Calling Kingsway Hall aficionados!

[Karafan]

I know there's more than me interested in the history of the much-missed old Kingsway Hall.

This is just a heads-up that in the Spring 2013 edition of Classic Recordings Quarterly, our own Gordon has revisited the subject in excellent style (marking the centenary of the hall's opening) and covering information that has come to light since his set of original, fascinating, articles in 2004. Well worth investigating (and Jon Tolansky examines Silvestri's recording career elsewhere in the edition, too.)

https://www.crq.org.uk

[Ferretfancy]

Karafan

I'm looking forward to my copy arriving. Along with the Sofiensaal in Vienna I can't think of a venue that has produced so many classic recordings. I only went there once, and that was for a rather bizarre recording experiment by the BBC back in about 1958.

The Concert Orchestra had a visit from Carmen Dragon as guest conductor, and some idiot decided to forget the excellent acoustics in order to produce the kind of mult-miked sound that the conductor was given on his recordings with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. the result, still in mono at that time, was a disaster. I believe that EMI and Decca tried to reach a deal to buy the hall when it was under threat, but couldn't sort out the finances, but no doubt we will read about this.

[Nick Armstrong]

karafan

Thanks for the pointer! As you know I've had the benefit of an extensive sneak preview - it's fascinating stuff.

[Beef Oven]

I know there's more than me interested in the history of the much-missed old Kingsway Hall.

This is just a heads-up that in the Spring 2013 edition of Classic Recordings Quarterly, our own Gordon has revisited the subject in excellent style (marking the centenary of the hall's opening) and covering information that has come to light since his set of original, fascinating, articles in 2004. Well worth investigating (and Jon Tolansky examines Silvestri's recording career elsewhere in the edition, too.)

www.crq.org.uk

Thanks very much indeed for the heads up on this. Was in the Kingsway Hall about 10 years ago when it was a pub/wine bar!

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks very much indeed for the heads up on this. Was in the Kingsway Hall about 10 years ago when it was a pub/wine bar!

I've been to legal training seminars there, as there is a "Conference Facility" on the site