Debussy: L'apr ès-midi d'une faune (Stokowski) part 2/2

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A celebrated performance conducted by Leopold Stokowski with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall, London, 14 June 1972.
"Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" by Claude Debussy. Yes, Stokowski without a baton. He used one on and off for years, but finally gave it up entirely in the 1920s. "Instead of one baton, I now have ten!" adapted from the liner notes by Edward Johnson Debussy: Prelude to "The Afternoon
of a Faun"

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Yes, they could, ... ( 8 months ago by showwould)

Yes, they could, and they are... but a great conductor who is ALL there can have an incredible impact on a performance. It's not just for show.

I refer to the ... ( 8 months ago by jfrankley55)

I refer to the spirit behind the music-making, and not some pedantic elitism that some people try to force upon classical music. I don't expect Stokowski at 90 to be as sublime as he was in the 1950s when he recorded this for Capitol. I don't expect the Debussy to be as perfectly precise as if Boulez were conducting it. But I also know what to expect when Stokowski conducts Debussy -- at any age or with any orchestra. And in that sense, I enjoyed the performance.

"Pedantic elitism" ... ( 8 months ago by showwould)

"Pedantic elitism" aside, it's very difficult for me to appreciate a performance where clearly everyone, including the conductor, is struggling to get from one beat to the next (and no, it's not the good kind of struggling). Ignorance is bliss, I suppose; however, this "pedantic elitism" that you speak of is the reason why this performance could have even taken place. It is the reason why there are orchestras at this artistic level.

I do not think an ... ( 8 months ago by joseluis7696)

I do not think an interpretation can be judged by the body movements and signs the director makes during the concert. It is the work (previous and behind scene) it that is important. And he doesn't need to be "fast" at the concert. He needs to be experienced, artistic and have much to say through the music and its performers. According to the results, there was more than enough of this.

I have to agree ... ( 7 months ago by EliteG5)

I have to agree with jose and jfrankley. I didn't see struggling here, I saw a different interpretation. At moments there was some un-tightness, but this interpretation had a slow, wide rubato (difficult to nail), which I really enjoyed. Stokowski, at 90 or whatever he was at this point, knew exactly what he was going for here and so did the orchestra.

Does anyone know ... ( 7 months ago by gaubert69)

Does anyone know who the flutist is on this recording? Perhaps William Bennett?
LSO in 1972......
Whoever, this is remarkable.

What do you mean he ... ( 7 months ago by ThePiano1991)

What do you mean he should not have been conducting at that age! You distasteful person! I'd like to see you conduct like him, I'd like to see you play like that!

Before you start ... ( 7 months ago by showwould)

Before you start insulting people, which only makes you look very immature, perhaps you should read the dialogue I had with jfrankley55 on this very same page about this very topic. I am a member of what you would consider a major orchestra, and have performed this piece dozens of times with some of the world's most renowned conductors.

very beautiful ... ( 7 months ago by seanpierce)

very beautiful interpretation i like the gesture at 6:11

I am not a musician ... ( 6 months ago by jcdraws)

I am not a musician, but it does not seem clear to me that he is "struggling" to get from one beat to another -- how do you perceive this? What is the difference between struggling and intentional languidness? Just listening to the music, with no images, could you discern this difference?

it just bring tears ... ( 6 months ago by leontud)

it just bring tears to my eyes, watching Stokowskis exit , loving is dying.

This is exquisite. ... ( 5 months ago by idleruler)

This is exquisite. an orchestra certainly can play the notes without a conductor; the conductor shapes the performance and interpretation. the flautist is Peter Lloyd, a wonderful player. The oboist is the great Roger Lord

But it still ... ( 5 months ago by Keys22765)

But it still doesn't make you correct in your analysis. I'm sure there are members of your orchestra that feel this performance is superb.

YOUR TO OLD TO BE ... ( 5 months ago by Davidflapjacks)

YOUR TO OLD TO BE CONDUCTING GRAMPS

hey stupid your ... ( 4 months ago by marksixtyone)

hey stupid your never too old to conduct Hwe was a genius something your mind cannot grasp

read the comments ... ( 4 months ago by perplex33)

read the comments of the 1st part

I agree ( 4 months ago by OrchDork500)

I agree

EL INICIO DEL ... ( 3 months ago by jorgealbertobaron)

EL INICIO DEL IMPRESIONISMO MUSICAL

Can't believe I've ... ( 3 months ago by revoltz7)

Can't believe I've never listen to the whole piece before, but I must say the melody at the beginning reminds me of Venus from the Planets suite.

Beautiful! The ... ( 3 months ago by musicdivinemusic)

Beautiful! The quality of the soloists is amazing - flute, oboe, harp, first violin. And see what a man can do at 90. An inspiration!

I am just amazed at ... ( 3 months ago by iaintnot)

I am just amazed at the rhythmic clarity that man has esp at that age...never lost it...why can't any of the professional orchestra conducters conduct that clear anymore?

this man was a ... ( 1 month ago by slicerprime)

this man was a genius in that he understood how to translate for the orchestra what was in his head in a way that made sense in a practical, playable fashion for the players. this is why you see gestures from stokowski that may seem oddly different from what you expect from a conductor; but; which illicit such pleasing results. once he gained a rapport with an orchestra, he was able to bring his talents to bear through a conducting language that was all his own...even into his ninetieth decade!!

well said. i always ... ( 1 week ago by craigsunny198)

well said. i always think of the cool mist of woods with orange sunlight raying through the trees and deer prancing around frolicking and lapping wada

damn!so nice... ( 3 days ago by chotjunn)

damn!so nice...

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