The Soundtrack of One Kiwi Man's Life
I recently took home a collection of records from an estate sale. I made the purchase on Trademe from a listing of 4 packed boxes of unknown albums. Most had their jackets, so I figured it was worth it, if not for the well-cared-for sound, for the historical education. The following is the 174 of records once owned by a Dunedin man who has left behind a time capsule of New Zealand’s listening culture. As I sort through each sleeve, I’m piecing together a story of one man’s soundtrack, and perhaps, a reflection of an era. ORCHESTRAL RECORDINGS Perhaps passed on from somebody else, these sleeves contain 35 symphony recordings of orchestras and piano forte solos, reproduced by various music companies and earlier 10-inch productions from the late 1940s and early 1950s. They showcase popular light orchestral works and salon pieces of the post-war era, from waltzes and film themes to piano showcases and dance band interpretations. Unlike the later LPs in the collection, these smaller re...
