Columbia’s Initial 101 LPs Catalog

Columbia Records presented their new invention – the longplaying microgroove record accompanied by the new player attachment with a turntable making 33 1/3 rpm – on a press demonstration at some week-end of June 1948. Which week-end, exactly? One can have a look at the article „New Record Aimed to Bolster Sales” in The New York Times of 21.06.1948 /Monday/. So, it was the preceding week-end of 18 / 19 / 20th. Which day, exactly? One can look to the article „Columbia’s LP Disk Data” in The Billboard of 26.06.1948 /Saturday/. So, it was June 18th /Friday/.

So, the LP was born on 18.06.1948. Where? Surprisingly, neither The New York Times of 21.06.1948, nor The Billboard of 26.06.1948 did not mention this place, exactly – just the city of New York. However, there are plenty other sources telling us it was some conference room in the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. I’d like to draw your atention to the article „How the LP was born” of Mr Dennis D. Rooney published in ICRC Autumn 1998. One can find there the detailed LP story preceding the presentation in Waldorf-Astoria. Almost everything in this article is perfect, with one exception – the date is wrong. „It was a warm Friday afternoon, June 21st, when Wallerstein, accompanied by CBS president Frank Stanton and representatives of Philco, welcomed the Press in a conference room at the Waldorf -Astoria Hotel.” The Friday afternoon – YES! But 21.06.1948 – NO! That Friday was June18th. By the way, 21.06.1948 was the date of Columbia’s dealers convention in Atlantic City.

Regarding the LPs presented there / then one can look to The Billboard of 3.07.1948. The Columbia’s Initial LP Catalog was reprinted there. You will find it also below, with some additional arrangements from my side. This was a collective proposal including 101 LPs. There were 70 „Masterworks records” with classical music: 58 on 12-inch LPs in ML 4000 series /ML 4001-5057, ML 4071/and 12 on 10-inch LPs in ML 2000 series /ML 2001-2012/. Then, there were twenty LPs with light classical music and show score field: 12 on 12-inch LPs /ML 4058-4067, ML 4069, ML 4070/ and 8 on 10-inch LPs /ML 2013-2020/. Finally, there were also eleven „Popular records” on 10-inch LPs in CL 6000 series /CL6001-6011/.
So, those 70 LPs with classical music were a heart of this initial Columbia collection. And they were organized, precisely, in both alphabetical order of composers as well as in numerical order, too. Alphabetically, ML4000 series start from B – like Bach and finish with W – like Wagner. OK, in this series – in order to be quite precise – after Wagner [ML4054+55] there were still located 2 LPS with operatic arias of various composers [ML4056+57].

10-inch ML 2000 series start from B – like Beethoven [ML2001+02] and finish with W – like Wieniawski [ML2012].

Well, one can find 3 irregularities in this almost perfectly organized classical collection… Firstly, LP numbered ML 4001 should open it, with works of Bach or, let’s say, Albeniz. However, surprisingly, in this first catalog the ML 4001 is located under M like Mendelssohn, with his CONCERTO IN E MINOR FOR VIOLIN & ORCHESTRA. Why? You will find an explanation in the next chapter of this History of Longplay.

The 2nd irregularity is ML4071 under K – like Khachaturian. It was ready and added in the last moment only. And it was located in accordance with the main alphabetical order of composers. But, it had to break the numerical perfection…

The 3rd irregularity is ML 4068, missing there. This LP with Brahms / Artur Rodzinski / Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York appeared in Columbia catalog in September 1948 only.

Herebelow you will find this complete initial catalog of 101 Columbia LPs.

