A Brief History Of Liederkarntz Hall, Pre CBS And Beyond…

This incredibly ornate building was constructed around 1890 as the “clubhouse” for a German social club, and was specially built for musical performances. By 1927, the building was sold and RCA Victor began recording here. About ten years later, CBS Radio bought the property for use in the CBS Symphony radio series and by 1941, this had also become the home of Columbia Records. The acoustics were incredible.

Sometime in late 1947, Liederkrantz began the transformation to television studios. The first documented Liederkrantz series was ‘Vanity Fair’ which originated in Studio 55 from October 12, 1948 till November 28, 1951. ‘Search For Tomorrow’ and ‘The Guiding Light’ also came from here. Although usually done from Grand Central’s Studio 41, Douglas Edwards did the evening news shows from here occasionally, as there are many stories of mad dashes in cabs to get scripts and news men to the set in time, especially on rainy days.

In the four photos attached, you see from left to right, the building’s brownstone front and next is a 1938 photo of Vittorio Giannini conducting the CBS Symphony Orchestra for a live broadcast. Next is Frank Sinatra recording in 1947 which was the last year for Columbia Records at this site. Finally, a pencil drawing of the stairway leading up to the second floor studios, which for television would be 53 and 54. The larger studios, 55 and 56 were on the first floor and even had auto ramps.

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