Columbia Symphony Orchestra

The Columbia Symphony Orchestra was an orchestra formed by Columbia Records strictly for the purpose of making recordings. In the 1950s, it provided a vehicle for some of Columbia's better known conductors and recording artists to record using only company resources. The musicians in the orchestra were contracted as needed for individual sessions and consisted of free-lance artists and often members of either the New York Philharmonic or the Los Angeles Philharmonic, depending on whether the recording was being made in Columbia's East Coast or West Coast studios.

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1913 - 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

Notes: Do not confuse the various orchestral names used by CBS and the Columbia record label, which include the Columbia Broadcasting Symphony (1930’s into the WWII period, conducted by Howard Barlow), the Columbia Concert Orchestra (made recordings apparently mostly in the 1940’s), and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra (made recordings in the 1950’s and 60’s, principal conductor Bruno Walter). The Columbia Phonograph Co. used the the name Columbia Orchestra through 1927.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 36611 12-in. 2/19/1913 Isolde's Liebestod Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Felix Weingartner Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 36612 12-in. 2/19/1913 Invitation to the dance Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Felix Weingartner Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 36914 12-in. 3/23/1914 Magic fire scene Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Felix Weingartner Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 36915 12-in. 3/23/1914 Symphony no. 6, Pathetique : First movement Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Felix Weingartner Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 36916 12-in. 3/23/1914 Carmen : Overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Felix Weingartner Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 36917 12-in. 3/23/1914 L'arlesienne suite : Prelude Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Felix Weingartner Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 37478 12-in. 11/23/1915 William Tell overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 37486 12-in. 11/27/1915 William Tell overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 37488 12-in. 11/29/1915 William Tell overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 37489 12-in. 11/27/1915 William Tell overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48534 12-in. ca. 1915 Peer Gynt suite Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Charles Adams Prince Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48535 12-in. 1/3/1916 Peer Gynt suite Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Charles Adams Prince Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48536 12-in. 1/3/1916 Peer Gynt suite Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Charles Adams Prince Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48537 12-in. 1/3/1916 Peer Gynt suite Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Charles Adams Prince Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48565 12-in. 1/28/1916 Wedding march Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48574 12-in. 1/28/1916 Tannhäuser : Grand march Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48593 12-in. 2/8/1916 The barber of Seville : Overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48780 12-in. 5/4/1916 Vorspiel und Liebestod Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48781 12-in. Goyescas : Intermezzo Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48804 12-in. 5/17/1916 Inflammatus Columbia Oratorio Chorus Mixed vocal chorus, with orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48888 12-in. 8/16/1916 Salut a pesth Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48899 12-in. 8/21/1916 Bridal procession Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48909 12-in. 9/7/1916 The last hope (Religious meditation) Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48910 12-in. 9/7/1916 La traviata : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48935 12-in. 9/28/1916 Marche slav Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48936 12-in. 9/28/1916 Valse lente Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48937 12-in. 9/28/1916 Minuet Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48939 12-in. 10/4/1916 La traviata : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48963 12-in. 10/25/1916 Light cavalry overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 48964 12-in. 10/25/1916 Light cavalry overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49006 12-in. 9/5/1916 Pagliacci : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49032 12-in. 12/20/1916 Marche slave Prince's Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49033 12-in. 12/20/1916 Marche slave Prince's Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49061 12-in. 1/3/1917 Polonaise militaire Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49062 12-in. 1/3/1917 Funeral march of a marionette Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49063 12-in. 1/4/1917 In a monastery garden Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Sibyl Sanderson Fagan Orchestra, with male vocal chorus and bird imitations Musical group  
Columbia 49085 12-in. 1/12/1917 Scarf dance Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Victor Herbert Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49086 12-in. 1/18/1917 Sonata : Minuet Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49088 12-in. 1/20/1917 Dragon fly mazurka Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49089 12-in. 1/20/1917 Stephanie gavotte Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49101 12-in. 1/26/1917 La czarine Prince's Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49115 12-in. 2/6/1917 Rienzi : Overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49116 12-in. 2/6/1917 Rienzi : Overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49136 12-in. 2/26/1917 The barber of Seville : Overture Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49154 12-in. 3/20/1917 Madame Butterfly : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Giorgio Polacco Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49155 12-in. 3/20/1917 Madame Butterfly : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Giorgio