Felix Slatkin
Among the most consummate of studio musicians, Felix Slatkin achieved fame for his violin performance, directing recordings of both standard symphonic fare and appealing arrangements of light music, and for being the leader of a string quartet fondly remembered as one of the finest of its time. Through his affiliation with Capitol Records, he and his wife, Eleanor Aller (cellist with Slatkin's Hollywood String Quartet), were afforded the economic base to pursue performance in areas notoriously unprofitable. Slatkin's death from a heart attack in 1963 caused genuine upset in the Hollywood/Los Angeles studio music world: by that time, he had become all but irreplaceable.
Slatkin began his music studies when he was six years old in St. Louis with Sylvan Noack. Later, he worked for a year with violinist Isadore Grossman before winning a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music at age ten, where he studied violin with Efrem Zimbalist and took conducting classes with Fritz Reiner. Although he began to acquire a positive reputation as a soloist with major orchestras, he elected to join the St. Louis Symphony when he was 17, soon becoming assistant principal and forming a chamber ensemble of young musicians. In 1935, he won a competition whose first prize included a guest performance with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. During this period, he met his future wife. After his Hollywood appearance, Slatkin decided to move to Los Angeles and take up the role of studio musician. He was hired as principal violinist of the 20th Century Fox Orchestra, beginning an involvement with the Southern California music milieu that would last the rest of his life (by that time, many prominent composers and solo artists had made their home in the area). In 1939, Slatkin and Eleanor Aller married. She had just become first cellist at the Warner Brothers Studios and soon thereafter, the couple formed the Hollywood String Quartet, drawing in two other studio musicians, violinist Joachim Chassman and violist Paul Robyn. Beginning in 1941, Slatkin served as conductor of the Army Airforce Tactical Command Orchestra stationed at the Santa Ana Air Force Base and, as Aller later commented, "There went the quartet!" When Slatkin was released from service in 1945, he resumed his position as concertmaster at Fox Studios and the quartet regrouped. Paul C. Shure, assistant Fox concertmaster, replaced Chassman, and in the ensuing years, the members worked tirelessly to become America's premier string quartet, and were the first to see their reputation made by recordings. These recordings, including works from Beethoven to Schoenberg, have been made available again on the Testament label and confirm every aspect the quartet's stature. The quartet's luxuriant sound attracted listeners beyond the classical audience; Frank Sinatra chose to record with the group, also relying on Slatkin for musical direction. For Capitol Records, Slatkin made more than two-dozen recordings with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra and his own Concert Arts Orchestra, including a Grammy-winning disc devoted to Offenbach's Gaîte Parisienne. For Liberty Records, he contributed a dozen-plus discs in the "Fantastic" series (Fantastic Strings, Fantastic Brass, Fantastic Percussion of Felix Slatkin, and more). Slatkin's sons have also achieved renown: Leonard Slatkin as a world-class conductor and Fred Zlotkin (using the original spelling of the family name) as a cellist.
© Erik Eriksson /TiVo
-
Music for Christmas Day (Original Songs)
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Baby One Records el 30 nov. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Joyful Christmas with Felix Slatkin
Músicas navideñas - Editado por The Christmas Lovers el 15 nov. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
My Wonderful Christmas Time
Músicas navideñas - Editado por The Christmas Lovers el 20 nov. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nightingale
Bandas sonoras de cine - Editado por oldies and hits for future el 25 may. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dinner
Bandas sonoras de cine - Editado por Cppo Dgital el 12 jul. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Old Christmas Train
Músicas navideñas - Editado por The Christmas Lovers el 30 nov. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Christmas Collection
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Grand Hits Records el 6 dic. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Silent Christmas Night
Músicas navideñas - Editado por The Christmas Lovers el 5 dic. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Silver Cup
Clásica - Editado por endless Loveers el 21 jul. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Christmas Midnight
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Hits Forever Records el 7 dic. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Christmas Collection
Clásica - Editado por Vintage Hits Records el 29 nov. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classic Christmas Songs
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Hits Forever Records el 13 dic. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Seasons Greetings
Varios - Editado por Vinyle Numérique el 15 nov. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Military Band Music
Jazz - Editado por Music Today Records el 4 feb. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Happy Christmas Candy
Músicas navideñas - Editado por The Christmas Lovers el 5 nov. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Silver Shining Christmas Time
Músicas navideñas - Editado por The Christmas Lovers el 25 nov. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Theme from "The Sundowners" (Billboard Hot 100 - No 70)
Pop - Editado por Music Manager el 5 nov. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Joy to the World
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Christmas Evening Records el 14 nov. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Traditions
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Traditions el 2 nov. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Original Christmas Songbook (Original Artist, Original Recordings, Digitally Remastered)
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Hits Forever Records el 21 oct. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Waiting for Santa Claus
Músicas navideñas - Editado por Baby One Records el 27 nov. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo