Poulenc recorded Babar for Les discophiles français, with the narration spoken by Pierre Fresnay. The date 2 July 1954 is given for this recording in Carl B. Schmidt, Entrancing Muse: A Documented Biography of Francis Poulenc. Mike Gray's classical-discography.org gives 1954 (year only) as the date, and the catalogue number EX25105. Schmidt also mentions the recording with Coward and gives "c. 1957" as the date.
I too have wondered about the provenance of this recording. The license notice is good evidence for the theory that the same recording of Poulenc was overdubbed with narration both in French and English. It would be most interesting to hear and compare the records. If Poulenc was recorded in 1954, presumably in France, where and when was Coward recorded? It's also odd that a collaboration of two rather famous individuals would be a little-known issue on an obscure label, particularly as both were CBS/Columbia artists in that period.
Russell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Stern" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2015 7:02:33 PM
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Aurora Records Ltd. (UK) Lp label - info wanted
I recently acquired AURORA aba 253 a 10-inch LP, disc labels indicate
LICENSE DISCOPHILES FRANCAIS
labels also say AURORA MASTERWORKS
POULENC: THE STORY OF BABAR
NOEL COWARD, narrator
Francis POULENC, piano.
Was this also issued by Discophiles Francais ??? details ??? Any other
releases ???
the jacket lists 2 additional albums, and provides address to send for
"complete catalog".
aba 251 ENGLISH MADRIGALS -
The New Saltire Singers
aba 252 MOZART: Bastien et Bastienne
Bernard Roux, Pierre Maggiora,
Les Petits Chanteurs de Vincennes
Conducted by Max Gaetti
AURORA RECORDS LIMITED, 37 Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London, W.1
I'd appreciate any information you can provide about this label, who founded
& ran it, years active, any other releases ?????
Thanks!
Happy New Year!
Thomas.
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