Polacco Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49162 12-in. 3/23/1917 Tosca : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Giorgio Polacco Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49163 12-in. 3/23/1917 Tosca : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Giorgio Polacco Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49491 12-in. 9/6/1918 A Roman carnival Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49492 12-in. 9/6/1918 A Roman carnival Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49493 12-in. 9/7/1918 Finlandia Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49494 12-in. 9/7/1918 En bateau Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49550 12-in. 11/1/1918 Romeo and Juliet overture, part 1 Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49551 12-in. 11/1/1918 Romeo and Juliet overture, part 2 Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49572 12-in. 1/10/1919 La bohème : Fantasia, part 1 Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49573 12-in. 1/10/1919 La bohème : Fantasia, part 2 Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49599 12-in. 3/14/1919 La forza del destino : Obertura Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49617 12-in. 4/5/1919 La forza del destino : Selección Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49789 12-in. 4/13/1920 Valse lente Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Charles Adams Prince Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49790 12-in. 4/13/1920 Prelude Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49791 12-in. 4/16/1920 Mignon : Overture, part 1 Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49792 12-in. 4/16/1920 Mignon : Overture, part 2 Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49810 12-in. 4/28/1920 Dance of the hours Gino Marinuzzi Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49811 12-in. 4/28/1920 Dance of the hours Gino Marinuzzi Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 49817 12-in. 4/30/1920 Tales of Hoffmann : Selections Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W141326 10-in. 11/30/1925 Ballet égyptien Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Concert Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W141327 10-in. 11/30/1925 Ballet égyptien Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Concert Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W144639 10-in. 9/7/1927 Idilio Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W144640 10-in. 9/9/1927 Spring song Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W144673 10-in. 9/14/1927 Intermezzo Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W144674 10-in. 9/14/1927 Barcarolle Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W145237 10-in. 11/25/1927 Shepherd's hey Columbia Symphony Orchestra ; Percy Grainger Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W145547 10-in. 1/20/1928 Al fresco Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W145548 10-in. 1/20/1928 Love in idleness Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W145613 10-in. 2/6/1928 Badinage Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W147392 10-in. 11/9/1928 Scarf dance Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W147393 10-in. 11/9/1928 The flatterer Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98369 12-in. 7/21/1927 Wedding march Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98370 12-in. 7/21/1927 Bridal chorus Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98371 12-in. 7/22/1927 Aïda : Grand march Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98372 12-in. 7/22/1927 Morning, noon and night in Vienna : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98373 12-in. 7/22/1927 Morning, noon and night in Vienna : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98374 12-in. 7/22/1927 Coronation march Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98375 12-in. 7/22/1927 Poet and peasant : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98382 12-in. 9/7/1927 Poet and peasant Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98383 12-in. 9/7/1927 Light cavalry : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98384 12-in. 9/7/1927 Light cavalry : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98385 12-in. 9/8/1927 March of the Bojaren Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98386 12-in. 9/8/1927 Bridal procession Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98387 12-in. 9/8/1927 La bohème : Selection Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98388 12-in. 9/9/1927 La bohème : Selection Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98389 12-in. 9/9/1927 Dance of the hours Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98390 12-in. 9/9/1927 Dance of the hours Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98391 12-in. 9/13/1927 Maritana : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98392 12-in. 9/13/1927 Maritana : Overture Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98393 12-in. 9/13/1927 Madame Butterfly Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98394 12-in. 9/13/1927 Madame Butterfly Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98395 12-in. 9/14/1927 Faust : Selection Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98396 12-in. 9/14/1927 Faust : Selection Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98471 12-in. 2/21/1928 March of the toys Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98472 12-in. 2/21/1928 Pan Americana Robert Hood Bowers ; Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98571 12-in. 9/12/1928 Karma Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98572 12-in. 9/12/1928 Karma Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98573 12-in. 9/13/1928 Karma Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98574 12-in. 9/13/1928 Karma Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98590 12-in. 9/22/1928 Karma Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia W98592 12-in. 9/24/1928 Karma Columbia Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Musical group  
Columbia 11217 10-in. approximately 1908 to 1914 Cavalleria rusticana : Intermezzo Columbia Orchestra Musical group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Columbia Symphony Orchestra," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102926.

Columbia Symphony Orchestra. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102926.

"Columbia Symphony Orchestra." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102926

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