Introduction


 Biography


 
CDs


 Membership


 Transcriptions


 Bibliography


 Gallery


 Toccata


 Filmography


 Links

Stokowski Society Recordings
In conjunction with CALA RECORDS, The Leopold Stokowski Society releases at least two records each year and these are made available in advance to Members of the Society at a special price. In addition, Society Members can help to sponsor the pre-production costs of each CD and are thus entitled to have their names featured in the CD Booklet.

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Cala Records
Available direct by Mail Order only from CALA (at a Special Price to Society Members).

 New release CACD 0548
BIZET Symphony in C
L'Arlesienne Suites 1 & 2
DEBUSSY Children's Corner Suite
Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra
(Recorded 1952 and 1949)
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 Previous releases
 
Subject to  availability
CACD 0547
"The Heart of the Ballet"
Excerpts and Highlights
ADAM Giselle
WEBER Le Spectre de la Rose
CHOPIN Les Sylphides
DELIBES Sylvia
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake & The Nutcracker
DEBUSSY L'apres-midi d'un faune
BERLIOZ Ballet des Sylphes
Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra
(Recorded 1949-1951)
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CACD 0546
MUSSORGSKY A Night on Bare Mountain
Khovantchina Suite –
Dawn Over Moscow;
Dance of the Persian Maidens; Entr'acte Act 4
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Russian Easter
Festival Overture
with Nicola Moscona bass
GLIERE Russian Sailors' Dance
TCHAIKOVSKY Eugene Onegin Polonaise
BORODIN In the Steppes of Central Asia
Dances of the Polovetzki Maidens
Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra
with Women's Chorus
(Recorded 1950 & 1953)
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CACD 0545
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 Pastoral
"One of the most beautifully played and
superbly recorded Pastoral Symphonies
on the market." The New Records
"Sounds of Nature" - Illustrated Talk
by Stokowski comparing real bird-calls
and thunderstorms with Beethoven's
"stylised interpretations"
LISZT Hungarian Rhapsodies 1, 2 & 3
"The performances have immense vitality
and dash." High Fidelity
Stokowski and the NBC Symphony
Orchestra (recorded 1954-55)
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CACD 0543
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake Highlights
"A decided success... Stokowski's reading is
spacious, flowing, lyrical... the sound bright,
warm and well-engineered."
High Fidelity
JOHANN STRAUSS II
On the Beautiful Blue Danube
Tales from the Vienna Woods
BEETHOVEN Turkish March
MOZART Turkish March
NBC Symphony Orchestra (1954-55)
First CD Releases
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CACD 0542
PERCY GRAINGER Favourites
Country Gardens; Mock Morris;
Early One Morning; Shepherd's Hey;
Irish Tune from County Derry;
Molly on the Shore; Handel in the Strand
SIBELIUS Berceuse; Valse triste
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
RACHMANINOV Vocalise
GRANADOS Intermezzo
DEBUSSY Clair de Lune
IBERT Escales
Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra
(
Recorded 1947-1953)
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CACD 0541
SIBELIUS
Symphony No. 1 in E minor
Stokowski Symphony Orchestra
(recorded 1950)
"What energy and vigour!..."
The Gramophone
Symphony No. 2 in D major
NBC Symphony Orchestra (recorded 1954)
"Musical fire-and-ice of the very first order..."
The American Record Guide
The First CD release of these classic
Stokowski recordings exemplifies his life-long
championship of the music of Sibelius
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CACD 0540
SAINT-SAENS Samson and Delilah
Highlights with Rise Stevens,
Jan Peerce and Robert Merrill,
The Robert Shaw Chorale and the
NBC Symphony Orchestra
(recorded 1954). "An astounding
demonstration of Stokowski's virtuosity."
The New Records.
TCHAIKOVSKY Eugene Onegin
Tatiana's Letter Scene with
Licia Albanese and Stokowski and his
Symphony Orchestra (recorded 1951).
"... an excellent disc...One of the best Letter
Scenes going."
Tully Potter, Classic Record Collector
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CACD 0539
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Symphony No. 9 in E minor
RIEGGER New Dance
HOVHANESS Mysterious Mountain
CRESTON Toccata
Taken from a 1958 Carnegie Hall concert,
this CD features Stokowski and his
Symphony Orchestra in three American
works and the US Premiere of Vaughan
Williams's last powerful and noble symphony.
"A sensational release." Robert Matthew-Walker
International Record Review
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CACD 0538 (2-CD Set)
Special Release to mark the 25th Anniversary
of the Leopold Stokowski Society

