Leo Blech (21st April 1871 – 24th August 1958) was a German conductor who )recorded extensively from the acoustic era onwards, leading both orchestral recordings and accompaniments for singers.

Schubert – Symphony No.7 in C major “Great”

I. Andante - Allegro ma non troppo (3 sides)
II. Andante con moto (4 sides)
III. Scherzo - Allegro vivace (2 sides)
IV. Finale - Allegro vivace (3 sides)

London Symphony Orchestra, Leo Blech

His Master's Voice D1390-5 (Album Series No.59)
Matrices CR 1587-I, 1588-IA, 1589-IIA, 1590-II, 1591-IA, 1592-II, 1593-IA, 1594-IA, 1595-IIA, 1596-IA, 1597-IA, 1598-IIA (5-0735, 5-0693/9, 5-0714, 5-0711/3)
Recorded 15th November 1927, Queen’s Hall, London

The first record in my copy of this album is cracked right across, being held together mainly by the record label. I have done my best to remove the resultant heavy clicks.

It’s curious to note that in this set, record 1 contains sides 1 and 2, and record 2 contains sides 3 and 12. This ensures that the next two records can include the slow movement, and that the two sides of the scherzo fit on one record. There is, however, a significant cut in the reprise of the scherzo.

Richard Heuberger – The Operaball (Der Opernball) – Overture
Berlin State Opera Orchestra, Leo Blech

His Master’s Voice C1799
Matrices CLR 5145-I, 5146-I (4-040760/1)
Recorded 8th March 1929, Berlin

Tchaikovsky – Symphony No.5 in E minor
I. Andante – Allegro con anima
II. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza
III. Valse: Allegro moderato
IV. Finale: Andante maestoso – Allegro vivace
Berlin State Opera Orchestra, Leo Blech

HMV album 140, records C2276-80
Matrices CD 9138-I, 9139-II, 9140-I, 9141-II, 9142-II, 9167-II, 9168-II, 9169-II, 9170-I, 9171-II
Matrix numbers suggest at least 2 recording sessions, c1933

Blech takes 3 sides for each of the first 2 movements, 1 and a half for the 3^rd movement (which has a small cut) and 2 and a half for the finale (which has several cuts in the last side.)

Haydn – Symphony No.94 in G major “The Surprise”

I. Adagio cantabile – Vivace assai (2 sides)
II. Andante (2 sides)
III. Menuetto (Allegro molto) and Trio (1 side)
IV. Allegro di molto (1 side)

L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Leo Blech

DECCA AK.2204 - 06 (auto coupling)
Matrices SAR 249-1, 250-1, 251-1, 252-2, 253-1, 254-1
Recorded 2nd July 1947