Description
This collection is composed of concert recordings made by David Swedlow at Philharmonic Auditorium, the Hollywood Bowl, and
other venues between 1953 and 1960. Recordings comprise both the Winter and Summer seasons of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
during this period, in addition to other classical, jazz, and pop performances at the Hollywood Bowl. The collection also
includes two seasons (1953 and 1955) of the Pasadena Pops under the direction of David Rose. Swedlow recorded these concerts
on reel-to-reel tape using a rare and innovative 3-channel technology: two stereo channels and one center channel. His original
playback machine, built by Ampex, also resides in the collection.
Background
David Abraham Swedlow, 1911-1991, was founder of Swedlow, Inc., an acrylics manufacturing company based in Garden Grove, CA.
His innovative acrylic-shaping techniques improved the cockpit windows, canopies, and windshields of military planes. He also
enjoyed traveling, fishing, photography, Japanese art, and music. Between 1953 and 1960, he used a specially built 3-track
reel-to-reel machine to record performances of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in various venues. Swedlow died of cancer in Corona
del Mar, CA at age 89. (Source: Collection materials and Los Angeles Times, 1/29/91)
Restrictions
Los Angeles Philharmonic Archives © 2010
Availability
These recordings require play back on special 3-track equipment. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Archives is not in possession
of properly maintained equipment for the purpose of reviewing this non-standardized format. However, most of the recordings
have been digitized and may be available to access depending on restrictions. Please contact the Archivist for more information.
Permission to examine archival holdings will be granted to researchers by appointment only and upon completion of an agreement
form (available via online). Please bring proper identification. Original documents do not circulate and may only be used
in the Reading Room of the Archives. Requests for photocopies, digital scans, photographic prints, and other copies of archival
material will be satisfied based on copyright restrictions and staff resources. Duplication fees apply to outside researchers.
Please contact the Archivist for further details. Property rights to the physical object belong to the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Association. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility
of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to
publish in cases where the LAPA does not hold the copyright. Use of audio, video, and film recordings may require production
of listening copies. Likewise, many of the recordings include additional restrictions. Please contact the archivist to make
an appointment to use these materials.