Please cut and paste new entries to the bottom of this page, creating a new monthly archive (by closing date) when necessary.
For promoted entries, add '''Promoted Example.ogg''' --~~~~ to the bottom of the entry, replacing Example.ogg with the file that was promoted.
For entries not promoted, add '''Not promoted''' --~~~~ to the bottom of the entry.
For entries demoted, add '''Demoted Example.ogg''' --~~~~ to the bottom of the entry.
Use variants as appropriate, e.g. with a large set of files, all of which pass, '''Promoted all''' is fine, but if one of them didn't pass for some reason, make sure that's clear.
Oppose What is notable about this? What is it an example of? What does it illustrate? Nice voice, ugly arrangement. It's nae Scots. --Kleinzach02:29, 16 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Support Baroque traverso flute!! I like it. And I support it, although the flutist has some slight problems with articulation and rhythm, particularly in the third movement. I am maybe overly critical :-)) --Vejvančický (talk) 21:52, 2 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I wanted to try and get some Christmas music ready well in advance to help Wikipedia's celebration of Christmas. This was easily the best of the recordings I found - I believe it can stand on its own as an excellent performance of the song, perfect for bringing us all into the Christmas spirit.
I am afraid I don't understand Caspian blue's oppose. What's wrong with the singing? It probably would be a good idea to be clearer in the reason for the oppose. I found this to be an excellent example of the chorale style of caroling, and the recording quality is quite good. Important in its own right and we do need some holiday music. support ++Lar: t/c19:35, 1 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I know my rationale is obscure, and we need holiday music for Christmas. However, I felt sadden after listening to the familiar song, especially due to melancholy voices of the singers. If my rationale sounds very personal, well, I don't mind the closing admin/or editor would discount this opinion.--Caspian blue00:26, 2 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose Nothing special on that recording, we can listen to it or sing it under the Christmas tree, but not as a featured sound in my opinion. Sorry. Btw, very funny comment by Caspian blue: "I felt sadden..." :-))) --Vejvančický (talk) 08:55, 5 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose This is a bit of a waste of everybody's time. Featured whatevers are supposed to be representative of the best on WP. There have to be positive reasons for nominations. In this case there is no information about the performers and the performance itself is notable only for its remarkable ability to turn a jolly carol into a dirge. Let's research these files properly before recommending them please! --Kleinzach23:10, 6 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The notable singer, the surprisingly accurate accompaniment raise this above any other recording I could find with an acceptable licence. Other recordings of this from this time period all had severe abuses against Donizetti's intent, ranging from the almost forgiveable substitution of a harp for pizzicato strings, to arco strings and worse. There's still a little noise, but I think I managed to all or almost all of the really distracting clicks and pops. Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 13:36, 7 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Alessandro Moreschi was an Italian castrato singer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is one of the (the only one on Wikimedia sites I believe) only known recordings of a castrato singer, thus it has a lot of EV. Maxim(talk)22:47, 16 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Support, seems an excellent illustration for the article. Could that persistent background crackle not be easily removed, though? ~ mazcat|c00:49, 20 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Performance of the Hymn of the Russian Federation by the Presidential Orchestra and Kremlin Choir at the inauguration of President Dmitry Medvedev at The Kremlin on 7 May 2008.
Not only is it sound, but also video, with some (in my mind) stunning camera angles and shots of the ceremony and the Kremlin. The video appears in National anthem of Russia, and is from the website of the Kremlin (licensed under CC-BY 3.0). I couldn't see any reason that video could be excluded from being promoted to Featured sounds.
Support - My only question is can a video be both a featured picture and featured sound? This does not apply here as it is the audio that is good and not the video. Zginder 2008-12-21T03:11Z (UTC)
It's Caruso and Scotti. No further comment =) Forgive me if there's been a lot of Puccini of late - I did promise WikiProject Opera I'd do my part in the preparations for the Puccini 150th. Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 19:44, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Support - notable recording and historical value, the sound is good. Sufficient. Btw, the singers are great, but the accompaniment... It's just funny. I imagine the bears playing the instruments... Sorry. I want to speak seriously. --Vejvančický (talk) 21:57, 13 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
It is general knowledge that this formula is arguably the most important in physics, and I think an audio in which the man himself is explaining what it means is worthy of featured status.
I have to admit I'm not an expert on copyright, but I believe the Library of Congress holds all renewals. If they have anything from Atomic Physics up and say it's out of copyright, we can presume it is. But I'm afraid we do need to get copyright right... Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 12:30, 4 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
After some more research, it looks like the film is British, but the Einstein clips are stock footage. However, if we can't get the copyright status sorted, I'm afraid it's going to have to be deleted as copyvio. This would be unfortunate, but what else could we do? Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 04:09, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Conditional support: If the copyright was not renewed, otherwise delete. Could maybe do with some restoration too - I'll have a go now, and upload it if the copyright isn't an issue. DendodgeTalkContribs10:49, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Done - how's this?
