Bizet: Carmen & L'Arlesienne Suites
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