Leopold Stokowski’s eminence as one of the truly great conductors of the 20th century, in a career which spanned six decades, is exemplified in this 6-CD set. It features BBC performances in stereo of many of the symphonies and works he performed in concert during his final years and, in many cases, premiered on record in his early years.

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.

This stereo 6-CD set is offered at an unbeatable bargain price.

Remastered by Paul Baily using some of Stokowski’s own notes about how he wanted his recordings to sound.

“A blazing, thrilling performance of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony. The effect of the whole work was overwhelming.” – Andrew Porter, Financial Times

“Beethoven’s 7th Symphony had resolute drive, dancing rhythms, clear textures and an irresistibly sweeping finale.” – Percy Cater, The Daily Mail

“Stokowski interpreted the work with care and devotion. There was playing of the utmost refinement, a masterly moulding of long melodic lines, and an easy driving momentum and biting clarity.” – David Cairns, Financial Times (on Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony)

“Unquestionably a most successful performance, for here it was a matter of first things first, with tempo and dynamics all geared up to the predominant task of bringing up the texture at its most transparent and gleaming.” – William Mann, The Times (on Vaughan Williams’s 8th Symphony)

“Stokowski produced much superb playing from the New Philharmonia and phrased the Berlioz masterpiece most admirably. His performance brought out, more than most, the extraordinary genius and originality of the work.” – Neville Cardus, The Guardian (on the Symphonie fantastique)