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Philips Classics - The Stereo Years

Box Set, 0 CD

Various Artists (Artist) Format: Audio CD
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
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Audio CD, February 19, 2016
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Editorial Reviews

Artists, repertoire, recording locations...These were the key factors that made Philips one of the most firmly established classical labels in the 20th century. What ensured the label s long-lasting fame was its constant search for sound perfection through the development of its own sound equipment.

This 50-CD collection of analogue albums aims to represent the heyday of Philips passion for great natural sound the Stereo Years. There was a firm belief within the label s team that recording technique was there to serve the music - the Musicians had their own views about how any given piece should be interpreted and how it should sound; the recording team s job was to grasp that vision and make it a reality. This recording philosophy, combined with great artistry and visionary repertoire policy, created a special chapter in the history of classical music recordings that still inspires artists, sound engineers and collectors alike.

Included are some of Philips greatest analogue albums, presented with original artwork, plus a 200-page booklet documenting the history of the label. With personal reminiscences by key members of staff, plus a note by former Philips producer David Cairns.

Artists featured include icons such as Salvatore Accardo, Eduard van Beinum, Claudio Arrau, Dame Janet Baker, Alfred Brendel, José Carreras, Sir Colin Davis, Antal Doráti, Clara Haskil & Arthur Grumiaux, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink, Orchestre de Paris, Seiji Ozawa, Edo de Waart and many more.


NEW-TO-CD:
CD8: Brahms: Symphony No.4 under Eduard van Beinum

CD14: Daniel Chorzempa playing Organ Works by Liszt (Prelude and Fugue on the Name B-A-C-H, S.260; Funeral Ode, S.268 No.2; Fantasy and Fugue on Ad nos, ad salutarem undam, S. 259)

CD17: Cristina Deutekom singing Italian Opera Arias

CD26: Heinz Holliger performing Mozart Oboe Concerto in C, K.314 under Edo de Waart

CD48: Henryk Szeryng performing Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No.2 and Szymanowski: Violin Concerto No.2

PACKAGING
50CD Hinged top lid box
Original Covers
200-page booklet
Dimensions with outer packaging: 14cm/14cm/14cm
Dimensions without outer packaging: 13cm/13cm/13cm
Weight: 1.4kg

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 5.35 x 5.24 inches; 3.28 Pounds
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Decca
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ December 8, 2015
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Decca
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0179UUVG6
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 50
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
42 global ratings
Only the jackets preserve the original art
4 Stars
Only the jackets preserve the original art
This review is simply to inform the buyer that while the jackets preserve the original art, the discs themselves do not. They are "modern" in appearance and feature uniform, generic typography over a plain background. Those who are expecting replica LPs like the Sony classical boxes will be disappointed. I can't vouch for the quality of the remastering.
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Top reviews from the United States

CXZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect recordings after the second day when I received them
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
Perfect recordings and great selection of artworks. I used my earphone system (Meridian 808 -> STAX SRM 717 -> STAX SR009) to listen to the album, and I am satisfied with the quality of recording. My only complain is that the CDs are separately stored in their cases made with hardboard. It will be much better if there could be additional thin plastic "coat" which can protect the CD from its hardboard cases.

