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Harpo Marx's Lost Recording Tops Classical Charts
17 Jun
Summary
- Harpo Marx's concert recording debuted on Billboard charts.
- The recording featured Marx narrating 'Peter and the Wolf'.
- The lost recording was recently discovered and restored.
More than six decades after his passing, legendary comedian Harpo Marx has achieved a posthumous chart success. His recording, "Harpo Speaks!: The Riverside Symphony Concert," has debuted on Billboard's Traditional Classical Albums and Classical Albums charts. This release brings a rare audible performance from the usually silent comedian to a new audience.
The album captures a 1964 benefit concert where Marx narrated "Peter and the Wolf" with the Riverside Symphony. This marked the first public speaking engagement for Marx in fifty years, occurring during his semi-retirement due to health issues. Unfortunately, it was also his final public musical performance, as he passed away six months later.
This significant recording was lost for decades before being rediscovered by archivist John Tefteller and restored by him and biographer Robert Bader. Bill Marx, Harpo's son, expressed his honor in sharing the recording, noting his father's initial reluctance to reveal his speaking voice but believing he would accept this release graciously.
