This release comprises the better half of a two-disc Philips set, the entirety of which can be had on Eloquence at budget price. The performances are great fun, the Serenade played with loving care, plenty of energy, and the rich sound we expect from a Stokowski string section. Francesca competes with Stoki’s reference recording on Everest, and even with extra percussion this time around it doesn’t quite match the earlier version in sheer excitement (though taken on its own it’s still one of the better performances around). The remastered sound is darker and smoother than on Eloquence (or the Philips original release), but also lower level, and the prospect of processed multichannel playback (from original Quad tapes) holds no special appeal for me. However if this is your principal interest in the disc, then by all means get this edition. Otherwise, go for the Eloquence release, where for the same or less money you will also get a fine Capriccio italien, some lively orchestral excerpts from Eugene Onegin, and a demented Nutcracker Suite.
