Continuing with radio transcriptions of the 1960's this week. Featuring the Hollywood Bowl debut of 25 year-old Wunderkind Indian Conductor Zubin Mehta, who began his long association with the orchestra in 1961 with this performance, featuring pianist Byron Janis, of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #3, recorded by the Armed Forces Radio Service on August 1, 1961.

Mehta was something of a shot-in-the-arm for the Orchestra, which had gone through much of the previous decade in the musical doldrums, highlighted by the occasional guest conductor or soloist. Mehta brought enthusiasm back to the orchestra and the audience, by introducing a lot of adventuresome programming and trying unconventional things. Who could ever forget the L.A. Phil and The Mothers Of Invention at UCLA? Zubin Mehta came along and was at the right place at the right time.

And this recording is right about where it all started.

Another one of those concerts that hasn't seen the light of day since it was recorded. Even though it was pressed by AFRTS for use overseas, it's not likely it got a lot of airplay. And it certainly hasn't been reissued.

So yes, we're looking at yet another rarity here. Lucky you.

Taking a brief foray into the Transcription Service of Armed Forces Radio this week. Here is a recording of a concert at the Hollywood Bowl by The Los Angeles Philharmonic, guest conducted by Walter Hendl and featuring legendary violinist Issac Stern in a performance of the then-newly discovered Violin Concerto Number 1 by Bela Bartok.

The concert was recorded during the 1961 Hollywood Bowl season. Stern recorded this piece for Columbia Records with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy also in 1961. I doubt this particular performance has seen the light of day, so it's something of a rarity for Stern collectors.

And even if you're not, it's still rare and the recording probably hasn't been heard in some fifty years.