Following up on the success of Sony Classical’s recent large-scale Ormandy collections – his monaural discographies with the Minneapolis Symphony and Philadelphia orchestras – the label now presents the conductor’s stereo recordings from Philadelphia containing all recordings released from 1958 to 1963 (plus some fillers from later years)

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Eugene Ormandy took over the music directorship in Philadelphia from Leopold Stokowski in 1938 and held the position for 42 years. During that time his name and the orchestra’s became inseparable as he cultivated and further developed the voluptuous sound that originated with his predecessor. “Any conductor reflects clearly the instrument he played,” the Budapest-born Ormandy (1899–1985) once said. “My sound is what it is because I was a violinist.” As one commentator put it: “Every piece Ormandy touched was characterized by a ripened string tone around which the rest of the orchestra could glow.”

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Ormandy and his Philadelphians were among the most prolific recording artists of all time. Between 1944 and 1968 (preceded and followed by contracts with RCA Victor), they were associated exclusively with Columbia Masterworks. Ormandy was a committed recording enthusiast, working quickly and readily accommodating the company’s planning in order to produce best-sellers.

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Sony Classical’s new Ormandy/Philadelphia stereo box is filled with familiar and unfamiliar works by virtually every well-known composer (and many forgotten figures), spanning the centuries and covering the stylistic waterfront from Bach (the sons as well as the father) to Beethoven, Berlioz, Borodin, Bartók and beyond. It would be impossible (and pointless) to list them all.

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There are numerous CD premières in the new collection. Among them: Ormandy’s complete 1958 recording of Debussy’s Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien with soprano Hilde Gueden and Vera Zorina as the narrator; Bach’s B minor Mass and the Brahms Requiem from 1962; as well as symphonies by Haydn and other works by Borodin, Glinka, Wagner, Poulenc, Casella and American composers including Yardumian, Barati, Rochberg and Dello Joio.

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In 1963, Ormandy and the Philadelphians made the first US recording of Shostakovich’s Fourth Symphony. Surveying Ormandy’s stereo discography on Columbia recently, the ClassicsToday reviewer lauded his “voluptuous” Scheherazade, his “outstanding Vaughan Williams Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’, his Bach transcriptions (“Wonderfully done, they highlight Ormandy’s gifts as a post-Stokowski Bach arranger, an important part of his legacy”) and his special affinity for Russian music, including “his glorious Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphony and Serenade for Strings, his magnificent Rachmaninov Second, and his classic Shostakovich Cello Concerto with Rostropovich coupled to an excellent First Symphony. The composer himself attended these sessions and was dazzled by both conductor and orchestra. These are all must-have recordings. Ormandy was also known during his lifetime as the best concerto accompanist in the business, and this coupling of Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn violin concertos shows his cordial collaboration with Isaac Stern operating at the very highest level.”

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Other listeners and commentators will have no hesitation in adding their own favorites to that brief selection of must-have Ormandy recordings. Indeed, for the conductor’s many enthusiasts and collectors, Sony Classical’s comprehensive new box set – all items presented in new or best available remasterings – is self-recommending.

EUGENE ORMANDY & PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA: COLUMBIA COLLECTION

