When my Thorens turntable was new, 40 years ago, I was a Musical Heritage Society subscriber. It was an “opt out” arrangement. A new Classical LP (later CD) was offered each month. The mailing came with a postcard that had to be returned if you weren’t interested in that month’s selection, otherwise the record would be sent automatically. How quaint.
The picture above shows the first MHS release I ever heard, which remains a favorite of mine. It belonged to my college roommate Brad, who had some of his father’s MHS records in our dorm room, along with the numerous Prog Rock selections he favored.
It’s been fifty years since I spent a summer break living with Brad’s family on Cape Cod. Brad’s dad was quite an impressive and accomplished guy. I appreciated him letting me go through his MHS records that summer. He was only 60 when he died of cancer, fifteen years later.
After Dick died, I was very pleased to “inherit” his record collection when Brad offered it to me. This video has the same selection that’s on side 1 of my copy of the Rampal/Laskine Flute and Harp record.
I recall the Musical Heritage Society closing down, but it’s back with a download service.