He has been called the most exciting younger conductor in the USA during the 1930s. Artur Rodzinski (1892-1958) galvanized audiences wherever he appeared as a guest, including Philadelphia, where he worked with Stokowski, and New York, where his 1937 concert performance of Strauss's Elektra is still considered a landmark in the Philharmonic's history. Earning a reputation as a builder of great orchestras, the fiery, volatile Polish conductor headed up and developed the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1929-33) and the Cleveland Orchestra (1933-43), and in 1943, became music director of the New York Philharmonic. Rodzinski amassed a fairly sizable discography in a relatively short recording career. During his Cleveland tenure, he made a number of important recordings for Columbia Masterworks, and he continued his association with the label after taking up his post in New York. Sony Classical's new 16-disc box set of Rodzinski's New York recordings, largely recorded in Carnegie Hall between 1944 and 1946, will fill an important gap in the classical catalogue. Rodzinski was perhaps most closely associated with the Russian repertoire and Wagner. Both are prominent in Sony's new collection, including Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique", Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Tchaikovsky's "Mozartiana" and Nutcracker suites, Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony and Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto with soloist György Sándor. Wagner occupies two well-filled discs, featuring the great American soprano Helen Traubel with other distinguished artists from the Metropolitan Opera, including baritone Herbert Janssen as Wotan. Artur Rodzinski's range is further reflected by generous samplings of French music (Saint-Saëns' Fourth Piano Concerto with Robert Casadesus and various works by Bizet, Ibert, Franck, Satie, Offenbach and Debussy), American repertoire (Gershwin, Copland and Morton Gould) and symphonies by Brahms (Nos. 1 and 2) and Sibelius (No. 4). This meticulously transferred and remastered collection of Rodzinski's New York Philharmonic recordings represents a generous reward for the conductor's many patient admirers.

CD 1:

Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

1) I. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro (12:51) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) II. Andante sostenuto (8:40) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3) III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso (3:54) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) IV. Adagio - Più andante - Allegro non troppo ma con brio (15:17) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 2:

Pictures at an Exhibition Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

1) I. Promenade (1:39) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) II. Gnomus (2:29) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3) III. Promenade (0:48) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) IV. Il vecchio castello - The Old Castle (3:37) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

5) V. Promenade (0:29) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

6) VI. Les Tuileries - The Tuileries Garden (0:55) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

7) VII. Bydlo (2:08) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

8) VIII. Promenade (0:43) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

9) IX. Ballet des poussins dans leur coques - Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks (1:13) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

10) X. Samuel Goldenberg & Schmuyle (1:54) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

11) XI. Limoges - Le marché - The Weekly Market of Limoges (1:15) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

12) XII. Catacombae - Sepulchrum Romanum (1:22) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

13) XIII. Cum mortuis in lingua mortua (1:42) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

14) XIV. The Hut on Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yaga) (3:01) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

15) XV. The Great Gate at Kiev (4:15) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

16) Sorochintsky Fair, Act III: Gopak No. 5 (1:41) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 3:

Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, Op. 100 Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

1) I. Andante (11:32) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

2) II. Allegro marcato (7:48) New York Philharmonic Orchestra

3) III. Adagio (11:15) New York Philharmonic Orchestra

4) IV. Allegro giocoso (9:01) New York Philharmonic Orchestra

CD 4:

The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, TH. 35 Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

1) I. Ouverture miniature - Allegro giusto (3:24) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) IIa. Danses caractéristiques - Marche (2:07) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3) IIb. Danses caractéristiques - Danse de la fée dragée (1:32) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) IIc. Danses caractéristiques - Danse russe "Trépak" (1:04) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

5) IId. Danses caractéristiques - Danse arabe (3:29) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

6) IIe. Danses caractéristiques - Danse chinoise (1:02) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

7) IIf. Danses caractéristiques - Danse des mirlitons (2:13) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

8) III. Valse des fleurs (5:32) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Suite No. 4 in G Major for Orchestra, Op. 61 "Mozartiana" (18:02) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, John Corigliano

9) I. Gigue (Allegro) KV 574 for piano (1:23) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, John Corigliano

10) II. Menuet - Moderato (1:48) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

11) III. Preghiera (4:40) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

12) IV. Thème et variations. Allegro giusto (10:11) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

13) Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A Major, Op. 11 (11:03) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

14) Mephisto Waltz No. 1, Sz. 514 (11:45) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

15) Il segreto di Susanna (The secret of Susanna): Overture (2:34) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 5:

Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique" (42:37) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

1) I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo - Andante - Moderato mosso - Andante - Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Andante come prima - Andante mosso (17:36) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

2) II. Allegro con grazia (7:42) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

3) III. Allegro molto vivace (8:57) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

4) IV. Finale. Adagio lamentoso - Andante (8:22) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

CD 6:

Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

1) I. Allegro non troppo (14:11) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) II. Andante moderato (8:53) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3) III. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno presto (4:52) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) IV. Allegro energico e passionato - Più Allegro (8:31) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 7:

Piano Concerto No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 44 (23:24) Artur Rodzinski, Robert Casadesus, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

1) I. Allegro moderato - Andante (10:56) Artur Rodzinski, Robert Casadesus, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

2) II. Allegro vivace - Andante - Allegro (12:28) Artur Rodzinski, Robert Casadesus, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Morceaux en forme de poire, IES 38 (13:38) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

3) 1. Manière de commencement (3:04) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

