Carl Orff (1895-1982): Carmina Burana Charles Loeffler (1861-1935) A Pagan Poem, Op. 14* Houston Symphony Orchestra Leopold Stokowski Symphony Orchestra* Leopold Stokowski EMI 67569 You have to hear this Carmina to believe it. Previously released on 65207 EMI didn't follow the Maestro's requested changes to the master tape. I found that release to be dull, the performance was not engaging. Now it is as if a veil has been removed from the sound. Details not heard before abound, the sound has more presence, more air around it. Now it is engaging. Now we can hear the piano, the feathery strings as Stokowski wanted us to. My comment on Virginia Babikian, the soprano, simply reads, "Wow!" Now this recording joins the list of my favorite recordings of this piece. The Loeffler was also previously released on EMI Matrix 4 (65074) coupled with Stokowski's recording of Gliere's "Ilya Morometz" Symphony. Again, the difference in the remastered tapes offers a whole new sound world. Details emerge that were veiled before. The piano, again, can be heard clearly, the trumpets are excellent. The music sounds a bit like Franck, or one of his students, but there is no mention that Loeffler ever studied with them. In fact, he spent most of his adult life in America and became a US citizen in 1887. What a wonderful coupling it makes for the Orff. I could go on with specifics but to begin would mean that I would go on and on and on. Aficionados of Maestro Stokowski's art must have this in their collection. Those who want merely a great recording of the Orff will also want this with the lagniappe thrown in. Short and to the point, I know, but Oxham's Razor operates here. Peace from he who is bob stumpf