LP Catalog No.Composer/TitleArtist
BACH
ML 4002CONCERTO IN D MINOR FOR TWO VIOLINS AND ORCHESTRAAdolf Busch and Frances Magnes [violins] with the Busch Chamber Players
CONCERTO NO. 2 IN E MAJOR [For Violin & Orch.]Adolf Busch with the Busch Chamber Players
BEETHOVEN
ML 4003SONATA NO. 14 IN C-SHARP MINOR [„Moonlight”]Rudolf Serkin, piano
SONATA NO. 8 IN C MINOR, Op. 13 [„Pathetique”]"
ML 2002SONATA NO. 23 IN F MINOR, Op. 57 [„Appassionata”]Rudof Serkin, piano
ML 4004CONCERTO NO. 5 IN E-FLAT MAJOR [„Emperor”]Rudolf Serkin [piano] with Walter& Philh.-Symph. Orch. of N.Y.
ML 4005QUARTET NO. 1 IN F MAJOR, Op. 18, No. 1Budapest String Quartet
ML 4006QUARTET NO. 15 IN A MINOR, Op. 132Budapest String Quartet
ML 4007SONATA NO. 9 IN A MAJOR, Op. 47 for Violin and Piano [„Kreutzer”]Adolf Busch [violin], Rudolf Serkin [piano]
ML 4008SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN B-FLAT MAJOR, Op. 60The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
ML 4009SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN C MINOR, Op. 67Bruno Walter & Philh.-Symph. Orch. of N.Y.
ML 4010SYMPHONY NO. 6 IN F MAJOR, Op. 68 [„Pastorale”]Bruno Walter conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra
ML 4011SYMPHONY NO. 7 IN A MAJOR, Op. 92Eugene Ormandy conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra
ML 4012CONCERTO IN D MAJOR FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 61Joseph Szigeti [violin] with the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York conducted by Bruno Walter
ML 2001SYMPHONY NO. 8 IN F MAJORBruno Walter & Philh.-Symph. Orch. of N.Y.
BIZET
ML 4013CARMEN – ExcerptsRise Stevens [mezzo-soprano], Nadine Conner [soprano], Raoul Jobib [tenor], Robert Weede [baritone] with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra conducted by George Sebastian
BRAHMS
ML 4014CONCERTO NO. 2 IN B-FLAT MAJOR FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 83Rudolf Serkin [piano] with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
ML 4015CONCERTO IN D MAJOR FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 77 [& Adagio From Sonata No. 3 In D Minor For Violin And Piano, Op. 108]The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor, with Joseph Szigeti [violin], Leonid Hambro [piano]
ML 4016SYMPHONY NO. 1 IN C MINOR, Op. 68Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski, Conductor
ML 4017SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN E MINOR, Op. 98The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
BRUCH
ML 2003CONCERTO NO. 1 IN G MINOR for Violin & Orchestra, Op. 26Nathan Milstein [violin] with John Barbirolli & Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
CHOPIN
ML 2004PIANO MUSIC OF CHOPINMaryla Jonas [piano]
DEBUSSY
ML 4018QUARTET IN G MINOR, Op. 10Budapest String Quartet
ML 4019PRELUDES [Book II]Robert Casadesus [piano]
ML 2005LA MER [The Sea]Artur Rodzinski and The Cleveland Orchestra
DEBUSSY - RESPIGHI
ML 4020TWO NOCTURNES Nocturne No. 1: Nuages [Clouds] Nocturne No. 2: Fetes [Festivals]The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
THE PINES OF ROME [Respighi]"
DEBUSSY - RAVEL
ML 4021IBERIAPittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, Conductor
LA VALSE [Poeme Choreographique-Ravel]"
DE FALLA
ML 2006EL AMOR BRUJO [Love by Witchcraft]Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, conductor, with Carol Brice [contralto]
DVORAK
ML 4022CONCERTO IN B MINOR FOR 'CELLO AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 104Gregor Piatigorsky ['cello] with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
ML 4023SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN E MINOR, Op. 95 [„From the New World”]The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
FOSTER
ML 2007MUSIC OF STEPHEN FOSTERAndre Kostelanetz & Orchestra
FRANCK
ML 4024SYMPHONY IN D MINORThe Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
GERSHWIN
ML 4025CONCERTO IN F FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRAOscar Levant [piano] with Andre Kostelanetz conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
ML 4026AN AMERICAN IN PARISPhilharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski, conductor
RHAPSODY IN BLUEOscar Levant [piano] with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, conductor
GILBERT & SULLIVAN
ML 4027PATTER SONGS FROM GILBERT AND SULLIVANNelson Eddy [baritone] with Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Robert Armbruster
