Search - Bach, Stokowski :: Transcriptions

Bach's legacy will endure forever!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Those notable transcriptions confirm, remark and show Bach's grandness music. Despite I consider the Chaconne' s arrangement was perhaps, extremely stylized, the entire CD is peerless treasure, that it should be part of your invaluable collection.



Absolutely recommended.

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Buy it for the Chaconne

F. Horne | 08/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. Pardo has it exactly right. As far as Stokowski orchestral transcriptions go, this one is outstanding because the playing is so good. I bought this CD years ago on the recommendation of the Penguin Guide (probably the 1995 edition!), and they explained that his Symphony Orchestra consisted of cherry-picked members of the 3 major symphonies working in NY at that time.



Specifically, I prefer this group's playing to the various EMI records, although you need one of them to get the Passacaglia (BWV582).



Now. I love to listen to Milstein play the Chaconne, especially his playing from the mid-1950's. And this orchestral version is idiosyncratic (as Hiram says). Milstein plays the piece in approx. 14 minutes + 25 seconds, while Stokowski does it here in 17 minutes + 22 seconds. Stokowski is not trying to simply play the original. But, this version is phenomenal, extremely engaging, and it's even more fun if you're familiar with the piece played straight. Truly a collector's item.



Incidentally, these same tracks are found on the Archipel label, just in a different order.



F. Horne



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