LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos.4 & 8 (with Mehul: Symphony No. 1 & Cherubini: Lodoiska Overture) Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Bernhard Forck [ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 9/Sep/2022 ] The least famous of Beethoven's symphonies? Yet these two works are genuine tours de force: the composer takes the listener on a journey whose destination never seems to be known in advance, one brimming over with structural innovations subtly... |
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Coronation anthems Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, RIAS-Kammerchor Berlin, Justin Doyle [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 28/Apr/2023 ] In 1727, having just become a naturalised British subject, Handel was commissioned to write a set of anthems for the coronation of George II. Since he could hardly have expected ever to see a more majestic occasion, the composer took full advantage... |
ANTON BRUCKNER
Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 4-9 (The Mature Symphonies) (6-DVD Box Set) Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim [ Unitel Classics DVD / 6 DVD - released 8/Aug/2011 ] "This unforgettable Bruckner cycle sets new standards, and guarantees the Staatskapelle Berlin and their principal conductor "a place in the Bruckner pantheon." Der Tagesspiegel |
BEETHOVEN / FUCIK / SUPPE / JOHANN STRAUSS / SCHRAMMEL / etc
20 Favourite Marches Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan. [ Deutsche Grammophon Australian Eloquence / CD - released 13/Apr/1993 ] Herbert von Karajan turns his attention to the swaggering pomp of favourite marches by the 'other' Strauss family and many others in this good natured and emblazoned romp. |
JOSEPH LANNER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Wiener Musik [Music of Vienna] Vol.1 Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Robert Stolz [ Eurodisc / CD - released 3/Dec/1988 ] Robert Stolz was operetta royalty, and his recordings with the Berliner Symphoniker and Wiener Symphoniker document the world of light orchestral music with unique authority. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 6 & 8 (recorded 2001) Berliner Philharmoniker [Berlin Philharmonic], Claudio Abbado [ EuroArts DVD / DVD - released 1/Mar/2014 ] Recorded live at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Rome, February 2001 |
LIGETI / WAGNER / ELGAR / STRAVINSKY
Sir Simon Rattle & Sol Gabetta (Recorded live at Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 2014) Sol Gabetta (cello) / Berliner Philharmoniker [Berlin Philharmonic], Simon Rattle [ EuroArts DVD / DVD - released 10/Apr/2017 ] "Rattle's presence can be heard, and felt, in virtually every bar of the score: the way he moulds phrases, nudges details to the fore, bends the line, holds tight to a salient accompanying detail (especially along the lower end of the spectrum) or re |
RICHARD WAGNER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Wagner: Arias from Der Fliegende Hollander / Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / etc Bryn Terfel (baritone) / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 6/Apr/2002 ] "This disc is only of extracts, but already it is clear that Terfel is going to be an outstanding Wagnerian bass-baritone of his generation, His tone colour is rich and full in the nest tradition, his declamation vivid and lively." Five Stars BBC |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV / FRANCIS POULENC
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini / Poulenc: Organ Concerto Cameron Carpenter (International touring organ) / Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Christoph Eschenbach [ Sony Classical / CD / CD - released 29/Mar/2020 ] "Cameron Carpenter (1981- ) is a spectacular musician and showman. But don't let his showmanship fool you. He is a brilliant and disciplined musician and arranger and belongs to a tradition of flashy virtuosos. He is also not the first organist to... |
FRANZ SCHREKER
Schreker: Der ferne Klang... Orchestral Works & Songs (2 CDs) Chen Reiss (soprano), Matthias Goerne (baritone) / Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Christop Eschenbach [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 7/Jul/2023 ] "The playing of the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra under Christoph Eschenbach is both meticulously prepared and wonderfully idiomatic." Gramophone Editor's Choice June 2023 |
