Great Conductors - Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977)

 

BACH / STOKOWSKI

 

Transcriptions

 

Toccata and Fugue in D minor (for Organ), BWV 565

Three Chorale Preludes Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639

Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599

Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott, BWV 680

 

Three Selections from Book One of The Well-Tempered Clavier

Prelude XXIV in B minor, BWV 869

Prelude VIII in E flat minor, BWV 853

Fugue II in C minor, BWV 847

 

Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 Chaconne

Ein feste Burg (Chorale Prelude, after Luther), BWV 80

Three Transcriptions of Organ Works Adagio (from Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564)

“Little” Fugue in G minor, BWV 578

Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582

 

The Philadelphia Orchestra / Leopold Stokowski

 

Recorded 1927-1939 in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia and in Trinity Church Studios, Camden, New Jersey

 

The transcriptions of Bach’s keyboard works for full symphony orchestra by Leopold Stokowski, one of the greatest conductors of the twentieth century, formed a successful part of his crusade to increase the accessibility of music. In reality Stokowski’s transcriptions had little to do with Bach: they are rather complete re-compositions in the manner of Wagner or Tchaikovsky for the late-romantic symphony orchestra. They have enjoyed continuing popularity since Stokowski first introduced them, and took a central role in the internationally popular film which he made with Walt Disney, Fantasia. The recordings on this CD were made between 1927 and 1939, with Stokowski conducting in all instances. The Philadelphia Orchestra, whose lush orchestra style was clearly well suited to his musical vision of Bach.

 

“Leopold Stokowski was known for flashy moves such as shaking hands with Mickey Mouse in Fantasia. As an orchestrator famous for applying his idiosyncratic touch to music composed by others, Stokowski made similar choices. The maestro's musical personality - old-fashioned gentleman cum media-savvy huckster, not to mention tireless champion of the music of his day - is apparent in every bar of his fascinating transcriptions.” TimeOut New York

 

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