Leopold Stokowski Conducts [Original recording reissued]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Leopold Stokowski (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Heather Harper (Performer), Alexander Young (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Heather Harper, Alexander Young
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Leopold Stokowski
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard [Classical] Wagner
• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Music & Arts Program
• ASIN: B00004RCZG
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #844,259 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96: Suite: Prelude to Act 3, Dance of the Apprentices, Entrance of the Mas

2. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Allegro ma non troppo

3. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Molto vivace

4. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Adagio molto e cantabile

5. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Presto - Allegro assai / Recitative - Allegro assai

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Stokowski Ninth, October 3, 2004

By 

Donald Ordway "a music lover" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leopold Stokowski Conducts (Audio CD)

There are, to my knowledge, three versions of the Ninth with Stokowski at the podium: the thirties performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra, a later commercial version with the LSO (and, if memory serves, the same cast of soloists). This live performance, pre-dating the final version by a few years, found Stokowski in much the same mind about the music as he was in the thirties: in most important ways, that is to say, choices of tempo and phrasing, this live performance with the LSO is a dead ringer for the older performance (save for a brief patch in the first movement where he seems, for a moment, to lose concentration, (understandable under the circumstances, and even reassuring that we are hearing something live, and vital)), with the important difference that the tympany registers strongly (in the Philadelphia performance the drums sounded like they were being pounded with a baked potato). It is remarkable to think that the person conducting this performance was in his late eighties. (I should be so nimble of mind an dfree of spirit at that age, if I can reach it!)

However, this should not be interpreted as a discouragement from finding and purchasing the commercial recording. Stokowski managed, in his last years, to think and re-think, convincing, the first movement of the Ninth, and I, for one, would not want to be without either of these great performances.

2.0 out of 5 stars A sonic disappointment, July 1, 2010

By 

Donjo (Portage, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leopold Stokowski Conducts (Audio CD)

This hissy monophonic recording (not labeled as such!) is suitable for only the most casual uncritical listening.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great performance, but..., October 2, 2007

By 

Zak44 (CHERRY HILL, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leopold Stokowski Conducts (Audio CD)

I saw Stoky conduct the Ninth in New York right around his 90th birthday and it remains one of my most memorable concert experiences. I was prepared for less than studio quality sound on this recording, but the fi is even lower than that, and should be noted in the product description.