LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI was one of the 20th century's greatest conductors, transforming the Philadelphia Orchestra into one of the world's finest in a few seasons. Stokowski championed modern music with countless world premieres and in 1917 began a recording career that would last for sixty years. The Columbia Stereo Recordings includes two recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra: Falla's El amor brujo and one of his celebrated "Symphonic Synthesis" of music from Wagner's operas. Also included are three of his famous Bach Transcriptions, Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto with Glenn Gould on piano and Ives' Fourth Symphony that Stokowski pronounced "one of the most difficult works I have ever conducted." Rounding out this impressive set are the Maestro's final recording sessions devoted to two of the most youthful symphonies ever written, Mendelssohn's Fourth and Bizet's Symphony in C. The Bizet finale was taped in one complete take and was used, with no editing, as the finished recording. Since it was the very last time Stokowski conducted, it has considerable historic significance. ~ Editorial Review, Amazon 　　 　　DISC 1: FALLA: El amor brujo; Wagner; Tristan und Isolde 　　Love Music from Acts II and III 　　DISC 2: BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5; 3 Choral Preludes 　　DISC 3: BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 "Emperor" 　　DISC 4: IVES: Symphony No. 4 　　DISC 5: BIZET: Carmen Suite; L'Arlesienne Suite 　　DISC 6: Leopold Stokowski Transcriptons (X) 　　DISC 7: Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39; The Swan of Tuonela 　　DISC 8: TCHAIKOVSKY: Aurora ' Wedding Ballet Music 　　DISC 9: MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 4; Bizet: Symphony in C 　　DISC 10: BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73; Tragic Ouverture, Op. 81