One mysterous thing is that all the CDs did not work the day I received this album, but the CDs worked PERFECTLY WELL after the second day. I still do not know the reason why during the first day the CDs were not recognizable neither by my CD players nor the CD driver of my laptop. However, since the CDs work now I'm fine with this weird issue. For the future buyers, if the CDs do not work, I suggest you to wait one day or two and give them a second try, based on what happened to me.
5 people found this helpful
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Jeffrey Kessler
5.0 out of 5 stars While this is a truly wonderful and unique box set giving us an awesome perspective ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2017
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While this is a truly wonderful and unique box set giving us an awesome perspective of the Philips recording history of classical music, I have one significant issue. Sometimes when the cd has a bonus recording which makes the total minutes of recorded music exceed 74 minutes, as in CD 1, OMG, my Bose CD player immediately stops, as if completely overwhelmed, and sends us back to track 1 and pauses. Double yikes!!! I lose out on the remainder of the bonus recording which is definitely not a bonus but an annoyance indeed!
2 people found this helpful
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Chip Palmer
4.0 out of 5 stars Bargain price, lots of value, a few quibbles ..
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2016
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Today I received my Philips Classics- The Stereo Years...
Couple of quick observations.
-The subtitle is "50 Analogue Albums in Original Jackets"....not quite true on either account- not sure you can call anything on CD "analogue", although I get what they are going for. Also.. Original jackets to me imply the front AND back reproductions... These discs just reproduce the album front and give the track listing on a plain background.
- CD labels were disappointing plain white affairs. Should have reproduced original Lp labels.
-On the positive side..I like the composer index in the front of the book, very easy to sort through to what you are after!
-Playing times! At least 12 out of 50 of these discs clock in OVER the elusive 80 minute mark, several over 85! As discussed most disc are padded with similar recording. Some people like this, some prefer matching the original Lp's track listing. My preferences depends on the day of the week.
While I do really like these big label boxes, I would like just a little more attention paid to packaging. But-such a bargain!
15 people found this helpful
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Dan Potter
5.0 out of 5 stars phillips full fills
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017
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i have listened to each disc. this is a fantastic set of music. actually there is almost as much filler as their is original music for the cover representation. pretty funny. so there are about 100 records here. i remember that the filler on disc 1 is the violin concerto by tchaikovsky op. 61. i just love this tune and it comes as filler on the first disc. heck i knew i was not about to be let down once. i wasn't either. get this while you can.
3 people found this helpful
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Great Faulkner's Ghost
5.0 out of 5 stars Set II Another Winner
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
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This is the second of two 50 CD sets in their "original jackets." Both sets cover primarily the pre-digital stereophonic recording era from about 1956 to 1985, a time when Phillips had such wonderful engineering, perhaps the most "analog" sounding of the major studios. There is no duplication between the sets. I also have the first Phillips set, which is simply a joy to listen to, for both the sonics and the performances. The selections in this set are perhaps a bit more esoteric than in the first, but both range widely. I am very, very happy with both
21 people found this helpful
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Nick Pusloskie
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2016
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Saw this advertised while looking for another artist. So glad I purchased this. It is TOTALLY well worth the money. The CDs are well marked 1-50, and the booklet enclosed gives a very good description of each one. The box itself is well done and holds the CDs securely. If you love classical music, then you owe it to yourself to get this set. The clarity is top notch.
3 people found this helpful
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Paul D. Farrar
5.0 out of 5 stars A great selection of classic recordings
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2016
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A great selection of classic recordings. A note on format: Unlike some recent big box sets, which give you what was on the original recording, resulting in some very short CDs, this set fills out each disc with substantial and related bonus material. For example, Accardo's Sibelius disc gets the Tchaikovsky violin concerto, Janet Baker's Handel disc gets a pile of Gluck, too, etc. So it's really "50 Analogue Albums" PLUS a lot extra, maybe 60-80% extra.
37 people found this helpful
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Uwe Dulleck
5.0 out of 5 stars Artistically and technically great
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2016
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Philips does well with their boxes, great quality recordings technically as well as artistically. For my taste, this boxe has slightly too many vocal recordings. But I always liked Philips' sound on orchestral/instrumental music. Plenty of discoveries in this box. Highly recommended.
7 people found this helpful
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sabinosa
5.0 out of 5 stars Tolle Zusammenstellung
Reviewed in Germany on December 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
Gute Zusammenstellung auch seltener Interpretationen mit high-fidelem Klang.
Gutes und informatives Begleitheft (booklet)
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Amazon カスタマー
5.0 out of 5 stars フィリップス！満足！
Reviewed in Japan on May 2, 2017
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いろいろCDセットが出ていますが、このフィリップスは、音質の面で、評価が低かったので、心配してましたが、十分鑑賞にたえるものでした。毎日、気軽に楽しんでいます。
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G3V
5.0 out of 5 stars Mega-sampler della Philips Classics
Reviewed in Italy on October 11, 2016
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Si potrà criticare una raccolta che celebra la casa discografica piuttosto che un autore o un compositore specifico, ma poter acquistare tante validissime incisioni al prezzo di 3-4 CD è una tentazione irresistibile.
Se poi consideriamo che ciascun dischetto è riempito al massimo, la convenienza è super, senza per questo che la quantità prevalga sulla qualità, tecnica e artistica: pochi CD restano sotto l'ora di ascolto e molti superano gli 80 minuti, mettendo in crisi il mio glorioso lettore Philips CD880 e costringendomi ad usare un dispositivo più recente...
Insomma, un'occasione per ascoltare magari versioni diverse di composizioni delle quali già si possiedono esecuzioni famose, se non ancora "sconosciute".
One person found this helpful
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Louie
5.0 out of 5 stars Trésors cachés
Reviewed in France on March 3, 2016
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Ce sont tous des « premières sorties internationales »: CD 14 Liszt Fantasy & Fugue "Ad nos, ad salut area und am" pièce d'orgue 30 minutes, si coloré comme je n'ai jamais entendu parler; CD 17 Cristina Deutekom chante avec une telle beauté dans "I Capuleti e i Montecchi"; CD 13 Mercadante magnifiquement chanté par Carreras, chaque bit digne de Donizetti ou Bellini, comme il se doit, au cours de la durée de vie de Saverio.. Pourtant, il y a donc beaucoup plus je suis encore Explorer, je vous remercie en effet Decca!
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Louie
5.0 out of 5 stars Trésors cachés
Reviewed in France on March 3, 2016
Ce sont tous des « premières sorties internationales »: CD 14 Liszt Fantasy & Fugue "Ad nos, ad salut area und am" pièce d'orgue 30 minutes, si coloré comme je n'ai jamais entendu parler; CD 17 Cristina Deutekom chante avec une telle beauté dans "I Capuleti e i Montecchi"; CD 13 Mercadante magnifiquement chanté par Carreras, chaque bit digne de Donizetti ou Bellini, comme il se doit, au cours de la durée de vie de Saverio.. Pourtant, il y a donc beaucoup plus je suis encore Explorer, je vous remercie en effet Decca!
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4 people found this helpful
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Ultrarunner
5.0 out of 5 stars Phillips releases were held in high regard all over the World.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
In 1972, Phillips and Siemens who owned the gramophone Phillips Group, decided to create a new company called Polygram in 1979. Polygram bought Decca, so now the company owned DGG, Phillips and Decca.

