Sonotape pre-recorded Half-Track MONO reel-to-reel tapes 1955-57

Tape Recording Magazine, April, 1954: Of particular interest to this column is his revelation that
Westminster plans to enter the tape field this year (including those magnificent Scherchen recordings?)

Billboard, Sept 10, 1955: Sonotape Inc has been formed as a mail-order purveyor of pre-recorded tapes. 12 reels of Westminster
material to be released in October, price $7.95 [= 1000 series] or $11.95 [= 5000 series]. Scherchen and Boult. Not for sale over counter.

SW 1001   Hermann Scherchen - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Beethoven: Symphony No 5 in C Minor, Op 67 (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Recorded in London in September 1954. Available in MONO only.
Also released in 1955 as WL-5406. Tape initially available as mail-order only.

SW 1002   Hermann Scherchen - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Ouverture / Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasia (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Recorded by NIXA in London during the fall of 1953. First released in 1954 on WL-5282. "1812" also released on W-LAB 7043.
Tape initially available as mail-order only. Not listed in subsequent catalogs so this was probably the only tape edition.

SW 1003   Edith Farnadi, piano - Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Rachmaninoff: Concerto No 2 for Piano and Orchestra in C Minor, Op 18 (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Recorded in the Konzerthaus, Vienna. Originally released in 1953 as WL-5193. Tape initially available as mail-order only.

SW 1004   Dennis Noble - London Philharmonic Choir,
Sir Adrian Boult - Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra
Walton: Belshazzar's Feast (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Recorded by NIXA in London during the fall of 1953. First released in 1954 on WL-5248. Tape initially available as mail-order only.
Not listed in subsequent catalogs so this was probably the only edition.

SW 1005   Scherchen / Quadri - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Honegger / Mossolov / Revueltas / Chabrier (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Originally released on W-LAB 7004. Tape released as mail-order only. The original owner received it on October 19, 1955.
R D Darrell's review from the November 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine to the right.

SW 1006   Sir Adrian Boult - Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra
Brahms: Symphony No 2 in D, Op 73 (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Also released on XWN-18132 in 1956. Tape released as mail-order and available in MONO only.
SW-1006 image presented in cooperation with ReelHifi.

SW 1007   Mitchell Howard - National Symphony Orchestra
Shostakovitch: Symphony No 1 in F, Op 10 (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

First release on WL-5319 early 1955. SW-1007 image presented in cooperation with ReelHifi. Tape released as mail-
order and available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review from the October 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine to the right.

SW 1008   Jean Fournier, Antonio Janigro and Paul Badura-Skoda
Beethoven: "Archduke" Trio in B-Flat, Op 97 (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Originally released as mail-order and available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review from the August 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine to the right.

SW 1009   Paul Badura-Skoda, piano
Beethoven Sonatas No 14 ("Moonlight") / No 8 ("Pathetique") (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

SW-1009 images presented in cooperation with ReelHifi. Originally released as mail-order and available in MONO only.

SW 1010   Hoch- und Deutschmeister Kapelle - Julius Hermann
A Band Concert (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

This Austrian military band, formed in 1741, was called 'Deutschmeister Band' in the US market. Originally released as
mail-order and available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review from the October 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine to the right.

SW 1011   Carl Weinrich
J S Bach: Organ Music. Toccata in D Minor (S 565) / E Major (S 566) / F Major (S 540) (1st batch, Oct 1955, $7.95)

Recorded in the Vårfru Kyrka, Skänninge, Sweden. Originally released as mail-order and available
in MONO only. R D Darrell's review from the June 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine below.

SW 5001   Sir Adrian Boult - Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra
Holst: The Planets, Op 32 (1st batch, Oct 1955, $11.95)

Originally realeased in 1954 as WL-5235. This was the 12th and final release of the 1st batch. A NIXA
recording, available in MONO only. Not listed in subsequent catalogs so this was probably the only tape edition.

Billboard Feb 25, 1956: Sonotape mail-order has not worked out, dealers will now be offered 25% discount for orders up to 10, 30% off of greater quantity.

SW 1012   Edith Farnadi, piano - Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Liszt: Concertos for Piano and Orchestra No 1 in E flat, No 2 in A (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally realeased in 1952 as WL-5168. Available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review is from the September 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1013   Paul Badura-Skoda, piano - Artur Rodzinski - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Chopin: Concerto No 2 for Piano and Orchestra in F Minor, Op 21 (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Recorded in the Konzerthaus, Vienna. Originally released in 1954 on WL-5308. Available in MONO only.

SW 1014   Hermann Scherchen - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies Nos 2, 3 & 4 (2nd batch, spring 1956)

1956 and 1957 editions depiceted. Note difference in fonts, spacing and size of the Westminster logo.
The image to the left is presented in cooperation with ReelHifi. Available in MONO only.

SW 1015   Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Beethoven: Overtures Leonore No 3 / Coriolan / Ruins of Athens (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally realeased in 1954 as WL-5335. Available in MONO only.

SW 1016   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Johan Strauss Waltzes: Empereor Waltz / Roses from the South / The Blue Danube / Voices of Spring (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 7026. Available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review from the August 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine to the right.

SW 1017   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Richard Strauss: Don Juan / Till Eulenspiegel (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 7016. Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review
from the August 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine to the right.

SW 1018   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Bizet: Carmen Suites 1 and 2 (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 7005. 1956 and 1957 editions depicted. Available in MONO only.

SW 1019   Hermann Scherchen - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Stravinsky: Petrouchka (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Tape version of W-LAB 7011, available in MONO only. Early Sonotape Catalog depicted to the right.
R D Darrell's review is from the June 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1020   Argeo Quadri - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London (2nd batch, spring 1956)
Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre / Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Artur Rodzinski - Vienna State Opera Orchestra: Franck: Le Chausseur Maudit

Available in MONO only. 1956 and 1957 editions depicted. Note difference in fonts, spacing and size of the Westminster logo.

R D Darrell's review is from the November 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1021   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries / Siegfried's Rhine Journey / Siegfried's Funeral Music / Magic Fire Music (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 7013. Available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review is from the September 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1022   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Mussorgsky-Ravel: Pictures at an exhibition (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally released in 1955 as W-LAB 7019. Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the September 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1023   Erich Leinsdorf - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Mozart Symphonies: No 40 in G Minor, K 550 / No 32 in G Major, K 318 (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Recorded in the Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London, UK in May 1955. Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review from the April 1957 issue of
High Fidelity Magazine to the right. The image to the left is presented in cooperation with ReelHifi. Available in MONO only.

SW 1024   Howard Mitchell - National Symphony Orchestra of Washington DC
Copland: Billy the Kid (Ballet) / El Salón México / Fanfare for the Common Man (2nd batch, spring 1956)

Originally released in 1954 as WL-5286. Available in MONO only.

SW 3001   Argeo Quadri - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade, Op 35 (2nd batch, spring 1956, $9.95)

Recorded in the Konzerthaus, Vienna. Originally released as WL-5234. Available in MONO only.
Quadri's breathtaking 1953 version is a forgotten gem. This is a true delight for Scheherezade fans and
connoisseurs alike! Taken at a slower pace than usual, this 45 minute rendition reveals many intricate details from the
score that often passes unnoticed. The depth and dynamics of this Natural Balance recording leaves nothing to be desired.

SW 3002   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Dvorak: "New World" Symphony (Symphony No 5 in E Minor, Op 95) (2nd batch, spring 1956, $9.95)

Recorded in London in October 1954. Originally released in 1955 as WL-5370.
Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the April 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 5002   Carl Weinrich - J S Bach: Organ Music; (2nd batch, spring 1956, $11.95)
Prelude & Fugue, E Flat Major (S552 "St Anne") / Toccata & Fugue, D Minor (S538 "Dorian") /
Toccata, Adagio & Fugue, C Major (S564) / Canzona, D Minor (S588) / Alla Breve, D Minor (S589)

Recorded in the Vårfru Kyrka, Skänninge, Sweden. Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review
from the June 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine below. This 2nd and last release in the 5000 series.

