Today's Earliest BSO Recording

It was only to be expected. Our article on the 1906 record by the Boston Symphony Orchestra Trombone Quartet - believed to be the first recording by BSO musicians - sparked a new line of inquiry.

WGBH's Brian Bell points to the latest discovery: Three sides by Alexander Heindl, a cellist with the BSO at least through Karl Muck's first season (1906-1907), and probably well before that.

More from Bell:

"Heindl was one of the first instrumentalists of any sort to record for Eldridge Johnson's outfit that soon was known as the Victor Talking Machine Co.

He participated in at least 6 recording sessions, July 26th, 1900; January 16th, 1901; March 18th, 1901; February 9th, 1902; October 9th, 1902; and January 14th, 1903. There may be more dates after that, but significantly, he isn't listed in Julian Morton Moses or any of the other standard discographies of the period.

The July 26th, 1900 session, have only single takes of the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana of Magcagni, and Anton Rubinstein's Melody in F. It doesn't look like either was released.

Same goes for the January 16th, 1901 session. Same music. 2 takes of the Rubinstein. No issue.

Earliest issue is March 18th, 1901. Rubinstein Melody in F. Issue #3030 take 3 Cavallleria had 2 accepted takes, 2 was withdrawn after a week, 3 in October."

BSO Trombonist Doug Yeo also sent along a note with developments:

"1. Brian Bell is already talking about a commercial release of all of these pre-1917 recordings featuring BSO players. Who knows when that might happen but there appears to be enough material popping up to make it an interesting project.

2. Howard Knapp's 78rmp discs of the BSO Trombone Quartet have arrived in Boston and are being transferred to the BSO archives.

3. Dave Tatro (trombonist in Florida) has made a transcription of "The Kerry Dance" for four trombones - off the original record. He will make this available to modern players, including the current BSO trombone section so we can play it again, 100 years after the first recording was made.

4. We are learning a lot more about the three players on the BSO recording - Hampe, Mausebach and Kenfield. Hampe's enlistment in the army, at around age 60, is quite a story. I'll see Kenfield's great-granddaughter on Friday.

5. The equipment used by Hampe, Mausebach and Kenfield has become a story in itself, leading to discussion of endorsements in the early 19th century."