Stokowski Rehearsal - Rachmaninoff 'Paganini Rhapsody' - Jerome Lowenthal, piano

In February 1968, Leopold Stokowski and his American Symphony Orchestra gave the opening concert in the new Madison Square Garden building. The programme included Beethoven's 'Leonore' Overture No. 3, Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' and Rachmaninoff's 'Paganini Rhapsody' with Jerome Lowenthal at the piano. Television cameras were on hand for one of the rehearsals and material was provided for two programmes. One consisted of just rehearsal excerpts and the other was a documentary entitled "Stokowski at 88."
In this segment we see Stokowski rehearsing Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," a work he and the composer had premiered in 1934, making the first recording shortly thereafter. What will probably astonish the viewer are some of Stokowski's tempos. These are much faster than those he adopted on the composer's own recording and it is a tribute to Jerome Lowenthal that he manages to keep up with the conductor's hell-for-leather speeds! It is possible that Stokowski had his eye on the clock and that rehearsal time was running short, causing him to put the accelerator on to avoid going into expensive overtime. Not only were the aforementioned works on the programme but so too were Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony, a Bach transcription and Ravel's 'Bolero'! On the other hand, if the same tempos were adopted in the concert then both soloist and conductor must have agreed that this was the way the piece should go!
Also up loaded here are other rehearsal excerpts, from the Beethoven 'Leonore' Overture and Barber's 'Adagio for Strings.'

[@cleojdhh]

In 1970 when these rehersals and concerts took place I was a member of the cello section in this orchestra. If you were truely interested in holding on to your job, you always kept one eye on your music, and the other on Stokowski. Playing in this orchestra was an honor as well as a great learning experience.

[@obrcht]

Stokowski did not like to waste time, swift and to the point. He kept the players active, alert and inspired.

[@muhchung]

Indeed, the late Bud Herseth of the CSO said Stokowski was the most efficient conductor in rehearsal time management he had ever seen.

[@principalpercussion]

I played with Stowki during the 60s.. He was a Genius, Herb

[@lubabalomahlombe451]

Watching rehearsals like this bring out the intricate details you never hear.

[@photo161]

great rehearsal technique...knows EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS, SUGGESTS HOW TO GET IT...WASTES NOT A MOMENT...GRAT CONDUCTOR AT WORK.

[@smurf902]

Exactly, unlike the seminars you get from others

[@suremate]

It's always so interesting to see great conductors rehearsing. I also don't think I've ever seen Lowenthal looking this young!

[@barney6888]

A recent very Happy Birthday to Maestro Lowenthal! Brilliant performance and stunning technique.

[@harrynking777]

I am glad the jazz aspect of Rachmaninov's music was mentioned. I have often noticed it. It does, indeed start to creep into his music.

[@Highinsight7]

Stokowski=efficient, smart and clear as a bell...

[@michaharan]

What a fantastic rehearsal, not one second lost. Stokovski makes every musical figure count as if his life depended on it. Jerome Lowenthal is so perfect and cool, it's amazing, he plays ths piece with a most beautiful sound and so sensitive.

[@PaulaStreet]

I think his life did depend on it x

[@markasdievovaikas]

I had no idea Jerome Lowenthal was such a total virtuoso... nice to get a glimpse of him when he was young... phenomenal!

[@last9bars]

Always a fan of the musicality of Jerome Lowenthal .... and Stokie, just within a few words, he makes his case as one of the great conductors

[@donaldallen1771]

Thank you for this wonderful document. Jerome Lowenthal was a fantastic pianist and perhaps still is in his old age (he will be 90 next February). He and my dear friend and teacher, the late Martin Canin, were very good friends. They shared an apartment in NY for some time many years ago. When I was studying with Martin (about 60 years ago), I heard Jerome Lowenthal at Martin's urging. I was too young to fully understand what I was hearing, but I was at least smart enough to know he was good. A couple of years ago, about a year after Martin's death, a memorial was organized at Juilliard and Mr. Lowenthal was there. I had an opportunity to speak with him and hear priceless stories about his time with Martin and their days at Juilliard. These included stories about Martin's friendship with Glenn Gould (I'd heard stories about this for years from Martin himself). More of these wonderful anecdotes were told when Mr. Lowenthal spoke as part of the program. He is a fine gentleman and as is obvious here, a pianist of considerable stature.

