Bach: Toccata & Fugue in D minor - Stokowski at 90 with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (1972)

In 1972, Leopold Stokowski visited Prague to conduct two concerts with the Czech Philharmonic. By now a very frail 90-year-old, the Maestro's taxing programme (played on two successive evenings) consisted of six of his Bach Transcriptions, followed after the interval by Elgar's "Enigma Variations" and Scriabin's "Poem of Ecstasy," plus a couple of encores. It was recorded 'live' in 'Phase 4 Stereo' and for the first concert the TV cameras were on hand to capture Stokowski for almost the last time in his long career.
The programme opened with his own transcription of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, a work he had first performed and recorded in the 1920s. He had played it many times over the years but this is the last film to show him conducting his most famous Bach arrangement in public.
Stokowski soon gave up concerts altogether, due to his clearly evident frailty, but continued to make records until he was 95. His final studio recording of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor was made with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1974 for RCA / BMG.

[@aldojunkur1558]

LE - LE - LE LEOPOLD!!!

[@karlwills3549]

most men at 90 are in nursing homes,,and Leopold at 90 conducting what a Lion he is,,awesome stuff..

[@elmerpintar4693]

there's also Herbert Blomstedt, who is the utlimate Bruckner experrt still on the circuit at age 94.

[@elektrodoktor]

He recorded music since the earliest mechanical recording technology till 70s - era of advanced analogue recording. He died just before digital revolution brought by the Compact Disc. He witnessed all stages of technological advancement, starting from engraving sound on wax by pure force of the sound itself "amplified" by a big cone, then came electric valves, magnetic tapes, stereo sound, transistors. Today digital media can make any musical rendition eternal, and he has a place in this digital eternity.

[@elmerpintar4693]

The conducting technique is gone. the orchestra knew what he wanted ahead of time, and pretty much carried the great Maestro,

[@stereoplayers]

I've read that, while recording for Victor in the 1930s, the recording engineers fitted him with a dummy sound board to make him think that he, and not them, were in control of the recording sound. Don't know if that was true or not.

[@worldofhunter1636]

Just note Leopold witnessed history by conducting music used as surround sound at the time known as Fantasound... And you all know which movie used that.

[@kerder8660]

​​@@elmerpintar4693totally right.. Hehehe that's y they have so called practice... So he teaches them.. So they know...

[@emcarver8983]

​@@kerder8660 So true. People just don't get this.

[@2dicone]

Man even at 90 he still had that olympian magnificence. Go Leopold :)

[@richardschewel3674]

I had the chance to study with Stokowski at his apartment overlooking Central Park in the mid 1960s. He was 86 and preparing the world premiere of Ives 4th!-Richard

[@Angus_Gibson]

@@richardschewel3674 What was he like???

[@elmerpintar4693]

The guy who worked with Mickey Mouse!!!

[@billschannel8214]

I was about 14 the first time I heard this. The 'fugue' part, where the violins really kick in at 4:08 moved me to tears. Not a normal teenager's reaction, I'm sure, but I still love classical and opera at 57.

[@couped243]

Leopold....Leopold....it's Leopold..shhhhhh.... Leopold. Bugs had it right ...Awesome

[@DAmateur04]

I remember listening to this piece for the first time as a child through the film Fantasia, with Stokowski conducting during the toccata and the closing passage of the fugue. Heck, even I vaguely remember me trying to mimic Stokowski's conducting. Now, over a decade later, I still treasure this piece for starting my love for classical music. Seeing this conductor perform this piece at the age of 90 shows me that he was truly a legend of his time. Thank you, maestro Stokowski, for instilling my love for classical music in me.

[@lunitariaprime]

LEOPOLD

[@DBEdwards]

Stokowski's signature piece. Stoky, as he was called by his intimates, recorded TOCATTA no less than seven times in his venerable and extraordinary career. This is his own transcription. THERE WAS, THERE IS, NOR SHALL THERE EVER BE, A MORE POWERFUL AND PERFECT RENDERING OF BACH FOR THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

[@CarlosOjeda-ig3zw]

¡LEOPOLD!

[@bigbeautifullife7329]

It is not the usual Bach that Stokowski conducts. The tempo fluctuates, the timbre changes, and the volume changes. The charm of the Czech Philharmonic is brought out.

[@wayneshum]

The best maestro of sounds ,my hero

[@elmerpintar4693]

So what are you saying, was Leo good or did he stink?

