RCA Thesaurus

RCA Thesaurus, a brand owned by RCA Victor, was a supplier of electrical transcriptions.[1] Efforts were made as early as 1936 to consolidate The RCA Victor Transcription service with NBC's independent transcription service within the NBC radio network. NBC'sThesaurus catalog system and library of recordings was not completely merged with RCA's catalog until 1939 when the consolidation was completed in an effort to compete with rival transcription services which were available at the Mutual, Columbia and World Broadcasting Systems. [2]

During the 1950s, RCA Thesaurus produced under the musical direction of Ben Selvin in New York City.[3][4]

In 1953 RCA Thesaurus bought a library of 1600 transcriptions.[5]

In 1954, John Serry Sr. recorded several of his arrangements for RCA Thesaurus, with his ensemble The Bel-Cordions.[6] The group consisted of four accordions, string bass and guitar. It was augmented in some arrangements by vibes, drums and piano.

Copies of the album and the composer's original orchestral score have been donated to the Eastman School of Music's Sibley Music Library for archival purposes within the Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections Department to benefit both researchers and students.[7]

Classical compositions

Artistic ensemble

The Bel-Cordions
  • John Serry, Sr. – First Accordionist/ Conductor/Arranger
  • Louis Delmonte – Accordionist
  • Alf Nystrom – Accordionist
  • Ralph Vetro – Accordionist

References
  1. William Howland Kenney (November 2003). Recorded Music in American Life: The Phonograph and Popular Memory, 1890–1945. Oxford University Press. pp. 191–. ISBN 978-0-19-517177-8.
  2. Points on the Dial: Golden Age Radio Beyond the Networks Alexander Russo. Duke University Press, London 2010. p. 112-114 RCA Theaurus and NBC on books.google.com]
  3. The Billboard - Ben Selvin Skeds Waxing Dates With Welk - "The Billboard Magazine" December 15, 1956 p. 30 - Ben Selvin recording chief for RCA Thesaurus on books.google
  4. The Billboard - 40th Anniversary for Ben Selvin as Band Leader - "The Billboard Magazine" September 16, 1957 p. 24 - Ben Selvin - Artists and Repertoire Director for RCA Theasurus on books.google.com
  5. "Thesaurus buys Jingl Library". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 16– 11 April 1953. ISSN 0006-2510.
  6. Who Is Who in Music International 1958, Publisher: Who Is Who in Music International, Chicago, Illinois. Biographical File #B11719 for John Serry. See International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England as the current publisher.
  7. http://www.esm.rochester.edu/sibley/specialcollections
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