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5.0 out of 5 stars
Stokowski A Titan among 20th Century Musicians, August 27, 2007
This review is from: Beethoven Symphony No. 5 & Schubert Symphony No. 8 / Leopold Stokowski, London Philharmonic Orchestra (DVD)
This DVD allows one to see, as well as hear, why Leopold Stokowski is considered a titan among 20th Century musicians and perhaps the greatest conductor of all time. No one before or since can get an orchestra to play with the commitment and virtuosity achieved by Stokowski, even with less than great ensembles. But here he is conducting two great London Orchestras and the performances are astounding, especially the Schubert Unfinished Symphony, which is played with a fresh youthfulness and majesty that is astonishing to hear. Highly recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The Legend live in concert, January 8, 2011
This review is from: Beethoven Symphony No. 5 & Schubert Symphony No. 8 / Leopold Stokowski, London Philharmonic Orchestra (DVD)
Leopold Stokowski was a legend in his lifetime. Alas, the great number of his audio recordings is not matched by the pitifully few video documents we have left to see the narcissistic, impenetrable maestro in action in the concert hall. As far as I know, there are no good video recordings of his rehearsals. This DVD produced by EMI is to be treasured: it has complete footage (in fairly good color film and in ungimmicked stereo sound) of his rather conventional Beethoven Fifth and a very taut and dramatic Schubert 8, both recorded in September 1969 at Fairfield Hall, Croydon, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Stokowski was 87 at the time of the concert, frail but in total control of the proceedings, his eyes and the magical, baton-less hands conveying his intentions to the orchestra very well. It is interesting to see his seating arrangement and the free-bowing of the string players: his usual technique for creating the "Stokowski Sound" with any orchestra on the globe. The Wagner and Debussy were filmed at the Royal Festival Hall, London, with the London Symphony Orchestra in June 1972 (in color and good stereo sound) on the occasion of his 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his first concert with the LSO. Seating and bowing are traditional and Stokey is in fine form. Perhaps BBC might be persuaded to release any other Stokowski treasures buried in their vaults?
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Stokowski in color and great sound, October 18, 2009
This review is from: Beethoven Symphony No. 5 & Schubert Symphony No. 8 / Leopold Stokowski, London Philharmonic Orchestra (DVD)
Considering so many of the EMI classical videos are in black and white with poor sound quality, we should rejoice in the fact this was preserved in color with stereo sound. That alone makes this a must buy. Ignore the reviewer who gave it two stars. Clearly this person was expecting a modern classical recording with multi channel sound and dead silence from the audience. The audience isn't even that noisy. Makes me wonder if he was watching the same video. The performance of the 5th is one of the best ever recorded. I'm going to say that it's slightly better than his Phase 4 recording taped the very next week after the concert. There is a sense of spontaniety and energy slightly missing from the studio recording. Most notably in the 3rd movement French Horn solo. They just attack those notes with a drive and passion, rather than the majestic, olympian approach Stoky faavored in his studio recording. Other than that, the two performances are very close. It's certainly thrilling to watch the maestro in action. The performances of the Schubert, Wagner and Debussy are all outstanding. If you love Stokowski, this DVD is self recommending. There is a also a bonus feature of Monteux conducting Dukas. Two great conductors in great music! Rush out and buy it!
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