Frederick Stock and the Chicago Symphony, Vol. 4 (2-CD)

“A superb account [of Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra] . . . which, even in today’s competition, would shine as one of the great recordings of the score.” — Fanfare

After Frederick Stock’s December 1930 recording sessions with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for Victor, the record label essentially shut down its symphonic recording program due to the economic exigencies of the Great Depression. Over the next decade, orchestras slowly began reemerging on albums, and in November 1939 Stock and the CSO rejoined their original label, Columbia, for a new set of recordings. Restored and remastered here by Mark Obert-Thorn are those historic recordings, including Tchaikovsky’s dazzling Nutcracker Suite, Richard Strauss’ epic Also sprach Zarathustra and Schubert’s Ninth Symphony (The Great).

Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker, Suite No. 1, Op. 71a
November 1939, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Mozart Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504 (Prague)
November 1939, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
John Weicher violin
January 1940, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Sibelius The Kalevala, Four Legends, Op. 22, “The Swan of Tuonela”
Robert Mayer English horn
January 1940, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Ippolitov-Ivanov Caucasian Sketches, “Procession of the Sardar”
January 1940, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Saint-Saëns Danse macabre, Op. 40
John Weicher violin
January 1940, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Weber Euryanthe Overture
January 1940, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Schubert Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944 (The Great)
January 1940, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Discs: 2
Record Label: Pristine Audio
Release Year: 2024