Sir Henry J. Wood was a trailblazer in bringing classical music to the masses. Known for his daring orchestral transcriptions, including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Wood also championed contemporary composers, notably introducing Mahler’s Eighth Symphony to British audiences. His enduring legacy includes founding the Proms, which remain a cornerstone of British musical life, and producing a treasure trove of 78rpm recordings that capture his passion for innovation.
This week, Pristine presents a dazzling collection of Wood’s Bach transcriptions, from the rarely reissued Suite No. 6 to his playful, dramatic orchestration of the Toccata and Fugue. Adding festive flair, the release also features all five choruses from Handel’s Messiah, recorded live with 3,500 performers at Crystal Palace in 1926. Listen to Wood’s arrangement of the Preludio from Bach’s Partita No. 3 on our website and experience the boundless energy of a conductor who truly brought music to life.
We also celebrate Fritz Reiner's birthday this week with a special discount on all his recordings at Pristine!