Stokowski Rehearsal - Barber 'Adagio for Strings'

in 1968, Leopold Stokowski and the American Symphony Orchestra, which he had founded six years earlier, gave the opening concert of the Madison Square Gardens new building in New York City. Cameras were on hand to film one of the rehearsals and we see Stokowski exhorting his players to give him more tone ("piu, piu") in the celebrated Barber 'Adagio for Strings.' He was alone among the great conductors of the past who insisted on "free bowing" in the string sections, so that the players' up and down bows should all be different to each other. This method produced the famous "Stokowski String Sound" and achieved a seamless legato, particularly in slow music. It should also be noted that Stokowski was 85 years old at the time this film was made and he was still conducting almost as vigorously ten years later at the age of 95!

[@BritinIsrael]

" give the other conductors what they ask but give me what i ask" ........beautiful!

[@petras6017]

So "cool"... this kind of self-respect is the goal of my way 😉

[@ralfmeiers7114]

Yes, his sentence is really good! You can' t counter anything

[@michaelstearnesstearnes1498]

This should be mandatory viewing for any young aspiring conductors.

[@Argsbargle52]

The greatest conductor of all time. What a privilege to be able to see him rehearse! He must be doing amazing things with the Heavenly Choirs!

[@ianwatson10001]

This is a real gem. Stokowski's ear and his powers of concentration would shame a conductor half his age. And what a glorious sound the players make. Thank you for making this available.

[@MastaDamascus]

"Not very good, you'll do better tomorrow!" Straight savage.

[@alexanderhan2819]

Lol

[@jovauhngarcia5414]

MastaDamascus I love that. It motivates the musicians. It may seem like a dick move but Leopold wanted to bring out the best of everyone.

[@martonk]

It's quite a nice thing to say if you think about it

[@hank1519]

Kind of parental.

[@NathanielRobinson]

Every conductor should watch this video. This is the way to run a rehearsal! He does not waste rehearsal time by rambling - he gets right to the point. The 'free bowing' I think was a big recipe to the famous Stokowski sound. Why no one else does this baffles me.

[@EliezerPennywhistler]

It wouldn't have hurt to signify that the cellos or violins gave him what he wanted after several tries.

[@Tartinesmeloves]

Eliezer Pennywhistler You're right, but he was a product of his time, (born 1882!). There was a time when rehearsals were less polite. Toscanini (one generation older) was said to have been downright cruel. Claudio Abbado saw him rehearse in his youth, and said it was partly why he greatly admired Furtwangler's way instead.

[@NoferTrunions]

10 seconds in, this piece is already touching the heart. It is obvious and yet cannot be explained. A miracle?

[@findingyouwithonq]

A gift? Either way something we cannot quite explain

[@RoyalSnowbird]

This conductor was pure genius - he understood music so well... You can literally hear and feel the palpable difference he made in the way the orchestra played even in this rehearsal. . . Ahhhhhh... How I wish the world had more like him today!

[@franckmarronier130]

There are my dude, there are...

[@jenhuerta2794]

As a person who has had the honor to play this piece I understand the conductor as to why he is so demanding. I love this piece💖❤️

[@atlantic2477]

i love this piece too, better than most, but please explain free bowing to me as he asks for it but doesn't evervsound out of tune or forced, just more enhanced,

[@vlqlvlql7278]

Leopold.. Leopold.... Leopold.. L' L' Leopold!...

[@thetunisianaviator4791]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@NoferTrunions]

It is amazing how rare such works are.

[@mfischione]

The sound Stokowski wanted is wonderful. Thanks for posting this gem.

[@annazarasyan9833]

It's not often you hear this piece so alive, warm... everybody performs it the same way. Truly incredible interpretation! I think this is how Samuel Barber would have wanted it performed. Slow pieces are never meant to be too slow.

[@kodalycat906]

Stokowski clearly was expert in instructing the orchestra in the 'technical' specifics of how to move forward to his ideal of sound and performance of the work. I beg to differ with your speculation of how Barber would have reacted to the basic pulse Stokie chose in this video (really more Andante than Adagio). Re: "slow pieces are never meant to be too slow", that never entered Celi's, Klemperer's or even Bernstein's mind after a certain age, just to name three. Depends on the work, the quarter note marking in addition to the tempo description and the willfulness (some might say waywardness) of the interpreter etc. In my opinion, some movements within symphonies, for example, gain by being played closer to Adagio tempo than indicated (the Andante from Mahler's 6th). Conversely, and to make your point, the Adagietto of his 5th always seems more persuasive when played at 'proper' tempo, not the slouching towards Largo/funereal pulse some conductor's indulge in (it is a 'love' poem to Alma after all, no?)

