Tocatta and Fugue in Fantasia

[barnyarddawg]

Does anybody know why they didn't use the original organ arrangement by Bach? To me, the organ version would be more visually inspiring than the orchestra version they used.

[Patrick McCart]

Probably just to present a "new" take on the music.

I think this is the only orchestral version of Toccota and the rest are organ. I actually prefer the Stokowski version over the organ versions.

[Matt]

The trend in classical music for the last twenty years, particularly in pre-19th century music, has been towards authentic instruments and performance styles, which generally means faster tempos, scaled back orchestra, and a light, transperant touch. Prior to the late 70s, however, many orchestras and directors performed Baroque music like a romantic symphony, with lush, soaring strings and a modern-sized orchestra and playing style. Stokowski began his career in the teens and was famous for the "Stokowski sound," a sweeping, sensous approach to music that emphasized drama and emotion. He was also notorious for rearranging and reorchestrating much of the music he conducted, particularly Baroque music. Many, particularly in today's climate, find his approach to the music a little syrupy. Generally speaking, it's a fairly recent development that performers took the score and the composer's intentions so seriously. It was not unusual in the earlier part of the century for conducters and performers to cut, condense, reorchestrate sections, ignore tempi or dynamic markings, not observe repeats, etc. I hope this answers the original question (I'm trying not to be too technical or sound pretentious).

Matt

[Paul Penna]

Originally posted by barnyarddawg
Does anybody know why they didn't use the original organ arrangement by Bach? To me, the organ version would be more visually inspiring than the orchestra version they used.

Stokowski's transcriptions of Bach were responsible for putting the composer into the mainstream of classical music back in the 1930s. Before then, his music was rarely encountered by the general public. Of those transcriptions, the Toccata & Fugue in d was the most familiar - his big hit, you might say.

As far as the "authenticity" angle goes, this is a controversial area. You'll find informed opinions which hold that the practices which are labeled by their adherents as "historically accurate" are just as grounded in personal, subjective decisions as Stokowski's. In the end, all that counts is what works, musically.

It's also interesting to note that there's serious scholarship which calls into question whether J.S. Bach really was the composer of the piece. Whatever the case, I love it, both on the organ in in Stokowski's orchestral performances.

[Matt]

Originally posted by Paul Penna


As far as the "authenticity" angle goes, this is a controversial area. You'll find informed opinions which hold that the practices which are labeled by their adherents as "historically accurate" are just as grounded in personal, subjective decisions as Stokowski's. In the end, all that counts is what works, musically.

Looking back at my original reply, I seem to be implying a greater concensus than actually exists. Paul is quite correct to say the "authenticity" movement is controversial and definitely not monolithic. There is also a huge continuum of what constitutes an "authentic" performance, whether it means actually using period instruments tuned to a lower pitch (necessitated by the shorter necks on the string instruments) and no vibrato or performing on modern instruments but lightening up the touch. I do think it is safe to say that playing the music of Bach and other Baroque-era composers like a Mahler symphony, however, is definitely out of style at the moment. To my ears, hearing Stokowski (or Beecham or Furtwangler et al.) conduct Bach with lush, romantic arrangements sounds a little jarring. Many would disagree.

I do, however, agree wholeheartedly that you should listen to whatever works for you.

Matt

[Crazy Tom]

I wish I could have the answer for you, but whoever started this thread...you've been a great help to my BACHtoberfest!