Ballet Egyptian - American Symphony Orchestra (1915)
Channel: Seventy8
Date: 2022-08-27

Luigini's "Ballet Egyptian", performed by the American Symphony Orchestra.  Recorded November 12th, 1915 in New York, NY.

Edison diamond disc 80299 gives the following information about this composition, printed on the obverse side of the sleeve.

"Alexandre Clement Luigini, the famous French conductor and composer, was born at Lyons, on March 9th, 1850.  In 1869 he was appointed leader of the orchestra of the Grand Theatre of Lyons.  This post he held until 1897, when he became conductor at the Opera Comique in Paris - a post he filled with great distinction.

While at Lyons, Luigini was also professor of the Conservatoire there, and founded the famous "Concerts Bellecour" and the "Concerts du Conservatoire."  He wrote numerous ballets, a quantity of chamber music, and also some symphonic music; an opera-comique, "Faublas," produced in 1881, and a cantata, "Gloria Victis," performed at Lyons in 1887.

Of all the many ballets Luigini composed, the "Ballet Egyptian" is the most popular.  The ballet is in three parts, the first two given on one side of the record, and the third, on the other side.  Parts One and Two are in a rapid, whirling tempo all through.  The basic theme has that mystic charm suggestive of Egypt, and the rhythm calls to mind a nimble corps of dancers, flitting to and fro.

Part Three of the ballet, opens with an andante movement, in which the harp is prominent.  The ensuing theme is in a melancholy mood, slow and sedate.  The allegro rhythm is heard again, but only for a moment."