BOX SET:

The box can be held in one hand. But it is made of tough cardboard, with pictures of the original sleeves printed on three sides of the box, but the back is entirely covered with the colour, deep blue ultramarine as is the bottom, which states it is made by Decca, part of the Universal Company. The lid flips over and is deep blue with the white Phillips sign in the middle. The sleeves are the originals, with details of the music on the front, but the back is deep ultramarine blue, with the CD number in the right hand corner. Track numbers, music , composer and orchestra printed in white.Then the second sleeve's back is white with details in deep blue and this continues right throughout the box. The CD's background is white, with conductor and soloist if any, plus composer, with CD number in deep ultramarine blue. You will find glued to the box, a list of the CD numbers, soloists and conductors, plus the music. Take this list off carefully, remove the rubber glue, fold it up and place it in the box, saves you having to look for the CD's you want to hear in the booklet..

BOOKLET:

Box contents by composer with CD and Track numbers. Index with CD number, conductor,soloist or chamber group, then composer with track numbers, and music or arias. Dates released and other information. A history of Philips classics. (A tech heads delight). My years at Philips by David Cairns. Apart from English, French and German. No translations of arias and Lieder.

SOUND:

Recorded 1958 to 1986. The majority are ADD. (STEREO) Analogue tape recorder used during session recording, digital tape recorder used during subsequent mixing &/or editing and during mastering (transcription). There are two recorded DDD. There is nothing about remastering, except the following at the back of the booklet " Mastering: Paschal Byrne, Craig Thompson & Ben Wiseman (The audio Archiving Company Ltd).

HISTORY:

Beaux Art trio made their debut in 1955 at the Berkshire music festival, Massachusetts,USA, known today as the Tanglewood Centre. Their final Concert was in Lucerne, Switzerland in 2008. Grumiaux was a Belgian Violinist who studied with Enescu, who was Yehudi Menuhin's teacher. He had a partnership with Clara Haskil, who died from a fall at a train station on the way to play with Grumiaux. They sometimes swapped instruments when they played together. Charlie Chaplin said of Haskil. He had met three people whom he considered Genius's, Einstein, Churchill and Haskil

Hungarian Nikisch (1855-1922) with wit and charm lifted the conductor out of the podium and set him on a pedestal in the center of society. His legacy is one of the founder of the modern conductor, with deep analysis of the score, a simple beat, and a charisma that let him bring out the full sonority of the orchestra and plumb the depths of the music. Henry Wood stated that no conductor that he had heard, has ever surpassed Nikisch's emotional feeling and dramatic intensity.

