Leopold Stokowski Symphony of The Air Rhapsodies (2005) {hybrid Sacdiso & Hires Flac}

Artur Rubinstein's 1956 Beethoven concerto cycle lacks the forethought and stylishness of his '60s remakes with Leinsdorf. These earlier versions, however, convey more of Rubinstein's irrepressible stage presence. At times the pianist's freewheeling spirit in the First and Fifth Concertos causes momentary finger slips, which matter not one whit. Rubinstein's unruffled demeanor and languorous phrasing in the Third and Fourth Concertos, though, are better suited to Chopin.

Pare Lorentz's films "The Plow that Broke the Plains" (1936) and "The River" (1937) are landmark American documentary films. Aesthetically, they break new ground in seamlessly marrying pictorial imagery, symphonic music, and free poetic verse, all realized with supreme artistry. Ideologically, they indelibly encapsulate the strivings of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "New Deal". Virgil Thomson's scores for both films are among the most famous ever composed for the movies.

A 10 CD collection of the legendary conductor's recordings for Everest and Vanguard, made between 1958 to 1967, and with a bonus disc of recordings for other labels. Presented in a deluxe clamshell box, and totalling more than 12 hours of music.

Arthur Rubinstein (28 janvier 1887 - 20 décembre 1982)

Leopold Anthony Stokowski, one of the true conducting luminaries of the twentieth century, was born in London in 1882. His father was Polish, his mother Irish, but he was raised as an Englishman. His famous, vaguely foreign, accent somehow appeared later in his life.

Leopold Stokowski’s eminence as one of the truly great conductors of the 20th century over a career spanning more than six decades is exemplified in this set, which features live performances in stereo of symphonies and other works he conducted in concert during his final years and which, in many cases, he had premiered on record as well. In one of the many outstanding reviews of these live concerts, the distinguished Times critic William Mann wrote of the 1963 ‘Proms’ premiere of Mahler’s Symphony No.2: “A performance which was superb by any standards, meticulously loyal, noble and deeply felt out of long and thoughtful experience”. The set has been newly remastered to reflect Stokowski’s instructions on how he wanted his recordings to sound.

Leopold Anthony Stokowski (18 April 1882 – 13 September 1977) was a British conductor. One of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century, he is best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and his appearance in the Disney film Fantasia with that orchestra. He was especially noted for his free-hand conducting style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from the orchestras he directed.