4) 2. Prolongation du même (0:50) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

5) 3. Morceau I (1:22) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

6) 4. Morceau II (2:23) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

7) 5. Morceau III (2:33) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

8) 6. En plus (1:54) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

9) 7. Redite (1:32) Robert Casadesus, Gaby Casadesus

CD 8:

Spirituals for Orchestra (15:58) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

1) I. Proclamation (4:13) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

2) II. Sermon (3:31) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

3) III. A Little Bit of Sin (2:03) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

4) IV. Protest (2:41) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

5) V. Jubilee (3:30) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra Lincoln Portrait Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

6) Lento (4:13) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

7) Subito allegro (3:33) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

8) Fellow Citizens, We Cannot Escape History (6:03) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

9) An American In Paris (16:12) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 9:

Symphony in C Major Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

1) I. Allegro vivo (7:40) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) II. Adagio (8:15) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3) III. Allegro vivace (3:39) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) IV. Allegro vivace (6:02) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

5) Carmen, Act III: Entr'acte (2:40) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Suite Française Darius Milhaud, New York Philharmonic

6) I. Normandie (1:42) Darius Milhaud, New York Philharmonic

7) II. Bretagne (4:00) Darius Milhaud, New York Philharmonic

8) III. Isle-de-France (1:44) Darius Milhaud, New York Philharmonic

9) IV. Alsace-Lorraine (4:15) Darius Milhaud, New York Philharmonic

10) V. Provence (2:41) Darius Milhaud, New York Philharmonic Escales Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

11) I. Rome-Palermo - Calme (5:49) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

12) II. Tunis-Nefta - Modéré très rythmé (2:31) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

13) III. Valencia - Animé (5:34) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 10:

Die Walküre, Act III Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

Vorspiel und 1. Szene Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

1) Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! (5:59) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) Nach dem Tann lenkt sie das taumelnde Ross (1:00) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3) Schützt mich, und helft in höchster Not! (3:11) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) Nicht sehre dich Sorge um mich (1:50) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

5) So fliehe denn eilig und fliehe allein! (2:57) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

6) Steh! Brünnhilde! (0:51) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2. Szene Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

7) Wo ist Brünhild', wo die Verbrecherin→ (3:37) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

8) Hier bin ich, Vater (8:05) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

3. Szene Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

9) War es so schmählich, was ich verbrach→ (3:51) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

10) Als Fricka den eignen Sinn dir entfremdet (5:08) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

11) So tatest du, was so gern zu tun ich begehrt (3:15) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

12) Wohl taugte dir nicht die tör'ge Maid (3:51) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

13) Und das ich ihm in Stücke schlug! (4:04) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

14) Leb wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind! (4:00) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

15) Der Augen leuchtendes Paar (5:42) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

16) Loge, hör! (4:24) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

17) Siegfried Idyll (17:38) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

CD 11:

1) Die Walküre, Act I, Scene 3: "Love Duet" (20:25) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

2) Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act I (9:58) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

3) Tristan und Isolde, Act I, Scene 3: Isolde's Narrative - "Erfuhrest du meine Schmach" (9:24) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic

4) Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act III (7:58) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

5) Tristan und Isolde, Act III, Scene 4: "Liebestod" (6:26) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

6) Lohengrin, Act I, Scene 2: Elsa's Dream "Einsam in trüben Tagen" (6:37) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

7) Lohengrin, Act III, Scene 2: Bridal Chamber Scene (17:28) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

CD 12:

1) Guillaume Tell: Overture (11:22) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

2) A Midsummer Night's Dream, Incidental Music, Op. 61: No. 1 Scherzo (4:36) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

3) Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: I. Moderato (10:27) Artur Rodzinski, Leonard Pennario, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

4) Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48: Waltz (3:35) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

5) None but the Lonely Heart, Op. 6, No. 6 (3:32) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

6) L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2: Farandole (3:24) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

7) Suite bergamasque, L.75: III. Clair de lune (4:44) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

8) Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor, S. 359, No. 4 (9:49) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

CD 13:

1) Orphée aux enfers: Overture (8:22) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

2) Symphony in D Minor: II. Allegretto (10:17) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

3) Trois nocturnes, L. 91: No. 2 Fêtes (5:32) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

4) Love for Three Oranges Suite, Op. 33a: III. March (1:22) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

5) Love for Three Oranges Suite, Op. 33a: IV. Scherzo (2:04) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

6) Porgy and Bess, Act I: Summertime (4:17) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

7) Hora staccato (2:00) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

8) Scheherazade, Op. 35: III. The Young Prince and the Young Princess

(8:15) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

9) The Red Poppy, Op. 70: Russian Sailor's Dance (3:08) Artur Rodzinski, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

CD 14:

Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63 (30:31) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

1) I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio (8:27) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

2) II. Allegro molto vivace (4:09) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

3) III. Il tempo largo (8:36) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

4) IV. Allegro (9:19) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

CD 15:

Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27 (42:41) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

1) I. Largo - Allegro molto (15:38) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

2) II. Allegro molto (7:34) Artur Rodzinski, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

3) III. Adagio (9:43) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

4) IV. Allegro vivace (9:46) New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski

CD 16:

Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 Remastered (29:08) György Sandor

1) I. Moderato (8:47) György Sandor

2) II. Adagio sostenuto (9:54) György Sandor

3) III. Allegro scherzando (10:27) György Sandor