[@elmerpintar4693]

Come on. May you even get to leave the house at age 90. What are you, the metronome police, or the musical soul

[@JPLooney]

Some conduct the mysic the way it was written, Leopoldl conducts the way it feels!

[@elmerpintar4693]

I don't think he was ever a metronomically perfect conductor, but he made up for it ten fold with his memory, heart, and soul.

[@stereoplayers]

I've read a quote of his: Those are just notes on paper. We have to infuse them with life!

[@larry-naylor]

I never cease to be amazed by Stokowski's masterful transcription of this hugely influential organ masterpiece. I was throughout spoiled by Fantasia as a child and I'm so thankful to Disney for introducing to the Maestro, being a child of the 80's I'm not sure I would have come across him otherwise.

[@planet_jedi]

In my opinion, the ending to this piece, specially from 9:20 onwards is so dramatic, strong and magnificient. My favourite part

[@jakehouston4487]

Its just incredible, simply heavenly!

[@Baloo1609]

Leopold!

[@JohnJApanovitch]

L-L-L-Leopold! It’s honestly so insane to see him conducting at 90. I believe Arturo Toscanini continued to conduct until shortly before his death at 89. It’s so incredible to see these conductors live so long.

[@Robertahausen]

because they were full of music!

[@paga123]

I think that Stokowski had planned a concert the day of his 100 years birthday, but he died several years before !

[@isaacsegal2844]

Herbert Blomstedt is 96. And still on the podium.

[@remixuereb]

Léopold Stokowski dirigeait extraordinairement l'orchestre car il voyait en artiste absolument accompli la beauté d'une oeuvre musicale digne d'être reconnue et il en découvrait les ressources potentielles . Cette interprétation et transcription de son cru de la Toccata & Fugue nous en donne un exemple flagrant . M. Stokowski savait les nuances , les pianissimo et fortissimo à insérer dans la logique de la phrase musicale , tout cela dans un sens évident du contrepoint adapté à l'orchestre symphonique .Chez lui , l'autorité ne venait vraisemblablement pas d'une quelconque prise de pouvoir , mais émanait d'un désir de servir la beauté qui puisse nous aider à transcender l'existence. L'on ressent ce besoin communicatif en regardant cette vidéo , que les musiciens de l'orchestre étaient saisis de ce même but transmis de façon irrésistible par le maestro Stokowski .

[@Ramiarcat]

Ottimo arrangiamento per orchestra aquista un'altra dimensione... Credo che Bach sarebbe orgoglioso di questa spettacolare versione... Bravissimi!!!

[@kayausiu8090]

I think he conducted the Toccata and Fugue in the Walt Disney film Fanasia. I watched that movie in the Majestic Cinema in Hong Kong about 75 years ago. My first introduction to Western Classical music. After late Bach and Gurdjieff, I am now into Arvo Paert.

[@darkprose]

Wow. The man might be, but there’s nothing _frail_ about this performance. It still has Stokowski’s apocalyptic urgency. Thank you for sharing this!

[@elmerpintar4693]

The passion was there till the end, the conducting consistency was not. But one would not notice that until much later,

[@emu314159]

A true disciple of the master, working til the last.

[@TrentonBlessWrestlemania489]

He conducted the same piece in 1940 for Fantasia. Definitely one of the greats. Almost like a behind the scenes look at Fantasia. Though this was taped years after the fact.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

There is something extraordinary in this performance and conducting

[@raiderdanCA]

The first 4:17 of this is JUST STUNNING ...

[@math11235]

he has a way to play bach which is simply fantastic. listen also the chaconne.

[@Milordvega]

(Gasp) L-L-Leopold!

[@Lucas-Stl]

Leopold!

[@latioselatias]

Leopold 😮 *fixes bowtie*

[@jimdouglas8208]

.................jaw dropping. I did not expect I could discover this 1972 live performance to hold much merit. After all, 90 years old !..............the magic shouldn't be there..........but it is. Charles O'Connell gives us a highly eloquent description of Stokowski's vision of Bach, in his popular "The Victor Book Of The Symphony". It's worth the read.............and somehow, ads to the spectacle we hear......... Only the sound here, gives rise to any hesitation in making this THE version to keep. And we have to get used to his "strange" wind voices, and tempo shifts. Heaven on Earth.

[@johnries5593]

Why would the magic not be there? He could still stand, his hands still worked, and his mind was still sharp. May I be doing as well when I reach that age.