[@adam28xx]

Thanks for this. I wonder if Mr. Lowenthal left for posterity any memories of working with Stokowski. The maestro certainly didn't hang around in some of his tempo choices!

[@johnrobilette2790]

What tremendouse ear for sound; and the way he built that famous rhapsodic theme. A window into how he got that famous string sound....with free bowing, swelling crescendo to the last note of the phrase, then beginning again, balancing the instruments and vibrato. That sounds is gone now.

[@jochanaan58]

Among his other gifts, and whatever you think of his musical interpretations (and many times I've shaken my head over some of his rearrangements!), Stokowski had a perfect ear and a perfect conducting technique. Without a baton, he gives clearer beat and cues than many others do *with* batons. Bravo!

[@ianwatson10001]

This gives a fascinating insight into Stokowski's interpretive style and the way he communicated it to orchestra and soloist. A valuable record of a maverick and charismatic conductor at work and of a brilliant pianist also. Thank you for posting this.

[@windstorm1000]

I think Stokowski was Gloria Vanderbilt's second husband. Notice he gets angry at the beginning when orchestra won't stay quiet. He really knows what he wants and is not afraid to express--very upfront!

[@photo161]

an absolutely consumate musician. He knows exactly what he wants, and is insistent on getting it...the second he does, he's on to the next issue. A relentless diving force seeking the most truthful interpretation...he's harder on himself than anyone else...an inspiration...

[@davidhaynes7304]

Wonderful!! Fascinating to witness Stokowski in action. Somehow I never took the opportunity to hear Jerome Lowenthal;He sure got my attention here! This was a stunning Paganini rhapsody...Terrific pianist!

[@PeterLunowPL]

david haynes listen to the Adolph von Henselt concerto ,an impossibly difficult piece. Lowenthal is brilliant.

[@last9bars]

+david haynes - I worked with him out in Italy in the early 1980s - his Mozart was a revelation !!!

[@rubengreenberg2253]

Stoko knew exactly what he wanted, knew how to get it fast and heard EVERYTHING!

[@r.j.wheels6755]

Ruben Greenberg He really did. What an ear. Amazing to watch him work like this.

[@friflyga]

30:12 the hands change to play two octaves apart instead of one, he corrects himself mid-scale, he's awesome!

[@oucutie1]

Stokowski owns it all, the soloist and everything.....and everybody! JL is beyond great...he’s the epitome of legendary pianists. Excuse me while I catch my breath.

[@lawrenceclemens8494]

WOW! What a find! Thank you SO MUCH for posting. Just amazing seeing-hearing him in rehearsal on this great music.

[@adam28xx]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Phenomenal playing from this wonderful pianist, and Stokowski is as great as ever. The orchestra is equal to all his stringent demands. It is wonderful that this was recorded: Stokowski performed with Rachmaninoff, and knew exactly how he wanted his music played

[@gibsonbe1]

Thanks for posting. I love to watch the great conductors in rehearsal. In many ways it is better than a performance. However, I cannot believe that the orchestra kept playing while he was talking at 1:10 and he had to shout, "Be quite!" I have to do that with my high school orchestra but was surprised that it happened with Stokowski. Joseph Eger with his associate conductor and I had the privilege of having him guest conduct my orchestra a year before he passed away this past May.

[@JanetESmith-er8sk]

Jerome Lowenthal! What a pianist!!! Among the best in the world! Love this guy!!!!!

[@JeroenBaxexm]

Truly, truly amazing to see him actually work.

[@oucutie1]

Jerome Lowenthal? Two words. NO WORDS!!!!!!!

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Stokowski's ear was fantastic, and I have no doubt that the orchestra musicians held him in high regard. The pianism is of the highest order.

[@789armstrong]

Priceless video.

[@zoink5484]

spotted

[@chrisczajasager]

worth gold for Stokowski's orchestral lesson in the famous 18th variation!!!!!

[@transformingArt]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting this.

