Free register and download UseNet downloader, then you can FREE Download from UseNet.

    Download without Limit " Stokowski: The Maverick Conductor (2009) " from UseNet for FREE!

Guy Gardner (Performer), George Neikrug (Performer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Bela Bartok (Composer), Jacques Ibert (Composer), Frank [1] Martin (Composer), Harold Farberman (Composer), Vincent Persichetti (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Samuel Barber (Composer), Gustav Holst (Composer), Arnold Schoenberg (Composer), Reinhold Gliere (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Paul [Composer] Dukas (Composer), Joaquin Turina (Composer), Charles Martin Loeffler (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Jean Sibelius (Composer)
This is one of an exciting series that pays homage to some of the greatest recording artists of the recent past, with these elegantly-packaged multi-CD sets devoted to their finest recordings.
Review: There are many reasons to acquire this boxed set. Firstly, these 10 well filled discs contain generally excellent and sometimes outstanding performances of works familiar and obscure. Secondly most of these stereo recordings, originally taped (mostly in 1957/8) by the EMI/Capitol label, would be unfamiliar to most current listeners and collectors. Thirdly, the sound on these half century old issues is generally superb; warm, clear, transparent with a clear bass and good string tone. Forthly, these 10 CDs are very reasonably priced.
I could honestly report that I found none of the performances of the many items in this set less than engaging to listen to. Even the Carmina Burana, featuring a less that ideal chorus and soloists, is interesting for its orchestral contribution. It must be admitted that the Houston Symphony Orchestra (Shostakovich 11, Carmina Burana)is hardly a world class orchestra, however Stokowski manages to get above average results from them.
As would be expected, given Stokowski's reputation, the string tone in many of these performances is rich and luxurious; eg in Schonberg's Transfigured Night, Holst's The Planets and Bartok's Music for Strings Percussion and Celeste. The Debussy disc is memorable and the Shostakovich 11 is a searing performance. And who better to perform the conductor's arrangements of Bach, however bloated and unfashionable they migh be nowadays.
Some of the less familiar pieces are less to my taste; Loeffler's A Pagan Poem for instance, but a number (eg Gliere Symphony 3) are well worth a listen.
On initial hearing I could only detect a few instances where Stokowski has made his own alterations to the musical scores.
In summary, this set is a great buy and should be snapped up by enquiring classical music enthusiasts.
Tracklist
CD 1
Bach/Stokowski: Orchestral Transcriptions
CD 2
Bartok: Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, Sz106 (1936)
Ibert: Escales
Martin: Petite Symphonie Concertante (1945)
Farberman: Evolution (part 1)
Persichetti: Divertimento for band – March
CD 3
Debussy:
Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune;
Trois Nocturnes
Suite bergamasque – Clair de lune;
Images pour orchestre No.2 – Iberia
CD 4
Shostakovich: Symphony No.11 in G minor, Op.103 'The Year 1905'
Barber: Adagio for Strings
CD 5
Holst: The Planets, Op.32
Schoenberg: Verklarte Nacht
CD 6
Gliere/Stokowski: Symphony No.3 in B minor, Op.42 'Ilya Murometz'
Stravinsky:
Petrushka – Suite
The Firebird – Suite
CD 7
Dukas: La Peri – Fanfare
Turina: La Oracion del torero, Op.34
Loeffler: A Pagan Poem, Op.14
Ravel: Alborada del gracioso; Rapsodie espagnole
Sibelius: Four Legends, Op.22 – The Swan of Tuonela; Finlandia, Op.26
CD 8
Orff: Carmina Burana
Strauss: Suite in B flat for Wind Instruments, Op.4 – Gavotte
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.8 in D minor – Scherzo
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 – Scherzo
Mussorgsky/Ravel:
Pictures at an Exhibition – The Hut on Fowl's Legs;
The Great Gate of Kiev
CD 9
Respighi: Pini di Roma
Khachaturian: Symphony No.2 "The Bell'
Frescobaldi: Gagliarda
Palestrina/ Stokowski: Adoramus te Christe, motet for 4 voices
CD 10
Shostakovich:
Symphony No.1, Op.10;
Prelude & Fugue for piano No.14 in E flat minor, Op.87
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, Op.29 – Entr' Acte
Bloch: Schelomo (Hebrew rhapsody for Cello & Orchestra)
Cesti/Stokowski: Tu mancavi a tormentarmi – arranged for strings & harp
Gabrielli/Stokowski: Sacrae Symphoniae No.6 – Sonata pian e forte for 8 parts
Links