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.

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)

154.0 linear feet

Los Angeles Philharmonic Archives © 2010

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.