Debussy 'Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun' - Stokowski / LSO (1972)

Описание: Leopold Stokowski championed countless living composers over the years, both in the concert hall and on disc. Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" was a particular favourite of his and he conducted it for the first time in 1912 with the Cincinnati Orchestra. That same year he moved to Philadelphia and in 1924 made the first American recording of the work on pre-electric acoustic 78s with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

He also featured it in his debut concert with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1912. Sixty years later, the whole programme was repeated with the same orchestra in the Royal Festival Hall. The concert marked the maestro's 90th birthday and happily the first half of the programme, introduced by Richard Baker, was televised and preserved for posterity. The critics were unanimous in their praise of the event and Christopher Palmer in particular singled out the Debussy performance seen here: "My most treasured memory of the evening is undoubtedly 'L'après-midi d'un faune' which received a reading of exceptional refinement, with all the tensions and relaxations effortlessly and beautifully graded ... A flawless performance." ... It was in fact the very last time that Stokowski conducted the piece.