flew Alone” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1941 [first shown Mar 42] Denham Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM ALWYN and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (Aug10) Odeon ODNF198.

>A109 “The Day Will Dawn” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1942 [first shown May 42] Denham Film Studios

composed by RICHARD ADDINSELL and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (US: ??) Video Yesteryear 1234.

DVD video: (’05) DD Home Entertainment DD20749,

(Feb10) DD Home Entertainment DD120749.

>A110 “The First of the Few (Spitfire)” film soundtrack noc/BFI

Stewart Craggs lists the orchestra as the LSO in his studies of the composer.

(Jun ?) 1942 [first shown Aug 42] Denham Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM WALTON and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (’84) Precision VAPV500,

(Aug00) DD Video DD3617,

(Oct02) Odyssey ODY1039.

DVD video: (Oct02) Odyssey ODX20150,

(Apr07) Slam Dunk SDMD2043.

>A111 “In Which We Serve” film soundtrack OSC

(Jun-Aug?) 1942 [first shown Oct 42] Denham Film Studios

composed by NOËL COWARD and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (’84) Rank 0048B,

(Aug94) Rank RCC3066,

(Jan02) Carlton 30370 6066.3.

DVD video: (Oct99) Carlton 37115 0021.3,

(Jan02) Carlton 37115 0166.3.

>A112i “The Gentle Sex” film soundtrack OSC

1942 (?) [first shown Apr 43] Denham Film Studios

composed by JOHN GREENWOOD and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (??) unidentified catalogue number.

DVD video: (??) Silver Sirens private issue.

>A112ii [Additional entry] “I’ll Walk Beside You” film soundtrack noc

1942 (?) [first shown Apr 43] Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

conducted by Percival Mackey

led by George Stratton

The LSO appears on screen in an eight-minute long concert scene, playing

J.Strauss II and accompanying John McHugh (tenor) in two ballads.

DVD video: (’15) Renown 1947135.

>A113 “The Flemish Farm” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1943 [first shown Aug 43] Denham Film Studios

composed by VAUGHAN WILLIAMS and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (’04) DD Home Entertainment DD20914,

(Feb10) Simply Media 120914.

>A114 “Yellow Canary” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1943 [first shown Oct 43] Denham Film Studios ?

composed by CLIFTON PARKER and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (c12) Armand Movies private issue.

>A115 “The Lamp Still Burns” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1943 [first shown Nov 43] Denham Film Studios ?

composed by JOHN GREENWOOD and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (Jun07) ITV Studios 12DVD set 37115 2447.3,

(US: ??) British Classics Collection 2653D,

(??) Silver Sirens private issue.

>A116 “This Happy Breed” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1944 [first shown May 44] Denham Film Studios

composed by NOËL COWARD, CLIFTON PARKER & others,

conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (Jly96) Video Collection VC3485,

(’00) Video Collection VC3791,

(Mar00) Cinema Club CCD8262.

DVD video: (May03) Carlton 37115 0418.3,

(Dec06) Network 2DVD set 7952716.

>A117 “Hotel Reserve” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1944 [first shown Jun 44] Denham Film Studios ?

composed by LENNOX BERKELEY and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (US: Jun90) Turner Home Entertainment 6143.

DVD video: (??) unidentified catalogue number.

>A118 “Henry V” film soundtrack OSC

(13 Mar-20 Apr) 1944 [first shown Nov 44] Denham Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM WALTON and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (’83) Rank 0010C,

(Sep87) Carlton The Rank Collection 0010.

DVD video: (Apr03) Carlton 37115 0496.3.

H.M.V. recorded excerpts in 1945-46, with Walton conducting the

Philharmonia Orchestra, which have been issued on 78rpm, LP & CD.

>A119 “Great Day” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1944 [first shown Apr 45] Denham & Pinewood Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM ALWYN and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (US: c90) Turner Home Entertainment 6116.

DVD video: (Apr09) Collectors Edition unidentified catalogue number.

>A120 “Blithe Spirit” film soundtrack OSC

(Mar ?) 1945 [first shown Apr 45] Denham Film Studios

composed by RICHARD ADDINSELL and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (’91) Warner PES90150,

(’93) Video Collection CC7069,

(Aug96) Video Collection VC3480.

DVD video: (May03) Carlton 37115 0417.3.

Columbia recorded excerpts on 13 Mar 45: see the main discography (0186).

>A121 “29, Acacia Avenue (The Facts of Love)” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1945 [first shown May 45] Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

composed by CLIFTON PARKER and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (US: Jly95) Video Yesteryear 1920.

DVD video: (Apr09) Odeon ODNF145.

>A122 “Perfect Strangers (Vacation from Marriage)” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1945 [first shown Sep 45] Denham Film Studios

composed by CLIFTON PARKER and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (US: Jun12) Warner Archive Collection.

>A123 “The Seventh Veil” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1945 [first shown Oct 45] Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

composed by BENJAMIN FRANKEL and conducted by Muir Mathieson

led by George Stratton

The LSO also appears on screen accompanying “Francesca Cunningham”

(played in vision by Ann Todd and in sound by an uncredited Eileen Joyce)

in RACHMANINOV’s Second Piano Concerto (abridged to 3’14”).

