The Longines Symphonette

The Longines Symphonette was a prerecorded classical music program broadcast nightly on many Mutual stations from 1943 to 1949. It then moved to CBS where it was heard Sundays at 2pm from 1949 to 1957. The initial conductor was Macklin Marrow, followed for most of the run by Michel Piastro, one-time concert master of the New York Philharmonic.

Frank Knight was the program's announcer. The introductory theme was the final movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The series was sponsored by the Longines watch company.

A spin-off program was The Longines Choraliers which aired on CBS from March 13, 1949 to April 22, 1955.

Recordings

The Longines Symphonette Society was a record label which specialized in releasing classic radio programs and multiple-record box sets.

The Longines company sold its record business to Warner Music Group. Re-issues of the Longines recordings since the 1990s have been credited to the "Symphonette Society" and no longer have any reference to the watch company.

Longines is the trade name of electronic devices, including transistor radios, televisions and electronic calculators produced by Texas Instruments.

Cultural legacy

The Longines Symphonette (and their constant recording activity, never resting) was referenced in They Might Be Giants' song "Birdhouse in Your Soul" on their album......
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