THE GOLDEN AGE OF SHELLAC

The 120th anniversary of Deutsche Grammophon led to an initiative illuminating the very beginning of the recording industry: the legendary Shellac Era, historically located between c.1897 and the 1930s, is a fascinating epoch of pioneering artists, courageous producers, smart technicians and engineers and truly a Golden Age of unprecedented musical innovation.

This album presents the most culturally important of the rediscovered shellac tracks: Pietro Mascagni conducting his own works, including the captivating Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana; Caruso’s baritone “rival” Titta Ruffo singing Largo al factotum; legendary violinist Váša Příhoda performing Dvořák and Elgar; Mozart tenor Julius Patzak performing Ottavio’s aria from Don Giovanni; and international stars like Louis Armstrong and Lale Andersen contribute some jazz standards.