Monteux modelled his conducting technique upon that of Nikisch. Furtwangler considered Nikisch his only role model. Nikisch was a mentor to fellow Hungarian Fritz Reiner and a inspiration to Hungarian's DORATI, SZELL and Solti. (captial letters indicate conductors in this box set). Furtwangler was an inspiration to Abbado, Thielemann and Barenboim. Monteux taught in his School in France and then USA, MARKEVITCH, MARRINER, Previn, Maazel and OZAWA. Thus Nikisch lives on in the orchestra and pupils of today.

MUSIC:

Musicians, soloist or chamber music first, following the booklet. I have not reviewed all recordings, as Amazon has provided details of what is in this delightful box set that is full of gems. You may notice that there are a large amount of Bonus's in this box set. Also, this box set is not only for collectors of long standing like himself, who find music, soloists or conductors unknown to them, but to those new to classical music. This set is a brilliant example of that, with versions of music we know well, but on some occasions we hear it here as if for the first time

ACCARDO: SIBELIUS Violin concerto in D minor. No playing to the gallery and no Schmaltz. In the slow movement there is a sense of repose and nobility. London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Colin Davis, who was a renowned Sibelius specialist and his Sibelius symphonies recordings are treasured by lovers of this composer. 4 Humoresques for violin and orchestra. This recording has been compared to Kyung-Wha-Chung's version with Previn. BONUS : TCHAIKOVSKY Violin concerto. Cond Davis. Salvatore Accardo. Fast tempi and emotional playing by Accardo. In my opinion one of the best recordings of this concerto around.

AMELING: SCHUMANN. Frauenliebe und leben. Ameling has freshness and girlishness on its side. SCHUBERT: Songs. Ameling gives refreshingly direct performances of the lighter songs. Baldwin piano. BONUS: SCHUMANN: Liederkreis. Jorg Demus piano. As we know Fischer- Dieskau's version is one of the best around, but this version by Ameling comes very close.

ARRAU: BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No 3 is distinguished and refreshingly unmannered. The poetry of Arrau's playing is consistently satisfying. BONUS : Piano concerto No 4 the 2nd movement is beautiful and the 3rd movement is played fast. Arrau makes you hear this music as for the first time.

ARRAU: LIZST: Etudes d' execution transcendante s139. BONUS: VERDI: Aida: Danza sacra e duetto finale- concert paraphrase. The Etudes are the ultimate test of quasi- orchestral virtuosity and of the capacity to achieve nobility and true eloquence. These pieces sum up Arrau's magnificent playing and shows why he is rated a great pianist.

BAKER: HANDEL: Serse -Ombra mai fu shows Baker at her finest. English Chamber Orch Lappard. BONUS: GLUCK: Alceste Divinites du Styx and arias seldom heard from Paride ed Elena. where she is at her best. The arias from Orfeo ed Euridice, Che puro Ciel and Che faro senza Euridice, are wonderfully sung, but for Ferrier's versions, they would be considered the standard by which all others would be judged. Baker in these Gluck arias are helped by alert and sensitive accompaniment and her singing of these arias are a revelation.

BEAUX ARTS TRIO: SCHUBERT: Piano trio No 1 & 2. Pressler is always imaginative and the cellist Greenhouse, simple dedication to the great slow movement of the No 2. These are much praised performances which combine impeccable ensemble with simple dedication. BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio's Nos 4, 5, 6, 7. Beaux Arts up to their usual high standard. Words cannot do justice to the playing of the Trio no I.

BRAHMS: VAN BEINUM. Symphony No 1. BONUS: Symphony No 4. Concertgebouw Orchestra. What I like about box sets, is that you come across conductors like Van Beinum that have been forgotten. The Brahms First is full of brisk energy and the last movement has the power that Toscanini brought to his performances. WOW! BONUS: The No 4 3rd and 4th movement is very swift. Remember the name Von Beinum, a great Dutch Conductor. I grew up with his LP recordings.

