Yet another quality entry from the Capitol Records team of Alan Livingston and Billy May. Along with Bozo the Clown, "Rusty in Orchestraville" is one of the most instantly recognizable children's records from the late 1940s. Both Rusty and it's sister album, "Sparky's  Magic Piano," feature the Sonovox to achieve the unusual vocal effects of the talking instruments.

Music by Billy May, written and produced by Alan Livingston, with Henry Blair and Billy Bletcher
Capitol BC-35 ©1946, (3) 10" 78 RPM record album,
total time: 18:35.

 

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Notes from the album jacket:

"Rusty in Orchestraville" is probably the most refreshing and painless course in music appreciation ever offered to youngsters who are studying, or will someday study, music. This is definitely something new and novel in education... and entertainment.

Rusty is like a good many other boys and girls. He takes piano lessons and he balks at daily practicing. But one day little Rusty has a dream - an exciting, entertaining dream in which musical instruments actually talk* - and when he awakens he rushes to the piano determined, to master the instrument.

In the dream, young Rusty meets with the orchestra conductor, and the resulting tour, which finds him being introduced to all the instruments of the orchestra, leads into a miniature symphony concert. Excerpts from other favorite classical compositions also are heard when Rusty learns that he can play any instrument, even without practicing it, via the magic of "Orchastraville."

Young Rusty makes friends with all the members of the symphony family - the woodwinds, the brass and the strings. The piano, however, avoids meeting him because of his steadfast refusal to practice diligently. Finally, they meet. The climax comes when the boy is treated to a lovely piano solo. The inspiration is so great that when his mother awakens him from the dream he astonishes her by jubilantly announcing his ambition to become a great musician. Yes, and by a well-earned "practice makes perfect" lesson.

Noted Hollywood artists who are featured as soloists within this album include Raymond Turner, piano; David Frisina, violin; Kurt Reher, cello; Arthur Bernstein, bass violin; Del Staigers, trumpet; and Edward Kusby, trombone. The specially-composed background music, throughout, as well as the arrangements and the various accompaniments are the work of Billy May. The story is by Alan W. Livingston.

"Rusty in Orchestraville" fills the need for a sugar-coated musical appreciation course for juveniles. Capitol is proud and privileged to offer it to the legion of perplexed and fretting moms and dads who entertain high hopes for their children's mastery of music. It really works!

* The tones of the musical instruments themselves are made to speak and sing words in their own voices by means of Sonovox, the method invented by Gilbert Wright, and no human voices are used.