In Boston Symphony Orchestra: An Augmented Discography, James H. North gathers all the information about Boston Symphony musical recordings into one volume, capturing over 90 years of recorded history. Similar to his earlier New York Philharmonic volume, this discography contains a chronological list citing complete details of the recording sessions, such as works performed, the soloists and choruses, session dates and venues, recording companies and producers, first release dates, and information related to master copies and all issues of the recording, including 78- and 45-rpm discs, Long-Playing records, and Compact Discs.
The material is cross-referenced in indexes and organized alphabetically by composer, conductor, and soloist, referring the reader to the appropriate entry in the main listing. Works by more than 100 composers, 30 conductors, and 250 soloists are included. Two additional appendixes list two-track tapes and video recordings by the BSO. In addition to commercial recordings, this volume contains separate sections on recordings issued by the U.S. government, recordings made by other ensembles consisting solely of Boston Symphony musicians, and a complete, self-enclosed discography of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players. A final appendix presents an extended list of unauthorized pirate issues, documenting BSO live performances and broadcasts from the 1930s to the present day. With a foreword by James Levine, this valuable resource is beneficial for collectors, fans, and anyone interested in recorded classical music and the history of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.