In this series of videos we look at a large pile of Stokowski CDs that cover his entire career, from his early recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra through the London sessions that took place at the end of his life.
Took your recommendation Dave, and listened to Stokowski’s Scheherazade (LSO 1965 Decca). Wow! What a great ride. Great sound, fantastic imaging, brutal dynamics in places. I loved it. Thanks for mentioning it. And now the Philadelphia version. So different, but great!
And, as you will be well aware, Dave, Stokowski recorded the Symphony No. 28 by Havergal Brian in 1973 at the age of 91- though, neeedless to say, not without trademark tinkering. It might seem an odd match, but the two were both Englishmen from humble backgrounds, close contemporaries who worked hard into their 90s. So far as I know Brian stuck to his original accent, however, and it's hard to imagine him marrying Gloria Vanderbilt.
A terrific idea! Once I went through a Stokowsky discography, and I had no idea who many of the composers where. In fact he conducted composers that don't even have a Wikipedia entry.
I agree! It doesn't matter what it was or where the recording was made, if it's Leopold Stokowski the one thing you can bet your life on, he's going to put everything he has into the performance. Whether right or wrong, there will never be a dull moment. His sincerity and heart is apparent in everything he did.
I thought I read somewhere that Stokowski conducted more premieres (world or national) than any other conductor in history. The NY Phil bio puts the number at over 2,000. Can anybody else corroborate that? Wouldn’t surprise me at all!
I believe the Stokowski biography “Stoki” (don’t remember author’s name off the top of my head) had a similar number. Perhaps I should caveat things by saying that book is as much hagiography as biography.
Stokowski, A Counterpoint of View by Oliver Daniel, yes. My wife found a really nice hardback several years ago for me. Incredibly well written and I believe to be a generally well-balanced portrayal of a very complex man, as most true artists are. Daniel had the highest respect for Stokowski but also relates stories where the conductor was not shown in the most diplomatic light. Daniel interviewed a huge group of people who knew Stokowski to obtain their impressions and experiences. What a fascinating read.
Wonder video as always! Id like to ask, as a young musician, I’d like to deepen my appreciation for interpretation in different artist. Sometimes I found your o commentary stunning, like Abbaddo’s micromanagement, Szell and Reiner’s strict conducting styles, Annie Fischer’s improvisational approach in Beethoven Sonatas, and how Ronald Brautigam’s energetic and smart in the Beethoven sonata as well. How do you hear so much characteristics and qualities in music, is there something worth paying attention for other than expanding my experiences? Greetings from Hong Kong
I LOVE Leopold Stokowski - I still think his 1932 live recording of Schönberg's "Gurrelieder" is the reference, dated sonics be damned (and it was actually a state-of-the-art recording for its time) - but I disagree with your statement that there's never been a conductor like him since. What about Leonard Bernstein?
I prefer Stokowski to Bernstein, but it is always a matter of taste as to when and where... and I'll be up front in admitting that Stokowski takes liberties where the composer really doesn't offer them. Both in their own way could produce performances beyond which nothing greater could be attained. There is a fun video of Bernstein inviting Stokowski to the New York Philharmonic in one of its Young People's Concerts wherein they each perform JS Bach's "Little" Fugue in G minor.
Dear Mr.Hurwitz ! Do you mind doing a talk about Serge Kussevitzky ? He did also a lot of premiers, he had a very interesting life and he is a conductor you have somewhat ignored. I would like to learn more about his best recordings.
"... from the overflow-overflow room" (sic!)... one starts to suspect, that we are in the realm of an overflow house, or maybe even an overflow mansion??!! 😂
I'm probably going to mess this up, but when Stokowski was asked what it was like to shake Mickey Mouse's hand in Fantasia, the conductor replied, "Mickey Mouse shook hands with ME."