[@FireMewMew]

RIP Leopold Stokowski

[@stereoplayers]

At 10:05, is where I really start getting some chills down my spine. I have one of his earliest recordings of this piece, on a 78 rpm disc. On side B, to fit all the music, the label was shrunk to a smaller size than the label on side A.

[@Edubarca46]

Who of you guys remember F A N T A S I A? Walt Disney's masterpiece conducted by this genious of music

[@donaldbarrett4454]

I remember Fantasia. It changed my life.

[@droxyy]

Fantasia made me sit still as a child. My fave Disney movie ever.

[@gpcrawford8353]

Stravinsky had other ideas .

[@augustaverbian]

Proof that this little piece is harmonical and technically difficult.

[@JoshFlorii]

Truly the greatest recording of this masterpiece

[@osvaldohernandez1469]

Un verdadero genio!!!

[@joseluisdecarlosdeotto3792]

Impresionante como orquestador, como director, como músico completo y finalmente como persona casi sobre humana en esta exhibición de energía increíble a los 90 años de edad. ÚNICO !

[@letomi]

People don;t even make it that long, 90 is impressive, epic.

[@TheReedable]

A god among mere mortals... The sounds of the fountains in paradise

[@MrGer2295]

Wow WONDERFUL performance ! Thanks for sharing!

[@KMac329]

Such tepid applause for so legendary a conductor and his transcription of so monumental a work: simple, primal, sublime, transcendent. God is both in us and beyond us. Bach reminds us of that, believer that he was. Forget the uninspired sermons. This is convincing faith in God.

[@gannia2824]

A brilliant composition.

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

And a brilliant arrangement for orchestra by Stokowski that even exceeds the power of the original organ work.

[@Staniele]

It’s insane to think that Leopold started conducting when audio recording was in its infancy, and he kept on conducting until the cassette tape!

[@adam28xx]

Yes, Stokowski made his very first recording, a pre-electric acoustic 78rpm disc in 1917, with the Philadelphia Orchestra playing Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5 into an enormous wooden horn. Sixty years later, in June 1977 at the age of 95, he made his last recording with the National Philharmonic, a specially assembled recording ensemble featuring top players from the various London orchestras. His last recording coupled Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony with the Bizet Symphony in C. The finale was recorded in one 'take' and was the very last time he ever conducted. He died in September 1977 while studying Rachmaninoff's 2nd Symphony for yet another recording. Here is the finale of the Bizet Symphony conducted by a frail but very great Maestro. It's just as well he had top class players in his orchestra - wait till you hear the tempo! ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6HYYqdpibqNjNk

[@jorgeantelo7380]

GENIO!

[@therealdownunder86]

Wonderful, my friend. Thank you for creating this incredible, liberating arrangement. Rest in Peace.

[@ewamenamiesz]

9:59 what a great finisher for that journey

[@fernsimonwoehllerman]

Yes, the genius. Leopold the great.

[@viviannemassoud1991]

Superbe musique de bach❤ et surtout ❤❤❤❤ love ❤ 😊

[@egon4593]

Short time ago, I heard this piece played by the hr- symphony orchestra. They played very well, but they played it as if it was Bach. However, this is Bach- Stokowski, so you have to play it like Stokowski does here! In our days, it's quasi forbidden to play Bach like this, but that makes it even more fascinating.😉

[@jccusell]

There is this idea that putting to much "expression" in Bach is somehow disrespectful to the original. I personally love the more modern "personal" approach to Bach's music were emotional expression plays a large part. The music lends itself very well to it.

[@MrTheedge8]

Wonderfull!

[@michelroussanne906]

Merci !

[@alonsomartinez9871]

Está versión orquestada se me hace excelente. Gracias por compartirla.

[@serenait]

Bach and Stokowski bring us to God

[@BritinIsrael]

Try Bach and Respighi It will bring you even closer!

[@Slayer-33]

Incredible

[@latioselatias]

“Leopold!” 😂❤

[@charlesmalitz8530]

Magnificent!!!

[@Zun6789]

Increible!!

[@freezafrezado9472]

L-L-Leopold!

[@freezafrezado9472]

@@garynilsson416 Because of this kzbin.info/www/bejne/eImUnZ2PrZiaac0

[@LouiseAttaque888]

@@freezafrezado9472 Thank you!

[@kimjongpunk8024]

Bravo maestro! ❤

[@orestetorrigiotti9105]

Sublime ❣👏👏👏

[@JeroenBaxexm]

brilliant

[@cookie2000ify]

Genius at work.

