COMPOSERS: Rachmahinov
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Symphony No. 3; Vocalise
PERFORMER: National PO/Leopold Stokowski
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 5 66759 2 ADD Reissue (1975)
A beefy, hothouse Vocalise is hardly going to lull the listener into enjoying this shambles of a Third Symphony. One of the last recordings of Stokowski's long life, made in the Seventies with London's fitfully brilliant conglomerate-orchestra, it should never have been issued. All Stokowski's usual liberties with tempi and dynamics are here — he seems to leave the orchestration alone — but none of his technical wizardry. The finale's last four bars come as a great surprise - but only because they bring with them the orchestral togetherness in short supply throughout. David Nice
Rachmahinov: Symphony No. 3; Vocalise
A beefy, hothouse Vocalise is hardly going to lull the listener into enjoying this shambles of a Third Symphony. One of the last recordings of Stokowski's long life, made in the Seventies with London's fitfully brilliant conglomerate-orchestra, it should never have been issued. All Stokowski's usual liberties with tempi and dynamics are here — he seems to leave the orchestration alone — but none of his technical wizardry. The finale's last four bars come as a great surprise - but only because they bring with them the orchestral togetherness in short supply throughout. David Nice
Our rating
1
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:49 pm