A year of contrasts, 1953 was. Between the Coronation of Princess Elizabeth to the gas chamber execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, to the death of Soviet leader Josef Stalin. It was an interesting year. The news on Stalin was very slow in coming. It made scant mention in the
Over to Geneva Switzerland for a historic concert by Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conducted by their Music Director of many years Ernest Ansermet and featuring the legendary Artur Rubinstein, piano in a concert recorded circa 1961 (no exact dates, sorry). It was rebroadcast as part of the ongoing RTS
– Dean Acheson address – November 21, 1959 (unknown location) – Gordon Skene Sound Collection. Former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, who served under President Truman from 1949-1953 had the onerous task of keeping the world reasonably sane during what became the height of the Cold War. Weathering the Korean
– American Forum – 1956 Election – Jan. 29, 1956 – As the 1956 Presidential election season got underway, the slogan used by the incumbent Republicans most argued was “Peace and Prosperity”. In this debate, part of the American Forum radio series from January 29, 1956, the Governors got into
Almost overshadowed by the Presidential election, the situation in Hungary quickly spiraled out of control by November 4th 1956. News reports were coming in thick and fast regarding Russian tanks heading for Budapest with the intent on crushing a revolt that had begun in Budapest and spread throughout Hungary. The
On September 23, 1952, vice-Presidential candidate Senator Richard Nixon was fighting for his political life amid charges of misusing campaign contributions, secret bank accounts and dirty tricks. So much were the allegations that it was advised Eisenhower dump the nefarious running mate and look for someone else. In his defense,
– Don Hollenbeck And the News – CBS Radio – July 23, 1951 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection – With news for this July 23rd in 1951 focused on President Truman‘s upbeat assessment of the country mid-way through 1951 and cautious reports on negotiations in Korea toward an armistice, news
– July 11, 1951 – CBS Radio: Edward R. Murrow News with Don Hollenbeck – Gordon Skene Sound Collection – Another mixed-signals day, this July 11, 1951. With truce talks going on in Korea, fighting was still going on – with a reported additional 164 American troops killed in action
– American Forum – Happy Pills – July 8, 1956 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection – You can blame it on the Cold War, you can blame it on the great uncertainty society was facing. You can blame it on the questioning of values and who we had become as
Getting ready for the onslaught of Festivals this year. Rock and Jazz aren’t the exclusive property of the Festival atmosphere. Festivals throughout Europe featuring Classical music probably outnumber the others by a sizable number. But we have our fair share too. Certainly, The Hollywood Bowl season (which should be kicking