[@darinahanusova9920]

Neuvěřitelné❤

[@generalbullmoose]

Frail, perhaps. But the energy was still there, and he still had command of his musicians. Incredible.

[@jessicachavez6704]

I love that he doesn’t wait for the musicians. He lifts his arms and commands their attention, ready or not.

[@mp3ste1]

Brilliant.

[@mp3ste1]

i wonder if we will ever find out who actually did write this piece of music because bach is still only guess that he did it i personally dont think bach did write it esp as there is no proof that he did

[@robertimgrat]

It may be a strenuous endeavour to comment on this Virtuoso. I dare say, a pleasure and thank you.

[@giovannaarzenati6308]

ipnotico fantastico

[@antonmaximevansin3383]

Il Sommo J.S.Bach sarebbe felice per questa istrumentazione per orchestra sinfonica e della direzione ed esecuzione magistrale.🤗 unitamente al Grande Direttore

[@leoleo12321]

unbelievable

[@YossefSalmos]

Impressive!!!!

[@CrispyA113]

It sounds just like Irwin Kostal’s remastered stero score in Fantasia as well as Stokowski’s

[@rondix7503]

Señora tendrá hora? Ohh, Leopold!!!!

[@mimbelpinedo2871]

Asombroza la orquesta

[@pedrofuentes1728]

Fantasía

[@MU6AFA]

every nowadays song is literally taken from this piece

[@xochitlatlatenco706]

¿A donde se ha ido la bonita costumbre de escucha musica de calidad? 😢

[@RicardoBernal666]

No se ha ido y nunca se irá jamás ❤

[@jimdouglas8208]

............those who tell us Ormandy's is an even greater transcription---and performance---do have strong arguments. It holds a course---like a Comet---and is maybe even more involving. Ormandy's sense of spectacle, his gusto & panache, really have no peers. But every version of this Bach masterpiece owes a great debt to Stokowski, the pioneer.

[@hank1519]

We are lucky to have the recordings of both of these great human beings!

[@generalbullmoose]

1:11 - Chills every time!

[@HeWhoHasRisen3500]

You will now find, for the rest of your life, the power of 111, following & guiding you for the rest of your venture & journeys. I shall gift upon thee, the enlightend, yet almost cursed knowledge, that when that Angelic number rears it's head, & it will, it is up to You to understand, the time upon the current & very near future has split into Two Paths, & you must pick one. The secret of people who have found 111 is, they now know what to expect, & that slight edge is all that is needed to change one's Destiny, that was never truly written. Notice the video is Eleven Minutes & 11 Seconds. Also, 1 & 1 is 11.

[@juliandesimonee]

Esto es real?????? Me he quedado totalemente sorprendido como puede llegar a sonar una gran orquesta. Es el sonido mismo de los dioses.

[@adam28xx]

Google translate: "This is real?????? I have been totally surprised how a great orchestra can sound. It is the very sound of the gods."

[@juliandesimonee]

@@adam28xx jaja porque traduciste mi comentario?

[@adam28xx]

@@juliandesimonee ... Porque todos mis suscriptores principales viven principalmente en países de habla inglesa, principalmente en Gran Bretaña, Estados Unidos,.Australia, etc. ... (Google translate!)

[@edgarpolanco4750]

Yo vengo por culpa de bugs bunny!! Un grande leopold

[@rondix7503]

Leopold...

[@eddyrdz1969]

Leopold?

[@rodolfodextre7487]

Llegue por Bugs Bunny....Leopold!!!!

[@YossefSalmos]

Alguien percibio a las flautas que entraron antes de tiempo y se callaron inmediatamente?

[@matrixzk]

De hecho más lento toda la orquesta a como la grabo en 1938 con fantasia

[@koencuypers]

I think the orchestra had very few rehearsals with Stokowski. They did their best, but could not always follow the intentions of the master conductor. Such a pitty for a colossal composition like this one.

[@AALavdas]

I think there are indeed better, earlier, recordings he has made. It's great to have this on tape, in any case!

[@Cellistontheinternet]

Leapold did this once in 1940

[@josedavila5368]

L L L Leopold!

[@EK-gr9gd]

Great work. At some bars, more of the deeper strings (celli and bassi) would be interesting.

[@LikaLaruku]

I always said "If you're take less than 10 & 1/2 minutes to play T&F, you're playing it too damn fast," especially when they rush the ending.

[@davidlewis492]

My god did you see that did you see what he just did he has powers beyond reason.

[@droxyy]

i just wish the sound quality was better...

[@OZ88]

That's what makes it magic.

