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. |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Russian Orthodox Choral Music Rybin Male Choir, Dumka Choir, Yurlov Academic Choir [ Brilliant Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 22/Jan/2021 ] A history of Russian Orthodox sacred music from the 'Moscow Baroque' to the present day, including many rare and long unavailable recordings. |
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS
Villa-Lobos: Complete Symphonies São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Isaac Karabtchevsky [ Naxos / 6 CD Box Set - released 13/Nov/2020 ] Villa-Lobos's symphonies well reflect the composer's status as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music, from the early works that challenge European traditions through to his twelfth and final symphony |
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 |
FRANZ LEHAR
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Lehar: Das Land des Lachelns [The Land of Smiles] Siegfried Jerusalem, Helen Donath, Martin Finke / Munchner Rundfunkorchester, Willi Boskovsky [ EMI / 2 CD Box Set - released 18/Oct/1982 ] "This set comes with obvious pedigree. Siegfried Jerusalem is a first-rate, intelligent singer with an easy tenor voice that imparts to "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" a natural passion and fluency." Gramophone |
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. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Sir Colin Davis: Beethoven Odyssey Stephen Kovacevich (piano) Arthur Grumiaux (violin) / BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ Decca Australian Eloquence / 14 CD Box Set - released 11/Dec/2020 ] "..beautifully-judged textures-limpid, clean and with a wide range of sonority and very sensitive pedalling...both performances are worthy of the very highest comparisons, from the majority of which they will emerge unscathed." (Gramophone/Concertos) |
BACH FAMILY / WASSENAER / COUPERIN / VIVALDI / etc
Karl Munchinger - The Baroque Legacy Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Members of L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Karl Munchinger, with Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute [ Decca Australian Eloquence / 8 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2019 ] A newly remastered treasury of Baroque ensemble music from Gabrieli to Haydn, including several recordings receiving their first international CD release. The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra was founded by Karl Münchinger in 1946, and it was only... |
VERDI / ROSSINI / MOZART / GOUNOD / STRAUSS / DONIZETTI / etc
Sumi Jo: The Erato Recitals Sumi Jo (soprano) / Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Garzenich-Orchester Kalner Philharmoniker, English Chamber Orchestra, etc [ Warner Classics / 10 CD Box Set - released 16/Feb/2018 ] International Korean superstar Korean soprano Sumi Jo made 10 recital albums for Erato and Warner Classics. They include some of her most captivating performances from Mozart to Johann Strauss, from Bach to Rossini, from Scarlatti to Verdi, Baroque,... |
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. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Tokyo String Quartet plays Beethoven [9 CD set] Tokyo String Quartet [ Sony Classical Masters / 9 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2012 ] "I doubt whether quartet playing comes much better than in this Tokyo set of the Op. 18. Quite frankly I don't think that you can go far wrong with this set: the playing is unfailingly alive, sensitive and poised." (Gramophone) |
BACH / VIVALDI / BOCCHERINI / SAINT-SAENS / FRANCK / ELGAR / etc
50 Best Cello [3 CD set] Various Artists incls Pablo Casals, Han-Na Chang, Natalie Clein, Robert Cohen, Jacqueline du Pre, Lynn Harrell, Steven Isserlis, etc [ Warner Classics CD / 3 CD Box Set - released 1/Feb/2014 ] This collection features a host of celebrated cellists performing 50 iconic tracks, from three of Bach's suites for solo cello, to a rare recording of the Arthur Sullivan cello concerto. |
FREDERICK DELIUS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Delius: A Mass for Life / Songs of Sunset / String Quartet (with works by Howells & Hadley) Dame Janet Baker, John Shirley Quirk, Heather Harper, Helen Watts / Royal Liverpool Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves, etc [ EMI Classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 28/Mar/2011 ] "Groves is very good indeed and richly enjoyable" MusicWeb |
BEDRICH SMETANA
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Smetana: Libuse (Festive Opera In 3 Acts) Eva Urbanová, Vratislav Kriz, Ludek Vele, Helena Kaupová / Prague National Theatre Chorus & Orchestra, Oliver Dohnanyi [ Supraphon / 2 CD Box Set - released 20/Oct/2009 ] "The cast is splendid, reflecting that the extraordinary musical traditions of the Czech's (Europe's most musical nation?) are alive and well. The whole performance captures the sense of occasion." MusicWeb |
RICHARD WAGNER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen (recorded live in 1957) Hans Hotter, Birgit Nilsson, Otakar Kraus, Wolfgang Wingassen, Peter Klein / Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Rudolf Kempe [ Testament / 13 CD Box Set - released 20/Feb/2018 ] "The glory here is Birgit Nilsson's gleaming Brünnhilde, already 39 years old, but sounding youthful, touching and tireless. The set is a reminder of the strengths of the company at this period, with Joan Sutherland leading the Rhinemaidens." Sunday |
VON BINGEN / DUFAY / ANONYMOUS / MACHAUT / OCKEGHEM / DESPREZ / etc
The Early Music Collection Various performers from the vast Naxos catalogue [ Naxos / 30 CD Box Set - released 14/Jun/2019 ] "A whopping 30-disc set that provides an essential starting point for anyone wishing to hone their understanding of the genre." BBC Music |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Bernstein Conducts Beethoven: Symphonies / Overtures / Missa Solemnis [remastered] New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein, with Kim Borg (bass), Eileen Farrell (soprano), Carol Smith (contralto), Richard Lewis (tenor) [ Sony Classical / 10 CD Box Set - released 1/Dec/2019 ] Celebrating Beethoven's 250th anniversary and following Bernstein's centenary in 2018, Sony Classical is proud to re-release Bernstein's first recorded cycle of Beethoven symphonies, made with the New York Philharmonic between 1958 and 1964 Also... |
GIACOMO PUCCINI / GEORGES BIZET / GIUSEPPE VERDI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Victoria de los Angeles - Opera highlights Victoria de los Angeles, with Jussi Bjorling, Robert Merill, Nicolai Gedda, Miriam Pirazzini, etc / RCA Victor Orchestra, Orchestra of the Rome Opera [ EMI Classics / 3 CD Box Set - released 20/Mar/1993 ] "Beecham's is a uniquely magical performance with two favourite singers de los Angeles and Bjorling, challenged to their utmost in loving, expansive singing" (Penguin Guide on La Boheme) |
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Complete Piano Works Viktoria Postnikova (piano), with Gennady Rozhdestvensky (piano) [ Warner Classics / 7 CD Box Set - released 5/Mar/2018 ] "A highly desirable library acquisition for all Tchaikovskians and serious lovers of the piano repertoire,' was Gramophone's verdict on this collection. "In every cycle of shorter pieces there are items to be treasured." Viktoria Postnikova, a... |
J. S. BACH
Walter Gieseking: Complete Bach Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon Walter Gieseking (piano) / Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwängler [ Deutsche Grammophon / 7 CD Box Set - released 10/Jul/2019 ] 'His tone is attractive (warmed by a little pedal) and subtly nuanced, his phrasing is musicianly, he gives the fugues (often long, in this book) control and cohesion; there is gentleness in the E flat major Prelude and lightness in that in G major.'... |