JOHANNES BRAHMS / GIOVANNI BATTISTA VIOTTI / ANTONIN DVORAK
Brahms: Double Concerto / Viotti: Violin Concerto No 22 / Dvorak: Silent Woods Christian Tetzlaff (violin) Tanja Tetzlaff (cello) / Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Paavo Jarvi [ Ondine / CD - released 20/Oct/2023 ] "The dedication on this album reads 'In Memoriam Lars Vogt' - and that gives it a special resonance...Terrific disc, then, and the best kind of tribute from three exceptional musicians to one of their own." Gramophone Award Nomination 2024 - Concerto |
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD
Korngold: Das Wunder der Heliane (complete opera recorded in 2018) Deutsche Oper Berlin / Sara Jakubiak, Brian Jagde, Josef Wagner, Okka von der Damerau, Derek Welton / Christof Loy [ Naxos DVD / 2 DVD - released 7/Jun/2019 ] Erich Wolfgang Korngold regarded Das Wunder der Heliane as his greatest work, but the opera has been neglected since its premiere in 1927. This 2018 production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin features the American soprano Sara Jakubiak as Heliane, and... |
ARLEN / BERNSTEIN / GERSHWIN / LOEWE / SONDHEIM
New Year's Eve Concert 2019 - An Evening with Broadway Melodies Diana Damrau (soprano) / Berliner Philharmoniker [Berlin Philharmonic], Kirill Petrenko [ EuroArts DVD / DVD - released 19/Jun/2020 ] The Berliner Philharmoniker played under the baton of their new chief conductor Kirill Petrenko for the first time at the New Year's Eve concert - presenting a vibrant facet to Petrenko's repertoire. |
ARLEN / BERNSTEIN / GERSHWIN / LOEWE / SONDHEIM
New Year's Eve Concert 2019 - An Evening with Broadway Melodies BLU-RAY Diana Damrau (soprano) / Berliner Philharmoniker [Berlin Philharmonic], Kirill Petrenko [ EuroArts Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 19/Jun/2020 ] "The Berliner Philharmoniker and Diana Damrau bring American sass and swing to the Silvesterkonzert" - Financial Times |
FRANZ LISZT / SERGEI PROKOFIEV
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Evgeny Kissin Evgeny Kissin (piano) / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra [ Philips / BMG / Sony / Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 1/Jun/2000 ] Few recent prodigies have endured like Evgeny Kissin. His technique is flawless, he articulates both notes and expression with a maturity beyond his years, and his romantic repertoire is some of the best available. |
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bach, (J.S.): Violin Concertos / Sinfonias / Overture / Sonatas Isabelle Faust (violin) / Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin [ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 15/Mar/2019 ] "Faust's tone is both lean and exquisitely sweet, combined with consistent stylistic elegance which reaches the heights of eloquence in the slow movement of the E major Concerto." BBC Music Concerto Choice June 2019 |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven - Triple Concerto / Choral Fantasy Itzhak Perlman (violin) Daniel Barenboim (piano) Yo-Yo Ma (cello) / The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra [ EMI Classics / EuroArts DVD / DVD - released 1/Oct/2015 ] Itzhak Perlman is joined by fellow veteran Daniel Barenboim and Yo-Yo Ma in two great Beethoven works |
BACH / BUSONI / CHOPIN / LISZT / RACHMANINOV / STRAUSS / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Jorge Bolet I Jorge Bolet (piano) / London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra [ Philips / BMG / 2 CD - released 1/Jun/2000 ] "The first volume of Bolet is a tour de force. Its centerpiece was the Carnegie Hall recital from 1974, and few live recordings match that one for animal excitement." ClassicalNet |
KURT WEILL
The Kurt Weill Album Katharine Mehrling (singr/actress), Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Joana Mallwitz [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 16/Aug/2024 ] "Die sieben Todsünden ('The Seven Deadly Sins') is brought off with comparable deftness and élan...This Weill collection, polished but never slick, merits the very strongest recommendation." Gramophone September 2024 Recording of the Month |
