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Dolmetsch Archive Recordings

We are aware that our list is incomplete and we would be grateful for any additional information from those able to extend this archive. We will add new information to the archive as it becomes available.

  • pre-1906 (probably 1890s) In her book Personal Recollections of Arnold Dolmetsch, Mabel Dolmetsch writes about the Dolmetsch concerts before the family's move to America in 1906: "Robert Cocks, the music publisher (whose hobby was the making of phonograph records) was so charmed with their sonority that he brought his elaborate apparatus and made some beautiful recordings on wax cylinders which reproduced most admirably the tone colour of the various instruments. What became of them after his death I do not know." We can assume that it was Robert Macfarlane Cocks (1852–1934) who made the recordings.

  • 1920/1921 in Hayes, Middlesex, U.K. for the Gramophone Company Ltd. (later HMV) - test pressings owned by the Dolmetsch Family

  • Anon. Nowell's Galliard / Tower Hill; performers: Arnold Dolmetsch (Lute), Rudolph Dolmetsch (recorder), Nathalie Dolmetsch (bass viol)
  • J. S. Bach, Toccata in G major; performer: Arnold Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • Louis de Caix d'Hervelois, Musette from Premiere Suite in A (1736); performers: Cécile Dolmetsch (treble viol), Nathalie Dolmetsch (bass viol), Arnold Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • Anon (English c. 1640), Allmain, Saraband, Saraband; performer: Nathalie Dolmetsch (lyra viol)
  • second take of Louis de Caix d'Hervelois
  • Domenico Scarlatti, Pastorale from Sonata in D minor no. 9 from 30 Esercizi per Gravicembal (Longo 413/Kirkpatrick 9/Pestelli 65); performer: Arnold Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • C.P.E. Bach, Allegro from Sonata in F minor; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • G.F. Handel, The Harmonious Blacksmith (Air in E with variations); performer: Arnold Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • Rameau, Fugue 'La Forqueray' from the 5ieme Concert / Le Cupis; performers: Arnold Dolmetsch (baroque violin), Mabel Dolmetsch (viola da gamba), Rudolph Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • Thomas Tompkins, Pavan in F for 5 Viols; performers: Arnold Dolmetsch (treble viol), Cécile Dolmetsch (treble viol), Mabel Dolmetsch (alto viol), Nathalie Dolmetsch (tenor viol), Rudolph Dolmetsch (bass viol)

  • 1929 for English Brunswick

  • first complete traversal of the Brandenburg Concertos, conducted by Anthony Bernard. The keyboard continuo in all of the Concertos, except No. 5 in which the keyboard solo is played on the piano by Walter Gieseking, was played by Rudolph Dolmetsch.
    There is more information on Concerto No. 5 here

  • Volume 1 recordings appear to have been made in 1929
  • Volume 1 - 5712 William Byrd, The Earl of Salisbury, Pavane and Galliard for Virginals; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (record 3)
  • Volume 1 - 5713 John Bull, The King's Hunt for Virginals; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (record 4)
  • Volume 1 - 5713 Giles Farnaby, His Toye, His Dreame & His Rest for Virginals; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (record 4)
  • Volume 1 - 5714 Norcome, Divisions on a Ground for Viol da Gamba and Lute; performers: Rudolph (VdG) and Arnold Dolmetsch (L) (record 5)
  • Volume 1 - 5714 Weelkes, Fantasy for a Chest of Six Viols; performers: Arnold, Cécile, Nathalie, Carl, Mabel, & Rudolph Dolmetsch (VdG) (record 5)
  • Volume 1 - 5715 Dowland, Awake sweet love; performers: Cécile Dolmetsch (soprano), with Arnold Dometsch (L) & Rudolph Dolmetsch (VdG) (record 6?)
  • Volume 2 recordings appear to have been made in 1933
  • Volume 2 - DB 502 Purcell, First Harpsichord Suite (Prelude, Almand, Corant, Minuet); performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (Hps)
  • Volume 2 - DB 502 Handel, Harpsichord Suite VIII, Allemande & Courante; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (Hps)
  • Volume 2 - DB 505 Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C (No. 1 of the '48'); performer: Arnold Dolmetsch
  • Volume 2 - DB 505 Bach, Prelude and Fugue in Bb (No. 21 of the '48'); performer: Arnold Dolmetsch

Penny Ewles-Bergeron has written to us about another recording, this by Rudolph Dolmetsch.

"While on a trip to England (I live in Italy) I bought a 78 recording of Rudolph Dolmetsch playing Purcell. It cost £1 at the Wood Street market, Walthamstow - a bargain by any standard!"

  • Columbia Graphophone Co. DB 680 - Henry Purcell, Suite in C minor 1. Overture 2a. Air 2b. Jig; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (Hps)

Michael Geen has written to us about other recordings, issued by Columbia, and featuring members of the Dolmetsch family. (Millicent and Rudolph married in Dec. 1929 so any recording involving Millicent Dolmetsch was made in 1930 or later)

  • Columbia DB 1062 - Green Sleeves to a ground (English tune: 16th Cent.; Variations: 17th Cent.); performers: Carl (Descant Recorder), Nathalie (Treble Recorder) and Arnold Dolmetsch (Hps)
  • Columbia DB 1062 - De Caix D'Hervelois, Sarabande and Musette: performers: Cécile Dolmetsch (Treble Viol), Nathalie Dolmetsch (VdG) and Arnold Dolmetsch (Hps)
  • Columbia DB 1322 - Bach, J.S., Sonata No. 1 in G major, Allegro Moderato; performers: Millicent Dolmetsch (VdG) and Rudolph Dolmetsch (Hps)
  • Columbia DB 1322 - Handel, G.F., Passacaille in G minor; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (Hps)

  • 1931-33 Das Wohltemperirte Klavier sponsored jointly by The Dolmetsch Foundation and Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd. under the title The '48' Society performed on the clavichord by Arnold Dolmetsch
    [EMI, Electric and Musical Industries Ltd., was the result of the March/April 1931 merger of Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd. and the Gramophone Company Ltd.]

