Customer Reviews

Transcriptions

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Those notable transcriptions confirm, remark and show Bach's grandness music. Despite I consider the Chaconne' s arrangement was perhaps, extremely stylized, the entire CD is peerless treasure, that it should be part of your invaluable collection.

Absolutely recommended.

Mr. Pardo has it exactly right. As far as Stokowski orchestral transcriptions go, this one is outstanding because the playing is so good. I bought this CD years ago on the recommendation of the Penguin Guide (probably the 1995 edition!), and they explained that his Symphony Orchestra consisted of cherry-picked members of the 3 major symphonies working in NY at that time.

Specifically, I prefer this group's playing to the various EMI records, although you need one of them to get the Passacaglia (BWV582).

Now. I love to listen to Milstein play the Chaconne, especially his playing from the mid-1950's. And this orchestral version is idiosyncratic (as Hiram says). Milstein plays the piece in approx. 14 minutes + 25 seconds, while Stokowski does it here in 17 minutes + 22 seconds. Stokowski is not trying to simply play the original. But, this version is phenomenal, extremely engaging, and it's even more fun if you're familiar with the piece played straight. Truly a collector's item.

Incidentally, these same tracks are found on the Archipel label, just in a different order.

F. Horne