Symphony of the Birds

Jim Fassett, musical director at CBS Radio in the 1950s, took pre-recorded bird songs and arranged them into a three-movement "Symphony of the Birds." After its release in 1957, the record gradually acquired a following, largely due to being an early example of experimental music, but also because it was such an oddity. It was eventually reissued in 2006.

Note: Discogs.org (and every other site I can find that discusses the album) says it was released in 1960, but newspapers and magazines were discussing its release in 1957.

More info: soundohm.com

Tampa Bay Times - Apr 28, 1957

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Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 14, 2022
Category: Music | 1950s

Comments

I don't think any bird would recognise this.

Also, I much prefer the actual birds in my back garden.

Posted by Richard Bos on 10/15/22 at 12:25 PM

I believe that this was first played to the world in May 1950 during the intermission of a regular weekly symphonic broadcast on CBS Radio from the NYC Philharmonic (I have a letter from a listener who mentions missing the first broadcast but hearing a re-broadcast during another intermission later that year). Fassett was a CBS musical director and host of the intermission time. I am not sure if the version played in 1950 is the same as the one released on vinyl later.

Posted by Matt Rogalsky on 11/09/22 at 12:32 PM

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