In 1938 Van Beinum became co-conductor alongside Mengelberg. In 1959 Van Beinum suffered a fatal heart attack on the Concertgebouw podium while rehearsing the orchestra for a performance of the Brahms Symphony No 1. Mengelberg conducted the Concertgebouw for 50 years, starting seven years after its founding. He turned it into one of the great Orchestras. The conductor was a friend of Mahler and a great promoter of his music when it was unfashionable. Mengelberg believed he had a link to Beethoven via his teacher Franz Wullner, a friend of Anton Schinder, who in turn had been a friend, secretary, biographer and pupil of Beethoven himself. (from the art of Willem Mengelberg by Massimo Zegna.) See my review of the Concergebouw recordings Mengelberg-Decca.15 CDs.

SCHUBERT: BRENDEL: Piano Sonata No 21 D960. Brendel's performance is impressive and full of weight. I must admit I prefer Kempff's version who manages to capture the spirit of this lovely music. The fantasy in C major " Wanderer" D 760 is of the high order. BONUS: 3 Klavierstucke ( Impromptus) D 946. Pires version is far better. Music is subjective and a matter of taste and opinion, so nothing is written in stone. LIZST: Piano Concerto NO 1 and 2. The playing has a striking freshnessi and spontaneity. Brendel brings a musing, improvisatory quality to the No 2 and his control of bravura in both concertos is illuminating as well as exciting. Totentanz. BONUS: Csardas macabre. Valse oubliee No 1 . Schlaflos! Frage und Antwort.

CARRERAS: VERDI: I Lombardi. La mia letizia infondere. La Forza del destino. La vita e inferno. lUisa Miller Quando le sere al Placido. Un ballo in maschera. Forsela soglia attinse.. Jerusalem. L'infamie.. O mes amis, mes feres. DONIZETTI: Il duca d'alba. Inosservato... angelo casto e bel. Maria di Rohan. fragor della festa. BELLINI: Adelson e salvini. Ecco, signor la sposa. Royal Phil orch. Cond Roberto Benzi. BONUS: I vespri sicilani. E di Monforte il cenno! DONZIETTI: L' elisir d' amore. Roberto Devereux. Ed ancor la tremenda porta. London Philharmonic orch. Cond Jesus Lopez-Cobos. One of the three tenors along with Pavarotti and Domingo in the football world Cup

DAVIS: DVORAK: Symphony No 7. Colin Davis's performance with their bracing rhythmic flow and natural feeling for Dvorakian lyricism, is appealingly direct yet has plenty of life and urgency. BONUS: Cello concerto. Cello Henrich Schiff. Concertgebouw orchestra Colin Davis.BERLIOZ: Harold en Italie. Nobuko Imai Viola. This is a noble account in which Imai is in top form. BONUS: Tristia, which includes the haunting Funeral march for the last scene of Hamlet given with chorus. Le Carnaval-overture. Les Francs Juges-overture. London symphony orchestra. Cond Colin Davis. He is a Berlioz specialist and this CD should be in the collection of all lovers of this composer.

DEUTEKOM: VERDI: I Vespri Sicilani. Mece, dilette amiche. Erani Erani! Erani, involami . Il Trovatore D' amor sull'ali rosee. Don carlo . Tu che le vanita. BELLINI: I puritani Qui la voce sua soave. DONIZIETTI: Linda di Chamounix. O luce di quest'anima. BELLINI: La Sonnambula. Ah, non credea mirarti. I Capuleti e/Montecchi. Orchestra sinfonica di roma della RAI. Cond Carlo Franci. Another one of these gems that the box sets seem to bring to the surface. Cristina Deutekom soprano, who voice is highly emotional and different. BONUS: Johann Strauss 11 arias. Vienna Volksopnorchester. cond franz Allers.

Cristina Deutekom (1931-2014) was singing a minor part in R. Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier in Spain, when Elisabeth Schwarzkopf who was the Marchallin in the performance, heard Cristina warming up with a Queen of the night aria. Schwarzkopf was shocked to hear that she was not singing this part all over the World. So she introduced her to her agent. The Opera magazine reviewed her Queen of the night at Covent Garden, stating "except for Callas in her prime, we have hardly heard anyone of equal quality here before".

DORATI: TCHAIKOVSKY: Nutcracker.. Cond Concertgebouw orchestra. This recording was a clear first choice in 1975. Quickish tempi and playing that captures the beautiful melodies in this ballet. All that you would expect from a conductor inspired by Nikisch, a fellow Hungarian.