[@vova47]

What a great piece! Rachmaninoff was indeed a Genius.

[@88Ed1962]

if he was such a "mean" conductor he probably wouldn't have a sense of humor. "Bar lines are very useful and bars are very delightful, but sometimes we have to resist, we have to resist both kinds of bars, sometimes, but not always, because life." Brilliant!! What a learning experience!

[@88Ed1962]

At 13:00 mins.

[@88Ed1962]

And yes, wonderful pianist!

[@johnries5593]

If this was typical of the way he ran rehearsals throughout his career, then I don't think he could be characterized as mean at all. Exacting and demanding, yes; but that's how he got such good performances out of his musicians.

[@88Ed1962]

Yes John, Thanks! I totally agree. Was just reacting to some of the comments I read here. I was in a choir at a local college and the conductor was very demanding, but you learned so much and in the end it was great music making .

[@stefanrauch8933]

"We have a motto in the American Symphony Orchestra which is- DO BETTER!" Leopold Stokowski always did!

[@johnries5593]

One additional observation. Usually, the soloist is held to outrank everyone, including the conductor; but not here. Stokowski is definitively in charge and giving direction even to the piano soloist.

[@chefasata]

Thank you for this, and the Barber's "Adagio" video. These are invaluable and remarkable, fantastic and necessary. Again, Thank You!

[@nuevopianista]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW que increible!!! ver al gran Leopold con esta obra tan magnifica!!!! muchisimas gracas por postear tan interesante material y tan bello !!!! gracias

[@solcarzemog5232]

What a wonderful pianist!

[@elizabetht.3687]

Thank you for providing this insight into the workings of the orchestra. It makes the completed Rhapsody even more brilliant.

[@Retrographer]

Oh my g.. Stokowski could really give any orchestra a run for their Money :-P

[@marcospeedo5412]

30:58 When you see the score on the piano, you may imagine how huge the strength the pianist was playing!

[@jslasher1]

Great conductor. Inspiring.

[@bryanshap2677]

Absolutely brilliant performance of greatest technical and pianistic skill. I'll be honored to get to meet him.

[@chrisczajasager]

heard JL recently in Berlin at one of the most marvelous evenings in my many years of concert-going...The best Opus 106 Beethoven I've ever heard 'live.And here,,,,what a great pianist already'several(sic) years' ago!!!! Indeed , as has been here commented: what a pity to have no Lowenthal/Stokowski Rachmaninff concert recordings.....

[@mariscal86]

Magnifico, extraordinariamente magnifico, gracias por subir el vídeo.

[@stephaneginsburgh2]

Thank you so much for this!

[@saikopiratos]

30:58 what...the...hands faster than sound itself.

[@Alusnovalotus]

LEOPOLD!!!!!! 🐰

[@stutti42]

Impressive! Thank you, KLAUS!

[@fernsimonwoehllerman]

Leopold, the great. Genius

[@johnsmith-zu5db]

Just wish to the Lord God up above that both Stolowski and Lowenthal had recorded Rachmaninoff's complete cycle of Piano Concerto's together. Had this been available on LP and latter CD, I'm pretty certain that this would of been up there with the best interpretation's of Rachmaninoff's 'Paganini Rhapsody's' ever recorded. Lowenthal is just beathtaking to watch in rehearsal. Just such a shame that Stokowski didn't commit to recording this for LP. Gutted.

[@last9bars]

+john smith - I can only agree !!

[@Gorboduc]

If you didn't notice, 7:15 proves Lowenthal is playing from memory.

[@PaulaStreet]

such beautiful playing during the end credits of this

[@oscarcarlosbentivoglio3565]

magnifico video del gran Stoky en algun momento se producira la verdadera revision historica de la gran carrera musical de Stokowski

[@kaleidoscopio5]

Wonder how rehearsals between Stokowski and Rachmaninov could be. Two gigants working on a wonderful but, in that moment, unknown piece.......

[@miltonmoore7687]

We can rest assured that "Stoki" did not lose his temper with HIM!!!

[@MrThesamster]

Rehearsal moves so fast wow

[@goodmanmusica]

straordinario documento!