[@tommuldoon5677]

I live in Philadelphia. Stokowski built up the Philadelphia Orchestra and started the "Philadelphia sound," continued by Ormandy, Muti, Sawallisch and others. "Priceless," as they say. And at an advanced age Stokowski's talent still manifested itself.

[@hepickly9733]

muti,ennnn, XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[@user-os4qt6yl1v]

I never understood the difference a Conductor makes until I watched this. Incredible. 👏

[@jadm.215]

A man like such should rule the world

[@thenwhat23]

I’m here because of bunny but he is AMAZING

[@Gypsyman40]

Lmao... Me too

[@fattyfranz4272]

*waves hands* "Not very good; you do better tomorrow." Stokowski was a chad amongst chads.

[@knuterikjensen3027]

"Not very good, you will do better tomorrow. Now Schubert." LOL

[@nicolamanca7465]

Che bellezza, dimenticata dal mondo odierno, imbarbarito e involgarito! Chissà se si risentirà mai un'orchestra suonare così...

[@WilliamScharf]

We do not see geniuses like Stokowski anymore. Bernstein, Furtwangler, Reiner, Szell, Munch, Walter, von Karajan, Koussevitzky.......they were difficult to please, but they set the standard for a lifetime.

[@megabugginout]

He got one of the biggest strings sounds out of an orchestra. I see why now. You were a little mouse to him! Lol! Love it!

[@michaelclark9762]

Gergiev carries on that tradition.

[@Lufbery17]

I second the gergiev recommendation. His version of Mahler 5 from proms and Firebird with Vienn phil are unmatched.

[@michaelexman5474]

A masterful demonstration. “You play like misers” a beautiful little piece of instruction.

[@martinadler73]

Many thanks for uploading this wonderful document!

[@mellowyellow415]

If I was siting in on that rehearsal, I'd be bawling my eyes out. Adagio for Strings has that effect on me.

[@manthasagittarius1]

You have no idea how tough. In 1970, I was a 2nd year student at Westminster Choir College, and we sang Beethoven's 9th under him. He wanted us to "strike" to protest the developments in Cambodia, but we had a brilliant young tenor who had just been accepted into the Army Chorus, and it would have disqualified him to be involved in a protest. Instead Stokowski himself delivered a blistering speech before beginning the symphony, dedicating it to what should be, not what was at the time.

[@waynesmith7487]

This is FEELING the music. Magnificent!

[@rangodeldiablo]

I can feel the emotion of the music.

[@garywait3231]

Yes, I studied under Maestro

[@bo6168]

Leopold ~ pure genius....5:50-6:32 he knows exactly how is supposed to sound and he goes to get it.... Leopold ~ pure genius...

[@WakandaBabe]

What a treat this video is.

[@palamane1]

Amazing to watch him working with the orchestra. And that sound! And his plea to the musicians is so modest from such a great man, "Give me what I ask, please." (at 0:57)

[@couped243]

Give me what I ask....Please.. He, then gives you BEAUTY

[@theodentherenewed4785]

I respect Stokowski's originality. The free-bowing means that the orchestra is more all over the place, less together. But the sound is profoundly original. Stokowski was more about being unique, about creating his own sounds rather than doing the standard.

[@annazarasyan9833]

free bowing for a professional orchestra should not make playing 'all over the place', especially 'less together'. This similar to chain breathing in a cappella choral music. In music there is no such thing as 'standard', not at the level where Stokowsi was.

[@Bachenaugen]

"No noise, please!" "Sorry."

[@berlinzerberus]

What a great conductor! AUTHORITY!!

[@dr.impossibleofcounterpunc1984]

Masterful. For an old master of classical interpretation.

[@georgeorwell4534]

Thank you adam28xx for this marvelous video. You have history here.

[@camillebouchard6436]

A great maestro !

[@camillebouchard6436]

Thanks KURDinEXILE

[@camillebouchard6436]

Thanks marcxopoco

[@camillebouchard6436]

Thanks nicole warren

[@juliaolive1302]

as a band kid i felt all of this so much, "SHH! No noise please!", "MORE", "that's LATE"

[@moofassa0351344]

Wonderful to watch him. In complete control and he knows exactly what he wants from the players.

[@annazarasyan9833]

Amazing. Have heard so many performances of this adagio. This one is truly touching... Great artist.

[@jimpaulogonzales8293]

LEOPOLD!

[@PikkaBite]

For y'all criticizing how "fast" or "badly performed" this piece is, enroll a music academy first and learn to play some instrument, then become a renowned conductor as well as a music director for several famous orchestras, and THEN you can come up here and write your little sorry comment of how you want this piece to be performed differently.

