The Philadelphia Orchestra, long considered among America’s finest, came into being in 1900. The arrival in 1912 of the leading British conductor Leopold Stokowski set the standard for many years after. His departure was followed by a succession of big-name music directors, including Eugene Ormandy, who joined the orchestra in 1936 and led it for 44 years through its golden age. It was Ormandy who defined the orchestra’s sound, creating an ensemble noted for its sonic beauty and versatility. The repertoire they performed was vast, and this Original Jacket Collection brings together some of their greatest recordings. Orchestral showpieces sound glorious, including Respighi’s Roman trilogy, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, and the Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition. There are also works by composers who Ormandy championed, such as Shostakovich: the First Symphony and First Cello Concerto (with Mstislav Rostropovich). Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth receive big-boned performances. And there is a selection of shorter pieces, including Vaughan Williams’ Tallis Fantasia, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Sibelius’ Valse Triste, and Massenet’s Élégie.