LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: String Quartets Nos. 1-16 (complete, inc. Grosse Fuge) Budapest String Quartet [ Sony Classical / 8 CD Box Set - released 5/Jul/2024 ] Founded 100 years ago in 1917, the Budapest Quartet was at the height of its success in the early 1950s, under the leadership of first violinist Joseph Roisman....Recorded in Stereo 1958-61. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: 9 Symphonies Carole Farley (soprano) Alfreda Hodgson (contralto) Stuart Burrows (tenor), Norman Bailey (bass) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Antal Doráti [ Deusche Grammophon / 5 CD Box Set - released 7/Apr/2023 ] For Antal Doráti, one of the mid-twentieth century's most gifted conductors, Beethoven was a central repertoire choice. This symphony cycle was recorded in 1975-76 at the beginning of his tenure as principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic... |
MAURICE RAVEL / MODEST MUSSORGSKY
Ravel [Includes Piano Concertos & La Valse] Cédric Tiberghien (piano), Stéphane Degout (bartone) / Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth [ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD Box Set - released 14/Jun/2024 ] Les Siècles present two of their successful series of Ravel recordings on period instruments under François-Xavier Roth, with Cédric Tiberghien at the piano and baritone Stéphane Degout. |
DEBUSSY / MUSSORGSKY / RAVEL / CHOPIN / RACHMANINOV / FAURE / etc
Cécile Ousset - The Complete Warner Recordings Cecile Ousset (piano) / London Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra [ Warner Classics / 16 CD Box Set - released 1/Apr/2022 ] "Cecile Ousset is an arrestingly ebullient artist...who leaves her own distinctive stamp on everything she plays" Gramophone |
W. A. MOZART / ROSSINI
Best Wishes from Cecilia Bartoli: Don Giovanni / Il Barbiere di Siviglia / Il Turco in Italia (complete operas recorded in 1988 - 2002) BLU-RAY Cecilia Bartoli, with David Kuebler, Ruggerio Raimondi, Rodney Gilfry, Isabel Rey, Robert Lloyd & others [ Arthaus Musik Blu-Ray / 2 Blu-ray Box Set - released 15/Apr/2016 ] Cecilia Bartoli sings a wide variety of genres in many different languages all over the world. In this special Arthaus Musik Edition she can be seen in three coloratura classics of Italian opera. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Choral Works & Folksongs [6 CD set plus CD Rom] Chamber Choir of Europe. Nicol Matt. with Jargen Meier, piano, and Martina Schrott, harp / Amadeus Choir [ Brilliant Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/2011 ] Brahms's choral music ranges from the severe magnificence of the Fest- und Gedenk-sprüche to the ravishing opulence of the Op.17 Songs for female voices, horns and harp. Brahms conducted amateur choirs throughout his professional life, both as a... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Symphonies Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, with Ekaterina Gubanova, Werner Gura, Accentus [ Deutsche Grammophon / 5 CD Box Set - released 15/Jul/2022 ] 'I am interested in how Beethoven's music can surprise us today. Our interpretation should feel to the audience as if they are hearing this music for the first time. That is my goal' - Yannick Nézet-Séguin. |
GIUSEPPE VERDI / LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN / J. S. BACH
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Sacred Music [4 DVDs Special Price] Christian Elsner, Rene Pape, Midori Suzuki, Robin Blaze, Ruth Ziesak / Dresden State Opera, Musicale Fiorentino, Bach Collegium Japan, etc [ DV1 / Ovation Entertainment / 4 DVD Box Set - released 16/Sep/2010 ] The great sacred works Masses, oratorios and requiems are among the most moving and sublime creations of classical music. They provide solace and can lift you in ways that mere words can never achieve. |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Complete Organ Concertos Christian Schmitt (organ) Charlotte Balzereit (harp) / Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. Nicol Matt [ Brilliant Classics Quintessence / 5 CD Box Set - released 22/Jan/2021 ] The first complete recording of the Breitkopf Urtext Edition of the organ concertos of George Frideric Handel. Handel's organ concertos enjoy a wide popularity, they are brilliant concert pieces, in which the organ plays a joyous, "worldly" part. |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Schumann: Chamber Music (Incls Piano Quintet, String Quartets, Piano Trios) Christian Zacharias, Mikhail Rudy, Martha Argerich, Nobuko Imai, Gerard Causse / Cherubini Quartet / Grieg Trio [ EMI Budget Boxes / 5 CD Box Set - released 15/Oct/2010 ] Celebrating Robert Schumann's 200th Anniversary, this is one of four new CD sets from EMI's catalogue performed by many of the world's leading artists, orchestras and conductors. |