SW 1025   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Grieg: Peer Gynt suites Nos 1 and 2 (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 7014. Available in MONO only.

SW 1026   Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Glière: The Red Poppy (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally released in December 1954 on W-LAB 7001. Available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review is from the March 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1027   Montini and his Orchestra
Music in the night (3rd batch, 1956)

Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the December 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1028   Jean Fournier, Antonio Janigro and Paul Badura-Skoda
Schubert: Trio No 1 in B Flat Major, Op 99 (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally realeased in 1953 as WL-5188. Available in MONO only.

SW 1029   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Ippolitov-Ivanov: Caucasian Sketches / Borodin: Polovtsian Dances (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally released in 1956 as W-LAB 7039. Available in MONO only.

SW 1030   Edith Farnadi, piano
Liszt: 4 Hungarian Rhapsodies (3rd batch, 1956)

Contains Nos 2, 6, 9 and 15. Available in MONO only.

SW 1031   Fernando Valenti
Scarlatti: 6 Sonatas for Harpischord (3rd batch, 1956)

Contains Longo 407, 155, 129, 375, 376 and 86. Available in MONO only.
The image to the left is presented in cooperation with ReelHifi.

SW 1032   Antal Kocze and his Gypsies
Play Gypsy, Play (3rd batch, 1956)

Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the February 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1033   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Bizet: L'Arlesienne suites Nos 1 and 2 (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 7006. Available in MONO only.

SW 1034   Hoch- und Deutschmeister Kapelle - Julius Hermann
Marches of many nations (3rd batch, 1956)

Tape release of Westminster Laboratory Series W-LAB 7037. Available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review is from the November 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1035   Paul Badura-Skoda, piano - Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Franck: Symphonic Variations / Rimsky-Korsakoff: Piano Concerto, Op 30 (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally released in 1956 as W-LAB 7030. Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the December 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1036   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Dvorak: 6 Slavonic Dances (3rd batch, 1956)

Also released on XWN-2204, available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the April 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1037   Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra, 4 Soloists, Akademie Kammerchor
Bach: Cantata No 140, Wachet auf (3rd batch, 1956)

Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the December 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1038   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Prokoffief: Suite from "The Love For Three Oranges", Op 33a / Classical Symphony, Op 25 (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally released in 1955 as W-LAB 7017. Available in MONO only.

R D Darrell's review is from the January 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1039   Scherchen, Hermann - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Beethoven: Symphony No 4 in B Flat, Op 60 (3rd batch, 1956)

Available in MONO only.

SW 1040   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde: Prelude, Liebestod / Tannhäuser: Overture (3rd batch, 1956)

Available in MONO only. R D Darrell's review is from the December 1956 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 1041   Paul Badura-Skoda, Jörg Demus
Mozart: Sonata in D Major, K 448/Andante con variazioni in G, K 501 (3rd batch, 1956)

Originally realeased in 1951 as WL-5069. Available in MONO only.

SW 1042   Hermann Scherchen - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Haydn: Symphony No 100 in G Major ("Military") (3rd batch, 1956)

Available in MONO only.

SW 3003   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Kodály: Háry János Suite / Dances from Galánta (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Originally released on W-LAB 7034 and 7020 in 1956 and 1955. Available in MONO only.

SW 3004   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 5 (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Originally released in 1955 on W-LAB 8001. Available in MONO only.

SW 3005   Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Prokofieff: Scythian Suite, Op 20 / Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op 60 (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Originally released on WL-5091 in 1951, available in MONO only.
R D Darrell's review is from the January 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 3006   Argeo Quadri - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Respighi: Pines of Rome / Fountains of Rome (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Original 1956 and 1957 editions depicted. Note differences in font and spacing.

Available in MONO only. Again, Quadri's rendition is superb and the depth and dynamics of this 1953 Natural Balance recording
leaves little, if anything, to be desired. R D Darrell's review is from the January 1957 issue of High Fidelity Magazine.

SW 3007   Barylli String Ensemble, Vienna Philharmonic Wind Group
Beethoven: Septet in E-Flat, Op 20 (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Available in MONO only.

