Longines Symphonette
Encyclopedia
The Longines Symphonette was a pre-recorded classical music program broadcast nightly on many Mutual stations from 1943 to 1949. It then moved to CBS
where it was heard Sundays at 2pm from 1949 to 1957. The initial conductor was Macklin Marrow, followed for most of the run by Michel Piastro, one-time concert master of the New York Philharmonic
.
Frank Knight was the program's announcer. The introductory theme was the final movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony
. The series was sponsored by the Longines
watch company.
A spin-off program was The Longines Choraliers which aired on CBS from March 13, 1949 to April 22, 1955.
The Longines company sold its record business to Warner Music Group
. Re-issues of the Longines recordings since the 1990s have been credited to the "Symphonette Society" and no longer have any reference to the watch company.
A Longines Chorus and Orchestra recording, "Waiting on the Robert E. Lee", can be heard on an NBC Monitor
broadcast from 1959.
s, television
s and electronic calculators
produced by Texas Instruments
.
' song "Birdhouse in Your Soul
" on their album Flood.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
where it was heard Sundays at 2pm from 1949 to 1957. The initial conductor was Macklin Marrow, followed for most of the run by Michel Piastro, one-time concert master of the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
.
Frank Knight was the program's announcer. The introductory theme was the final movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony
Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies. It comprises four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast...
. The series was sponsored by the Longines
Longines
Longines is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The company was originally founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832 and it currently holds the oldest registered logo for a watch company . Longines is currently owned by the Swatch Group.Longines is known for its 'Aviators' watches...
watch company.
A spin-off program was The Longines Choraliers which aired on CBS from March 13, 1949 to April 22, 1955.
Recordings
The Longines Symphonette Society was a record label which specialized in releasing classic radio programs and multiple-record box sets.The Longines company sold its record business to Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. Re-issues of the Longines recordings since the 1990s have been credited to the "Symphonette Society" and no longer have any reference to the watch company.
A Longines Chorus and Orchestra recording, "Waiting on the Robert E. Lee", can be heard on an NBC Monitor
Monitor (NBC Radio)
NBC Monitor was an American weekend radio program broadcast from June 12, 1955, until January 26, 1975. Airing live and nationwide on the NBC Radio Network, it originally aired beginning Saturday morning at 8am and continuing through the weekend until 12 midnight on Sunday...
broadcast from 1959.
Devices
Longines is the trade name of electronic devices, including transistor radioTransistor radio
A transistor radio is a small portable radio receiver using transistor-based circuitry. Following their development in 1954 they became the most popular electronic communication device in history, with billions manufactured during the 1960s and 1970s...
s, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
s and electronic calculators
Calculator
An electronic calculator is a small, portable, usually inexpensive electronic device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic. Modern calculators are more portable than most computers, though most PDAs are comparable in size to handheld calculators.The first solid-state electronic...
produced by Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
.
Cultural legacy
The Longines Symphonette (and their constant recording activity, never resting) was referenced in They Might Be GiantsThey Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
' song "Birdhouse in Your Soul
Birdhouse in Your Soul
"Birdhouse in Your Soul" is a song by American alternative rock band They Might Be Giants. It was released in March 1990 as a single from the album Flood. It reached #3 on the United States Modern Rock Tracks chart and #6 on the UK Singles Chart and remains their highest-charting single in both...
" on their album Flood.