Walter Legge (June 1, 1906 - March 22, 1979) was an influential British classical record producer, most notably for EMI. June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in Leap years). ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, European art, ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day. ... The EMI Group is a major record label, based in Hammersmith in London, in the United Kingdom. ...

Legge first joined HMV in 1927 mainly to work for the editorial of the company's retailing magazine, but he caught the eye of another famous record producer, Fred Gaisberg, and was soon taking an active role in their recording procedures. Between 1933 and 1938 Legge also worked as a music critic for Manchester Guardian. His Masters Voice, often abbreviated to HMV, is a famous trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record company. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Fred Gaisberg was hired by the United States Gramophone Company in April 1893 to begin recording talented singers. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Guardian was also the name of a U.S. television series. ...

During his years at EMI Legge contracted and recorded many artists, including Arturo Toscanini, Herbert von Karajan, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (to whom he was married since 1953), Maria Callas, Thomas Beecham, Otto Klemperer, Dinu Lipatti and many others. Legge finally left EMI in 1964, thanks to ill health and growing dissent with the management. Arturo Toscanini Arturo Toscanini (March 25, 1867 – January 16, 1957) was considered by many of his contemporaries — critics, fellow musicians, and the public alike — as the greatest conductor of his era. ... Herbert von Karajan (April 5, 1908 – July 16, 1989) was an Austrian conductor. ... Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is a German opera singer, (born December 9, 1915) is one of the leading sopranos of the post-World War II period, much admired for her performances of Mozart and Strauss. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Maria Callas on book cover Maria Callas (Greek name: Μαρία Καλογεροπούλου; December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano and perhaps the best-known opera singer of the post-World War II period. ... Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart. ... Otto Klemperer (May 14, 1885 – July 6, 1973) was a German-born conductor and composer. ... Dinu Lipatti Dinu Lipatti (March 19, 1917 – December 2, 1950) was a Romanian pianist whose career was tragically cut short by his death from Hodgkins disease at age 33. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ...

He also founded the Philharmonia as well as the Sibelius Society of London. The Philharmonia is an orchestra based in London. ... Sibelius Jean Sibelius (December 8, 1865 – September 20, 1957) was a Finnish composer of classical music; he also studied the violin as a young man. ...