Debussy: La Mer; Elgar: Enigma Variations

On this CD:

1. Invitation to the Dance, rondo brillant for piano, Op. 65 (J260)
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

2. A Midsummer Night's Dream, incidental music, Op. 61 Nocturne & Scherzo
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

3. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

4. Enigma Variations for orchestra, Op.36
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

Customer Reviews:

Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1.......2006-09-22

Decca has pulled a lot of Stokowski's gaudy Phase 4 recordings off the market so that they can reappear in this box set, but the company had already licensed many out to another label, Cala, that specializes in all things Stokowski. So if you pick and choose, you can buy your favorites recordings individually with a little effort. Of the two volumes in the Original Masters series, this one is the more interesting musically.

For one thing, it features two of the conductor's great strengths: his incomparable Bach transcriptions (no one else performs them with the same total commitment) and his Debussy and Ravel. Admittedly, this La Mer and Daphnis and Chloes have been multi-miked within an inch of their lives, and neither represents Stokowski as wonderuflly as his EMI Debussy collection, but if you love the old magician, you'll love these readings.

Aslo very appealing are the Enigma Variations, which Stokowski recorded only once, and the Franck D minor Sym., though don't expect world-class execution in either case. Stokowski championed early Messiaen in l'Ascension, and here is his last version, along with a swooning and seductive Scriabin Poeme d'Extase.

You have to adore recorded excess to swallow this Symphonie fantastique and Firebird, both gorgeous in a kind of Las Vegas neon billboard sort of way. But for geneations of listeners, that's what Stokowski is all about. What he's not about, sadly, is the wretchedly eccentric and nearly unlistenable Tchaikovsky Fifth Sym., the only performance in this whole set that made me hold my nose.

In all, thee are enough goodie here to justify buying the whole box, unless you want to pick and choose, in which case turn to Cala's excellent reissues.

Stupendous Stokowski.......2004-03-30

This five disc box set featuring the Decca Recordings (1965-72) of conductor Leopold Stokowski is among the latest batch of releases in the limited edition "Original Masters" series. While parts of this particular collection have been available on CD in the past (in the old "Phase 4" and "Weekend Classics" series), some of this material is being made available for the first time internationally. Those performances include Franck's Symphony (Hilversium RPO, 1970), Elgar's Enigma Variations (Czech PO, 1972), Ravel's "Fanfare" (Hilversium, 1970) and Messiaen's "L'Ascension" (London SO, 1970). Other highlights include an entire disc (CD1) of Stokowski's Transcriptions, and a delightful reading of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" with the New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1968. In all, another great set in the "Original Masters" series.

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How to win a job

Orchestral Excerpts for Cello

Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Orchestra Excerpts for Viola
Orchestral Excerpts for Violin

ASIN: B0000038KY
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

William Tell Ov
Sym No.1
Sym No.2
Pno Con
Don Juan
Ein Heldenleben
Don Quixote
Sym No.2
Enigma Vars
Sym No.5
Sym No. 8
La Mer
Requiem (Offertorio)
Marriage of Figaro Ov
Syms No.40 & No.35
Midsummer Nights Dream
Sym No.4
Sym No.4
Sym No.6
Sym No.5

Customer Reviews:

How to win a job.......2006-06-12

Leonard does a wonderful job introducing each excerpt by describing common mistakes made on each piece in auditions and how to avoid them. Also gives advice on tempos, bowings, and fingerings. A wonderful resource, even for noncellists. I'm a bassist and have found many helpful hints to fix problems. A must have for any cellist or bassist hoping to give better auditions and even play better in an orchestra on these common excerpts.

Debussy: La Mer; Elgar: Enigma Variations

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Debussy: La Mer; Elgar: Enigma Variations

Manufacturer: Classica D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00005YNG3
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Tracks: