5th Concert of the 1972-73 RPO Concert Season

This live performance took place on May 23, 1973, at or near the end of the 1972-73 RPO concert season.

Unlike Walter Dixon’s other live recordings from that season, this one captures only a small portion of the total performance. While it lacks the pristine audio quality of the other recordings, it remains historically significant for music enthusiasts who prioritize preservation over perfection. Despite the hissing and muffled notes, the magic of the music transcends the imperfections.

🎼 Howard Hanson – Guest Conductor

At the time of this recording, Howard Hanson was serving as Director Emeritus of the Eastman School of Music. In this performance, he conducts the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in a rendition of Pan and the Priest, a symphonic poem he composed in 1926 during the early years of his career.

🎙 The Green Room Interview with Walter Dixon

Every concert presented live on WHAM Radio featured a Green Room interview during intermission, conducted by Walter Dixon. These interviews gave audiences an opportunity to hear insights from the evening’s guest conductor or solo artist.

While several of Walter Dixon’s Green Room interviews remain archived, this concert is the only one with a surviving interview that directly matches the performance. In this exclusive conversation, Walter Dixon speaks with Howard Hanson, offering rare insights into the conductor’s thoughts on the evening’s performance and his career.