Track List

1. DISC 1:
2. Respighi: Pini di Roma: Symphonic Poem
3. Respighi: Fontane di Roma: Symphonic Poem
4. Respighi: Feste Romane: Symphonic Poem
5. DISC 2:
6. Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite
7. DISC 3:
8. Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major Op. 100
9. DISC 4:
10. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor Op. 16
11. Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43
12. DISC 5:
13. Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 43
14. Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C Major Op. 105
15. DISC 6:
16. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies S. 359: No. 1 in F Minor
17. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies S. 359: No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor
18. Enescu: 2 Romanian Rhapsodies Op. 11: No. 1 in A Major
19. Enescu: 2 Romanian Rhapsodies Op. 11: No. 2 in D Major
20. Liszt (arr. Herbert): Liebesträume No. 3 'O Lieb so lang' S541 No. 3 (Rêve d'amour)
21. DISC 7:
22. Dello Jojo: Air Power Suite
23. Dello Jojo: War Scenes
24. DISC 8:
25. Bizet: Carmen Suite
26. DISC 9:
27. Mozart W.A.: Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat Major K. 297 B
28. Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe Bassoon Violin Cello ; Orchestra in B-Flat Major Hob. I: 105
29. Haydn: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra in E-flat Major Hob. VIIe: 1
30. DISC 10:
31. Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf A Musical Tale for Children Op. 67
32. Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell Op. 34
33. DISC 11:
34. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35
35. Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor Op. 64
36. DISC 12:
37. Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor Op. 68
38. DISC 13:
39. Robertson: The Lord's Prayer
40. Robertson: Come Come Ye Saints
41. Brahms: A German Requiem Op. 45: I. Blessed Are They That Mourn
42. McGranahan (arr. Gates): O My Father
43. McIntyre: How Great the Wisdom and the Love
44. Gounod: St. Cecilia Mass CG 56: Holy Holy Holy
45. Holst: 148th Psalm
46. Handel: Messiah HWV 56: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
47. Billings (arr. Siegmeister): David's Lamentation
48. Anonymous (arr. Baldwin): Londonderry Air
49. Howe (arr. Wilhousky): Battle Hymn of the Republic
50. Schubert (arr. Riegger): Ave Maria D. 839
51. Gounod: The Redemption - Unfold Ye Portals
52. Mozart W.A.: Requiem aeternam "Give unto the meek" - Kyrie eleison "Show Thy mercy"
53. Robertson: Oratorio from the Book of Mormon: "Old Things Are Done Away"
54. Malotte: The Lord's Prayer
55. DISC 14:
56. Franck: Variations symphoniques FWV 46
57. d'Indy: Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français Op. 25
58. DISC 15:
59. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major S. 124
60. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major S. 120 R. 456
61. DISC 16:
62. Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture Op. 49 TH 49
63. Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
64. Borodin: Polovtsian Dances (From "Prince Igor")
65. Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain
66. Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite: Galop
67. Khachaturian: Gayane Ballet Suite: Dance of the Young Maidens
68. Shostakovich: Polka from "The Age of Gold"
69. Rimsky-Korsakov: Polonaise from Christmas Eve Suite
70. Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
71. Kabalevsky: Comedian's Galop (From "The Comedians")
72. Mussorgsky: Sorochinsty Fair: Gopak
73. Khachaturian: Sabre Dance from "Gayne Ballet Suite"
74. DISC 17:
75. Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune L. 86
76. Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 M. 57b
77. Debussy: La mer L. 109
78. DISC 18:
79. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor Op. 23
80. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor Op. 21
81. DISC 19:
82. Mozart W.A.: Serenade No. 13 in G Major K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (2013 Remastered Version)
83. Bach J.S.: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major BWV 1068: II. Air on the G String (2013 Remastered Version)
84. Corelli: Concerto grosso in G Minor Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto" (2013 Remastered Version)
