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Baltimore Symphony Orchestra recordings

 Collection
Identifier: PIMS-0124

Scope and Contents

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra recordings contain approximately 155 digital transfers of audio recordings of BSO performances and studio sessions from approximately 1965 to 2007 (bulk: 1970-1990). Original reel-to-reel and audio cassette recordings were digitized in the home studio of former BSO oboist William Kendall from approximately 2000 to 2020. Kendall's descriptive and technical notes on the recordings are included.

The bulk of the recordings feature music directors Sergiu Comissiona or David Zinman. Highlights include several performances by Leon Fleisher as a conductor or pianist and the 1989 world premiere of Son et lumière by Steven Stucky.

Most digital recording files are in wav format with corresponding pk files to represent the audio file visually. Kendall's descriptive notes are in txt format. The digital files were originally carried on an external hard drive.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1965-2007
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1970 - 1990

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use at the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives of the Peabody Institute. Contact peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or perform materials in this collection must be submitted in writing to the archivist of the Arthur Friedheim Library.

Biographical / Historical

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra that was founded in 1916. Past music directors include Sergiu Comissiona (1969-1984), David Zinman (1985-1998), Yuri Temirkanov (1999-2006), and Marin Alsop (2007–2021).

Extent

204.4 Gigabytes (1,917 computer files)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra recordings contain approximately 155 digital transfers of audio recordings of BSO performances and studio sessions from approximately 1965 to 2007 (bulk: 1970-1990). Original reel-to-reel and audio cassette recordings were digitized in the home studio of former BSO oboist William Kendall from approximately 2000 to 2020. Kendall's descriptive and technical notes on the recordings are included. The bulk of the recordings feature music directors Sergiu Comissiona or David Zinman.

Arrangement

The original structure and file names have been retained.

Other Finding Aids

A file manifest is available upon request. Contact the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives at peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu for more information.

Custodial History

William Kendall was an oboist for the BSO from the 1970s to early 2000s. He acquired physical recordings from sources at the BSO, including from the office of conductor Sergiu Comissiona after Comissiona's departure from the orchestra, and from the collections of his fellow BSO musicians. Most or all of the recordings were on reel-to-reel tapes that Kendall digitized himself between 2000 and 2020. Kendall noted that many of the tapes were sticky or in otherwise poor condition and that the digitizations were labor intensive. He used pitch-correction software after digitization because the tape speed slowed during playback of sticky tapes. The physical copies were destroyed after digitization. Kendall donated only digital copies to the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives in 2021.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Digitized recordings donated by William Kendall in 2021.

Processing Information

Minimally processed by Matt Testa in 2022. Contact the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives for more information.

Source

Title
Guide to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra recordings
Author
Matt Testa
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
  • TypeCollection

Repository Details

Part of the Peabody Archives Repository

Contact:
Peabody Institute
1 E. Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore MD 21202 USA