[@domuscalami]

7:40

[@anastaciaanastacia2909]

Leopold

[@HIP98298]

Wow.. that's a hundred times powerful on acid.

[@bertsbangan7242]

I feel you bro

[@jaroslaw-n]

I know what you mean, but, please, stop doing acid. It do not worth the danger you are exposing yourself to during every single trip.

[@samanthay4934]

take care of yourself

[@chrisczajasager]

Do you have the mentioned:Poem of Ecstasy" with Stokowski?????

[@adam28xx]

Here is Stokowski conducting the 'Poem of Ecstasy' in London's Royal Festival Hall in 1968 ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGraY2SYqamcgNU

[@chrisczajasager]

Many thanks! I went to two performance in one week years ago with the New York Philharmonic and relatively recent with K.Petrenko in Berlin of this favorite piece.I played the piano part of the 5th symphony,Poeme de Feu years ago with Leif Segerstam.....Scriabine's music always a great interest of mine.

[@larryshaver3568]

I know, is this becoming a nation of lightweights?

[@peacemaker7645]

If this universe were completely empty, we all will be eternally nothing, that will be better than any life, that is the most perfect situation, ever. ✌😎 💔

[@darkprose]

Um... Okay, you win-is this a random comment or a joke or related to the music in some way?

[@Wizard137]

The symbol you are using for your pic is a viking symbol for the death rune and sword of death. You should turn it right side up to be a true peace symbol. It should look like a tree growing up. Thank you!

[@bettinaalmasan8468]

HISTORICAL. BEING WITH GOD AT 90.

[@reinjocastaneda8759]

Question? hes the only one can conduct with out Baton or any ho follow to his foot steps?

[@adam28xx]

Andrew Davis conducted the same piece without the use of a baton ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYSbaZ-Nfdupfdk

[@jacobtapianieto9655]

Here are some names of conductors that conduct / have conducted without a baton: Yevgeny Mravinsky (during his later years specially), Pierre Boulez, Yuri Temirkanov and Lucas Vis.

[@generalbullmoose]

Valery Gergiev uses a toothpick. Seriously. Nobody really knows why. I've heard that his movements while conducting were so violent, he'd lose grip of the baton so this helps him keep control. Another rumor is that he prefers to have nothing or nearly nothing in his hands but wants something there to hold onto and give some focus to the shape of his right hand

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

@@generalbullmoose I think it's him showing how something so delicate and small can be right there at the tip of what is helping to direct, and produce something so powerful and strong , though it is a collection of sounds, to the right ear it is a giant, that turns, and spins and too's and fro's. Literally erupting into organised chaos of beauty and movement, it flows and spills out wherever it likes.

[@SonOfHerodotus]

Hello there, I am currently working on a series for Fantasia's 80th anniversary, and with your permission, I would like to use the music shown in this video as background for the Toccata and Fugue chapter. You will be credited so please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you very much!

[@adam28xx]

If you wish to use this music then why not use the actual performance from the Fantasia soundtrack ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGWwgmp9r6ppfrs

[@SonOfHerodotus]

adam28xx I have thought of that but that performance is copyright protected and yours isn’t. And besides, this one, especially when Stokowski is 90 years old, sounds just as good as the original.

[@adam28xx]

@@SonOfHerodotus ... OK well if this performance isn't copyright protected then go ahead and use it. You don't need to credit me either, for the same reason!

[@SonOfHerodotus]

@@adam28xx Thanks!

[@ckanowitz]

How exciting! Fantasia is my favorite film of all time! Is this is a secret project? Or might one inquire what you're working on? :-)

[@Hishammahadi1]

What the hell happened at 01:48?.. The flute???!!

[@planet_jedi]

OMG, and at 10:04...

[@rickpitts2277]

Wonder if he was still innovating and trying new instrument combos?

[@danielo.masson353]

Splendide malgré le son un peu compressé. La Philharmonie Tchèque comme un orgue géant 😊

[@AshThunor]

It always irritates me how one of the most famous compositions attributed to Bach was most certainly not written by him. Great piece none-the-less.

[@darkprose]

Really? I didn’t know there were doubts about its authenticity. Now I’m intrigued. Thank you. To the Google!

[@OHAApple]

Why do you think it wasn't written by Bach? There is, as you know of course, strong evidence that suggests that Bach wrote it.

[@TheTrueAdept]

People forget that his compositions were almost _entirely_ lost until a fanboy of Bach's got the surviving compositions and codified them... and likely got them out of order in the process.