GRIEG
ML 4028CONCERTO IN A MINOR FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 16Oscar Levant [piano] with Efrem Kurtz conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
HAYDN - BEETHOVEN
ML 4029QUARTET NO. 30 IN G MINOR, Op. 74, No. 3 [„The Horseman” of Haydn]Budapest String Quartet
QUARTET NO. 4 IN C MINOR, Op. 18, No. 4 [Beethoven]"
KHACHATURIAN
ML 4030GAYNE – BALLET SUITE, Nos 1 and 2Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York conducted by Efrem Kurtz
KHACHATURIAN – TCHAIKOVSKY
ML 4071MASQUERADE SUITE [Khachaturian]N.Y. Philharmonic-Symphony, Leopold Stokowski
FRANCESCA DA RIMINI [Tchaikovsky]"
MAHLER
ML 4031SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN G MAJORBruno Walter conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York with Desi Halban [soprano]
MENDELSSOHN
ML 4032A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAMArtur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
ML 4001CONCERTO IN E MINOR FOR VIOLIN & ORCHESTRA, Op. 64Nathan Milstein [violin] with Bruno Walter conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
MOUSSORGSKY-RAVEL
ML 4033PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITIONPhilharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York conducted by Artur Rodzinski
MOZART
ML 4034QUINTET IN C MAJOR [K. 515]Budapest String Quartet with Milton Katims, viola
ML 4035SYMPHONY NO. 41 IN C MAJOR [K. 551]Bruno Walter conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
ML 2008SYMPHONY NO. 40 IN G MINOR [K. 550]Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, Conductor
ML 4036MOZART OPERATIC ARIAS by EZIO PINZAEzio Pinza [basso] with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra conducted by Bruno Walter
PROKOFIEV
ML 4037SYMPHONY NO. 5, Op. 100Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski, Conductor
ML 4038PETER AND THE WOLFBasil Rathbone [Narrator] & Leopold Stokowski conducting The All-American Orchestra
TREASURE ISLAND [Robert Louis Stevenson - Adaptation by Ralph Rose]Basil Rathbone with supporting cast and chorus conducted by Richard Davis
RAVEL - ROSSINI
ML 2009BOLERO [Ravel]Andre Kostelanetz conducting The Robin Hood Dell Orchestra of Philadelphia
WILLIAM TELL – OVERTURE [Rossini]Andre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
RAVEL
ML 4039DAPHNIS AND CHLOE [Second Suite]Artur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
RAPSODIE ESPAGNOLE"
SCHUBERT
ML 2010SYMPHONY NO. 8 IN B MINOR [„Unfinished”]Bruno Walter conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra
SCHUMANN
ML 4040SYMPHONY NO. 3 IN E-FLAT MAJOR [„Rhenish”]Bruno Walter & the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
ML 4041CONCERTO IN A MINOR FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 54Rudolf Serkin, Piano, with The Philadephia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
SHOSTAKOVITCH
ML 4042SYMPHONY NO. 5, Op. 47Artur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
SIBELIUS
ML 4043SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN E-FLAT MAJOR, Op. 82Artur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
JOHANN STRAUSS
ML 2011STRAUSS WALTZES by ANDRE KOSTELANETZAndre Kostelanetz & Orchestra
RICHARD STRAUSS
ML 4044SUITE FROM DER ROSENKAVALIERThe Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
DEATH AND TRANSFIGURATION, Op. 24"
ML 4045TIL EULENSPIEGELS LUSTIGE STREICHEArtur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
WALTZES FROM DER ROSENKAVALIER"
SALOME'S DANCE"
STRAVINSKY
ML 4046FIREBIRD SUITEIgor Stravinsky conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of N.Y.
ML 4047SUITE FROM PETROUCHKAIgor Stravinsky conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of N.Y.
SCENES DE BALLET"
TCHAIKOVSKY
ML 4048MOZARTIANA [Suite No. 4 in G Major, Op. 61]Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski, Conductor
NUTCRACKER Suite, Op. 71a"
ML 4049ROMEO AND JULIETArtur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
OVERTURE 1812"
ML 4050SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN F MINOR, Op. 36The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
ML 4051SYMPHONY NO. 6 IN B MINOR, Op. 74 [„Pathetique”]Artur Rodzinski conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
ML 4052SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN E MINOR, Op.64Artur Rodzinski & The Cleveland Orchestra
