Bizet: Carmen & L'Arlésienne Suite Excerpts

Leopold Stokowski was a marvel, plain and simple. He retained his interpretive powers undiminished until well into his 90s--in fact, he died with several projects still on the boards. Among his classic later recordings were a series of projects for Sony, including Sibelius's First, Brahms's Second, and this sterling collection of Bizet suites. There have been entire books written about Stokowski's ability to get his characteristic "sound" from just about any orchestra, as well as his interest in recording technique, and all of these qualities come together here in performances that are simply the last word in brilliance and vitality. Extraordinary. --David Hurwitz