VHS: (’85) Precision VAPV501,

(’93) Odyssey ODY780.

DVD video: (May09) Odeon ODNF109.

>A124 “Burma Victory” documentary film soundtrack noc/HUN

(?) 1945 [first shown Nov 45] Watford Town Hall

composed by ALAN RAWSTHORNE and conducted by John Hollingsworth

VHS: (Jun93) DD Video DD610.

DVD video: (Mar07) DD Home Entertainment DD21471,

(’09) Simply Home Entertainment 121471.

>A125i “A Diary for Timothy” documentary film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1945 [first shown Feb 46] Watford Town Hall

composed by RICHARD ADDINSELL and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (Jly05) Film First FF002X,

(Apr08) British Film Institute 4DVD set BFIVD756,

(Nov10) British Film Institute 4DVD set BFIVD911.

>A125ii [Additional entry] “I’ll Turn to You” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1946 [first shown May 46] (unidentified theatre)

conducted by Harry Bidgood

led by George Stratton

The LSO appears on screen in concert scenes totalling seven minutes, playing Rossini and accompanying John McHugh (tenor) in two ballads.

DVD video: (’14) Renown 1947124.

>A126 “The Years Between” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1946 [first shown Jun 46] Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

composed by BENJAMIN FRANKEL and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (Jly06) DD Home Entertainment D23285,

(’09) Simply Home Entertainment 123285.

>A127 “I See a Dark Stranger” film soundtrack OSC

(?-Apr) 1946 [first shown Jly 46] Denham Film Studios ?

composed by WILLIAM ALWYN and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (??) unidentified catalogue number.

DVD video: (Jan03) Home Vision unidentified catalogue number,

(May11) Odeon ODNF233.

>A128 “Instruments of the Orchestra” documentary film soundtrack OSC

Educational film made for the Central Office of Information.

Dummy sessions were filmed at Denham Film Studios on 14-17 May 46.

Pr: Muir Mathieson Eng: Ken Cameron

28 Mar 1946 [first shown Oct 46] Watford Town Hall

narrated & conducted by Malcolm Sargent

led by George Stratton

BRITTEN The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra Op.34

CD: (Jun95) Beulah 1PD13.

VHS: (Jly95) Beulah RT152.

DVD video: (Nov05) Beulah YB35.

>A129 “Green For Danger” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1946 [first shown Dec 46] Pinewood Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM ALWYN and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (US: ??) Facets S12955.

DVD video: (’05) DD Home Entertainment DD22001,

(Apr06) Network 7952429.

>A130 “Daybreak” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1946 [first shown Dec 46] Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

composed by BENJAMIN FRANKEL and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (??) unidentified catalogue number.

DVD video: (c10) Collectors Edition unidentified catalogue number,

(c12) Stojo private issue.

>A131 “Hungry Hill” film soundtrack OSC

(Oct ?) 1946 [first shown Jan 47] Denham Film Studios

composed by JOHN GREENWOOD and conducted by Muir Mathieson

VHS: (Apr97) Carlton 30370 6021.3.

DVD video: (??) Silver Sirens private issue.

Decca recorded an excerpt on 25 Oct 46: see the main discography (0208).

>A132 “Odd Man Out” film soundtrack OSC

(Mar-?) 1946 [first shown Feb 47] Denham Film Studios

composed by WILLIAM ALWYN and conducted by Muir Mathieson

led by George Stratton

VHS: (’84) Rank 0020C,

(Apr88) Video Collection VC3110.

DVD video: (Nov98) unidentified catalogue number,

(Jly03) Carlton 37115 0511.3,

(Aug06) Network 7952509.

>A133 “Now It Can Be Told” documentary film soundtrack OSC

originally named “School for Danger”

(?) 1947 [first shown Mar 47] (unidentified studio)

composed by JOHN GREENWOOD and conducted by Muir Mathieson

DVD video: (Jun07) Simply Home Entertainment 124377.

>A134 “The Glen Is Ours” documentary film soundtrack OSC

1947 (?) [first shown Mar 47] Merton Park Film Studios

composed by JOHN BATH and conducted by John Hollingsworth

VHS: (May04) Panamint PDC1024.

DVD video: (Mar09) Panamint PDC2008.

>A135 “The Silver Darlings” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1947 [first shown Mar 47] (unidentified studio)

composed by CLIFTON PARKER and conducted by John Hollingsworth

DVD video: (Jly06) DD Home Entertainment D23283.

>A136 “Black Narcissus” film soundtrack OSC

(?) 1947 [first shown May 47] Pinewood Film Studios

composed and conducted by Brian Easdale

78rpm: Rank Films FM18 [Prologue; Composed sequence].

CD: (Oct02) CD41 002 [Prologue; Composed sequence].

VHS: (’84) Rank 0147,

(’96) Video Collection VC3482,

(Mar98) Nouveau NP0003.

DVD video: (Sep05) Network 7952324,

(Dec09) Network 7955058.

>A137 “Take My Life” film soundtrack noc/RFM

(?) 1947 [first shown May 47] Pinewood Film Studios