LEONARD HUNGERFORD, pianist  (Bruce Hungerford)

in honor of CARL FRIEDBURG

This is an extremely rare private pressing from 1955, that has been signed by Leonard Hungerford, before he changed his name to Bruce Hungerford in 1958. These records were never sold, and were only ever gifted to concert managers, musical colleagues and some close family and friends.

Renowned Australian Pianist, Bruce (Leonard) Hungerford.

Australian pianist, born 24 November 1922 in Korumburra, Australia and died in a car accident on 26 January 1977 in New York, New York, United States.

The back of the sleeve has been dedicated and signed by Leonard, as this seems to have been a gift to One of his close Aussie Friends, (I assume this, as this was unearthed in Australia, and he was an Australian, who lived in the USA - someone with more intimate knowledge than me, may be able to work out who the recipient was)

Live Recording.
New York Town Hall Wednesday 26th October 1955
Born Leonard Hungerford, changed his name to Bruce in 1958
Recorded Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Chopin for the Vanguard label as Bruce Hungerford from 1967 until his tragic death in a car accident in 1977
Mr. Hungerford personally produced this issue,  a private LP recording of his own playing at a recital at New York Town Hall on Wednesday Evening October 26th 1955, in memory of his teacher Carl Friedberg, who died a couple weeks prior to this performance.

According to Mr. Manildi, curator of the International Piano Archives at Maryland (IPAM)these were never commercially available, but were circulated in limited quantities to various concert managers and musical colleagues.  He also distributed copies to other Friedberg pupils and friends as well as to recital attendees.
Thank You to Donald Manildi - curator IPAM and Donald Isler - KASP records for providing some more information on this recording.
Before the final performance ( Bach - Jesu Joy of Man's Desire) Mr. Hungerford stands and gives a very heartfelt speech and asks everyone to stand in honor of Carl Friedberg for the final performance.

On 26 January 1977 in New York City at the age of 54, Hungerford was killed in a road accident, a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver. His mother, his niece and her husband were also killed in the accident.

Sleeve has tape repairs. edge wear, VG - see pics
Record has light markings, nothing deep or feelable, plays well   VG to VG+
Genre Classical


Speed 33RPM


Record Size
12"




Country/Region of Manufacture United States







Record Label Artist Private Label




Release Year 1955


Special Attributes Live Recording

A few words about condition.

Grade & 
score out of 100
                                           GRADING
Mint is a Rigid Band - The next Four Grades are all Narrow Bands, that slightly widen as the condition gradually deteriorates - Good is still Good, but there is a rapid widening of the Grade Bands, as the condition deteriorates over the last Four grades.

MINT
100
The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.
The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition.
Only graded on records that are sealed or clearly unplayed.
 
NEAR MINT
97 to 99        

EXCELLENT
90 to 96
The record shows virtually no signs of having been played,  there is no lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have the slightest of tiny defects.
 
The record shows some slight signs of having been played, but there is very little, (if any) lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have very slight wear. 
 
VERY GOOD PLUS
80 to 89

VERY GOOD
69 to 79
The record shows signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have slight wear, light creasing.

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch.
Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects.
This is an above average used record, that has been well looked after.




GOOD
56 to 68
The record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated, but the record will still play through, and it will not be a completely unpleasant listening experience, even at the bottom of this grade (56).
The cover and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc. 




FAIR
41 to 55
The record is still playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even stick, skip or jump.. This is starting to be an unpleasant listening experience at the top of the grade (55) and will not be a pleasant listening experience at all by the end of it (41).
The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced. 
 
POOR
25 to 40
The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc.
The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing. 
 
BAD
0 - 24
The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.
The Sleeve is non existent (0) or what is left, is only just recognisable.

A few words about postage.

Within Australia, the best value for multiple purchases is a 5KG satchel, where as many as 15 to 20 LPs can be posted for $22.00 registered post. (well packed in a box, inside the satchel)

My Policies on postage are simple.

I post at cost.
The user pays.
I package well.

Any item that you purchase without choosing the option of "Signed for" or "Registered" Post, is at your risk.
I do accept that "signed for" can be expensive, especially internationally, but whether you take the option of this insurance, is entirely up to you.
I do not wish to withdraw the option of standard postage for the cheaper records, but it must be at your risk.