85. Mendelssohn: Octet for Strings in E-Flat Major Op. 20: III. Scherzo (2013 Remastered Version)
86. DISC 20/21:
87. Handel: Messiah HWV 56
88. DISC 22:
89. Rimsky-Korsakov: Le coq d'or Suite
90. Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Op. 36
91. Glinka: Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture
92. Tchaikovsky: Marche slave Op. 31 TH 45
93. Balakirev (orch. Casella): Islamey (Oriental Fantasy)
94. DISC 23:
95. Handel (arr. Hamilton Harty): Royal Fireworks Suite
96. Corelli (arr. Pinelli): Suite for Strings
97. Handel (arr. Harty): Water Music Suite
98. DISC 24:
99. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E Minor Op. 64 TH 29
100. DISC 25:
101. Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor Op. 27
102. DISC 26:
103. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major Op. 107
104. Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F Minor Op. 10
105. DISC 27:
106. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor Op. 25 MWV O 7
107. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor Op. 40 MWV O 11
108. DISC 28:
109. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 77
110. Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor Op. 22
111. DISC 29:
112. Debussy: The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian L. 124
113. DISC 30:
114. Prokofiev: Symphony No. 4 in C Major Op. 112
115. DISC 31:
116. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major Op. 83
117. DISC 32:
118. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor Op. 74 TH 30 "Pathétique"
119. DISC 33:
120. Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor Op. 47
121. Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite Op. 22: II. The Swan of Tuonela
122. DISC 34:
123. Orff: Carmina Burana
124. DISC 35:
125. Ravel: Boléro M. 81
126. Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin M. 68a
127. Ravel: Miroirs M. 43: No. 4 Alborada del gracioso (Version for Orchestra)
128. Chabrier: España
129. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
130. Debussy (arr. orch.): Suite bergamasque L. 75: III. Clair de lune (Arr. for Orchestra)
131. Ravel: La Valse
132. DISC 36:
133. Vincent: Symphonic Poem After Descartes
134. Vincent: Symphony in D (A Festival Piece In One Movement)
135. DISC 37:
136. Bach J.S. (arr. Ormandy): Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565
137. Bach J.C.: Sinfonia for Double Orchestra in E-Flat Major Op. 18 No. 1
138. Bach J.S. (arr. Ormandy): Toccata Adagio and Fugue in C Major BWV 564
139. Bach J.S. (arr. Ormandy): Passacaglia in C Minor BWV 582
140. DISC 38:
141. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Violin Concerto in E Major RV 269 "Spring"
142. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Violin Concerto in G Minor RV 315 "Summer"
143. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Violin Concerto in F Major RV 293 "Autumn"
144. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Violin Concerto in F Minor RV 297 "Winter"
145. DISC 39:
146. Grieg: Peer Gynt Op. 23 - Suite No. 1 Op. 46
147. Sibelius: 2 Pieces from Kuolema Op. 44: No. 1 Valse triste
148. Alfén: Midsommarvaka Op. 19 "Swedish Rhapsody No. 1"
149. Sibelius: Finlandia Op. 26
150. Sibelius: En Saga Op. 9
151. DISC 40:
152. Walton: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
153. Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor Op. 21
154. DISC 41:
155. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor RV 514
156. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in C Minor RV 509
157. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in G Minor RV 517
158. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Major RV 512
159. DISC 42:
160. Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances Op. 45
161. Casella: Paganiniana Op. 65
162. DISC 43:
163. Tchaikovsky: Serenade in C Major Op. 48 TH 48
164. Borodin (arr. Sargent): Nocturne for String Orchestra
165. Barber: Adagio for Strings Op. 11
166. Vaughan-Williams (arr. Greaves): Fantasia on Greensleeves from Sir John In Love
167. Grieg: Two Elegiac Melodies Op. 34
168. Schubert (arr. Harris): Serenade D. 957 No. 4
169. MacDowell (arr. Frost): 10 Woodland Sketches Op. 51: No. 1 To a Wild Rose (Arr. T. Frost for Orchestra)
170. Massenet: Meditation from "Thaïs"
171. DISC 44:
