On Hold 2 Musical America MAGS 1953 1955 William Primrose + Jim Melton

tough finds. all mags are nice + white. poor pics. few crease marks, slight wear. 1953 + 1955 magazines in excellent condition. 13" x 10", 34 pages. 1/ William Primrose cover (Aug. 1953), violist. Primrose was born in Glasgow and studied violin there and, later, at the then Guildhall School of Music in London. From there he moved to Belgium to study under Eugène Ysaÿe who encouraged him to take up the viola instead. In 1930, he joined Warwick Evans, John Pennington, and Thomas Petre as the violist in the London String Quartet. The group dissolved in 1935. In 1937, he began playing in the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini. When it was rumored that Toscanini would leave the Symphony in 1941, Primrose resigned. His career as a soloist took off when he started touring with Richard Crooks. He later signed with Arthur Judson, an influential concert manager. In 1944 he commissioned a viola concerto from Béla Bartók.Later in his life, Primrose became a noted teacher, writing several books on viola playing and teaching widely Japan and in the USA, occasionally at The Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music. In 1972, he published his memoirs, A Walk on the North Side. deceased May 1982. 2/ James Melton cover (Aug. 1955), singer. "The James Melton Show" aka: "The Ford Festival" (NBC Primetime, 1951 - 1952). this series was a continuation of and replacement for "The Ford Star Revue" which had been hosted by Jack Haley; The new host, James Melton, was an acclaimed tenor vocalist who had starred in early musical films of the 1930s, and sang with the Chicago and New York Metropolitan Opera companies; Although his name may not be as familiar as Mario Lanza orEzio Pinza who came later, Melton was a fairly well-known vocalist of the 1950s, having previously appeared on manyradio series including "The Ford Sunday Evening Hour"; Melton had also been "the singing host" of "Harvest of Stars" on NBC with the orchestra conducted by Dr. Frank Black; When "Ford Festival Time" began, each show had a lightstory line around which musical numbers were hung; but that device of a plot was weak, so soon producers dropped the idea in favor of a straight musical variety approach; But even this tried-and-true format failed to capture many viewers, so Melton's series only lasted one season. deceased April 1961. check out my other items and feedback. buyer pays 7.95 shipping to the U.S. ask about Canada or overseas rates 1st. cash / any U.S. money order EXCEPT GREEN POSTAL ONES / check (cleared) / Bidpay / Paypal