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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Symphonies Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, William Steinberg [ Deutsche Grammophon / 5 CD Box Set - released 15/May/2020 ] In 1952, William Steinberg and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra embarked on a Beethoven symphony cycle which utilized the new and sonically advantageous process of recording on 35mm film. |
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CHARLES GOUNOD
The Gounod Edition: Operas, Choral Works, Symphonies Placido Domingo, Regine Crespin, Alfredo Kraus, Nicolai Gedda, Mirella Freni, Marilyn Horne, Rolando Villazon, etc [ Warner Classics / 15 CD Box Set - released 25/Jun/2018 ] "Anyone wanting a share in these darling old steeds at a tempting price will be amply satisfied." Opera |
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CHOPIN / BEETHOVEN / BACH / LISZT / MOZART / etc
Pogorelich - Complete Recordings Ivo Pogorelich (piano) with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon / 14 CD Box Set - released 1/Aug/2015 ] "What matters is not what he can do, for this is only the beginning. What matters is how many ideas occur to him and how much he can demand of the music and of himself. In short, he is an artist who must be taken seriously, a hugely talented pianist... |
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DEBUSSY / BEETHOVEN / PROKOFIEV / SCHUMANN / MOZART / BRAHMS / etc
Quartetto Italiano: Prima la musica - The Complete Warner Recordings Quartetto Italiano [ Warner Classics / 14 CD Box Set - released 11/Jun/2021 ] "The finest string quartet, unquestionably, that our century has known." In 1951, when the Quartetto Italiano first visited the USA, composer Virgil Thomson's was enthused: "Perfection is the only word to describe this playing." |
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CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Claude Debussy: The Complete Works Quatuor Ebene, Martha Argerich, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Samson François, Renaud Capuçon, Natalie Dessay, André Cluytens, François-Xavier Roth, etc [ Warner Classics / 33 CD Box Set - released 13/Feb/2018 ] This 33-CD set, comprising outstanding recordings selected by Debussy experts, exemplifies the depth and breadth of the Warner Classics catalogue and the label's commitment to producing comprehensive landmark editions of the highest quality. |
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BRAHMS / BEETHOVEN / SCHUBERT / SCHUMANN
The Complete Decca Solo Recordings (special price 10 CD set) Radu Lupu (piano) [ Complete Decca Recordings / 10 CD Box Set - released 1/Aug/2012 ] "This is playing of quite exceptional insight and naturalness...and this set as a whole is well worth seeking out." (Penguin Guide) |
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JACQUES OFFENBACH
Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffman) (complete opera) Roberto Alagna, Jose van Dam, Natalie Dessay, Sumi Jo / l'Opera National de Lyon, Kent Nagano [ Erato Warner Classics Home of Opera / 3 CD - released 20/May/2016 ] "Kent Nagano uses Kaye's complete edition preserving the recitatives. He balances this by taking quite a brisk view of the tempi and the pacing of the piece." MusicWeb |
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J. S. BACH
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1 & 2 Rosalyn Tureck (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / 4 CD Box Set - released 10/May/2012 ] Rosalyn Tureck |
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GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Complete Symphonies - The Chief Conductors Edition Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, Daniele Gatti, Willem Mengelberg, Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons, Eduard van Beinum [ RCO Live SACD / 15 CD Box Set - released 2/May/2025 ] In 1903, Gustav Mahler conducted his own work with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for the first time. He was ecstatic about orchestra, choirs and audience: 'The music culture in this country is astonishing! The way these people can listen!' |
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ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV
Glazunov: Complete Symphonies & Concertos Rachel Barton Pine (violin), Wen-Sinn Yang (cello), Alexander Romanovsky (piano) / Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Jose [ Warner Classics / 8 CD Box Set - released 10/Sep/2018 ] "Clear and slightly reverberant recording maximises the textures and appeal of these works making the disc worthy of consideration as a benchmark recording" (MusicWeb on Symphony 5 & Seasons) |