GRUMIAUX: BERG Violin Concerto." To the memory of an Angel". Concertgebouw Orchestra Cond Igor Markevitch. Grumiaux's performance could hardly be bettered, and Markevitch gives him highly sympathetic support. There is a warmth and melancholy that make this splendidly recorded performance as convincing and moving that was ever committed to disc. Grumiaux had a warm emotional tone, much like Perlman and Kyung-wha- Chung.

Based upon Schoenberg's twelve-tone row , the concerto is a personal document, deeply felt, profoundly moving. When the work was first introduced in England, Constant Lambert (who had little sympathy for atonality) described it as "the most beautiful and significant piece of music written since the First World war". Musicologists now believe this is one of the most significant violin concerto's of the 20th century, and one of Berg's masterworks. His inspiration came with the death of one of his dear friends, Manon Gropius, a young girl (daughter of Mahler's widow by a second marriage), who died suddenly and unexpectedly just as she seemed to be making a remarkable recovery from a serious illness. This violin concerto was a requiem to the girl, whom he described in his dedication as " an angel". STRAVINSKY: Violin Concerto in D major.Concertgebouw Orchestra Cond Ernest Bour. A lithe and beautiful refined account from Grumiaux. Considered in 1977 the most enjoyable version on record. Premiered in 1931, In 1940-41, the music of this concerto was adapted by the DeBasil Ballet Company for a Ballet entitled Balustrade, choreography by Balanchine. BONUS: MOZART: Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra in E flat major, K364. London Symphony orchestra cond Colin Davis.

GRUMIAUX: MOZART: Sonata for piano and violin K 301, KV 304, K376, K378. Pianist Clara Haskil. A perfect team, so therefore this is one of the most emotional recordings of this music. An absolute gem and for me, worth the price of this box set. A classic.

HAEBLER: SCHUBERT:Impromptus, op 90, op 142. BONUS: 2 Marches caracteristiques in C major,op121. Piano Ludwig Hoffman. Ingrid Haebler's performances are so natural and musical with impressive insights.

HAITINK: RICHARD STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben. BONUS: Tod und Verklarung. Concertgebouw orchestra Cond Bernard Haitink. Herman Krebbers Violin. Haitink is a remarkably fine Straussian, one only has to hear the opera Daphne with Popp, Goldberg, Schreier. Bayerischen Rundfunks, Cond Haitink to know this to be true. That recording is even better then Bohm's recording to whom Strauss dedicated the opera. This recording does not have the overblown bombast of this work, which put off some listeners. (Not me, I like that approach). Therefore, this is a different way of understanding the work. For example, he builds up the tempi, so it finishes swiftly and brings out the wonderful beautiful melodies. The best recording of this work is by Kempe. I am a true Straussian, in fact at my mother's funeral, I played one of the 4 last songs, for so deeply do I admire Richard Strauss's music.

HAITINK: BRUCKNER: Symphony No 9. Concertgebouw Orchestra. His conception is powerful , a performance of real stature, with tremendous grip and a vision that penetrates the sense of tragedy and dramatic power as do few others. However, he achieves this by missing Jochum's spirituality. But Haitink's mighty reading still shows the dramatic force in a manner that no else does, but it may not be your first choice. Yet is is useful to hear how a great conductor brings his vision to the fore. After the sudden death of Van Beinum, Haitink was named first conductor of the Concertgebouw orchestra.

HARASIEWICZ: CHOPIN : Piano Concerto No 1 and 2. Vienna Symphony Orchestra Cond Heinrich Hollreiser. This Pianist gets right to the heart of Chopin.

HOLLIGER: MOZART: Oboe Concerto in C major, K314. The composer's Oboe concerto is charming, Holliger is masterly and refined playing of the oboe. RICHARD STRAUSS: Concerto for oboe and small orchestra in D major. This most delectable of 20th century oboe Concerto's. Holliger again is never less then masterly in this performance of Strauss's most glowing "Indian summer works" New Philharmonia Orchestra. Cond Edo de Waart. BONUS: BELLINI: Oboe Concerto . HUMMEL. Theme and variations for oboe and orchestra in F minor.

