Paray conducts French Orchestral Music

"Paul Paray's style of conducting has virtually vanished today: it represents what is often referred to as the 'French style of conducting': clear, elegant, superbly balanced and – what will instantly strike listeners – often very fast. This repertoire shows the conductor at his best and includes many of his most famous recordings. The recordings are brilliant in the Mercury manner and theirfamous vividness remains striking.”
- Rosette Recording Penguin Stereo Guide

The Mercury Living Presence recordings have acquired legendary status and have been much sought-after by audiophiles and "ordinary" listeners alike for their outstanding sound quality and roster of famous artists in both core repertory and less well-known music. As well as a wide variety of Central European music, Mercury Living Presence achieved distinction for the wealth of American music that appeared on the label.

This set is one of the first in a group of releases that makes these justly celebrated recordings available as box sets arranged by cycles of repertory or collections of music under the musical direction of one of the famous names linked with Mercury Living Presence.

This set presents a varied selection of French orchestral masterpieces — as well as a few rarities — under the direction of Paul Paray. One of the highlights of the set is the acclaimed recording of Saint-Saëns' "Organ" Symphony with the legendary Marcel Dupré as soloist.