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CD Review
Stokowski and the NBC Symphony
Live Recordings 1941-1943
- Serge Prokofiev: Suite "The Love of Three Oranges"
- Johannes Brahms: Symphony #4
- Edward Macdowell: Concerto for Piano #2 (Mvmts 1 & 2)
- Deems Taylor: Ramuntcho – Introduction and Ballet Music, Act III
Frances Nash, piano
NBC Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski
Guild GHCD2335 74m ADD
Leopold Stokowski surely needs no introduction as one of the greatest conductors of all time and this well chosen CD features music with which he was familiar and recorded prolifically over the years such as the Brahms Fourth Symphony and other less familiar works such as the Edward Macdowell Concerto.
It suffices to say that Stokowski informs the suite from Prokofiev's 'Love for Three Oranges' with wit and character that is particularly evident in the buffonic march which concludes the work.
I also enjoyed the curiously titled "Ramuntcho" by Deems Taylor who is usually better known for providing the spoken introductions to these Guild historical CDs.
The sound is variable but acceptable although the balance between piano and orchestra in the Macdowell concerto is rather awry. However with a wonderfully autumnal interpretation of the Brahms Fourth and perceptive notes by Robert Matthew Walker, this disc is certainly a must for all Stokowski fans.
Copyright © 2008, Gerald Fenech.