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
When dealing with the copyright of this there are two things we need to think about, the words and the recording. The words could have been published and could have been renewed or not. The only renewal records online are from books and nothing else even though they could have been renewed. We need to know when and in what medium the words were first published. Zginder 2008-11-08T19:05Z (UTC)
Francesco Tamagno, the original Otello, sings "Niun mi tema" (Morte d'Otello) from Giuseppe Verdi's Otello. This 1903 recording dates from just two years before Tamagno's death.
This is probably Otello's best-known aria, sung by the creator of the role. While the recording quality isn't perfect, it is pretty good for 1903, and, hey, it's the original performer! Isn't that worth a little hit to sound quality?
By the way, I've reduced the hiss as much as I could, but preserving Tamagno's performance had to be the first priority, even if that meant leaving some hiss in. However, this restoration was particularly difficult, so here's the original for comparison, because I think that, with a recording like this - with flaws but historical importance that makes up for them - transparency is particularly necessary.
Strong support and I prefer the original. As a Verdi lover (especially Otello), I believe this file is worthy to be kept as featured sound. --Caspian blue06:19, 31 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]
OpposeWeak support This is the famous G&T (matrix 269FT cat 052068). Very important. My reservation is over the quality of the recordings here (of which the unrestored one is the better). My own Nimbus CD version sounds far better (though of course not available to us). Also can we get rid of the pretentious Italian title ('Morte d'Otello') and just call it 'Niun mi tema'? Thank you. --Kleinzach 08:50, 31 October 2008 (UTC) P.S. It's also been issued by Historic Masters [2] and [3]. They will have been working for a master not a 78. --Kleinzach 09:06, 31 October 2008 (UTC) I've changed my response to 'oppose' because of the poor quality of the so-called 'original' here. I think it should be possible to find one less metallic sounding. --Kleinzach10:17, 2 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Weel, obviously I can only work with what I have access to. If someone can get me a better-quality copy of it, I can probably do more. As it is, I'm trying to remover hiss at the same pitch s Tamagno's voice, whch leads to compromise and difficulty. =) Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 16:09, 31 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Kleinzach, if you can provide the mentioned sound files here, it would be great to understand your opinion. Honestly, I'm bemused to read your point-out on the well-known alternative name of the aria, "Morte d'Otello".--Caspian blue00:20, 1 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Please listen to this [4]. (As for "Morte d'Otello", I think this should be in English according to the usual WP guidelines, while the actual title "Niun mi tema" stays in Italian.) --Kleinzach01:51, 1 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The difference is like night and day on my headphones. The metallic slicing sound disappears. (The Youtube file is presumably an mp3 of the master transfer.) My point, however, is that we should be using a better 'original' than the substandard one presented here. Also there isn't much reason to make a poor-quality file available here, when there is a much better one already available on the net which we can link to because it's out of copyright anyway. --Kleinzach03:12, 4 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Well, that is not what I meant for saying "provide files" to you. We're judging on whether presented limited resources here are qualified for featured contents or not. I'd say my best Otello would be not obtainable as a PD file in my life. If you can provide "better original files" by yourself, I'm happy for that.--Caspian blue17:39, 5 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Support The sound quality of the restored version is not so bad. Especially, when we take into consideration abslute notability - the premiere performer of the famous opera. --Vejvančický (talk) 23:10, 6 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Part of a multi-cylinder recording of H.M.S. Pinafore created by Edison Records in 1911. Includes "We have sailed the ocean blue" "Hail, men of oarsmen", "I'm called Little Buttercup", and "A maiden fair to see"
Part 2 of the recording. Includes "My gallant crew, good morning", "I am the Captain of the Pinafore", "Sorry her lot" (second verse, beginning "Sad is the hour"), "Over the bright blue sea", and "I am the monarch of the sea"
I think this is a fine recording In addition, it's nearly complete: excepting some recitatives, it includes at least a verse of pretty much every song in the first half of Act I. Unfortunately, I'm afraid this is all I can get of it: Part 3 turned out to be a misfiled part 2, and, while I may be able to do something with Part 4, it's not going to be easy. Still, this is more material on one opera than we have for any composer (I haven't yet done enough work on the Puccini project). I still think they are very good performances, and deserve featuring. If we find the other parts, they will probably deserve featuring as well.
We have no Gilbert and Sullivan, and really should. I think this would go a long way towards rectifying that.
Please note, however, that I've been sitting on these for about a month or two trying to get part 3. If there's problems (I'm too close to judge anymore), I may be able to use the skills I've learned in that time to overcome them.
Support (both) - Historically important, and good quality for the era, restorer's efforts have been time well spent. ++Lar: t/c19:24, 1 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Support both. Good recording, skilled vocalists, good enunciation makes lyrics more intelligible than many modern recordings. Edison (talk) 00:03, 24 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
George W. Bush delivers his eighth State of the Union address on January 28, 2008.
