Falcone Volume IV

[Chris]

Hello all,

I have recently acquired a vinyl record of Leonard Falcone playing numerous different solos. It is still inside it's case and the plastic coating and has never been opened. I am writing on here to see if anyone knows the history of these recordings (which are titled "Michigan State University presents Leonard Falcone").

On this particular volume Falcone plays:
*From the Shores of the Might Pacific (Clarke)
O Sole Mio (Dicapua)
*Serenade (Schubert)
Ave Maria (Bach/Falcone)
*Fantasia Original (Picchi-Mantia/Falcone)
*Flower Song from 'Carmen' (Bizet/A.A. Harding)
Serenade (Toselli)

*With Band Accompaniment

These recordings were all made between 1957 and 1967 and the back of the record states that all sales from his recordings will go directly into a scholarship fund at MSU (lucky dogs).

In closing, I'm curious about any additional knowledge that may be obtained about these recordings. I'm also interested to learn in this may be of any value (if not I'm opening this baby up and hitting it with the needle).

Thanks in advance,
--Chris

[druby]

This record was originally made as a fund raiser for MSU. Several cartons of the record were given away at the Falcone competition in 2007 when I attended. I believe they may have been extras brought by Mrs. Falcone (she attends and helps sponsor and organize each competition).

Of course, to euphonium performers like myself, any recording of Falcone is priceless. I have an old stereo reel-to-reel recording (the only one) of Mr. Falcone performing in Modesto, California in the spring of 1968 or 1969 with the MJC band. He performs Fantasie Originale and the Schubert Serenade. The good thing about this recoridng is that the quality is much better than any of the 4 records, so you get a much better idea of his tone.

To save the original vinyl and reel-to-reel media, I have ripped all of these to MP3 and listen to them whenever I want to study a particular piece.

Doug