VARIOUS ECM COMPOSERS
Sounds and Silence - Travels with Manfred Eicher BLURAY Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Truls Mork (cello) / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle [ ECM Blu-Ray / Blu-ray - released 1/Oct/2011 ] Over a period of five years, Swiss filmmakers Norbert Wiedmer and Peter Guyer followed producer Manfred Eicher and the artists of ECM around the world. |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 3 / Suite No 2 Martha Argerich & Nelson Freire (pianos) / Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Riccardo Chailly [ Philips 50 / CD - released 5/May/2001 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) - One of the most electrifying "live" recordings of a concerto ever made and a constant best-seller. |
CARL MARIA VON WEBER
Weber: Overtures / Konzertstück in F minor / Arias Martin Helmchen; Anna Prohaska; Konzerthausorchester Berlin; Christoph Eschenbach [ Alpha Classics / CD - released 28/May/2021 ] 200 years ago, on May 26th 1821, today's Berlin Concert Hall was inaugurated as "Königliches Schauspielhaus". Destroyed as "Preußisches Staatstheater" during World War II, the building, located in eastern Berlin, was rebuilt during GDR times and... |
DAVID STOCK
Stock: A Little Miracle / Yizkor / Tekiah / Y'rusha Elizabeth Shammash (mezzo-soprano), Stephen Burns (trumpet), Richard Stoltzman (clarinet) / Seattle Symphony, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, etc [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 2/Oct/2006 ] "..there's no fancy stuff, no hamhanded sophistication and pretentions, to get in the way of the music's simple expression." American Record Guide |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The Berlin Concert - Live From the 'Waldbuhne' Placido Domingo, Anna Netrebko. Rolando Villazon / Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin / Marco Armiliato [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 18/Jan/2007 ] "Three charming singing actors giving their audience a real treat, this concert is something to return to" (MusicWeb Feb 2007) |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Waltzes & Arias / Folk Songs & Lullabies Rita Streich (soprano) / RIAS Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Kurt Gaebel [ SBS Deutsche Grammophon Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 10/Apr/2014 ] 'A voice so bright that an inner light radiates in her singing, Streich is pure pleasure to listen to … Highly recommended' Fanfare |
BERTHOLD GOLDSCHMIDT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Goldschmidt: Beatrice Cenci (complete opera with libretto) Roberta Alexander, Stefan Stoll, Simon Estes, Della Jones / Berlin Radio Chorus, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek [ Sony Classical / 2 CD Box Set - released 7/Feb/1995 ] "The cast is a strong one, dominated by the burnished tone of Roberta Alexander in the title role of the abused daughter. Della Jones as her stepmother Lucrezia is equally fine" BBC Music |
ALFRED SCHNITTKE
Schnittke: Film Music Volume 5 Rundfunkchor Berlin, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Frank Strobel [ Capriccio / Hybrid SACD - released 8/Oct/2021 ] Alfred Schnittke's film music encapsulates almost everything that characterises the Russian composer's compositional style. A self-described polystylist, he began writing for film in the 1960s, penning 66 film scores between 1962 and 1984 for Soviet... |
ERICH KORNGOLD
Korngold: Piano Trio, Op 1 String Sextet, Op 10 Spectrum Concerts Berlin [ Naxos / CD - released 23/Oct/2020 ] Korngold's breathtaking precocity is everywhere in evidence in these two chamber masterpieces. The Piano Trio was composed when he was just twelve years old but its symphonic breadth and brilliantly demanding piano writing reveal myriad tonal colours... |
ERICH KORNGOLD
