Utah Classical Music of the Past
Gallery of new recordings of old music - for the curious or the studious
Utah Classical Music of the Past
Gallery of new recordings of old music - for the curious or the studious
Presenting a curated selection of classical music works from Utah’s past, free for listening online. Featuring unique recordings that celebrate the state’s rich musical legacy between 1850 and 1950. Our musical past is not all lost, and some of our historic composers left works worth revisiting. Experience more than 70 newly recorded tracks that represent a variety of Utah’s historic classical styles, from concert and stage works to church music offerings. The music is organized into several lists by type, so use the “buttons” in the menu at the top of each page help you jump to other lists of musical forms.
This new web site is still under construction, but here are a few of our favorite recordings from the 70+ items already on this site. Â
The Grasshopper is a clever little etude with attitude from the 1860s, composed by Orson Pratt, Jr. One of 40 piano solos in the collection. A live recording. (Click the title.)
The Wizard of the Wasatch is a fun march composed by Gustave Schuster as the theme for a festival in SLC around 1915. (Click the title.)
“Melody in A for violin and piano”, a sentimental 1905 selection by William C. Clive. One of a dozen ensemble works on this site. A live recording, produced specifically for this outlet. (Audio only so far – click below to hear it.)
“Four Seasons in Utah” arranged for string quartet from four songs (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) by Evan Stephens, from 1905 or earlier. An unusual version to be sure, but until this site comes up with a way to record vocals, we’ll sprinkle in a few of these instrumental adaptations to let people hear the good old stuff.  (Audio only so far – click below to hear it.)
The examples posted here have been prepared and recorded from works found in various sheet music archives, and the gallery will continue to grow as additional offerings are found and recorded. We welcome input and (legal) music sharing from those with an interest in this subject. More music files will be added to pages here later in 2026, and will be divided by category as the site structure grows. Come back and listen to more of the music of Utah’s past as we hope to have over 100 selections to share by the end of 2026. Each of these pieces was once “new music”, and we hope this collection also helps inspire continued creativity in making new music in the future.
Note that this site is not specifically an LDS/Mormon music site, but due to the time and place being featured, many (but not all) of the composers presented here will be of that background. However, most of the music selections on these lists will be secular in nature. For those seeking LDS music specifically, please check out www.SingPraises.net which has a exhaustive lists of such works, most with links to sheet music.
Instrumental music is currently the featured offering on this site, with historic vocal music recordings probably coming sometime in the future. This collection includes many piano solos, but also some chamber music, stage music, and even a few excerpts from large scale pieces for orchestra. If you are a performer with an interest in recording some music to share on this site, please send us a note.
(For the curious, many of the examples of recorded music which are posted here started as a web site at www.yandro.com )
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