[@megalomaniacko1]

Stokowski sound: you can trust him any Rachmaninov score. Especially the Symphony 3, which Rach wrote to him. :)

[@mashtali1]

very interesting video.

[@bt10ant]

33:33 "This is Life" Amen.

[@hasanfehmikrc2693]

perfect

[@HiccupOMG]

''Please quiet... Please... please, QUIET!!!!'' eeeek!!

[@LudsenMartinus]

And the music sounds in this moment

[@card797]

Some people can't keep their mouths shut.

[@janetsmith2600]

𝓙𝓮𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓛𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓵. 𝓜𝔂 𝓖𝓸𝓭!!!

[@tuttt99]

Le- le- le- Leopold!!!

[@Juscz]

"One-and-two-and-three-and-four, she dances all day long......... MMMMMMPH!!!"

[@rjuttemeijer]

Hahaha! Bugs Bunny!

[@chrisczajasager]

love: "He (SR) used to go down to the bad parts of New York(!!!) to hear jazz"...

[@johnries5593]

Definitely a more formal time. Every male musician is wearing a dress shirt and slacks and most are wearing ties; and every female musician is either wearing a dress or a skirt (almost always with a blouse, though one cellist is wearing a t-shirt).

[@germanchris4440]

"Formal". A poor expression for style, taste, dignity, respect for others and also self-restraint and decency.

[@kennethc4391]

1:13 o.O I did not see that coming.

[@card797]

This is something that I have experienced in rehearsal with different conductors. Some little shits won't stop talking. Sometimes you gotta get gruff.

[@elijahanderson3288]

@@card797 Tell me about it. This is a common problem in the marching band I used to play in. Rehearsal during game day is always the worst because a lot of people are so excited to watch the game that they don't focus on the rehearsal.

[@basilfernandez6068]

Very good pianist!

[@2ndviolinist]

Listen to the recording of Stokowski with Rachmaninoff playing piano to hear truly great piano playing.

[@card797]

Jerome Lowenthal is no slouch. He is in charge of the pianos at Juilliard if I'm not mistaken.

[@smurf902]

@@card797 that's why the practice rooms also sound like saloons in 1912

[@markwardprodking]

seeing these comments made me think...Stokowski was NOTORIOUS for interpreting music his OWN way...(ever heard his interpretation of "Night On Bald Mountain?" Both his recordings and "Fantasia?" But as the description says above, he had a great economy with rehearsal time...not going into overtime...as for the recording quality (awful) and the piano out of tune (yes) but it's a rehearsal...who cares? I'm sure that Steinway was perfect when this was performed in concert. If you're concerned with quality and piano tonality here, you miss the point. His (and most conductors') passion for nuance and his ability to work with the orchestra in a kind manner (save 1:18 !:)) THAT'S the point of this!

[@adam28xx]

Stokowski could indeed interpret the music his way but he also gave the first performances of works by countless living composers who were absolutely thrilled to hear him conduct their music in just the way they wanted. On his 90th Birthday, many of them sent him their undying thanks, from Copland to Shostakovich, so please click this link and read their comments throughout ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2jWeaemlNBsaK8 You might also like to hear the final work on his very last public concert, given in 1974 when he was 92. It was Brahms's 4th Symphony and his "interpretation" had the critics reaching for their superlatives, matching the similar comments under the video! ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp3CeKJqpb6WbqM

[@constantinqueins9313]

Great extasy.

[@musictop7630]

1:13. Angry Leopold Stokowski.

[@ronilfalconcabanillas]

Angry Leopold Stokowski un genio maestro

[@markwardprodking]

yes, but the Maestro said, "please." 3 times before that...:)

[@smzig]

A lot of conductors were assholes back in the day.

[@HarnackInequality]

You would not get away with that today. It does not matter how many times you say "please". But to be fair, he was also a very funny guy as this video proves at multiple spots.

[@berlinzerberus]

PEERLESS! - GREAT!

[@tatoarg9508]

Excellent! Are we sure this is not sped up? Stokowski's recordings are much slower. I'm watching it at 0.9x and it seems a little bit more natural.