[@martian-sunset]

I went to music academy. I play piano. I worked for a renowned conductor for many years. This isn't "molto adagio" by any stretch of the imagination. It's not a pleasant interpretation.

[@ants08031236414]

It would be good exercise for opinionated neophytes and critics to listen to the very first performance (and recording) of this piece, with Arturo Toscanini, conducting the NBCSO, and Samuel Barber present. It was November 5, 1938 in New York. It lasted about seven minutes, and the recording is available for all to check. It will be then become clear that along all these years, the tempo has clearly and surprisingly slowed down, as in the version by Thomas Schippers and the NYPO in 1965, with Samuel Barber present. That version lasted nine minutes. And how about Leonard Bernstein with either the LAPO or NY Phil with a record of ten minutes.

[@marklandgraf7667]

Get off your high horse.

[@marioescalante4401]

Wow you really notice the difference of the strings’ part of this piece in the first minute and a half. Incredible!

[@richardresseguier1]

Merci pour ce talent

[@mrwideboy]

Now I understand what a conductor does I thought he just wavied a stick .

[@bravaLiz]

what a treasure finding this one.... but if only the sound could somehow be remastered.... in any case. a most pleasant surprise and thanx!

[@dvabrannon]

adam28xx, thank you for your Stokowski posts! He was my idol, growing up! Decades ago I visited the library of Congress, and my only objective was to view and handle the Stokowski Mussorgsky orchestrations. Your insights and these rehearsal videos have newer my awe for the maestro!!!

[@adam28xx]

Many thanks for your kind comments. Yes, he was a great conductor and when he was at his best, few others could touch him. KZbin is an excellent archive of past performances of many great musicians and I'm happy to have contributed quite a few uploads featuring the great Stokowski!

[@dmac5935]

(Deep sigh) 😌 and just absolutely extraordinary So beautiful 👏👏😭😭 Bravo!

[@ascensiongarcia8556]

Brillante como siempre, buscando la perfección.

[@abcnowcontrol]

One of the most beautiful melodies.

[@sethlewis6917]

Can't hold back the tears. Beautiful in a bittersweet type of way

[@f.e.urquhart16]

I think those who say that the tempo is too fast only say so because they're too used to many of the lumbering recordings. Charles Munch with the Boston Symphony, too, did this briskly.

[@789armstrong]

The sound of genius.

[@johnries5593]

I like the comment about being miserly with one's bow. Reminds me of a similar comment from my cello teacher to the effect that if you buy a bow of a particular length, you might as well use it all.

[@uoz5234]

LLL- Leopold!

[@ajodahseenarine9209]

dont care for his tempo.....but the PIECE itself is such a masterpiece....it doesnt matter....smiles.....

[@chrisczajasager]

fascinating to have this authentic performance of Stokowski and Barbers' Adagio (a long musical contact from Barber's Curtis days and LS at the Philadelphia Orchestra.)With this priceless document and your document of the rehearsal of the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody with J.Lowenthal we can begin to understand a bit of his ability to have such varied and intense string playing.Thank you! His arrangement of Scriabine's Opus 2 piano prelude and the 4th Tschaikowsky Symphony with this unique orschestra should be heard ,too! Thank you very much,adam28xx.

[@davidgray9671]

...you cannot get this kind of sound without free bowing...he knew that!!

[@adam28xx]

@ David Gray ... Hans Keller made that same point in a Radio 3 tribute to Stokowski on his 90th Birthday. Here below is the link if you didn't yet hear it. John Georgiadis was also a great Stokowski admirer and loved the freedom that individual bowing gave to the string sections. It was the main reason for the 'Stokowski Sound'! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gamkdauoirOckLM

[@erfanfijan3325]

Sooo true👍🏻

[@lloydl7425]

Stokowski’s adagio for strings is 2 minutes shorter than the Bernstein LA Philharmonic. Quite an interesting comparison. Both great.

[@tygerelle3584]

Thanks for this amazing post.

[@timothypryor7952]

Hearing the final performance is ok. But this really shows the difference the conductor brings.

[@john_scott]

This piece was not intended to be performed like a dead cat, meaning lifeless. It needs certain amount of flow and the conductor understands it, but the orchestra is just playing like it was the conductor's funeral...

[@poojakeshri572]

😅😂😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@muzvarehelen]

Oh no 😂😂😂😂😂

[@domvalhalla7771]

L-L-Leopold!!!

[@karagandrk]

"Not very good, you'll do better tomorrow" MASTER!

