Stokowski/His SO: Stravinsky The Firebird (r. 1951) - LVSM FBLP 1020 (10")

Jacket VG / LP EX

This beautiful and rare 10" LP from La Voix de son Maitre (FBLP 1020, French pressing, red/silver semi-circle label – ED1, mono – no stereo edition exists) features conductor Leopold Stokowski and His Symphony Orchestra in a highly individual reading of Stravinsky’s l’Oiseau d’feu (Firebird) Suite (vers. 1919), recorded in the spacious acoustics of Manhattan Center, New York City, in February 1951.

Among the soloists who played in “His” Symphony Orchestra and who can be heard here are:

            Robert Bloom, oboe

            John Corigliano, violin

            William Lincer, viola

            David Oppenheim, clarinet

            Leonard Rose, cello

            Laszlo Varga, cello

            William Vacchiano, trumpet

It is an amazing performance, with an enormous ritard in the coda, glittering and sumptuous throughout.

The striking cover art was executed by Pirol. There are insightful liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Serge Berthoumieux, provided in French only.