Stokowski conducts Baroque Masterworks
in 'Phase 4 Stereo'
VIVALDI The Four Seasons
with Hugh Bean, solo violin, and the
New Philharmonia Orchestra
HANDEL Messiah (Highlights)
with Sheila Armstrong, Norma Procter,
Kenneth Bowen, John Cameron and the
London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
In 1966, Stokowski made two LPs of music he had seldom conducted before. The tapes were newly re-mastered for this 2-CD set.
Of The Four Seasons, Gramophone wrote:
"It is a dramatic performance ... the recording is of magnificently rich quality."
The Messiah excerpts were also well received: "A perfectly straightforward performance, beautifully sung and played, and sumptuously recorded."
Records and Recording.
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CACD 0537
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Symphony No. 6 in E minor

World Premiere Recording
TCHAIKOVSKY Romeo and Juliet
MOZART Symphony No. 35 Haffner
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCOTT
From the Sacred Harp
World Premiere Recording
WEINBERGER Polka and Fugue
from Schwanda the Bagpiper
New York Philharmonic (volume 3)
"This is a collection brimful of Stokowski's confident, irreverent, personable and intensely idiosyncratic music-making."
Rob Barnett, music web uk.net
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CACD 0536
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade
Stokowski's first Phase 4 Stereo recording (1964) newly remastered
TCHAIKOVSKY Marche Slave
From the Maestro's 90th Birthday Concert (1972) that also marked the 60th Anniversary of his debut with the LSO in 1912 (first time on CD).
Stokowski in Rehearsal
From the Scheherazade sessions
London Symphony Orchestra
"This is Stokowski's greatest recording of Scheherazade, and as Stokowski's greatest you know it has to be one of the world's greatest."
Don Vroon, American Record Guide.
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CACD 0535
MUSSORGSKY Boris Godunov
Highlights with Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, bass and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
WAGNER Parsifal
Good Friday Spell and Symphonic Synthesis Act 3
Stokowski Symphony Orchestra
"Spectacular, as Cala's superb transfer demonstrates... Stokowski's conducting inspires performances of the highest voltage, electrifying from first to last." Edward Greenfield, The Guardian.
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CACD 0533. Volume 1
Stokowski and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (1947-49)
Wagner The Flying Dutchman Overture
Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Music
Ippolotov-Ivanov In the Village
Messiaen L'Ascension
Griffes The White Peacock
Vaughan Williams "Greensleeves" Fantasia
Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini
"Stokowski's readings are of the highest standard. These records posseses exemplary clarity and richness." David Patmore, Classic Record Collector.
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CACD 0534. Volume 2
Stokowski and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (1947-49)
Wagner Rienzi Overture
Siegfried's Rhine Journey and Funeral Music
Sibelius Maiden with the Roses
Khachaturian Masquerade Suite
Schoenberg Song of the Wood-Dove
Tchaikovsky Waltz from Serenade for Strings
Copland Billy the Kid - Excerpts
"It is hard to believe that these fabulous recordings have never before seen issued on CD. Congratulations to all!". James H.North, Fanfare.
The above New York Philharmonic CDs were winners of the Classic Record Collector Award for the Best Historical Orchestral Recordings 2003.
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CACD 0532
SCHUMANN Symphony No. 2
HAYDN
Symphony No. 53 Imperial
HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel Prelude
MOZART The Sleigh Ride
J. STRAUSS II Blue Danube Waltz
Tales from the Vienna Woods
All were made by Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra in 1949-50 and include his only recordings of any of Schumann's or Haydn's symphonies.
"Stokowski's magnetism and intensity are fully at Schumann's service... the result, with such responsive playing, is passionate and involving." Ivan March, Gramophone, November 2002.
CACD 0531
BRAHMS Symphony No 2
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.4 Italian

From Stokowski's last recording sessions in 1977, made only a few weeks before his death at the age of 95.
Columbia Stereo Recordings with The National Philharmonic Orchestra
"There are few versions of Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony quite as exhilarating as this, while the Brahms Second Symphony brings an
electrifying account." Edward Greenfield, The Guardian.
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CACD 0529
TCHAIKOVSKY Aurora's Wedding
from The Sleeping Beauty
STOKOWSKI ENCORES
including
Debussy Clair de lune
Albeniz Festival in Seville
Novacek Perpetuum Mobile
Rimsky-Korsakov Flight of the Bumble-Bee
from Columbia Stereo Recordings (1976) with
The National Philharmonic Orchestra
"...the electricity crackles throughout...
the recording is vividly brilliant."
Ivan March, The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs
CACD 0528
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No. 4
in F minor

