The 'Europa' Mikado (1950s)

The Mikado — Orchestral Highlights
The Europa Symphony Orchestra
(Conductor Not Named)

Bob Lang told me about this recording, and here is his review:

The Plymouth Mikado by the Europa Symphony is living proof of the old adage: you can't tell a book by its cover. The artwork on the sleeve couldn't be more tacky in a 50's sort of way. No artists are credited (I doubt there ever was a Europa Symphony). It is obviously part of a super-budget series (the back of the sleeve lists the '39 Plymouth Pops and the '67 Plymouth Classics).

Yet, this is a real gem. The orchestra is well prepared, handles many tempo changes with ease, and uses instuments I can't identify with accuracy to give it a really authentic oriental sound in places. It sounds more like the overture to a great many Broadway musicals of the 50's era. I wish I knew who arranged and/or conducted this.

Correspondent Mirko Rozic told me that there is a Europa Symphony. They are based in Romania. However, it is still not clear whether it is the same Europa Symphony that made the recording.

Issue History
DateLabelFormatNumber
1950s Plymouth Mono LP P-10-49