Building A Record Library in 1953--Keyboard Music: The 'B' List

Here's the "B" List consisting of relatively less "essential" keyboard music from Howard Taubman's 1953 guide to building a record library. As you will see, there's a pattern emerging, one that I find pretty annoying. See if you agree.

[MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

1:53 those Chabrier waltzes are delightful. An underestimated composer.

[rudilindner]

I seem to recall that the 1953 Schwann catalogues weren’t very long. I have a few old books by B.H. Haggin in which there isn’t as much available on disc. So some of his recommendations are faute de mieux, as we say in Yiddish

[whistlerfred]

I wanted to grouse about their being no Bartók on the list, particularly his early but influential "Allegro barbaro". But then, how much of Bartók music was available on recordings in 1953 (an honest question, for those who know the answer)?

[bbailey]

I enjoy the Brahms Chorale Preludes--as orchestrated by Virgil Thomson.

[mendyman]

No transcriptions. No Rameau or Couperin. No Scriabin. No Grainger, no Mompou. Post-war austerity extended to music!

[peacearchwa]

Moussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition is absent.

[socratez]

Wow, no Dvorak or Tchaikovsky on either list!

[JuanMoreOnce]

I trust that you are taking care to prevent this book from being seen by that Evil God you mention in some of your other videos.

[Mooseman]

If you have to get rid of something, get rid of Schumann.