JOCHUM: BRUCKNER: Concertgebouw Orchestra Cond Jochum. Those of you who know Jochum from the EMI Box set Bruckner the complete symphonies, Staatskapelle Dresden, may be surprised to find that this recording of the 5th has swift tempi. An amazing recording. WOW! In the last movement the organlike approach Bruckner used in his symphonies comes to the fore. After all, Jochum was a organist. Naturally, some of you have the DGG Von Karajan Bruckner box set, I also own his live 1954 version of the 5th and 1957 8th Bruckner symphony. I own a few of Knappertsbusch's Bruckner symphonies and Furtwangler's 4th-9th, two of them recorded during the Second world war. This includes the Symphony No 5, Berlin Phil, Recorded 1942- Testament. However, I think this Jochum Bruckner 5th recorded 1975, can belong to this great company. Another gem.

BISHOP-KOVACEVICH.: BEETHOVEN: Variations in C major on a waltz by Diabelli. This is a marvellous interpretation of this most formidable of piano works. his manner is austere, but he has a firm grip of the massive structure, and the end result, less exciting then some others may be, but is ultimately the most satisfying of all. BONUS: Piano sonata No 17 "Tempest." Fine playing, but I do like Glenn Gould's version, with the humming and singing . Well, I bought the box set. However, I realize that he is not everyone's cup of tea.

KREBBERS; BEETHOVEN; Violin Concerto. Concertgebouw Orchestra Cond Haitink. BONUS: Violin Concerto No 4. Netherlands Chamber orchestra. Cond David Zinman. Krebbers plays with a wonderful naturalness and a totally unforced spontaneity. The slow movement has a tender simplicity which is irresistible, and is followed by a delightful reading of the finale. Krebbers artistry is magnetic and his technique flawless. A memorable recording. Penguin Classical year book 1977 gave it a Rosette for excellence. I own many recordings of the Beethoven Violin concerto, thus this is another insight into a much loved work.

MARKEVITCH: TCHAIKOVSKY: Manfred Symphony. London Symphony Orch. BONUS: RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Russian Easter Festival Overture. BORODIN: Polovtsian Dances. Prince Igor. Concertgebouw orchestra. cond Markevitch taught by Monteux , follower of Nikisch. Fast tempi, marvellous conducting. Somehow in Markevitch I hear Monteux, who was thought to be a better conductor then Toscanini.

MARRINER: BIZET: Carmen Suite No 1 & 2. L'Arlesienne Suite No 1 & 2. London symphony orchestra cond Neville Marriner. There is much to ravish the ear here.

MASUR: BRAHMS: Symphony No 2 & 3. Gewandhausorchester. Actually, a rather brilliant recording from Masur in his East Germany days.
Of course we all have our favourite Brahms four symphonies, Klemperer, Toscanini, Furtwangler, Walter, Kempe, the list is endless, but I think I am going to add these two symphonies cond by Masur to this company as well as Von Beinum's Brahms 1 & 4. Others may disagree, but music is subjective and we all have our favourites. Arguing about who is better then the other is a rather pointless exercise anyway.

NEGRI: CIMAROSA. Requiem in G minor. This is an impressive, even formidable work. The singing here by the Montreux Festival Choir conveys a feeling of spacious eloquence. The soloists are very good. Elly Ameling Soprano. Her singing is lovely. Birgit Finnila Alto. Van Vrooman Tenor. Kurt Widmer bass. orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. Cond Vittorio Negri secures excellent playing from the Lausanne orchestra. BONUS:The engaging Concertante in G major for flute, oboe and orchestra is operatic in feeling. The interplay of Aurele Nicolet flute.and Heinz Holliger oboe in the largo show a distinct vocal style. Academy of St Martins in the field.

OZAWA: TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony 6. Orchestre de Paris. BONUS: The Nutcracker. Ozawa was a pupil at Monteux's school and was taken under the wing of van Karajan for eight months, then K introduced him to his own manager and the rest is history. Yet for some reason there are those who say his music making sounds like Karajan. I think this version of the 6th might change some peoples mind about this idea. Ozawa's approach is swift and the last movement does not quite capture that tragic ending.

QUARTETTO ITALIANO: DEBUSSY: String Quartet G minor. What does one say about playing like that provided by the iIalian Quartet except that it is so superlative that it cannot fail to win over any listener to Debussy's quartet ; not that would be difficult anyway. RAVEL: String quartet in F major. A gorgeous performance of the Ravel quartet from the iIalian group. One of the most satisfying chamber-music records in the catalogue. as of 1977. I own the Beethoven complete string Quartets by this group and for me I find them deeply spiritual.