172. Strauss Johann II: Frühlingsstimmen Op. 410
173. Strauss Johann II: Kaiser-Walzer Op. 437
174. Strauss Johann II: Wiener Blut Op. 354
175. Strauss Johann II: An der schönen blauen Donau Op. 314
176. Strauss Johann II: Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald Op. 325
177. DISC 45:
178. Yardumian: Passacaglia Recitative and Fugue for Piano and Orchestra
179. Yardumian: Choral Prelude
180. Yardumian: Cantus animae et cordis
181. Yardumian: Symphony No. 2 "Psalms": I Psalm 130
182. DISC 46:
183. Reger: Piano Concerto in F Minor Op. 114
184. DISC 47:
185. Weber: Invitation to the Dance Op. 65
186. Liszt: 2 Episoden aus Lenau's Faust S. 110: No. 2 Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke "Mephisto Waltz"
187. Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre Op. 40
188. Brahms (orch. Dvorák): 21 Hungarian Dances WoO 1
189. Glière: The Red Poppy: Russian Sailor's Dance
190. Weber: Euryanthe Op. 81 J. 291: Overture
191. Weinberger: Svanda dudák (Schwanda the Bagpiper): Polka ; Fugue
192. DISC 48:
193. Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique Op. 14 H. 48
194. Saint-Saens: Samson et Dalila Op. 47: Bacchanale
195. Dukas: L'apprenti sorcier
196. DISC 49:
197. R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben Op. 40 TrV 190
198. DISC 50:
199. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor Op. 11
200. Liszt: Totentanz S. 126 "Danse macabre"
201. DISC 51:
202. Walton: Belshazzar's Feast
203. Roussel: Baccus et Ariane Suito No. 2
204. DISC 52:
205. Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major M. 82
206. Mozart W.A.: Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra No. 10 in E-Flat Major K 365/316a (2019 Remastered Version)
207. DISC 53:
208. Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 1 Sz. 36
209. Viotti: Violin Concerto No. 22 in A Minor
210. DISC 54:
211. Mozart W.A.: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major K. 482
212. Mozart W.A.: Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major K. 282 (Philippe Entremont piano)
213. DISC 55:
214. Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty Op. 66 TH 13
215. DISC 56:
216. Franck: Symphony in D Minor FWV 48
217. DISC 57:
218. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35 TH 59
219. DISC 58:
220. Brahms: Piano Concerto No 1 in D Minor Op. 15
221. DISC 59:
222. Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Op. 20 TH 12 (Excerpts)
223. DISC 60:
224. Strauss R.: Don Juan Op. 20
225. Strauss R.: Tod und Verklärung Op. 24
226. DISC 61:
227. Bach J.C.: Sinfonia for Double Orchestra in D Major Op. 18 No. 3
228. Bach W.F.: Sinfonia for 2 Flutes and Strings in D Minor F. 65
229. H. Casadesus: Concerto for Orchestra in D Major
230. DISC 62:
231. Tchaikovsky (ed. Bogatyrev): Symphony No. 7 in E-Flat Major
232. DISC 63:
233. Strauss Josef: Fire-Bell Polka (Feuerfest)
234. Strauss Johann II: Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka Op. 214
235. Strauss Johann II: Roses from the South (Rosen aus dem Süden) Op. 388
236. Strauss Johann II: Hunting Polka (Auf der Jagd Polka schnell) Op. 373
237. Strauss Johann II: New Pizzicato Polka (Neue Pizzicato Polka) Op. 449
238. Strauss Johann II: Unter Donner und Blitz Op. 324
239. Strauss Johann II: Explosions Polka Op. 43
240. Strauss Johann II: Wine Women and Song (Wein Weib und Gesang) Op. 333
241. Strauss Johann II: Annen Polka Op. 117
242. Strauss Johann II: Thousand And One Nights (Tausend und eine Nacht) Op. 346
243. Strauss Johann II: Young-in-Heart Polka (Leichtes Blut Polka)
244. DISC 64:
245. Rimsky-Korsakov : Scheherazade Op. 35
246. DISC 65:
247. Mendelssohn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
248. Davies: O Little Town of Bethlehem
249. Mason: Joy to the World
250. Adam: O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël)
251. Traditional: O Come O Come Emanuel
252. Traditional: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
253. Schubert: Ave Maria
254. Wade: O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
255. Traditional: The First Noël
256. Traditional: Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly
257. Traditional: O Sanctissima (O du fröhliche)
258. Beethoven: The Worship of God
259. Traditional: O Come Little Children
260. Gruber: Silent Night Holy Night
261. DISC 66:
262. Delius: Brigg Fair: An English Rhapsody