This is Bush's last State of the Union Address, and it is good quality (compared to some other SOTU addresses). It appears in 2008 State of the Union Address, and is from the White House website. Because it is a work of the Federal Government, it is public domain under Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the United States Code.
Support Although the beginning sounds a bit fuzzy (maybe that's because she's tapping on something), the rest of the sound is good quality. TheHelpfulOne17:14, 11 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
A highly notable operatic soprano sings Giacomo Puccini's Tosca, and does it divinely. While not perfect, given the year, it's still very good indeed. This is one of the last recordings of Destinn during her prime: She was put under house arrest during WWI, and would not be able to return to the stage until 1919. The gap sent her career into a terminal decline, and, as far as I'm aware, there are no good recordings after 1914.
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
Preview warning: Page using Template:Listen with empty filename #1
This set of sound files is the entire Water Music Suite in D Major by George Frideric Handel. It is a good quality set, and it also has one very famous movement, II. Alla Hornpipe. This sound file appears in Water Music (Handel).
I checked the source for this - Archive.org gives no details as to who recorded it, when, or where. Barring that information, I think we're going to have to presume this is in copyright and delete it. (Archive.org is a good source, but does need to be used with some caution - ever seen how on Commons people will upload copyrighted recordings of PD-old works as PD-old, not realising that the performers could also claim a copyright? Same thing can happen there.) Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 09:31, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
One of the most important events of the United States civil rights era was the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Lyndon Johnson's words about establishing equality are highly encyclopedic and particularly relevant in light of the historic event due to take place this month. Seems fitting to nominate this now. Appears at Lyndon B. Johnson and Civil Rights Act of 1964. Transcript available at Wikisource.[5]
Public statement by Harry S. Truman on September 1, 1945 announcing the surrender of Japan.
This is a moment that millions of people in the United States and the rest of the world were waiting for. It is a lot of historical significance, as it marks the end of WWII. While it may not be great quality, it is high encyclopedic value. Appears in Surrender of Japan.
Support I like these historic speeches, we need more. Zginder 2009-01-17T19:09Z (UTC)
Strong support - Per Zginder - and that it sounds really, really good, especially for its time. Been almost 65 years already, wow.Mitch32(Go Syracuse)23:57, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Public statement by Harry S. Truman on May 8, 1945 announcing the surrender of Germany.
This sound file, along with Harry Truman Announcing Surrender Of Germany.ogg, provide a set of speeches that show the end of World War II. This is a powerful speech, as it is the moment that millions of people across the world were waiting for for years. This provided people with a glimpse of hope that the war would soon be over, which happened 4 months later when Japan surrendered.
Kennedy addressing the nation on October 22, 1962 about the buildup of arms on Cuba
This was a moment of great fear for the people listening, as this was the closest the United States has come to nuclear war. This is a very important address in the history of the United States, and due to the encyclopedic value, it would makes a good featured sound. It appears in John F. Kennedy and Cuban Missile Crisis.
This is a high quality recording of this work, which was recorded by some very famous operatic vocalists of the period (such as Caruso) and was written by Verdi, a well-known composer. This sound file appears in:
Oppose (conditional on replacing the file) There's a strange buzzing and vibrating sound on this (which I'm not hearing elsewhere, so I don't think this is just my equipment and not an artifact of the original either). (I've just listened to it on www.mtraks.com and their version is fine.) The recording itself is important, and worth putting on the singers biographies (if we can get a clean clip). However please resist the temptation to spam your new discovery on multiple pages. It doesn't belong on Giuseppe Verdi and Un ballo in maschera where it is unrepresentative, if not actually offputting, for readers new to opera. --Kleinzach03:16, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
I'm sorry - I can't quite hear the buzz (but I am on a laptop, so that might affect it). Is it persistent or does it occur only at certain points? If it's only the loud bits, it might have been a problem with the .ogg compression and reducing the gain might fix it, at the expense of reducing the volume. DendodgeTalkContribs15:57, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
It's persistent and amplified by the louder passages - but I'm now hearing it on other WP files as well (like the two immediately following this) - which presumably means the problem is not this particular file. Has there been any change to the way WP handles these files recently? Does anyone know? I'm not getting the buzz on non-WP sound files, so it seems to be something specific to WP. --Kleinzach05:35, 19 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Here is a short example on www.mtraks.com (it starts at 00:30 here) for comparison. Their version is slightly better, but both recordings are almost identical in my opinion. The sound quality isn't decisive element in this case. --Vejvančický (talk) 08:24, 19 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Support I don't hear that noise either. Perhaps try a re-review on a different computer, Kleinzach? High ev and sounds excellent for a 1915 recording. Perhaps someone will persuade an opera company to copyleft it's performances, but until that happens this is likely the best we can get. DurovaCharge!23:16, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]