December 19, 2025
December 17, 2025
20,000 vinyl LPs 403: Zoltán Kodály ~ Psalmus Hungaricus
~
vinyl LP front cover
cover photo by
photo of album cover by Styrous®
This month is the birthday of Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, music pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher, Zoltán Kodály who was born on December 16, 1882, in Kecskemét, Kingdom of Hungary, Austria-Hungary. He is known as the creator of the Kodály method of music education.
The Psalmus Hungaricus, Op. 13, is a choral work for tenor, chorus and orchestra by Zoltán Kodály, composed in 1923. The Psalmus was commissioned to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda for a gala performance on 19 November 1923 along with the Dance Suite by Béla Bartók.
Where the Psalmus Hungaricus is reverent, regal and serious, the Dance Suite is full of life, fun, light and joyous. The text is based on the gloss of Psalm 55, "Give ear to my prayer, oh God", by 16th-century poet, preacher, and translator Mihály Vég. libretto's passages of despair and call to God provide opportunities for
the composer to address Hungary's tragic past and disastrous post-Trianon Treaty predicament, when it lost over 70% of its national territory. The music reflects the nation's crisis during and after World War I (the partition of the historical Hungary), and the text draws a parallel between the sorrows of King David and the suffering of the Magyars in Ottoman Hungary. Thus, the Psalmus Hungaricus encompasses two and a half millennia of political distress.
The work opens with a terse orchestral prelude Then the solo tenor follows with the aria, Oh, that I had
wings like a dove. The chorus
responds with a brief, gentle passage, followed by a wordless female choral lamentation, and their cries arfe joined by
the tenor's part to the climactic choral assertion that God shall hear, and afflict them. A dramatic monologue sung by the
tenor ensues, continuing nearly to the movement's finale, when the
chorus erupts into a joyous declaration.
The first performance outside Hungary of the Psalmus Hungaricus took place with Volkmar Andreae conducting in Zürich on June 18, 1926, This marked a turning point in the
international recognition of Kodály as a composer, beyond his renown as
an ethnomusicologist and music educator.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Side 1:
A - Psalmus Hungaricus, Op. 13
Side 2:
B - Dance Suite
Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Belock Instrument Corporation
Credits:
Choir – The London Philharmonic Choir* (tracks: A)
Composed By – Bartók* (tracks: B), Kodály* (tracks: A)
Conductor – Janos Ferencsik*
Design [Album] – Alex Steinweiss
Directed By [Technical Director] – Robert Engler
Engineer [Recording] – Joe Kane (4)
Liner Notes – Paul Affelder
Orchestra – The London Philharmonic Orchestra*
Recorded By [Director] – Raoul Poliakin
Tenor Vocals – Raymond Nilsson (tracks: A)
Notes:
This is the first US version for this cat#.
LABELS:
- Silver/turquoise labels with deep groove
- Black and Silver "Everest" & "Stereo" upper arc on either side of the mountain,
- A Certified Stereo-Master Recording
- • T.M. • A Product of Belock Recording Co. • Division of Belock Instrument Corporation
SLEEVE:
- Silver back outer sleeve with dowel rod
- A Certified Stereo-Master Recording
- A Product of Belock Recording Co. • Division of Belock Instrument Corporation
- Printed in U.S.A. *T.M. © 1959 Belock Instrument Corp.
CATALOG NUMBERS:
- SDBR 3022 on front of sleeve, spine (dowel rod) and labels
- SDBR-3022 on back of sleeve and spine (dowel rod)
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Other (Catalog No. on Label): SDBR 3022
Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout): SDBR 3022-1 T1 V
Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout): SDBR 3022-2 T2 V
Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout): SDBR 3022-1 T1 V
Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout): SDBR 3022-2 T2 V
Kodály* / Bartók*, Janos Ferencsik*, London Philharmonic Orchestra – Psalmus Hungaricus / Dance Suite
Label: Everest – SDBR 3022, Everest – SDBR-3022
Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo, Silver Back, Dowel Rod
Country: US
Released: 1959
Genre: Classical
Style: Modern, Classical
Label: Everest – SDBR 3022, Everest – SDBR-3022
Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo, Silver Back, Dowel Rod
Country: US
Released: 1959
Genre: Classical
Style: Modern, Classical
December 15, 2025
Christmas ~ 2025
Winter - 2025
gif by Styrous®
The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the old English phrase Cristes maesse, which means ‘Christ’s mass’. But what about ‘Xmas’? Lots of people think this is just a modern-day abbreviation – but it actually dates back to the 16th century! The ‘X’ is said to represent the Greek letter ‘Chi’– the first letter in the Greek word for Christ, Χριστός (pronounced ‘Christos’).
