LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Leonard Bernstein conducts Bernstein [7 CD set] John Bogart (alto) Zino Francescatti (violin) Benny Goodman (clarinet) / New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein [ Sony Classical Masters / 7 CD Box Set - released 1/Sep/2011 ] Leonard Bernstein was perhaps the most influential figure in classical music in the last half of the twentieth century. Composer, conductor, author, lecturer and often controversial media personality, the American-born Bernstein had a dramatic impact... |
PROKOFIEV
Erich Leinsdorf conducts Prokofiev [6 CD set] John Browning (piano) Erick Friedman (violin) / Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf [ Sony Classical Masters / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2011 ] "All the hard work RCA have put in on their methods of recording the Boston Symphony seems to have been well worth while. The orchestral sound is splendidly solid but not thick, with excellent internal balance and a very full dynamic range." Gramophone |
W. A. MOZART
Eugene Ormandy conducts Mozart Wind Concertos John de Lancie (ob) Bernard Garfield (bassoon) William Kincaid (fl) Anthony Gigliotti (clar) Mason Jones (horn) / Philadelphia Orch., Eugene Ormandy [ Sony / RCA Classical Masters / 3 CD Box Set - released 26/May/2017 ] Rarely thought of as a Mozart conductor, Eugene Ormandy made delightful recordings of all the wind and brass concertos with his "Fabulous Philadelphians" between 1957 and 1962. Known best for its sumptuous strings, the Philadelphia Orchestra has also... |
ALBENIZ / GRANADOS
Spanish Guitar Music John Williams (guitar) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 17/Jun/2011 ] While he is admired for his performances of the standard works for the guitar, John Williams has explored many different musical traditions outside the classical tradition. |
J. S. BACH
John Williams plays Bach John Williams (guitar) with Peter Hurford (organ) & the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Kenneth Sillito [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2018 ] The Australian guitarist John Williams has long been universally recognized as a true master, to quote the Guardian. The centrepiece of his Bach recordings is formed by the Suites for solo lute. |
HANDEL
Messiah (highlights recorded in 1967) Judith Raskin, Florence Kopleff, Richard Lewis, Thomas Paul / Robert Shaw Chorale & Orchestra, Robert Shaw [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Dec/2011 ] Robert Shaw Chorale, Robert Shaw |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets (the 1982 Live recordings) Juilliard String Quartet [ Sony Classical Masters / 9 CD Box Set - released 13/Nov/2020 ] The Juilliard String Quartet, which was founded in 1946 is one of the world's most prestigious string quartets in the world. In February 2011, the quartet received the NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award for its outstanding contributions to music. |
MENDELSSOHN / MOZART / BRAHMS / BEETHOVEN / SCHUBERT / HAYDN
Juilliard String Quartet - The Complete EPIC Recordings Juilliard String Quartet [ Sony Classical Masters / 11 CD Box Set - released 16/Feb/2018 ] The first ever release of the Juilliard String Quartet's complete Epic recordings from 1956 to 1966 in a single 11-CD edition. |
W. A. MOZART
The Six Quartets dedicated to Haydn & Six String Quintets [6 CD set] Juilliard String Quartet, with Harold Wright (clarinet) [ Sony Classical Masters / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Sep/2011 ] Founded in 1946, this amazing group's current lineup has had only fifteen different members. The founding members were together until 1955 and the group only had two changes in the first twenty years. |
FRANZ SCHUBERT / JOHANNES BRAHMS
Juilliard String Quartet plays Schubert & Brahms [5 CD set] Juilliard String Quartet, with Walter Trampler, viola II [ Sony Classical Masters / 5 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2012 ] The great Juilliard Quartet present a boxed set with late Schubert quartets and the Brahms quintets |
JOAQUIN RODRIGO
Rodrigo: Concierto De Aranjuez / Fantasia para un Gentilhombre / etc Julian Bream (guitar) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Leo Brouwer [ Sony RCA Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Dec/2017 ] "There is Bream's marvellous performance of the solo part, excellent orchestral playing and excellent recording." (Gramophone) |
RACHMANINOV / BRAHMS / BEETHOVEN / CHOPIN / LISZT / KHACHATURIAN / etc
Lazar Berman: The Complete Sony Recordings Lazar Berman (piano) / London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado / Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf [ Sony Classics Masters / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/Aug/2016 ] "These can be considered classic interpretations." (Gramophone March 2004) |
BERNSTEIN / BRAHMS / MOZART / BEETHOVEN / SHOSTAKOVICH / MAHLER / etc
Leonard Bernstein: The pianist - concertos, solo works & songs [10 CD set] Leonard Bernstein (piano) with Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone), Jennie Tourel (mezzo-soprano) & others [ Sony Classical Masters / 11 CD Box Set - released 1/Aug/2018 ] Sony Classical celebrates the 2018 centenary of Leonard Bernstein - one of the 20th century's most celebrated, multi-faceted and influential musicians - with a box set devoted to his complete RCA Victor and Columbia Masterworks recordings as pianist. |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Requiem Leontyne Price, Dame Janet Baker, Veriano Luchetti, Jose van Dam / Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Solti's 1977 Chicago version, with an unusually sensitive and pure-toned quartet of soloists, and with superb choral singing and orchestral playing, has all the ingredients for success." (Penguin Guide) |
BEETHOVEN / BACH / BRAHMS / MAHLER / etc
Leopold Stokowski: The Stereo Collection 1954-1975 [14 CD set] Leopold Stokowski conducting various orchestras [ Sony Classical Masters / 14 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2012 ] "It is a vital, electrifying and colourful reading, sensuously beautiful as one would expect of Stokowski, helped by (a) refined recording." (Gramophone on Scheherazade) |
W. A. MOZART
Lili Kraus plays Mozart Piano Concertos Lili Kraus (piano) / Vienna Festival Orchestra, Stephen Simon [ Sony Classical Masters / 12 CD Box Set - released 26/May/2017 ] The first ever release of Lili Kraus's complete Mozart piano concerto recordings for piano solo on EPIC/Columbia in a single 12 CD edition. All recordings restored from the original analog master tapes using 24 bit / 192 kHz technology. |
RAVEL
Bolero / Rapsodie Espagnole / la Valse / etc (rec 1984) L'Orchestre National de France, Lorin Maazel [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "La valse is high powered with a mannered ending, but I enjoyed the rather sultry performance of the Rapsodie espagnole, while the Alborada is certainly brilliant." (Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
Requiem in D minor, K626 / Exsultate, jubilate, K165 - Alleluia / etc Lynne Dawson, Jard van Nes, Keith Lewis, Simon Estes / Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini / with Kathleeen Battle [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "It is a marvellously polished and accomplished performance. The Philharmonia Chorus are in sterling voice; the string playing is immaculate." (Gramophone) |
HANDEL / ALBINONI / VIVALDI / BACH / TELEMANN
Michala Petri plays Concertos & Sonatas Michala Petri (recorder) Keith Jarrett (harpsichord) / I Solisti Veneti, Moscow Virtuosi, Claudio Scimone, Vladimir Spivakov [ Sony Classical Masters / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2011 ] "What do you get when two 'big' names join forces to record 'little' music such as these sonatas? This disc gives you your answer: it's a rare treat" (MusicWeb June 2005 on the Handel) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Piano Concertos (Complete) / Rondos K382 & K 386 [12 CD set] Murray Perahia (piano & conductor) / English Chamber Orchestra [ Sony Classical Masters / 12 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2012 ] "An indispensible set in every respect." Penguin Guide Rosette Recording / GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE 100 GREATEST RECORDINGS OF ALL TIME |