SW 3008   Badura-Skoda, Kamper, Weiss, Kwarda, Hermann
Schubert: Trout quintet, Op 114 (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Available in MONO only.

SW 3009   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6 in B Minor, Op 74 (3rd batch, 1956, $9.95)

Available in MONO only.

SW 1043   Ars Nova, Robert Mandell conductor
Stravinsky: L'Histoire du Soldat (4th batch, late 1956)

Also released in November 1956 on W-LAB 7049. Also recorded and released in stereo (SWB 8003).

SW 1044   Butterfield, Billy - The Butterfield Band
The Butterfield Band (4th batch, late 1956)

Available in MONO only.

SW 1045   Ferrante & Teicher
Sound Proof! (4th batch, late 1956)

Also recorded and released in stereo (SWB 8007).

SW 1046   Robert Locksmith and Robert Owen
The bells of St Mary's - Carillon and Organ music for Inspiration (4th batch, late 1956)

Also recorded and released in stereo (SWB 8011).

SW 1047   Dick Liebert
Liebert takes Richmond (4th batch, late 1956)

Also recorded and released in stereo (SWB 8006).

SW 1048   Ferrante & Teicher
Latin-American Adventure - Sounds Unbelievable (4th batch, late 1956)

Arthur Ferrante and Louis Teicher's Sonotape utilizes the entire capacity of 2-track recording and is full of sonic tricks
which were sensational in 1956. This 12-track MONO version was also released as a 10-track stereophonic tape (SWB-8005).

Billboard Jan 26, 1957: First stereo orchestral tapes released in Feb. Also a mono demonstration sampler @ 3.50. Releases include Beethoven's
5th, Tchaikowsky's 4th, Nutcracker suite all by Rodzinski. Additionally 4 [MONO] tapes @$7.95 [= 1000 series] and 2 @ 9.95 [= 3000 series].

SW-DEM 2   Sonotape Sampler - Monaural Demonstration Tape
Excerpts from Outstanding Monaural Sonotape Releases (5th batch, Feb 1957, $3.50)

Selections from SW 1010-1038. The article is from the January 26, 1957 edition of Billboard.

SW 1049   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Beethoven: Symphony No 7 in F, Op 93 / Consecration of the House (5th batch, Feb 1957, $7.95)

Also recorded and released in stereo.

SW 1050   Argeo Quadri - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Rossini: Willem Tell Overture / Thieving Magpie / Saint-Saëns: Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila (5th batch, Feb 1957, $7.95)

Also released on W-LAB 7050 and 7069. Also recorded and released in stereo.

SW 1051   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Strauss J: Tales from Vienna Woods / Strauss R: Rosenkavalier Suite (5th batch, Feb 1957, $7.95)

Originally released in 1956 on W-LAB 7025. Also recorded and released in stereo.

SW 1052   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London, Yuri Boukoff, piano
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op 16 (5th batch, Feb 1957, $7.95)

Also recorded in stereo.

SW 3010   Herbert Williams - Symphony Orchestra
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite / Nutcracker Suite (5th batch, Feb 1957, $9.95)

Available in MONO only.

SW 3011   Artur Rodzinski - Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London
Shostakovitch: Symphony No 5, Op 47 (5th batch, Feb 1957, $9.95)

Also recorded in stereo.

SW 1053   UNRELEASED
No tape seems to have been issued under this catalog number.

SW 1054   UNRELEASED
No tape seems to have been issued under this catalog number.

SW 1055   UNRELEASED
No tape seems to have been issued under this catalog number.

SW 1056   UNRELEASED
No tape seems to have been issued under this catalog number.

SW 1057   UNRELEASED
No tape seems to have been issued under this catalog number.

SW 1058   Hermann Scherchen - Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Tchaikovsky: March Slav / Khachaturian: Gayne Ballet Suite (6th batch, June 1957)

Also released on W-LAB 7068 and in stereo (SWB 7008 and 7009), recorded in the Mozartsaal, Konzerthaus, Vienna, May 1957.
This was probably the only release from the 6th and final monaural half-track batch by Sonotape.

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