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Start Date: July 28, 2022
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Lot 78 Columbia 1945 TEST PRESS Snd Engineer Vin Liebler Arranger Alan Shulman.

All are 12”. What I can deduce about all of them, before I address each disc individually.

On the label of each, written under “matrix no” is “mr liebler” which more than likely stands for Vin Liebler who was a sound engineer for Columbia Records in 1945 as all the test pressings are dated. The hand writing for this appears in different ink and penmanship than the rest of the label, but it is the same across all 8 discs.

Also written at the bottom of each discs white label is “Schulman” which more than likely stands for Alan Schulman who was a composer, cellist, and arranger for Columbia records at this time. He was also a founder and member of the Stuyvesant Quartet as well as recorded with and arranged for dozens of Victor & Columbia artists in the 1930s & 1940s. This penmanship is consistent with the rest of the labels writing (minus the Liebler) and is the same across all 8 discs. (A great synopsis of Shulman’s life and work can be found here: https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/alan-shulman-and-the-golden-age-of-music-in-nyc/ )

My best guess is that Alan Schulman arranged and/or played on these discs and that Vin Liebler either was the sound engineer or these remained in his possession. I do not know if they were ever released, If they were alternate takes, or anything else. I Use the information below to come to your own conclusion.

Disc 1: August 14, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34553-1A, “I SHOSTAKOVITCH, unreadable, SHULMAN” very clean, E-

Disc 2: Oct 8, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34555-1C, “II SHOSTAKOVITCH, SHULMAN” very clean, E-

Disc 3: August 27, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34555-1B, “HINDEMITH : LIVELY, FINALE, SHULMAN”, beautiful E+

Disc 4: September 18, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34556-1A, “HINDEMITH LIVELY, EXCERPTS - SUITE, SHULMAN”, very clean E-

Disc 5: August 27, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34489-1A, “SHULMAN NOCTURNE, SHULMAN”, beautiful E

Disc 6: August 14, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34487-1A, “II BARTOK ROUMANIAN DANCE, SHULMAN”, clean E-

Disc 7: August 23, 1945, Matrix # XCO 34486-1A, “I BARTOK ROUMANIAN DANCE, SHULMAN”, beautiful E+

Disc 8: July 27, 1944, Matrix # XCO 34488-1A, “RACHMANINOV SERENADE, SHULMAN”, beautiful E+