Net links:
Britannica ~ Christmas
History ~ History of Christmas
National Geographic ~ 10 facts about Christmas!
Rockefeller Center ~ Christmas Tree
Wkipedia ~ Christmas
Youtube links:
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
Rockefeller Center ~ Christmas Walk - 2025 (29 min., 44 secs.)
Wham! - Last Christmas
A merry one to All!
Styrous® ~ Monday, December 15, 2025
Glynis Johns articles/mentions
December 14, 2025
20,000 vinyl LPs 402: Mary Poppins & Dick Van Dyke
Yesterday was the birthday of actor, comedian Dick Van Dyke, who was born in West Plains, Missouri. Van Dyke is a Dutch surname, although he also has English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. His family line traces back to Mayflower passenger John Alden.
During the late 1940s, Van Dyke was a radio DJ on WDAN in Danville, Illinois. In November 1959, Van Dyke made his Broadway debut in The Girls Against the Boys which ran at the Alvin Theatre. The production was a revue in two acts and featured performances from Van Dyke, Shelley Berman, Bert Lahr, Nancy Walker among many others. The production ran on Broadway for 16 performances from November 2 to 14, 1959.
He played the lead role of Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, which ran from April 14, 1960, to October 7, 1961. Van Dyke starred alongside Chita Rivera, Barbara Doherty, and Paul Lynde.
From 1961 to 1966, Van Dyke starred in the CBS sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, in which he portrayed a comedy writer named Rob Petrie. Complementing Van Dyke was a cast of comic actors including Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Jerry Paris, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Richard Deacon, and Carl Reiner (as Alan Brady), as well as 24-year-old Mary Tyler Moore, who played Rob's wife Laura Petrie.
In 1964, Van Dyke was cast in two roles in the Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins, as Bert, a man who goes through multiple odd jobs, ultimately becoming a chimney sweep; and as bank chairman Mr. Dawes Senior. For his scenes as the chairman, he was heavily costumed to look much
older and was credited in that role as "Navckid Keyd". At the end of the
credits, the letters unscramble into "Dick Van Dyke". His attempt at a cockney
accent has been deemed one of the worst accents in film history,
cited by actors since as an example of how NOT to sound.
Chim Chim Cher-ee, one of the songs that Van Dyke performed in Mary Poppins, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the Sherman Brothers, the film's songwriting duo.
Van Dyke received a Grammy Award in 1964, along with Julie Andrews, for his performance on the soundtrack to Mary Poppins.
Who can forget his wacky dance with the penguins . . .
. . . or the zany Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic-Expi-Ali Docious with the buskers?
The pairing of Van Dyke and Andrews seemed strange to me at first but when the film got under way I got over it; in hind-sight, it's a perfect match. She a good contrast to his brash and jerky persona. She shines especially when she sings the quiet and beautiful lullaby, Feed the Birds.
Mary Poppins was released by Buena Vista Records, the album features music and lyrics by the Sherman Brothers (Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman), performed by Julie Andrews in her Oscar-winning role as the magical nanny, alongside Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, and David Tomlinson.
The album design is a gatefold; I love them as there's more room for photos and information, all of which has interested and helped me buy records never heard of before.
