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BERLIOZ / BERNSTEIN / R. STRAUSS / LIGETI / PUCCINI / STRAVINSKY / etc
Sir Simon Rattle: Essence of an Era (7DVD) Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, with Wayne Marshall, Miksuko Uchida (piano), Sol Gabetta (cello) & others [ EuroArts DVD / 7 DVD Box Set - released 18/May/2018 ] Sir Simon Rattle took up his post as chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2002. In doing so, he took over an inheritance which was not only demanding, but which required a delicate balance of tradition and innovation. |
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RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Die Walküre (LP) Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter, Régine Crespin, James King, Christa Ludwig, Gottlob Frick / Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti [ Decca / 5 Vinyl Box Set - released 4/Aug/2023 ] For these new editions, a decade since the last remastering, a completely new set of high-definition 24 bit/192kHz transfers of the original master tapes have been utilized. |
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RICHARD WAGNER
Birgit Nilsson Sings Wagner Birgit Nilsson (soprano) / Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Leif Segerstam / London Symphony, Sir Colin Davis [ Decca SBS Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 1/Sep/2008 ] "Even allowing for the fact that these were demonstration records when they first appeared, the sound on this CD is astonishing in its lifelike presence and its warmth." Gramophone |
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RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Götterdämmerung (LP) Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, Gottlob Frick, Gustav Neidlinger, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau / Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti [ Sony Classical / 6 Vinyl Box Set - released 4/Aug/2023 ] "The greatest recording of all time": Gramophone Magazine 1999 · BBC Music Magazine 2011 |
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JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 / Finlandia / Valse Triste / Swan of Tuonela Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ Philips / CD - released 20/Oct/1989 ] "The new digital transfers give greater presence to the wind and brass, and place them more vividly in the aural picture." (Gramophone on the reissue) |
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JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7 / En Saga Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ Pentatone SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jun/2008 ] "This is a disk well worth having for the superb performances offered and the insights which Davis brings to the music." (MusicWeb August 2008) |
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JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Tone Poems (Incls Pohjola's Daughter & Karelia Suite) Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ Philips ABC Eloquence / CD - released 1/May/2005 ] 'In short, what you have here are Sibelius' three greatest tone poems (En Saga, Pohjola's Daughter, and Tapiola) in outstanding interpretations and great sound, along with two popular favorites done every bit as well. Need I say more?' 10/10... |
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NICOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade Op 35 / Capriccio Espagnol Op 34 London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 25/Jan/2003 ] "It also demands a performance which combines virtuosity with excitement, sensuous ardour with subtlety of feeling and above all is seemingly spontaneous. Mackerras meets all these requirements admirably in a reading of great power and romantic... |
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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos 4 & 5 'Emperor' Alfred Brendel (piano) / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle [ Decca Philips Originals / CD - released 6/Sep/2016 ] "The bond between these two musicians is evident throughout these committed and vigorous readings. Brendel's authentically rugged pianism is offset by the Vienna Philharmonic's sumptuous playing." (BBC Music) |
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BARTOK
Bluebeard's Castle -: Sung in English (translation by Chester Kallman) Sally Burgess, Sir John Tomlinson / Opera North Orchestra, Richard Farnes [ Chandos / CD - released 1/May/2006 ] |
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VERDI
Aida [recorded live in 1953] Maria Callas, Kurt Baum, Giulietta Simionato, Jess Walters / Covent Garden Opera Chorus & Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli [ Testament / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2009 ] "it was in many ways a performance that outshines all [Callas's] studio recordings, with the stage atmosphere well caught. Barbirolli too is a winningly warm and sympathetic Verdian" (Penguin) |
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Mozart, Wo
Symphonie KV 551, Divertimento KV 136 Camerata Academica; Sir Roger Norrington [ ORFEO / CD - released 20/Jul/2001 ] |
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VERDI
Falstaff (Complete opera) Carlos Alvarez, Balent Bezduz, Alasdair Elliott, Ana Ibarra, Peter Hoare / London Symphony Chorus / London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis [ LSO Live SACD / 2 SACD - released 1/Nov/2004 ] "A memorable evening's fun is fully captured on disc: bouquets all round" Editor's Choice Gramophone Nov 2004 - Hybrid SACD Compatible with all CD players. Includes high denstity stereo and surround tracks that can be read by SACD players. |
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RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony / Concerto for Oboe and Strings in A minor Celia Nicklin (oboe) / Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner / Philharmonia Orchestra, Owain Arwet Hughes [ Decca The Full Works / CD - released 1/Jan/2018 ] "I enjoyed Marriner's fresh, sympathetic approach to the Vaughan Williams" (Gramophone on the Oboe concerto) The London Symphony was originally released on the ASV label. |
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JANACEK
The Makropulos Case (complete opera in English) Cheryl Barker (soprano) Neal Davies (bass-baritone) John Graham-Hall (tenor) / English National Opera / Sir Charles Mackerras [ Chandos / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/2007 ] "This electrifying performance has been captured in sound that is exceptionally clear and full-bodied, and it also has great immediacy. I very much welcome a recording in English." (International Record Review March 2007) |
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BELA BARTOK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra / Music for Strings / Percussion and Celesta / etc Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 11/Jul/2002 ] The great works from Béla Bartók at a special price |
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BELA BARTOK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion, Celesta and other works Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Decca / 2 CD - released 11/Jul/2002 ] Classic recording of Bela Bartok by Sir Georg Solti |
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MODEST MUSSORGSKY
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel) (with Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin) Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Decca / CD - released 1/Apr/1982 ] Original recording made in Chicago May 1980 |
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RICHARD WAGNER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: The World of Wagner Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Vienna State Opera Chorus & Vienna Philharmonic, Sir Georg Solti, Birgit Nilsson (soprano) / [ Decca / CD - released 10/Nov/1993 ] A great beginners guide to the operas of Richard Wagner. |
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TRADITIONAL
50 Favourite Christmas Carols Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger, Stephen Cleobury [ Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 3/Dec/2007 ] A collection of all the great carols performed by the world-famous King's college choir. |