  • approx. 1933 Other recordings

  • Domenico Scarlatti, Sonata in D minor; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (harpsichord)
  • G. F. Handel, Passacaille in G minor; performer: Rudolph Dolmetsch (harpsichord) (see: Columbia DB 1322 above)
  • G. F. Handel, Sonata XI in F for Recorder, Harpsichord and Viola da Gamba; performers: Carl Dolmetsch (recorder), Rudolph Dolmetsch (harpsichord), Millicent Dolmetsch (viola da gamba)
  • Alfonso Ferrabosco, The Four Note Pavan; no performers details
  • Anon, The Carman's Whistle / Tollett, Boree / Anon, Fortune My Foe; no performers details
  • Marin Marais, Deux Musettes; no performers details
  • Henry Purcell, The Bashful Thames:
    10" 78 shellac record - Dolmetsch Recording - Leslie Ward & Hugh Gough - Cécile Dolmetsch (soprano), Carl Dolmetsch (recorder), Marie Dolmetsch (recorder), Nathalie Dolmetsch (viola da gamba), Arnold Dolmetsch (harpsichord) D.R.6 (matrix no. ADC7)
  • Henry Lawes, Anacreon's Ode to the Lute:
    10" 78 shellac record - Dolmetsch Recording - Leslie Ward & Hugh Gough - Artemy Raevsky (bass), Arnold Dolmetsch (harpsichord) D.R.6 (matrix no. ADC8)
  • John Dowland, The King of Denmark's Galliard; no performers details
  • Henry Lawes, the Primrose; no performers details
  • John Jenkins, Fantasy for three viols no. 8; no performers details
  • William Lawes, Two pieces from The Royal Consort; no performers details
  • John Jenkins, Suite for four viols; no performers details
  • Henry Purcell, Chaconne in F major:
    10" 78 shellac record - Dolmetsch Recording - Leslie Ward & Hugh Gough - Carl F Dolmetsch (treble recorder), Joseph Saxby (harpsichord) D.R.15 (matrix no. ADC30)
  • Jean-Marie Leclair, Two minuets in E minor:
    10" 78 shellac record - Dolmetsch Recording - Leslie Ward & Hugh Gough - Carl F Dolmetsch (descant recorder), Joseph Saxby (harpsichord) D.R.15 (matrix no. ADC33)
  • Ludwig van Beethoven, The Moonlight Sonata, first movement; no performers details
  • Carl Dolmetsch, Theme and Variations in A minor; no performers details
  • Arnold Dolmetsch, 'Il est réssuscité' East Hymn; no performers details
  • Arnold Dolmetsch, Had I wist, quoth Spring to the swallow; no performers details
  • Arnold Dolmetsch, Come away death; no performers details
  • Arnold Dolmetsch, Hark, hark the lark; no performers details

  • before 1952 The History of Music in Sound - Vol. II: Early Medieval Music up to 1300

  • Anon., Wolfenbüttel MS 677. Caudae I-IV (Carl Dolmetsch (recorder, viol), Nathalie Dolmetsch (viols), Donald Bridger (cor anglais), Alan Taylor (tabor)) HMV-Gramophone:HMS 17
  • Anon., England, Dance-tunes: Stantipes, Ductia, Stantipes (performers as on HMV-Gramophone:HMS 17) HMV-Gramophone:HMS18

  • Anon. Caniad Llywelyn Ap Ifan Ab Y Gof; performer: Mabel Dolmetsch (bardic harp)
  • Anon. Caniad Marwnad Ifan Y Gof; performer: Mabel Dolmetsch (bardic harp)
  • Anon. Proviad Yr Eos / first strain of Bach Ar Y Gogywair; performer: Mabel Dolmetsch (bardic harp)

  • before 1952 The History of Music in Sound - Vol. III: Ars Nova and the Renaissance

  • Anon., England: Now wel may we merthis make (Carl Dolmetsch (viol), Nathalie Dolmetsch (viol), Joy Boughton (oboe), Schola Polyphonica - Henry Washington, dir.) HMV-Gramophone:HMS 23
  • Anon., England: Tappster, drinker (Carl Dolmetsch (viol), Nathalie Dolmetsch (viol), Joy Boughton (oboe), Schola Polyphonica - Henry Washington, dir.) HMV-Gramophone:HMS 23
  • Loyset Compère: Nous sommes de l'ordre de Saint-Babouin (Carl Dolmetsch ensemble (recorder quartet)) HMV-Gramophone:HMS 31
  • Rubinus: Der Bauern schwanz (Carl Dolmetsch (recorder), Donald Bridger (oboe), Ronald Waller (bassoon), John Ashby (trombone)) HMV-Gramophone:HMS 31

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