Korngold: Suite, Op 23 / Piano Quintet, Op 15 Spectrum Concerts Berlin [ Naxos / CD - released 13/Nov/2020 ] Erich Korngold was described as 'arguably the most remarkable prodigy in history', whose transition into artistic maturity was almost seamless. The successes of his youth continued with works such as the Piano Quintet, Op. 15, in which the brilliant... |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms The Symphonies Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim [ Deutsche Grammophon / 4 CD Box Set - released 1/Dec/2018 ] ""The blend of clarity, intimacy and power the engineers have been able to achieve here fits the lustre and glow of these Staatskapelle performances like a glove" Editor's Choice Gramophone |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Tannhauser (complete opera recorded in 2014) BLU-RAY Staatsoper Berlin / Peter Seiffert, Marina Prudenskaya, Ann Petersen, Peter Mattei, René Pape / Daniel Barenboim (cond) [ Bel Air Classiques Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 18/Dec/2015 ] "Daniel Barenboim provides spacious and lucid conducting … Mattei's finely enunciated Wolfram and Peter Seiffert encompassing the title-role's difficulties with a constant eye on their dramatic import." (Gramophone January 2016) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos 1 - 5 (recorded live in 2007) Stattakapelle Berlin / Daniel Barenboim (piano and conductor) [ Euroarts / 2 DVD Box Set - released 22/Dec/2007 ] In November 2007, Daniel Barenboim completed a cycle of Beethoven's piano concertos. Recorded live at the prestigious Klavier-Festival Ruhr in May 2007, this DVD recording reflects both a very individual and special reading of Beethoven's music. |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Violin Concerto Vilde Frang (violin) / Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Robin Ticciati, with Thomas Hoppe (piano) [ Warner Classics / CD - released 6/Sep/2024 ] "Her understanding of Elgar's kaleidoscopic writing is instinctive at all levels...Every lover of Elgar's masterpiece should try to hear this magnificent addition to the library." Gramophone Magazine Awards Issue 2024 Recording of the Month |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin [ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 30/Apr/2020 ] Perfect Synthesis. Bach's exploration of the Italian concerto grosso took the principles of instrumental 'rivalry' to the point of paroxysm, bringing to the form an unprecedented harmonic and contrapuntal refinement. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos.1 & 2 (with CPE Bach: Symphonies Wq 175 & 183/4) Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Bernhard Forck [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 2/Jul/2020 ] BBC Music Award Nomination 2021 - Orchestral |
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Mozart: Gran Partita - Wind Serenades K. 361 & 375 Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 7/May/2021 ] "For those wanting the music played on the kinds of instruments that Mozart himself knew, this beautifully recorded new version sweeps the field." Gramophone Editor's Choice July 2021 |
J.S. BACH
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bach: Triple Concerto BWV1044; Harpsichord Cto. BWV 1052 Akademie far Alte Musik Berlin [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 25/Oct/2002 ] "the gestures bold and the virtuosity glittering." - International Record Review |
ANTONIO VIVALDI / JEAN-FERY REBEL
Vivaldi: Le quattro stagioni [The Four Seasons] / Rebel: Les Eléments Midori Seiler (solo violin) / Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 14/Jun/2019 ] "..[Midori Seiler] and the Berliners have simply insisted on taking nothing for granted...the sheer flair of this new release dazzles as much as it delights." BBC Music |
VIVALDI / GABRIELI / PORTA / MARCELLO / etc
A Venetian Journey Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, with Xenia Löffler (baroque oboe) - Amandine Beyer, Gli Incogniti - Concerto Palatino [ Harmonia Mundi / 3 CD - released 18/Jan/2019 ] From the late Renaissance until the middle of the eighteenth century, Venice was the scene of unrivalled musical splendour, encompassing the magnificent ceremonial music heard at Saint Mark's Basilica and the virtuoso music-making at the charitable... |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Concerti grossi: Op. 6 (7-12) Akademie fϋr Alte Musik Berlin, Bernhard Forck [ Pentatone / CD - released 14/Feb/2020 ] The Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin continue their Handel trilogy with this recording of the last six concerti grossi of the composer's Op. 6. Originally designed as attractive interludes to English oratorio performances, Handel's concerti grossi soon... |