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FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Complete Secular Choral Works Ruth Ziesak, Angelika Kirchschlager, Christoph Prégardien, Robert Holl / Wiener Concert-Verein, Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Erwin Ortner, with András Sch [ Warner Classics / 7 CD Box Set - released 19/Mar/2021 ] A voyage of discovery through a lesser-known area of Schubert's rich and prolific output, this collection comprises seven themed CDs: Transience; Love; Eternity; Heroism; Nature; Celebrations, and Circle of Friends. |
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RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 1-9 / Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis / On Wenlock Edge; etc (7 CD set) Sarah Chang (violin) Ian Bostridge (tenor) / London Philharmonic Orchestra. Bernard Haitink [ Warner Classics Budget Boxes / 7 CD Box Set - released 25/Sep/2013 ] Building a Library - First Choice - May 2002 |
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OLIVIER MESSIAEN
Messiaen: La Nativité Du Seigneur / La Transfiguration De Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ Simon Preston (organ) Yvonne Loriod (piano), Westminster Symphonic Choir, National Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati [ Decca Enterprise / 2 CD Box Set - released 9/Apr/2012 ] The first public performance was on June 7, 1969, in Lisbon, Serge Baudo was the conductor. The United States premiere was on March 27-30, 1972 in Washington, DC with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Westminster Choir; Antal Dorati was the... |
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MAURICE RAVEL
Maurice Ravel: The Complete Works Sir Simon Rattle, Martha Argerich, Bertrand Chamayou, Samson François, André Cluytens, Armin Jordan, Lorin Maazel, Charles Münch, etc [ Warner Classics / 21 CD Box Set - released 4/Sep/2020 ] An essential collection of landmark performances, this 21-CD box of Ravel's complete works brings together major interpreters of the present day and preceding generations. |
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SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Orchestral Works (Incls Symphonies, Concertos & The Isle of the Dead) St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra & Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariss Jansons, with Mikhail Rudy (piano) [ Warner classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 10/Nov/2014 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) "Mariss Jansons is among the most respected musicians of his generation. He is a human dynamo, tireless in his pursuit of the highest musical standards." - David Gutman |
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STEVE REICH
Phases - A Nonesuch Retrospective Steve Reich and Musicians / Kronos Quartet / Theatre of Voices / Pat Metheny [ Nonesuch / 5 CD Box Set - released 31/Oct/2006 ] Pioneer of US minimalism Steve Reich is 70 this year and to celebrate Nonesuch has released a bargain-priced 5 CD set of his greatest works including definitive recordings of "Music for 18 Musicians", "Different Trains" and "Drumming". |
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HECTOR BERLIOZ
Hector Berlioz - The Complete Works Véronique Gens, Renaud Capuçon, Jose van Dam, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, René Schirrer, Jessye Norman, John Aler, Laurent Naouri, Nicolas Rivenq, etc [ Erato / Warner / Philips / 27 CD Box Set - released 6/Feb/2018 ] This, the first-ever complete Berlioz edition, comprises carefully selected recordings and even includes works completely new to the catalogue. |
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GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Theodora (Complete Oratorio) Susan Gritton, Susan Bickley, Robin Blaze, Paul Agnew / Gabrieli Consort, Paul McCreesh [ Archiv / 3 CD Box Set - released 14/Aug/2000 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1700-1760) - 2001 GRAMOPHONE AWARD FINALIST - Baroque Vocal |
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SVIATOSLAV RICHTER
Icon: Sviator Richter - The Master Pianist (Complete EMI Recordings, 1961-1980) Sviatoslav Richter (piano) with with Oleg Kagaan (violin) David Oistrakh (violin) and others [ Warner Classics / EMI Icon / 14 CD Box Set - released 1/Feb/2011 ] 'Idiosyncratic, plain-speaking, heroic, reserved, lyrical, virtuosic and perhaps above all profoundly enigmatic, Sviatoslav Richter remains one of the greatest recreative artists of all time.' (Bryce Morrison) |
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DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues Tatiana Nikolayeva (piano) [ Hyperion / 3 CD Box Set - released 10/May/2005 ] 'The recording is clear and atmospheric, and the playing has power, grandeur, character, intellectual clarity and unforced intensity' - Gramophone |