J. S. BACH
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bach, J. S.: Motets / Easter Oratorio BWV 249 Christine Brenk (soprano) Anne Greiling (alto) Frank Bossert (tenor) Thomas Pfeiffer (bass) / Kammerorchester Pforzheim / Ensemble vocal de Lausanne [ Brilliant Classics / 2 CD Box Set - released 20/Jul/2007 ] It is uncertain how many motets Johann Sebastian Bach composed, because some have been lost, and there are some doubtful attributions among the surviving ones associated with him. There is a case for regarding the six motets catalogued BWV 225-230 as... |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mendelssohn: 'Elias', Op. 70 / 'Paulus', Op. 36 (Rec 1994) Christine Schafer (soprano) Cornelia Kallisch (alto) / Andreas Schmidt (bass) Czech Philharmonic / Helmuth Rilling [ Brilliant Classics / 4 CD Box Set - released 14/Aug/2005 ] "Is this a Bargain of the Month? That's for the Editor to decide. For my money, this is set fair to be a Bargain of the Year. Urgently recommended." (MusicWeb April 2003) |
J. S. BACH
Bach: St Matthaus-Passion [St Matthew Passion] Christoph Prégardien, Matthias Goerne, Christine Schäfer, Dorothea Röschmann / Concentus Musicus Wien, Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Warner Classics / 3 CD Box Set - released 26/Mar/2007 ] 2001 GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER - Baroque Vocal |
DEBUSSY / RAVEL / MAHLER / SIBELIUS / BEETHOVEN / BRITTEN / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Simon Rattle - The CBSO Years City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle, with Peter Donohoe (piano), Arleen Augér (soprano), Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano), etc [ Warner Classics Simon Rattle Edition / 52 CD Box Set - released 5/Nov/2015 ] The transformation that Rattle wrought in Birmingham over an unprecedented eighteen-year tenure went beyond the artistic fortunes of one particular orchestra. Indeed, the CBSO's prestige had transformed the economic prospects of the UK's second city... |
ANTONIO VIVALDI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Vivaldi: Concerti per Violine Op 4 "La Stravaganza" I Solisti Veneti, Claudio Scimone [ Erato / 2 CD Box Set - released 2/Feb/1989 ] Originally recorded in 1977 |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87 [complete ballet] Cleveland Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy [ Decca / 2 CD Box Set - released 19/Apr/1983 ] "Ashkenazy gets excellent results from the Cleveland orchestra. The recording's fine definition is enchanced, yet not at the expense of atmosphere, and the bright, vivid image is given striking projection." (Penguin Stereo Guide) |
HELLENDAAL / WASSENAER / FESCH / SCHICKHARDT / SOLNITZ / GRONEMAN / HURLEBUSCH
Baroque Concerti from The Netherlands Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, Jan Willem de Vriend, Musica Ad Rhenum, Jed Went [ Brilliant Classics / 4 CD Box Set - released 1/Apr/2021 ] Excellent performances in Historically Informed Performance style by Dutch groups Combattimento Consort conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend and Musica Ad Rhenum, conducted by Jed Wentz, who is also a traverso soloist. |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Vaughan Williams: Choral Works [Incls Serenade to Music; Five Mystical Songs & Fantasia on Christmas Carols] (4 CD set) Corydon Singers, Matthew Best, with John Mark Ainsley, Thomas Allen, Elizabeth Connell, John Gielgud, Bryn Terfel, Sarah Walker, etc [ Hyperion / 4 CD Box Set - released 20/Jun/2008 ] 'The performances are splendid, graced by such soloists as Thomas Allen and Bryn Terfel … The rapturous Serenade to Music has a cast of 16 singers fit to rival those of the original recording' (Sunday Times) |
BELLINI / DONIZETTI / CHARPENTIER / GOUNOD / HANDEL / MOZART / VERDI / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dame Joan Sutherland - The Art of (Five CD Special) Dame Joan Sutherland with various soloists and orchestras. Richard Bonynge, cond [ Decca Records / 5 CD Box Set - released 1/Jun/2001 ] "a splendid collection… vividly fresh in these transfers" - Penguin Guide Yearbook (2000) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethven: Complete Piano Sonatas (with bonus Early Westminster Recordings) Daniel Barenboim (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / 13 CD Box Set - released 30/Oct/2020 ] This project - recorded completely during this year's lockdown - is set to become one of the classical recording events of the year! |