[@adam28xx]

If you're suggesting that the video is running fast, then click the first link below and hear the recording made by Stokowski and the composer himself in 1934. The pitch is spot on but in his 1968 rehearsal Stokowski did indeed take the work slightly faster ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/emXSc35sftmFkJY However, when he conducted it at the age of 91 with Ilana Vered in London, he was if anything even faster than that, so I'm puzzled by your comment that "Stokowski's recordings are much slower," since the exact opposite happens to be the case. In fact. it's a wonder that the pianist was able to keep up! ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fJXquciZyAiKc

[@tatoarg9508]

@@adam28xx never heard the second recording before! Awesome. I was just asking since being a musician myself I feel something is off. No need to feel attacked. I value this upload a lot. Thanks for your answer.

[@JuanLpianist]

The pianist is Jerome Lowenthal.

[@lawrencetendler2342]

22:00 onwards is magic.

[@ilduce5874]

Further immortalized in animation by Bugs Bunny. Married a 19 year old Gloria Vanderbilt. Epic dude ❤

[@JesseDavis7373]

The original J. Lo himself!!!

[@trilobit4]

The piano is not out of tune, only the playback speed is incorrect and unstable. You can't sit with it, it strains your ears. But it was great, the greatest

[@adam28xx]

It's worth pointing out, yet again, that this TV transmission dates back over half a century and that this upload comes from a copy, more than once removed, of a VCR video.recorded at the time. Viewers can hardly expect it to be of the same audio and video quality as something that was recorded last week. However, if any of its critics can come up with a much better version, then please let them do so!

[@trilobit4]

@@adam28xx but no, that wasn't meant as a criticism. I'm glad to see such a great conductor at rehearsal. Thank you for sharing this. I admire this conductor. I was responding to the comments below highlighting the tuning of the piano and the overly fast tempo. It's clear to me that we have nothing better and I'm glad to have seen it at least like this

[@adam28xx]

@@trilobit4 ... Thanks. It does indeed count as a "historic" document after all these years but there have been previous criticisms of the video quality, so it's necessary to take account of its age. In any case, this is the very maestro who conducted the World Premiere of the work back in 1934, with the composer at the piano. They also made the first recording together, so that makes this video even more important, despite the less-than-good quality!

[@juliuscaesar8152]

L-L-Leopold!

[@intimo333]

Leopold

[@rosuna72]

Were these American Symphony concerts recorded in stereo?

[@lawrencetendler2342]

22:29 gorgeous.

[@oucutie1]

Stokowski and Lowenthal. Does ir get any better than this? No. I can assure you. IT DOES NOT!!!!!

[@fabianaguilar1358]

Stokowski and Rachmaninoff in the premiere of this piece

[@medievalmusiclover]

Who"s this Pianist? He is Great!!! Somebody can tell Me? Please...

[@rshinn61649]

Jerome Lowenthal has for many years now taught at Juilliard; I know because my son studied with him, and we've all (my family) met him. Classy guy and superb musician.

[@medievalmusiclover]

Is He jews? I am Rosenthal, and it is A German Jews name. Is He a Jews?

[@RDnAC]

Juice?

[@respekt200]

G-d. Real stuff.. All music was written long ago.

[@thomastereszkiewicz2241]

Anyone know what year this was recorded?

[@thomastereszkiewicz2241]

Got it, 1971

[@martimtavares3692]

1:10 PLEASE QUIET *BAM*

[@99Grigor]

Interesting. At the end of Var 15, Lowethal apparently forgets that the final run ends with an additional octave. He only went three quarters the way up! Also, 5 meas after square 44 and 8 meas after, he plays different bass notes! What a great video! +

[@maratom34]

+Gregg Michalak Did you remember the additional octave when you played this piece?

[@99Grigor]

+Thomas Marabella As a matter of fact, I did! Did you?

[@Nai61a]

+Gregg Michalak Excellent answer! There's always somebody out there who thinks "Could you do better?" is some kind of killer comment. They're usually armchair dilettante, in my experience.

[@last9bars]

+Gregg Michalak - and ?

