As with the Video Archive, this collection of audio recordings is intended as a point of reference for students of conducting (and musicians in general), and also for researchers of orchestral performance and in the British Isles during the period 1958 to 2000.
As a means of placing George Hurst’s teaching legacy within a performance-based context, it also provides a resource for teachers of conducting, when used in conjunction with the Video Archive.
The Sound Archive consists of four parts:
Interviews
In 2006, George Hurst provided a wide-ranging overview of his performing and teaching career, in discussion with former South West Television producer and valued friend, the late James Montgomery. The interview touches in particular on his formative years, his musical influences, and his work with the BBC Northern Orchestra in Manchester; it also provides many reminiscences about his experiences working alongside celebrated soloists and conductors from the ‘golden years’ of the mid-Twentieth Century, and a touching insight into his own personality and life philosophy. The interview is available complete, but has also been divided into short excerpts by topic and subject, for ease of reference.
Radio Broadcasts
There are a great many extant recordings of radio broadcasts conducted by George Hurst; especially those for performances given by the BBC orchestras. Some of these are held in the personal archives of the various developers of The George Hurst Archive, but it is our understanding that the BBC’s own archives may still contain many of these broadcasts, covering a vast repertoire. It is hoped that the BBC may release some of these recordings, or provide access for educational benefit, with encouragement and funding from The George Hurst Foundation.
We have uploaded on these pages a small selection of such broadcasts, for the public benefit. These are digitised transfers from magnetic cassette tapes and, as such, the sound quality is poor.
Commercial Recordings
We provide links here to any of George Hurst’s commercial recordings that have been posted via online platforms such as YouTube, or which have been re-released on streaming services, such as Spotify.
The Beethoven Symphonies Project
Between 2006 and 2012, George Hurst set out to supervise the recording of the nine symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven, in versions for piano duet. This was carried out within the context of his work as Consultant to the conducting department at London’s Royal Academy of Music, and so the recordings were made at that institution. The ‘performances’ were intended as a pedagogical tool, and as a means of setting down George’s interpretative approach to these core works, for future generations.
Symphonies 1-8 were recorded, but George Hurst passed away before having the opportunity to complete the project with Beethoven’s 9th and final symphony.
We present here Symphony No. 1 and Symphony No. 5, which were the only two for which the editing process was completed.