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 second 6-CD volume. It features live BBC performances 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.

The best-selling Volume 1 was issued in May 2024 and contained titles which had been previously released, though newly remastered. The process reflected, where possible, Stokowski’s own notes as to how he wanted his recordings to sound. Volume 2 contains 8 new BBC titles which have not been officially issued before, as well as 3 CDs which were previously released on BBC Legends but are now newly remastered by Paul Baily.

Eight new BBC titles not previously issued include stereo recordings of Dvořák’s Symphony no.9 (1973) and Mussorgsky/Stokowski’s Pictures at an Exhibition (1963), in addition to Beethoven’s Symphony no.9 (1967), Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite no.2 (1966) and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.5 (1966).

The three BBC Legends feature an all-stereo Russian concert (1969), an all-Wagner programme (1967) and Stokowski’s only recordings of Tippett’s Concerto for Double String Orchestra (1961) and Nielsen’s Symphony no.6 (1965).

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

“Paul Baily’s remastering could hardly be bettered” – Rob Cowan, Gramophone (reviewing Vol.1)

“The Mussorgsky and Scriabin works received vividly eloquent performances. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 complete with military band and cannon startled the audience” – Martin Cooper, The Times

“There was compelling dramatic fire. The orchestra responded superbly to Stokowski’s fervent direction” – Robert Henderson, The Daily Telegraph (Wagner concert)

“The Nielsen Symphony No.6...makes this CD a mandatory purchase” – Colin Anderson, Classical Source

“Stokowski’s account of [Beethoven’s] Ninth Symphony with the LSO was never less than continually exhilarating, spell-binding and in the final resort, life-enhancing” – Felix Aprahamian, The Sunday Times

“remarkable as a demonstration of Stokowski’s loose-limbed but pointed control over his forces” – Peter Brown, Music & Musicians (Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.5)