Simon Rattle conducts Mussorgsky & Borodin (Live-recording from the Philharmonie Berlin Dec 31, 2007)

"…is a sophisticated Russian New Year's Eve event from Berlin. …the impression remains that Rattle brings off the subtler, more atmospheric passages best." BBC Music Magazine, July 2009 ****

"Technically speaking this is an outstanding issue…picture quality and colour balance are exceptional…the sound-picture [is] clear and truthfully balanced…The Berlin Philharmonic's playing is as impressive as ever…Simon Rattle is as charismatic as ever…it is a joy to watch him engaging so obviously with Borodin's languorous Oriental melodies…" (International Record Review)

A true celebration, ushering in the New Year with one of the finest orchestras and greatest conductors in the world.The 2007 Gala from Berlin features the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle in Alexander Borodin's Second Symphony, a richly lyrical work of immense poetic grandeur and fairytale magic, in a programme that also includes one of the greatest classical hits ever: Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestrated by Ravel.

The first in a series of titles which portray the development of Sir Simon Rattle, showing the outstanding contribution he has made in his work with one of the world's greatest orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic.