"Certainly the most sensually beautiful Four Seasons is Stokowski's. I wouldn't give it up for the entire catalogue of period instruments. Stokowski was a greater musical mind (and heart) than all of them put together." American Record Guide
"Those who may have doubts can be assured that there is no artificial gimmickry...Stokowski is still wonderfully vital at the age of 84 and the whole performance is stamped with his vigorous personality." Gramophone
"The recording is nothing less than stunning, with realism supported by rich depth of texture and excellent separation of the soloist from the main body of strings." Records and Recording
Containing the complete Four Seasons with Hugh Bean as soloist, and highlights from Messiah, this double-CD set has been remastered from Decca Phase 4 recordings from 1966, when Stokowski was 84 years old.
CD1 | | Vivaldi | The Four Seasons
Hugh Bean solo violin | 45:50 |
| | | | Spring | 11:43 |
 | 1 | | | 3:32 |
| 2 | | | 3:33 |
| 3 | | | 4:30 |
| | 4-6 | | Summer | 11:32 |
| | 7-9 | | Autumn | 12:05 |
| | | | Winter | 10:11 |
| 10 | | | 4:05 |
| 11 | | | 2:27 |
| 12 | | | 3:26 |
| | | | | |
CD2 | | Händel | Messiah Highlights
Sheila Armstrong soprano, Norma Procter contralto
Kenneth Bowen tenor, John Cameron bass | 58:05 |
| 1 | | Overture | 3:27 |
| 2 | | Every valley shall be exalted | 4:18 |
| 3 | | And the glory of the Lord | 3:57 |
| 4 | | Pastoral Symphony | 4:51 |
| 5 | | Then shall the eyes of the blind... He shall feed his flock ... Come unto Him | 8:50 |
| 6 | | Thy rebuke... Behold and see... | 3:46 |
| 7 | | He was cut off... But Thou didst not leave His soul... | 3:22 |
| 8 | | Why do the nations | 5:46 |
| 9 | | Hallelujah | 4:51 |
| 10 | | I know that my Redeemer liveth | 7:20 |
| 11 | | Since by man came death | 2:19 |
| 12 | | Amen | 4:44 |
TT: 1:43:58 |
