These recordings offer a fascinating insight into the playing of the Hallé before and during the Second World War, primarily with its Principal Conductor Hamilton Harty. Harty’s recorded legacy with the Hallé stretches from early acoustic recordings made in 1920 through until he left Manchester in 1933. The Orchestra did not record again until 1941.

It is important to remember the circumstances under which these recordings were made. Works needed to be divided up into four to five minute sections, and tempos often reflect this fact. There were no ‘second chances’, no edits and no opportunity to hear a finished ‘take’ without destroying it!

Digitally remastered recordings.