Leopold Stokowski, whose transcriptions are performed on this album, created symphonic syntheses of operas like Wagner's to make the music accessible to American audiences when it was largely unperformed in opera houses.
Interpretation
Conductor José Serebrier studied Stokowski's specific interpretation guidelines, which were written out like Mahler's, but ultimately made his own decisions to improve the performances.
Recording & Production
The success of the initial recording of Stokowski's Mussorgsky transcriptions, which received three GRAMMY® nominations, led to planning further recordings of his arrangements.
Compositional Technique
Stokowski's only actual orchestration changes in the Wagner syntheses were in "Ride of the Valkyries," where he subtly accentuated second violins and made flashy doublings while removing some brass doublings for clarity.
Performer Biography
José Serebrier, the conductor on this album, served as Associate Conductor to Leopold Stokowski, whose transcriptions are featured, for five years in New York.
Performer Biography
José Serebrier, the conductor, was praised by Leopold Stokowski as 'the greatest master of orchestral balance' and has received 45 GRAMMY® nominations.
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