Dick Van Dyke received his star
on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992, a milestone celebrated by fans
and noted by organizations like Hallmark Mystery, marking his enduring
career in entertainment.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Side 1:
A1 - Orchestra*, Chorus* – Overture
A2 - Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber – The Perfect Nanny, Vocals [Jane] – Karen Dotrice, Vocals [Michael] – Matthew Garber
A3 - Glynis Johns – Sister Suffragette, Vocals [Mrs. Banks] – Glynis Johns
A4 - David Tomlinson (2) – The Life I Lead, Vocals [Mr. Banks] – David Tomlinson (2)
A5 - Julie Andrews – A Spoonful Of Sugar, Vocals [Mary Poppins] – Julie Andrews
A6 - Dick Van Dyke (2) – Pavement Artist (Chim Chim Cheree), Vocals [Bert] – Dick Van Dyke (2)
A7 - Dick Van Dyke (2) And Julie Andrews – Jolly Holiday, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews
A8 - Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke (2) And Pearlies – Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic-Expi-Ali Docious, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews
A9 - Julie Andrews – Stay Awake, Vocals – Julie Andrews
A2 - Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber – The Perfect Nanny, Vocals [Jane] – Karen Dotrice, Vocals [Michael] – Matthew Garber
A3 - Glynis Johns – Sister Suffragette, Vocals [Mrs. Banks] – Glynis Johns
A4 - David Tomlinson (2) – The Life I Lead, Vocals [Mr. Banks] – David Tomlinson (2)
A5 - Julie Andrews – A Spoonful Of Sugar, Vocals [Mary Poppins] – Julie Andrews
A6 - Dick Van Dyke (2) – Pavement Artist (Chim Chim Cheree), Vocals [Bert] – Dick Van Dyke (2)
A7 - Dick Van Dyke (2) And Julie Andrews – Jolly Holiday, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews
A8 - Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke (2) And Pearlies – Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic-Expi-Ali Docious, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews
A9 - Julie Andrews – Stay Awake, Vocals – Julie Andrews
Side 2:
B1 - Ed Wynn, Julie Andrews And Dick Van Dyke (2) – I Love To Laugh, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews, Vocals [Uncle Albert] – Ed Wynn
B2 - David Tomlinson (2) And Julie Andrews – A British Bank (The Life I Lead), Vocals – David Tomlinson (2), Julie Andrews
B3 - Julie Andrews And Chorus* – Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag), Vocals – Julie Andrews
B4 - Dick Van Dyke (2), David Tomlinson (2) And Bankers (2) – Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, Vocals – David Tomlinson (2), Dick Van Dyke (2)
B5 - Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews, Karen Dotrice And Matthew Garber – Chim Chim Cheree, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2), Julie Andrews, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber
B6 - Dick Van Dyke (2) And Chimney Sweeps* – Step In Time, Vocals – Dick Van Dyke (2)
B7 - David Tomlinson (2) And Dick Van Dyke (2) – A Man Has Dreams (The Life I Lead-A Spoonful Of Sugar), Vocals – David Tomlinson (2), Dick Van Dyke (2)
B8 - David Tomlinson (2), Dick Van Dyke (2) And Londoners* - Let's Go Fly A Kite, Vocals – David Tomlinson (2), Dick Van Dyke (2)
Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Walt Disney Productions
Record Company – Radio Corporation Of America
Pressed By – RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis
Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor – Irwin Kostal
Engineer – Brian Ross-Myring, Bruce Botnick
Music By, Lyrics By – Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Producer [Produced For Phonograph Records By] – Jimmy Johnson (10)
Producer [With The Assistance Of] – Evelyn Kennedy
Notes:
This release is a label variant of Various - Mary Poppins (Original Cast Soundtrack). Please see the location of the catalog# and Side# of each release for some of the variances. Both releases are pressed by RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis.
Front Cover: CSO-111 STEREO
Spine: CSO-111
Inside Gatefold: COP/CSO-111
Label: CSO-111 (RPRS-4365 [Side 1] RPRS-4366 [Side 2])
Gatefold includes synopsis of story inside. On the back of the sleeve, the names of the characters are matched with the actors and actresses who play the parts.
Inner Sleeve: RCA Victor promotional (Dynagroove etc..) Catalog offer plus other release details
© 1964 Walt Disney Productions
Printed in U.S.A.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (A-Side Label): RPRS-4365
Matrix / Runout (B-Side Label): RPRS-4366
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 - Side 1, runout): RPRS-4365--2S I
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 - Side 2, runout): A2 RPRS-4366--3S I
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 - Side 1, runout): RPRS-4365--2S B4 I
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 - Side 2, runout): A2 RPRS-4366--3S I A5
Matrix / Runout (B-Side Label): RPRS-4366
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 - Side 1, runout): RPRS-4365--2S I
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 - Side 2, runout): A2 RPRS-4366--3S I
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 - Side 1, runout): RPRS-4365--2S B4 I
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 - Side 2, runout): A2 RPRS-4366--3S I A5
Various – Mary Poppins (Original Cast Soundtrack)
Label: RCA Victor – CSO-111
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Club Edition, Repress, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1965
Genre: Stage & Screen
Style: Soundtrack
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