Since you are interested in Gershwin: An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue (with works by Bernstein), here is a list of other items that you may find interesting.
VERDI / PUCCINI / BIZET / WAGNER / LEONCAVALLO
The Best of the 3 Tenors Placido Domingo / Luciano Pavarotti / Jose Carreras / various conductors [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] Here they are! The greatest tenor lineup in the world in a special programme of popular tenor arias and duets. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies 1 - 9 (5 CD set) Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2012 ] "The recording is atmospheric in the Boston manner, and with Dynagroove makes even small machines give an impression of opulence." (Gramophone on the LP release) |
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 |
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. |
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) |
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) |
WAGNER
Orchestral Music (Incls 'Good Friday Music') New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Zubin Mehta became the Philharmonic's Music Director in 1978. Mehta's 13-year tenure as the New York Philharmonic's Music Director - during which he conducted more than 1,000 concerts - was the longest in the Orchestra's history." (nyphil.org) |
TCHAIKOVSKY
Swan Lake / Sleeping Beauty / Nutcracker [ballet highlights] Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] Eugene Ormandy (1899-1985) was music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra for 42 years - from 1938, when he took over from Leopold Stokowski, until 1980. Together Ormandy and the orchestra made numerous critically acclaimed recordings for Columbia... |
W. A. MOZART
Violin Concertos Nos 4 & 5 / etc Pinchas Zukerman (violin & conductor) / Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] Israeli-born Pinchas Zukerman has kept his face and music before the public for more than four decades with his wide range of activities: he is a world-class violinist, violist, conductor, and administrator. |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Sinfonia Concertante / etc Steven Isserlis (cello) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Roger Norrington [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Cellist Steven Isserlis's playing is alert, sensitive, and joyous." (Highbeam.com) |
BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonatas Nos. 14 'Moonlight' No. 21 'Waldstein' & No. 23 'Appassionata' Vladimir Horowitz (piano) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] Russian-born Vladimir Horowitz was one of the most acclaimed pianists of the modern age, a formidable virtuoso whose inimitable artistry and technique were rooted in the grand Romantic tradition. |