What was the first LP ever released on Columbia Records?
Throughout musical history, several stand-out compositions and collections have endured as pioneering works of art, whether for stylistic originality or association with a technological breakthrough. Either way, several major labels and publishers became world-famous throughout the 20th century, and Columbia Records was undoubtedly one of them.
In January 1889, around eight decades before The Beatles left Parlophone to establish Apple Records, Edward D. Easton founded Columbia Records as one of the first major music publishing companies. Initially known as Columbia Phonograph Company, the firm conquered several significant musical milestones, including the release of the first long-playing (LP) record.
The LP record revolutionised the way music was consumed, providing listeners with a longer playing time compared to previous formats like the shellac 78 RPM records. The first LP ever released by Columbia Records was introduced to the public in 1948, marking a groundbreaking moment in the evolution of recorded music.
This inaugural LP, known as Columbia’s Microgroove Long Playing System, featured a 12-inch vinyl disc that spun at 33⅓ revolutions per minute (RPM). This innovation allowed for a significant increase in musical storage on a single record compared to the 78 RPM format.
The first LP release by Columbia Records was a recording of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor played by Nathan Milstein with Bruno Walter conducting the New York Philharmonic, then known as the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York. The catalogue number Columbia ML 4001 is located in the Columbia Record Catalog with a publication date in July 1948.
The long-playing vinyl format not only offered enhanced sound quality but also, crucially, allowed listeners to enjoy expansive symphonic compositions without needing to flip sides frequently. The introduction of the LP by Columbia Records was met with enthusiasm from both melophiles and industry professionals, paving the way towards a globalised boom in music sales and innovative marketing.
Vinyl was lighter and easier to manufacture with improved sound quality, allowing jazz and rock and roll and jazz sales to soar alongside classical through the 1950s. Such artists as Elvis Presley and Miles Davis were among the first major stars of each genre, respectively, to benefit from the technological revolution.
Listen to Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, the first song published in LP format by Columbia Records, below.
