BLACHER/ PROKOFIEV/ MILHAUD/ EGK / WAGNER/ MUSSORGSKY/ TCHAIKOVSKY

 

CD 1

Orchestra Variations on a Theme by Paganini, op.26

Romeo and Julia Suite No.3, op.101

Concerto for percussion and small orchestra

French Suite after Romeau for big orchestra

 

CD 2

From Tristan and Isolde Vorspiel und Isoldes Liebestod

From Khovanshchina Intermezzo

Symphony No.5 E Minor, op. 64

 

SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiberg / Leopold Stokowski

 

When the 72 year-old Leopold Stokowski came to the Southwest German Radio in 1954, he was already a living legend. Together with Toscanini and Koussevitzky he helped to define American musical life in the first half of the 20th century. Stokowski welcomed the chance to come to Baden-Baden since the orchestra was renowned for its more adventurous and creative programming.

 

Stokowski immediately recognized the qualities of the orchestra trained by Hans Rosbaud. The excellent orchestra of the Southwest radio, already a disciplined ensemble, responded enthusiastically to Stokowski's leadership.

 

From Baden-Baden Stokowski drove directly to Stuttgart, where he conducted a program of three of the most famous "War Horses" on May 20th 1955. There he conducted an ecstatic performance that included Tchaikovsky's Fifth Syjmphony and his own special orchestration of the Prelude and Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.

 

Hanssler 2cds HAEN94204