RICHTER: THE SOFIA RECITAL 1958: LIVE. MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition. SCHUBERT: Moment musical in C major. D 780. Impromptu in E flat major, D 899 No 2. Impromptu in A flat major, D899 No 4. CHOPIN: Etude in E major,op 10 No 3. LIZST: Valse oubliee No 1 in F sharp major, S215 Ni 1. Valse oubilee No 2 in A flat major, s215 No 2. Etudes d' execution transcendante s139. RACHMANINOV: Prelude in G sharp minor, op 32 no 12. A great recital, for Richter is better heard on CD's live. Near the end of his career he drove around with a piano and set up a recital in a small hall in any country. He never had any light focused upon him, as he wanted the people to hear the music, not focus upon him. Another quirky view he had was, that he never thought he was that good. " I am only human" he stated at all the hype, like Richter is the greatest pianist in the world.

LOS ROMEROS: GIULIANI: Guitar Concerto in A major, op 30. The accompaniment provided by the Academy of St Martin in the fields under Marriner is splendid. Pepe Romeo is a first rate player and with such a backing the performance as a whole has an irresistible, smiling quality. RODRIGO: Concierto madrigal ( for 2 guitars and orchestra) Pepe and Angel Romero. Rodrigo's Concierto madrigal is in fact a suite in ten movements, the first seven being miniatures of great charm, the last three increasingly ambitious. The two soloists play splendidly and the accompaniment under Mariner is first rate. BONUS: Concierto andaluz (for 4 guitars) The strong Andalusian flavour is caught to perfection by the performers. However, should you wish to explore more of the composers music, I would suggest you buy the 21 CD Brilliant. Joaquin Rodrigo Edition. I have reviewed it, delightful music.

ROWICKI: DVORAK: Symphony No 6. BONUS Symphony no 5. London symphony orchestra. Cond Witold Rowicki. He approaches these symphonies sympathetically and straightforwardly, where he keeps music moving along fairly briskly. This has the advantage of freshness.

SAWALLSCH: BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem. Wilma Lipp soprano. fFanz Crass baritone. Singverein der gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. Wiener Symphoniker cond Wolfgang Swallisch. This requiem is a bit slow, which might suit some. I saw him conduct at the Munich State opera in the mid 1970's .BONUS: Rhapsody for Alto, male chorus and orchestra. Aafje Heynis Alto. The Penguin guide 1996 states that Heynis is better then Ferrier in the Rhapsody, I dispute this, for Ferrier's uniqueness was not only her pure unique sounding contralto emotional voice, but it was her sincerity that attracts listeners. Also, the ability to remain in the moment and project that truth unique to herself, which cannot be explained, because it is beyond words.

SZELL: SIBELIUS: Symphony No 2. BONUS: MENDELSSOHN: Overture to A midsummer Night's dream. Incidental music to a Midsummer Night's dream. Concertgebouw orchestra. Cond George Szell.

SZERYNG: WIENIAWSKI. Violin Concerto No 2. SZYMANOWSKI: Violin Concerto No 2. Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Cond Jan Krenz. Those that know Wieniawski's violin concerto's will agree that Szeryng has caught the spirit of this work by his fine playing. Szymanowski Violin concerto No 2 written in 1933 is quite lyrical. This was from his last period, which was inspired by the earthy Folk music of the peasants living in the Tatras mountains, Poland. BONUS: PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No 1.London Symphony Orchestra Cond Gibson.

DE WAART: WEILL: Symphony No 1, a student piece written in Berlin in 1921 when Weill was still a Busoni pupil. However, the influences were mainly from Mahler and Schoenberg, and the youthful urgency and imagination of the argument in a complex interlinked form carries the work off successfully. The No 2 is one of his most important works, a more mature work, completed during the months following his flight from Germany, after the Nazi seizure of power. Three colourful movements are nearer the idiom of Shostakovich and Kabalevsky. Behind the near-vulgar melodies there is a lurking seriousness. Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig Cond Edo de Waart. A gem. BONUS: GERSHWIN:Piano concerto in F major. Piano Werner Haas, Orchestre national de l'opera de Monte Carlo. Jazz mixed with Classical music played well by Haas and the music finely conducted by De Waart.

.I hope you enjoyed this box set as much as I did.

REFERENCES: Ewen, D. The World of Twentieth -century. 1968. Prentice-Hall. Lebrecht, N. The Maestro myth.1977. Pocket Books.
Penguin Classical year book. 1977, 1996. Wikipedia.
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