In the New York City Municipal Archives WNYC Sound Collection, we hear the voices of presidents, dignitaries, world leaders, artistic revolutionaries, musical geniuses, luminaries of the literati, and cultural icons. The sounds of a city and a nation are captured through nearly a century of transformations, tribulations, and triumphs. WNYC microphones were present when Admiral Byrd returned from his historic flight over the North Pole in 1926 and when Colonel Charles Lindbergh returned from his solo flight to Paris the following year. Perhaps best known are New York City Mayor F. H. La Guardia's weekly Talk to the People broadcasts over WNYC throughout World War II.
Any views, findings, conclusions, recommendations expressed in this web resource do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Recently in Municipal Archives
America In Swingtime
Monday, March 03, 1941
The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1941-02-15 (ca.).
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Because of jazz commentator Ralph ...
American Strings : Chamber Music
Sunday, March 02, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-14. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 2
Opens with brief news bulletin regarding Adolph Hitler's reception of ...
America in Symphony : Music for the Dance
Saturday, March 01, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-14. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
The WNYC Concert Orchestra directed by Macklin Marrow perform music written for dance:
...
Stuyvesant String Quartet
Friday, February 28, 1941
The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1941-02-14 (ca.).
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 31
Incomplete.
America Tells Its Stories : Ann Graham and Lead Belly
Thursday, February 27, 1941
The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1941-02-14 (ca.).
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 35.
Huddie Ledbetter ...
Songs the People Sing : George Gershwin
Wednesday, February 26, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-17. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Incomplete.
Program 28
Starts abruptly.
Sigmund ...
America in Swingtime : Hot Jazz
Tuesday, February 25, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-14. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Incomplete
Jazz in the Dixieland and Chicago traditions
Ralph ...
Young America Sings and Makes Music: Juilliard School of Music
Monday, February 24, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-19. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 38.
Performance begins abruptly.
Performers are students of the Juilliard School ...
Brooklyn Museum Concert
Sunday, February 23, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-16. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 22
Incomplete. Sides 3 and 6 only.
Begins abruptly ...
Songs the People Sing : George Kleinsinger
Saturday, February 22, 1941
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Gene Greenwell and the Stage Chorus of the International Lady's Garment Workers Union directed by Lazar Wiener sing "I Hear America Singing" based on the poetry of Walt Whitman arranged by ...
America Tells Its Stories: Pete Seeger and Lee Hays
Friday, February 21, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-20. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 42.
Pete Seeger and Lee Hays perform:
"Lolly ...
America in Swingtime : Benny Goodman Sextet
Thursday, February 20, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-19. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
40th Program.
Benny Goodman Sextet
CHARLIE CHRISTIAN.....Guitar
GEORGIE AULD.................tenor sax ...
American Strings
Wednesday, February 19, 1941
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 41.
American Strings - Contemporary chamber music and songs interpreted by some of NY's leading musicians.
Vivian Rifkin, pianist. Emmanuel Vardi, violist.
Vardi ...
America in Symphony
Tuesday, February 18, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-16. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 21
Sigmund Spaeth is a music critic, author and president of ...
American Heritage
Monday, February 17, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-16. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Incomplete. Begins abruptly.
Program 20.
Music from around the ...
America Tells its Stories : Folk Music of the West
Sunday, February 16, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-15. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Tony Kraber sings cowboy songs and traditional songs of the West.
Way ...
Music of the Caribbeans
Saturday, February 15, 1941
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 17.
Features musicians from Haiti and Trinidad singing traditional folk songs.
Duke of Iron and his Trinidad Calypso Troubadours.
Out the ...
American Strings
Friday, February 14, 1941
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Program 11
Conclusion of Three Preludes by Frederic Jacobi played by Yudi Shaprio and Irene Jacobi. The two then play "Waltz" by Alan Shulman. This is followed by ...
American Ballad Singers
Thursday, February 13, 1941
The actual date of this episode is 1941-02-12. For technical reasons, it shows up incorrectly above.
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
2nd Annual WNYC American Music Festival
Begins abruptly with musical performance. WNYC’s ...
Leadbelly, Sam Price, and Albert Ammons in Studio
Wednesday, February 12, 1941
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Ralph Berton hosts a music program featuring songs by Leadbelly.
At head, Leadbelly has just finished singing "Grey Goose." Berton explains the importance of work songs to laborers ...
