Hupka, Robert. Robert Hupka Collection of Toscanini Test Pressings.
Description:
The 3608 Toscanini recordings include test pressings of Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra in concerts, as well as NBC broadcasts of operas, festival performances, sacred music and more, including rehearsals; for many of these, the location and date of the recording is given and in some cases additional information such as names of performers. Broadcasts took place in the 1930s and 40s.
Repository/Collector:
Belfer Audio Archive
Repository/Collector Type:
College or University
City:
Syracuse
State:
New York
Country:
United States
Extent:
3608 recordings (747 tapes, unknown number of lacquer discs)
Content types:
Sounds and Other
Formats:
Disc (Commercial, Homemade, Transcription) and Reel-to-reel
Supporting documentation:
Associated papers in the collection include clippings, price guides, Toscanini's copy of Aida with his signature, material from the 1937 Salzburg Festival, two notes in Toscanini's hand, and some miscellaneous printed material (programs, etc.).
Historical relevance:
Robert Hupka (1919-2001) was a Viennese-born recording engineer and photographer. He was a sound engineer for RCA and later for Columbia records, and worked closely with Arturo Toscanini for many years. Toscanini (1867-1957) was an Italian conductor, renowned for his intensity and perfectionism; he is widely regarded as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. A talented photographer, Hupka also took thousands of photographs of the conductor which were published in 1963 in his book This Was Toscanini.