BUTTERWORTH A Shropshire Lad
ANTHEIL Symphony No. 4 "1942
" (World Premiere Performance)
From radio broadcasts with the NBC Symphony Orchestra (1943-44)
"Here we have Stokowski's only performance of Vaughan Williams's Fourth Symphony... It is dramatic and exciting... a valuable addition to the available discography not only of Stokowski but also of Vaughan Williams."
Lewis Foreman, Classical Music on the Web, www.musicweb.uk
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CACD 0527
BACH TRANSCRIPTIONS
including Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Ein' feste Burg, Air on the G string, Preludio in E, Andante Sostenuto, Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor. With the All-American Youth Orchestra (recorded 1940-41)
"Eleven tracks are included on this CD, all stunningly remastered...
Immediately one is struck by the glorious, expansive sound of the orchestra... Pure listening enjoyment makes this CD a must for Bach fans, Stokowski fans, and even music scholars alike." Jonathan Oshry, OnLine
Journal
, MusicTeachers.co.uk
CACD 0526
HOLST The Planets
DEBUSSY
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun;
The Engulfed Cathedral
MORTON GOULD The New China March; The Red Cavalry March
From radio broadcasts with the NBC Symphony Orchestra (1943-44)
"Here's a Planets crammed full of interpretative incident, superbly played by a legendary orchestra... Stokowski's broadcast performance evinces a giant theatricality and abundant zeal that prove hypnotically compelling... essential listening for all fans of this great conductor."
Andrew Achenbach, Gramophone
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CACD 0525
FRANCK Symphony in D minor
MESSIAEN L'Ascension
RAVEL Fanfare
CHOPIN Mazurka in A minor
DUPARC Extase
"Phase 4 Stereo" Recordings with the Hilversum Radio Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra (recorded 1970 and 1972)
"This is the greatest recording of the Franck Symphony ever made... there has never been a better-sounding recording... It has tremendous immediacy yet plenty of atmosphere... It is rich beyond words." Don Vroon, Editor, American Record Guide
CACD 0524
ELGAR Enigma Variations
BRAHMS Symphony No.1 in C minor
"Phase 4 Stereo" Recordings with the Czech Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra (recorded live in 1972).
"This is a remarkable performance of the Enigma Variations... what shines through is Stokowski's profound understanding of the music... the performance is enthralling for its insights, freshness and vitality... Nimrod is truly noble, and the finale, organ and all, magniloquent." Michael Kennedy, The Sunday Telegraph
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CACD 0501
Philadelphia Rarities
Arcady Dubensky's The Raven, Harl McDonald's Double Piano Concerto, Henry Eichheim's Bali Symphonic Variations, and music by Falla, Turina, Konoye and Sousa, plus Two Ancient Liturgical Melodies "arr. Stokowski", with the Philadelphia Orchestra (recorded 1929-1940).
CACD 0502
First Releases
Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, Richard Strauss's Dance of the Seven Veils, Robert Kelly's Sunset Reflections, and music by Stephen Foster, Joseph La Monaca, Handel, Scriabin and Schubert, with the Philadelphia Orchestra, NBC Symphony, and New York City Symphony (previously unreleased recordings made between 1927 and 1944).
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CACD 0505
Russian Masterworks
Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony and Humoresque, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Festival, and Prokofiev's March from The Love for Three Oranges, with the NBC Symphony Orchestra (recorded 1941-42).
CACD 0506
Tchaikovsky Pathetique Symphony and Richard Strauss Death and Transfiguration
Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra (1945) and New York City Symphony Orchestra (1944).
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CACD 0520
Schubert Unfinished Symphony
Wagner
Forest Murmurs and
Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor
All-American Youth Orchestra (1941) and Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra (1945-46).
CACD 0521
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Tchaikovsky
Nutcracker Suite
Ippolitov-Ivanov
In The Manger and
Glazunov
Danse Orientale
Philadelphia Orchestra (1927 and 1934).
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CACD 0522
Liszt Les Preludes
Sibelius Swan of Tuonela and
Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty excerpts
Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra (recorded 1947).
CACD 0523
Mozart Sinfonia Concertante and
Beethoven Pastoral Symphony
Philadelphia Orchestra (1940) and New York City Symphony (1944).
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