[@domvalhalla7771]

L! L! LEOPOLD!!!

[@1881art]

That Stokowski sound...wow.

[@stamoum]

LEOPOLD!!!!

[@Sincebrassnorstone]

I remember when I was very young seeing a TV public service spot advocating for the arts and it featured this performance, the climax. This old man, his hair, the music, the silence. This seven year old was awestruck and more than a little scared. I wish someone might video of that performance so we wouldn't have to hear him speaking about mutes during the gp. Thank you for posting 🙏

[@thomasnmuziani6421]

Maestro Stokowski for reasons that fail me...seems forgotten with time. However, he truly was one of the all-time greats. So wonderful they captured this rehearsal. It's a time warp in greatness.

[@prinkaapublosk114]

Mucha concentración de los músicos y atentos atentos.

[@lenanielsen5903]

Leopold your are amazing🎶🎶

[@davemurray2767]

Absolutely Brilliant to watch..............when one lives long enough to witness this marvelous spectacle it truly reminds one of the majesty of one of God's children here on earth.

[@joaobrandjr]

LEEEOOOPOLD!!!!

[@KURDinEXILE]

I feel very sorry for mankind. How can a creature be so great yet so misfortunate not to be conscious of the fact that it's the greatest thing in the entire universe?

[@pericopadilla2291]

Leopooold Le-le- Leopold!!!!! 🐰🥕

[@anamariacipri]

É inexplicável oque sinto com a musica, a instrumental, a clássica, o jazz, a boa musica...me paralisa

[@joedeegan3870]

More bow ! Great Conductors don't settle for half.

[@richardresseguier1]

Extraordinaire

[@cararrastauario]

i like him as best conductor in history. fluid and sentimental.

[@sandyb9423]

Leopold!!

[@richardresseguier1]

Une leçon d'interprétation du grand chef d'orchestre ... Expressif please!

[@kdshybumundackal7683]

amazing man....

[@gijsschubert7901]

Fascinating

[@Tesla1908]

Maestro !

[@gregchapman5556]

Utterly beautiful 😊.

[@adam28xx]

Thank you! 😊

[@DivineDart]

Leopold! It's Leopold!!

[@AlphaFrater]

Leopold!

[@LOSEBTIMOS]

LEOPOLD!

[@osp0109081]

i remember the cartoon! Leopold!

[@RagingRaven88]

Leopold!!!!!

[@tonyarellano3434]

L-L-L-Leopold!

[@timwarley3350]

Love this

[@amilcarebarca1293]

he uses Italian musical terms as "espressivo" and "crescendo" just as they are written in the sheet music this would be enough to call it a big one

[@Astrithor]

A beautiful piece of music, and a conductor who, while maybe a bit harsh, knew how to wrong every bit of emotion from it.

[@ApoloLicio]

Leopold, Leopold

[@CaptainBluebear08]

Very interesting to see and hear. Ta, Adam.

[@ritasimmons36]

Carl Stalling/Scott Bradley/Leopold Stokowski are difficult composers/conductors but make music beautiful.

[@archangecamilien1879]

4:05 oh my..."senza sord."...I always thought like it sounded to me like they were playing with mutes, in this piece...I couldn't find the instruction in the score, so I thought my ears were deceiving me, but I was still never able to shake off that feeling...

[@archangecamilien1879]

I mean...from what the score said, or at least what I thought it said, the whole piece is supposed to be played without mutes...but it sounded like there were mutes at some points, to me...

[@photo161]

a perfect piece for Stokowski with is unparrelled sensitivity to sound itself

[@luisantoniovelazquezherrer4341]

He was the best orchestra director, well in muy personal opinion

[@howardfowler2255]

Yes he is abrupt,demanding,and a batonless orchestra leader.But, at 80 years plus he knows what he wants from the players,so give this old wizard A BREAK you armchair hot dogs!

[@oucutie1]

Howard fowler Not only does he know what he wants. He GETS what he wants!!! ❤️ this man. Love the Stokowski sound!

[@lucianovalda5526]

Hermosa melodia que nato fue Leopold para dirigir una orquesta

[@JoseMartinez-zv9wl]

A war is over for me now. But it will always be there, the rest of my day's.

[@oucutie1]

Criticize Stokowski? I wouldn’t dare!! Nothing like the Stokowski sound....NOTHING!!!

[@avadakedavra9500]

I would and I will. He mutilated this piece. Barber would be horrified with how fast he too it.

[@theguy9166]

@@avadakedavra9500 it was just too fast. The rest was great

[@marklandgraf7667]

Sycophancy is gross.

[@daniellindenman9078]

Leopold!!! 😵😵😵