263. Delius: A Dance Rhapsody No. 2 - Mazurka Tempo
264. Delius: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
265. Delius: In a Summer Garden Rhapsody for Orchestra RT VI/17
266. DISC 67:
267. Barati: Chamber Concerto
268. Rochberg: Symphony No. 2
269. DISC 68:
270. Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E Minor Op. 39
271. Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor Op. 47
272. DISC 69:
273. Poulenc: Concerto in G Minor for Organ Strings and Tympani
274. R. Strauss: Festival Prelude for Organ and Orchestra Op. 61
275. Barber-Ormandy: Toccata Festiva Op. 36
276. DISC 70:
277. Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 1 Sz. 83
278. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 4 in B-Flat Major Op. 53
279. DISC 71:
280. Smith (arr. Asper): The Star-Spangled Banner
281. Elgar(arr. Fagge): Land of Hope and Glory
282. Berlin: Give Me Your Tired Your Poor
283. DeLisle: The Marseillaise
284. Sibelius (arr. Matthews): On Great Lone Hills - From "Finlandia"
285. Traditional (arr. Robertson): Hatikva
286. arr. Jenskins: The Maple Leaf Forever
287. Ward (arr. Asper): America The Beautiful
288. Jacobs (arr. Lowell Durham): This Is My Country
289. Shaw (arr. Schreiner): O Columbia The Gem Of The Ocean
290. Berlin (arr. R. DeCormier and E. Sauter): God Bless America
291. Sousa: Washington Post March
292. Gottschalk (arr. Kay): Grand Walkaround from Cakewalk
293. Ives (arr. Schuman): Variations on "America"
294. Copland: Rodeo: V. Hoedown
295. Smith (arr. Asper): The Star-Spangled Banner
296. DISC 72:
297. Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle Sz. 48
298. DISC 73/74:
299. Bach J.S.: Mass in B Minor BWV 232
300. DISC 75:
301. Wagner: Lohengrin WWV 75: Prelude to Act III
302. Wagner: Siegfried WWV 86C: Waldweben
303. Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg WWV 96: Prelude to Act III ; Dance of the Apprentices ; Entrance of the Meistersingers
304. Wagner: Tannhäuser WWV 70: Overture and Venusberg Music
305. Wagner: Siegfried-Idyll WWV 103
306. DISC 76:
307. Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor Op. 43
308. DISC 77:
309. Walton: Façade
310. Ibert: Divertissment from Un chapeau de paille d'Italie
311. Ibert: Escales
312. DISC 78:
313. Mozart W.A.: Concerto in B-Flat Major for Bassoon and Orchestra K. 191
314. Mozart W.A.: Concerto No. 1 in G Major for Flute and Orchestra K. 313
315. DISC 79:
316. Mozart W.A.: Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in C Major K. 314
317. Mozart W.A.: Concerto in A Major for Clarinet and Orchestra K. 622
318. DISC 80:
319. Yardumian: Symphony No. 1
320. Yardumian: Violin Concerto
321. DISC 81:
322. Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor Op. 78 "Organ"
323. Saint-Saens: The Carnival of the Animals R.125
324. DISC 82:
325. Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever
326. Meyerbeer: Coronation March from "Le Prophete"
327. Beethoven: Die Ruinen von Athen Op. 113: No. 4 Marcia alla turca
328. Gounod: Marche funèbre d'une marionnette
329. Gould: American Salute (When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home)
330. Verdi: Grand March from "Aida"
331. Bizet: March of the Toreadors from "Carmen"
332. Herbert: March of the Toys
333. Schubert: Marche Militaire
334. Prokofiev: March from "The Love for Three Oranges"
335. Strauss Johann II: Radetzky March
336. Knipper: Meadowlands (Cavalry of the Steppes) from Symphony No. 4
337. Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1
338. DISC 83:
339. Brahms: A German Requiem Op. 45
340. DISC 84:
341. Prokofiev: Symphony No. 6 Op. 111
342. DISC 85:
343. Mozart W.A.: Concerto for 3 Pianos and Orchestra in F Major K. 242
344. Bach J.S.: Concerto for 3 Pianos and Orchestra in D Minor BWV 1063
345. Bach J.S.: Concerto in F Major BWV 971 "Italian" (Robert Casadesus piano)
346. DISC 86:
347. Chopin (arr. Douglas): Les Sylphides - Ballet
348. Délibes: Sylvia (Ballet Suite) Excerpts
349. Délibes: Coppelia
350. Chopin (arr. Harris): Nocturne in E-Flat Major Op. 9 No. 2 (Arr. for Orchestra)
351. DISC 87:
352. R. Strauss: Don Quixote Op. 35 - Fantastische Variationen über ein Thema ritterlichen Characters
353. DISC 88:
354. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor Op. 1
355. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Minor Op. 40