[@99Grigor]

@@Nai61a Yes, I get that a lot when I comment. The main reason I made those particular commrnts is because obviously JL is a great player albeit "young" here, but I also know the work intimately having performed it myself(with orchestra). As a side note, I also think JL could have done more dynamically ad he plays mf to forte quite a bit throughout the work.

[@timroebuck3458]

The man definitely had a temper.

[@1940limited]

In 1934 he argued with Rachmaninoff himself on how the variation should be played. Rachmaninoff played with Eugene ormandy after that.

[@janetsmith2600]

Tim Roebuck ℕ𝕠. ℍ𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕒 𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕖𝕣. ℍ𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕧𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟!

[@SmOOtHCrIIImInAL]

@@1940limited oh wow didnt know that thanks. Such an honor to speak to Mr.Rachmaninoff himself

[@Tinsby]

How in the name of all that's holy can the orchestra members pick up and instantly play the parts he wants to hear? Obviously at that moment he knows what he wants, but for the orchestra to remember it when they play it 'for real' makes me wonder.

[@msotil]

The score is numbered (the bars are numbered), the conductor calls the number(s) to be played.

[@tranceboi2980]

AS the previous comment mentioned...scores of great length are Numbered, lettered, or combos of both so it's typically very easy to find the exact part he wants to hear (and it would almost obviously be right near where you stopped). As far as how do members remember all the things he has instructed them during rehearsal? You will also have a pencil at your stand during rehearsal...but it usually falls upon the inside stand partner to insert such markings as requested and even turn pages when necessary

[@timroebuck3458]

Musicians usually bring pencils to rehearsals to make notes in their parts. They spend as much time in rehearsals marking up their parts as playing them.

[@galacticstorm854]

21:45 ;)

[@MrPoupard]

Can anyone tell me what happenned to the ASO? Did it simply disband after his death like the NBC Orchestra after Toscanini?

[@lawrencetendler2342]

pity the video sound quality is not clearer .

[@card797]

Lol, 1968. It's on some kind of tape.

[@phillipecook3227]

He seems to have finished up with a real hybrid English/American accent.

[@garfreed]

Anderson Cooper's stepfather!!

[@MartinEduardoPerezGomez]

Song of 34:04 please!?

[@adam28xx]

It's not a "song" - It's the 18th Variation from the 'Paganini Rhapsody' for Piano and Orchestra by Rachmaninoff.

[@bdavis7981]

I've been under Robert Shaw for two pieces and under the current great Dr. Andre Thomas many times. Although stern at times when it was needed because of so much to cover, there was no yelling or screaming and I'm certainly not the type to take that from anyone. It's not needed.

[@frankporter6169]

I grew up in Cleveland listening to Robert Shaw, and also attending his concerts in Atlanta. Shaw was competent, but he was no Stokowski.

[@smzig]

Wow, he really got pissed real quick there.

[@judsonmusick3177]

Fascinating rehearsal. The tempos are very fast - I don't know whether I like them yet. However, the recorded sound is poor, and the piano is out of tune! I am surprised that Lowenthal tolerated it.

[@kevinm6790]

You could be right, but I would guess that the out of tune sound has more to do with the recording, since some orchestra passages seem out of tune as well.

[@ernestrobles1510]

Shame tempo as Reiner/Rubinstein. I love it.

[@kevinm6790]

@@ernestrobles1510 Shame?

[@paulybarr]

The piano sounds as if it belongs in a saloon in an old Western movie.

[@smurf902]

Or any practice room at a conservatory where they aren't tuned but maybe once every 2 or 3 months

[@carlosperea4761]

Nah, its Just bad recording, piano used to be on point

[@andreaguarino8207]

25:03 the piano is not in tune

[@kanabhprates2103]

It's just the recording. The audio makes it seems to be out of tune

[@markware1955]

As a very seasoned concert tuner I can attest that the overall pitch is on par but many of the unisons are off...I'm sure it was perfect for the performance

[@smurf902]

@@markware1955 oui. I hear it in most of the octaves

[@gilbertdaroy6080]

I'm abhored how some musicians would continue on making unnecessary noises when the great Stokowsky already asked for silence. Some musicians are like8 year olds. Such shame.