Description

STOKOWSKI CONDUCTS SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 in D, Op. 47 with the Philadelphia Orchestra recorded April 20, 1939 (First Western Recording). Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54 with the Philadelphia Orchestra recorded December 8 and 20, 1940 (World Première Recording). Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60, "Leningrad" with the NBC Symphony Orchestra recorded (live) December 13, 1942 in NBC Studio 8-H, New York. Symphony 5 & 6 from issued 78 rpm recordings restored by Mark Obert-Thorn. Symphony 7 from broadcast transcription discs restored by NN & Kit Higginson. Total time: (CD 1) 79:23 and (CD 2) 73:50. UPC# 0-17685-12322 1.

Disc 1 Sound Clips (MP3):

1. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47- I. Moderato

2. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47- II. Allegretto

3. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47- III. Largo

4. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47- IV. Allegro non troppo

5. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54- I. Largo

6. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54- II. Allegro

7. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54- III. Presto

Disc 2 Sound Clips (MP3):

1. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60- I. Allegretto

2. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60- II. Moderato (poco allegretto)

3. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60- III. Adagio

4. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60- IV. Allegro non troppo

BUZZ: The recordings contained in this set of Shostakovich's Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Symphonies were all made soon after the first performances of each work, and have an authenticity as well as a musical immediacy that later recordings inevitably have lacked, good as they may be. These recordings stand as unique sound documents in the history of the interpretation of Shostakovich's music. In addition they testify to Stokowski's own personal style as an interpreter of this composer's works. Shostakovich held Stokowski in high esteem as an exponent of his music. These performances were previously issued on other labels (no longer available); the present restorations are state of the art, from the best possible sources.