Availability of CD or cassette recordings of classicals by the First
Piano Quartet, a musical group of immense popularity on NBC radio in
1940-50's. Also, the same for a currently performing piano quartet out
of Philadelphia called the "Piano 4".

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Request for Question Clarification by byrd-ga on 10 Aug 2003 08:54 PDT

Hi Profandy,

As I’m sure you already know, recordings by these groups aren’t
exactly plentiful.  However, I was able to locate a few sources for
you.

Piano Productions of Philadelphia is probably the most complete
source.  This company, through the efforts of its founder, John Kozar,
who also founded the Piano4 group, has acquired rights to First Piano
Quartet’s over 400 adaptations, arrangements, and original
compositions for four pianos.  Their main web site is here:
http://www.pianoproductions.org/  They have an online catalogue (with
an alternate print-ready version) containing many recordings of the
First Piano Quartet with listings of additional titles to be available
soon.  Browse it here:
http://www.pianoproductions.org/catalogue_2001.html .

In addition, Jerry Haendige’s “Old Time Radio Programs” site has one
FPQ original radio broadcast available on CD ("Spinning Top" 1-25-43
(14:30) NBC-Blue SUSTAINED Four Men Playing Four Pianos”)  The number
is #42303, and you can find/order it here:
http://otrsite.com/catalog/cdlist.htm#42303   “Those Radio Times” in
England also has a CD of First Piano Quartet from 1945 (“JAMES MELTON
VOL 16 2 TEXACO STAR THEATER SHOWS(29.04.1945 & 06.05.1945) with JOAN
EDWARDS & GINNY SIMMS ALEC TEMPLETON & FIRST PIANO QUARTET”)  Clicking
on “Order Radio Broadcast Recordings” will open an email window.
M & L Associates Classical Piano Catalogue lists an LP recording of
First Piano Quartet “Chopin Favorites” here:
http://www.halcyon.com/mlrecmod/WEBPIANO.HTM  Use the “edit” “find”
feature of your browser with the term “first” to quickly locate it.

Oddly enough, although Piano Productions manages Piano4, which as they
state was “formed in tribute to the First Piano Quartet (FPQ) of 1940s
& '50s, NBC radio fame,” there are no recordings by the group offered
in their cataglogue.  However, they do provide a contact number for
information: http://www.pianoproductions.org/piano4.html  From
perusing a recent online itinerary of the group, here:
http://www.pianoproductions.org/p4itin.asp , which is current through
April of this year, it would seem that perhaps the group has been
concentrating on touring rather than recording, and the latter might
be something they plan to undertake in future after their sound and
popularity has been more established.  This is mere conjecture on my
part, however, and I would recommend contacting Piano Productions for
more information as they suggest.   Also, on the catalogue page you
can sign up to receive email notification about any updates or
additions, as well as make requests.

Since I was unable to find any recordings by Piano4, I am requesting
clarification from you as to whether the preceding information is
acceptable to you as an answer to your question or not.  If so, I will
be glad to post as such and claim the fee.  If not, perhaps another
Researcher may have more success.

Best wishes,
Byrd

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Clarification of Question by profandy-ga on 11 Aug 2003 19:59 PDT

Byrd ...I believe you've done it.I'm well satisfied with the info. The
fee is yours. Thanks much.I'm considering the question closed with
your reply.

Regards

Profandy

Dear Profandy,

Thank you for your response.  I'm glad I was able to be of help to
you.

In addition to the above links, I have found a couple of other
resources for you.  If you have or can find the equipment to play
vinyl, Flipside Records has one LP of First Piano Quartet in stock. 
Here's their website: http://www.flipmall.com/classical.htm  You can
either scroll down about one-third down the page to find the listing -
ECL 169 - FIRST PIANO QUARTET - VARIOUS / DANCES AND WALTZES - LP RCA
LM 1165 VG $12.00 - or use your browser "edit" "find" to locate it.

Also, M&L Records ( http://www.halcyon.com/mlrecmod/INDEX.HTM ) has
one 45 recording of FPQ performing "Rhapsody in Blue/An American in
Paris."  Again, use your browser "edit" "find" to locate it.

Here's one more source that has two LPs: http://www.recordfinders.com/
The specific page is: http://www.recordfinders.com/setpr2.htm  Use the
browser to locate them.

And just for fun, here's a source that has several 78 rpm recordings
(can anyone still play those?):
http://vinylrehab.home.mindspring.com/78rpm_classical_record_sets.html

If you can find a way to play any or all of these, and input them into
your computer, you could turn them into MP3 files, which could then in
turn be burned onto CDs.  If you think you'd like to try that, here's
a link to an excellent tutorial on how, which also has recommendations
and links to the best hardware/software for the purpose:
http://www.zisman.ca/Recording/index.html

Again, thank you for the opportunity to work on this very interesting
question.  I wish you many happy hours of listening, and hope that
Piano4 will be coming out with some recordings soon for you to enjoy
as well.

Cheers,
Byrd

Search terms used:

CD NBC "First Piano Quartet"
"First Piano Quartet" OR Piano 4 -bohuslav -martinu -faure
NBC "First Piano Quartet"
Piano4

Profandy,

Thank you very much for the five star rating and generous tip!  I'm so
glad you were pleased with my answer and I appreciate the opportunity
to have provided it.

Best Regards,
Byrd

Byrd...

Thank you...thank you...thank you!!! I have literally been looking for
the First Piano Quartet's recordings, for years. My mother had a
couple of old 78 albums, of their recordings. Which had Malaguena,
Andalucia, Danza de los Nanigos, Rhapsody in Blue, Hungarian Rhapsody
#2 and I LOVED them!!! Even to this day...I still *measure* the
quality of anyone's recording of Malaguena, to the First Piano
Quartet's recording, arrangement and rendition of that masterpiece.

I learn to play the piano, over 50 years ago, and that is when you
TRULY understand the arrangements of 4 pianos. To the vast majority of
listeners, it is just *noise*, and while, it may be BEAUTIFUL *noise*,
they honestly do not truly appreciate the magnificent artistry and
talent, involved with 4 different pianists.

I am as equally surprised that the Piano4 haven't recorded much,
themselves. It is such an awesome feat and really needs to be
*recorded*, so that the generations in the future, can hear this
awesome, musical phenomenon.

Once again...thank you...thank you...thank you!!! 

Respectfully,
MmeMoxie

Hello MmeMoxie,

How delightful to know that this answer to someone else's question has
also benefited you!  Thank you for taking the time to say so.  Good
luck in making your purchases, and I wish you also many happy
listening hours.  I do agree that Piano4 really ought to pay some
attention to recording.  Hopefully they will do so soon.

Best wishes,
Byrd