Stokowski - Seasons Greetings

This record, a 45 rpm extended play published in the early 50s,
contains 4 Christmas classics
performed by the Leopold Stokowski Symphony Orchestra:

"Pifa" from Handel's Messiah
(27 march 1947)

Ippolitov-Ivanov/Stokowski
"In the Manger",
Traditional Russian Christmas music
(27 march 1947)

Debussy-Caplet
The snow is dancing
from "Children's Corner
(2 & 30 march, 1949)

Mozart "The sleigh ride"
German Dances K. 509, no. 3
(2 march 1949)


A very short program (approx 13 min),
so I've added more Xmas music from Stoky's catalogue.



Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols (NBC SO, 19 december 1943)
Bach - Sinfonia from Christmas Oratorio (Philadelphia, 30 april, 1 may 1929)
Again Pifa from Messiah (Philadelphia, 15 march 1930)

and the 2 Nutcracker suite recorded in Philadelphia, 1926 & 1934

"Nutcracker" Suite op.71a
- Philadelphia Orchestra 03,10,18/11/26
- Philadelphia Orchestra 26/11/34

Miniature Overture (Ouverture miniature)
March (Marche)
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Danse de la fée Dragée)
Trepak - Russian Dance (Danse russe).
Arabian Dance (Danse arabe)
Chinese Dance (Danse chinoise)
Dance of the Flutes (Danse des Mirlitons)
Waltz of the Flowers (Valse des fleurs)


tt: 1.17.31


FLAC (the same details written above are included in the folder)

Mahler 5 - Maderna (Philadelphia, 1971)

Not everyone shows appreciation for Maderna's work as a Mahlerian conductor:
and certainly here, who expect that everything written by the composer
must be 100% respected, will find many questionable solutions.

But in some passages I don't find comparisons with anyone else
(apart from Scherchen, perhaps)
and they really leave you breathless.

(one for all - II mov, 6:48 - 7:15)

Judge yourself, of course,
but it's certain that this completely anti-routine reading
can't leave you indifferent.
As always, your comments and opinions are welcome.


MAHLER
Symphony no. 5

Philadelphia Orchestra
BRUNO MADERNA

Live in Philadelphia - november 4, 1971

FLAC - separated tracks

Fritz Reiner conducts Bartók and Kodály - Live 1960

On request,
here's another "definitive reupload" on Mediafire.


Fritz Reiner conducts Bartók and Kodály:
three masterworks non included in the "official" discography
of the great hungarian conductor.
No Chicago, no Pittsburgh, no NBC...  but the New York Philharmonic.

And excellent performances:
in particular The Miracolous Mandarin is lavish,
hot, brutal, almost "pornophonic".



Kodály
Peacock Variations
march 12, 1960

Bartók
The Miracolous Mandarin, suite
march 12, 1960

Piano Concerto n. 1
(Rudolf Serkin, piano)
march 19, 1960


New York Philharmonic Orchestra
FRITZ REINER

FLAC (scans included)

Beethoven Missa Solemnis NYPO Walter live 1948

All right, another Missa Solemnis.
Then I'll stop for a while, I swear...

("for a while", on the other hand, is a very vague concept...)

But it's not my fault if Toscanini, Szell and even Walter have made
such beautiful and important readings of this monumental score.

Maybe the soloists are not up to some previously uploaded recordings,
but NYPO and Walter are absolutely at their best.

Also, Beethoven's year is coming.

BEETHOVEN

Missa Solemnis, op. 123

Westminster Choir

New York Philharmonic

BRUNO WALTER

Live - April 18, 1948

FLAC (separated tracks)

complete scans included

Mozart 39, 40 & 41 Berlin State SO Richard Strauss

"Definitive" reupload


MOZART
Symphony no. 39
Symphony no. 40
Symphony no. 41

Berlin State Symphony Orchestra
RICHARD STRAUSS

recordings: 1926 (nn. 39 & 41), 1927 (n. 40)
(No DG or Koch... Direct transfers from 78rpm)

FLAC (12 separated tracks)