Review: Stokowski's Live BBC Recordings Boxed

These six CDs contain repertoire that Stokowski mostly remade in stereo studio versions, and only two of these six CDs strike me as really necessary: those containing Mahler's Second, Shostakovich's Fifth, and Vaughan Williams' Eighth (which Stoki did not otherwise record). The rest is pretty much dispensable.

[@HassoBenSoba]

I love this Vaughan-Williams 8th (yes, September, 1964). For me, the highlight of the symphony has always been that GORGEOUS climatic passage in D Major near the end of the 1st movement...and Stokowski's is the best I've ever heard, hands down...majestic, unhurried, soaring. LR

[@marknewkirk4322]

I have that Mahler 2 standalone - it was available in Europe at least some years back. It is a very convincing performance and absolutely worth hearing. There is always something to learn from Stokowski.

[@barryguerrero6480]

It's my personal favorite of any, along with Bernstein's performance from of M2 from Cleveland.

[@b1i2l336]

Great overview, thanks, Mr. H.! I'm in a distinct minority, but I think the 8th is Vaughan Williams' greatest symphony and I never hope to hear a more thrilling performance of it than Stokowski's- I stood up and cheered at the conclusion!

[@bumblesby]

I've been watching Dave's videos for a couple years now. Many times when I listen to a recording all I can visualize is Dave doing the da-da-da-da chucka-chucka-chucka-chucka Eeee gads. 🙃

[@ftumschk]

He wasn't called Shos-chucKA-vitch for nothing.

[@ianwatson10001]

Stokowski's contract with Decca required that they arranged not only his recordings but his concert schedule also, with studio sessions scheduled a day or two after the public performances to save the company money on expensive studio rehearsal time. It is fascinating to compare the live performances of the Franck and Berlioz symphonies from this box set with their Phase Four studio counterparts recorded immediately after and hear the extent to which Stokowski's view of a work could change literally by the day.

[@davidmeyer3565]

I think the programming of the Merry Waltz in 1974 was by way of a tribute to Klemperer,, who had died the previous year. And it's hard to believe, but I was tòld that the Albert Hall performance of Mahler 2 went down so well ithat Stokowski repeated the entire closing section as an encore!

[@thomasvendetti3742]

Mahler 2 presented “with a sense of occasion” is best indeed. I wish the BSO would issue the Bernstein Tanglewood performance from the 70’s (warts and all). It is worth hearing. As for the Phase Four performances, in the past I always felt that there was too much twiddling of the knobs by the engineers that created balances that would not necessarily be heard in the concert hall. With your recommendation, I will give them another listen.

[@Archonnoir]

Greetings Mr. Hurwitz, I would be delighted if you could confirm that the Mahler 2 is still in mono sound in this box. Because the box is presented as if it only includes “newly remastered stereo recordings”

[@chadschulz380]

This "Tallis Fantasia" is mesmerizing. ...so much coughing. What's with all the coughing? They should pass out lozenges and handkerchiefs at these things.

[@davidaltschuler9687]

I liked more of these performances than you did. OK, I'm a Stoky nut and wished he'd recorded everything ever composed from Boccherini to Barber. The Alex Nevsky was really good. That said, I was hoping to know if the new remastering made any significant difference.

[@chadschulz380]

I have the original "Symphonie Fantastique" CD and comparatively this remaster has greater dynamics and a bit lower noise floor. The sound improvement is probably not worth the purchase alone as it also makes the "live"-ness even more notable. I mostly prefer the studio versions of these pieces.

[@barrysaines254]

Dave, any opinion on his recording on Dutton of the Mahler's Symphony 2 with the LSO?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

That's the old RCA version that I discuss in the video.

[@barrysaines254]

Thanks so​ much Dave.......Barry from Brooklyn.@@DavesClassicalGuide

[@ignaciogonzalez6197]

Hey Dave, in the Britten you mentioned a xilofone glissando you didn't know. Is it actually in the score or is it a Stokowski addition?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I didn't look, but it's a very literal performance (for Stokowski).

[@dizwell]

They are in the original score. Look at letter M, page 59 of the Boosey & Hawkes study score. There are 9 upward and downward glissandi written until the _Con slancio_ section. I've heard them in most performances, though they occasionally get drowned out (and I always notice when they do!), but I shall have to get this recording now if Dave's pointing out that they are especially prominent!