ML 4053CONCERTO IN D MAJOR for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35Nathan Milstein [violin] & Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Frederick Stock
WAGNER
ML 4054A WAGNER CONCERTFritz Reiner and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
ML 4055BRIDAL CHAMBER SCENE - LOHENGRIN [Act III, Scene 2]Helen Traubel [soprano] and Kurt Baum [tenor] with the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski, Conductor
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE – LOVE DUET [Act II, Scene 2]Helen Traubel [soprano], Torsten Ralf [tenor] and Herta Glaz [contralto] with Fritz Busch conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
WIENIAWSKI
ML 2012CONCERTO NO. 2 IN D MINOR FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 22Isaac Stern [violin] with Efrem Kurtz conducting the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York
OPERATIC ARIAS
ML 4056CELEBRATED OPERATIC ARIASBidu Sayao [soprano] with the Matropolitan Opera Orchestra conducted by Fausto Cleva
ML 4057FIVE FAMOUS COLORATURA ARIASLily Pons [soprano] with orchestras conducted by Pietro Cimara
LIGHT CLASSICAL / SHOW SCORES
ML 4058SHOW BOAT Music by Jerome Kern [Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and P.G.Wodehouse]Jan Clayton, Carol Bruce, Charles Fredericks, Kenneth Spencer, Helen Dowdy and the „Show Boat” Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Edwin McArthur
ML 4059GROFE: GRAND CANYON SUITEAndre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
ML 4060THE STUDENT PRINCE [Sigmund Romberg]Rise Stevens [Mezzo-Soprano], Nelson Eddy [Baritone], with orchestra conducted by Robert Ambruster
THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER [Oscar Straus] excerpts"
ML 4061LILY PONS - WALTZ SONGSLily Pons [Soprano], with Orchestras conducted by Andre Kostelanetz and Maurice Abravanal
ML 4062FINIAN'S RAINBOW Words by E.Y.Harburg, Music by Burton LaneElla Logan, Donald Richards, David Wayne, The Lynn Murray Singers, Orchestra under the direction of Ray Charles
ML 4063MUSIC OF JEROME KERNAndre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
ML 4064MORTON GOULD SHOWCASEMorton Gould and his Orchestra
ML 2013SONGS OF VICTOR HERBERT [Arranged by Alan Shulman]Rise Stevens [soprano], with male chorus and orchestra conducted by Sylvan Shulman
ML 2014MUSIC OF COLE PORTERAndre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
ML 2015SOUTH OF THE BORDERMorton Gould and his Orchestra
ML 2016THE MINSTREL BOY [Arranged by Normand Lockwood]Christopher Lynch [tenor], with John Wummer [flute], Leonard Rose ['cello] and Laura Newell [harp]
ML 4065KOSTELANETZ FAVORITESAndre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
ML 2017SIX DANCESEugene Ormandy and Saul Caston conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra „Pops”
ML 4066KOSTELANETZ CONCERTAndre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
ML 4067AMERICAN SONGSHelen Traubel [soprano], with Male Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Charles O'Connell
ML 2020PARISLily Pons [soprano] with orchestra conducted by Andre Kostelanetz
ML 4069PONS-KOSTELANETZ CONCERTLily Pons [soprano], with Andre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra
ML 2018OSCAR LEVANT PLAYS POPULAR MODERNSOscar Levant [piano]
ML 2019GERSHWIN: PORGY AND BESS A Symphonic Picture [Arranged by Robert Russell Bennett]Fritz Reiner conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
ML 4070RANDEZVOUSMorton Gould and his Orchestra
POPULAR MUSIC
CL 6001THE VOICE OF FRANK SINATRAFrank Sinatra, Orchestra under the direction of Axel Stordahl
CL 6002CARLE COMES CALLINGFrankie Carle with rhythm section
CL 6003DOROTHY SHAY SINGSDorothy Shay, Orchestra under the direction of Mischa Russell
CL 6004DINAH SHORE SINGSDinah Shore, Orchestras under the direction of Sonny Burke, Nathan Van Cleave, Morris Stoloff and Joseph Lilley
CL 6005RHUMBA WITH CUGATXavier Cugat and his Orchestra
CL 6006CONTINENTAL TANGOSMarek Weber and his Orchestra
CL 6007FOR YOU ALONEBuddy Clark, Orchestra under the direction of Mitchell Ayres
CL 6008SENTIMENTAL JOURNEYLes Brown and his Orchestra
CL 6009ALL-TIME FAVORITES BY HARRY JAMESHarry James and his Orchestra
CL 6010EDDY DUCHIN REMINISCESEddy Duchin [piano] with rhythm accompaniment
CL 6011HAPPY ANNIVERSARY [A Musical Story]Ray Noble and his Orchestra with Kathy and Elliott Lewis