If you think you know these pieces, then listen again! Stokowski, the magician, sprinkles star-dust over the ‘Nutcracker’ and gives the orchestra a jolly old workout in a couple of places. The ‘Serenade’ has been considered one of the best ever recorded and the ‘Capriccio Italien’ is brazenly sunlit. The recordings, originally issued on Philips’ mid-price ‘The Early Years’ series, have long been unavailable and make a welcome return to the catalogue at super-budget price.
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Polonaise & Valse (Eugene Onegin Op. 24)
Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a
Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48*
Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32*
London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra*
Leopold Stokowski