Record Box 2 - More Classical

A second look at my ancient vinyl LP records (Albums), and the stories they bring back, before I sell or pass them on. Following the post about the Beethoven Symphonies, this is about the other classical records I have, of which there are ten. It is incredible how an old record can remind you of things not thought about for decades, as happened much to my delight here. 

I had no interest in classical music until the age of 16 or 17. It was too highbrow and sophicticated for the likes of me. My family and friends listened mainly to popular music on the radio. 

My friend Neville was from one of the diminishing number of northern working-class families that still had a piano, and lessons had included one or two simple classical pieces. His elder brother has taken this further, and assembled a small collection of classical records. He went off to university leaving them unattended in their front room. I asked about them, and Neville told me more. I think it was Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik he played first. Attracted next by the sumptuous excitement of George Gershwin’s ‘An American in Paris’, I went through the rest of the collection. That was my introduction to classical music. I tape-recorded most of them. I don’t think Neville’s brother ever knew. Thanks Mike! 

Before long, I bought some of the records myself, exactly the same versions. There was the aforementioned Gershwin, and The Planets.  

Slowly, I acquired more. Peer Gynt was an early buy. The Walton symphony fascinated me when played on the radio, although I was not sure whether I really liked it. I bought it with money over from exchanging the Beethoven boxed sets as explained in Part 1. Walton took some getting used to. It is one of those pieces you (well, I) need to listen to two or three times before you get it, but is brilliant once you do.

After going late to university, I began to go to concerts with discounted student tickets. You could hear buses going round Hull City Hall, but they had some of the best national and international orchestras. I bought some of the music I particularly enjoyed. The Vaughan Williams I still would, but the others I am not so sure. 

One record puzzles me: La bohème. How did I come by it? I cannot imagine buying it because (sacrilege!) I don’t like Opera. Although it has a few good tunes and songs, basically, I don’t like the style of singing. Ballet is wonderful, the music and colour and lighting and movement, but opera does nothing for me. 

Many adore it. One chap who travelled around Europe for the computer company I was with, took the opportunity to attend every major opera house he could. Booking a seat was the first thing he did. La Scala, Vienna State, Palais Garnier, you name it, even the Bolshoi Opera, he had been to them all.  

The first time he went, to Covent Garden, was in his twenties. At the interval, he realised he was sitting next to the formidable feminist writer Germaine Greer, who was also on her own. He asked if that was who she was. “Yes,” she snapped back, looking irritated. “Who are you?” He told her, and feeling inadequate, thought he should say something else. The first thing that came into his head was: “The microphones are very good, aren’t they”. She recognised his awkwardness, and spent the rest of the interval patiently explaining that no, they do not use microphones, what you hear is their actual voices, and talking about the training they have and techniques they use. 

He was one of the most likeable and enthusiastic people I have ever worked with. I have not thought about him or that delightful story for maybe thirty-five years. It came back gradually. What it illustrates to me is how, if we allow space for our minds to work as they should, they can pleasantly surprise us. But if we are afraid to do that, and fill them with constant smartphone distractions, it does not happen. 

The last record I have, Brahms Symphony No.3, was bought as a present in 1987. After that, my wife came along with an extensive collection of classical and popular cassettes and CDs. I went over to CDs and still use them. I prefer to listen to music through and in the order intended, and like having sleeve notes to look at. I think this is why there is renewed interest in vinyl records. As well as what some regard as better sound quality, they are objects of interest and beauty.