Alexander Smallens (1889-1972) was a Russian-born American conductor, especially associated with opera and American music. He conducted the original Broadway production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in 1935.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears in Gershwin’s first recordings, part of the early recorded history of the composer’s concert and stage works.

Smallens’s importance lies in practical theatre musicianship: pacing, ensemble discipline and the ability to bring new American works into performance. He worked where repertory was still being made, not merely preserved.

His page earns its place through Gershwin history. Smallens was one of the conductors standing at the crossroads where Broadway, opera and the concert hall began arguing productively.