Further Reading
This week James shares his thoughts on some of his favourite recordings of the works of Richard Strauss.
Michael Tilson Thomas is a truly exceptional artist – Music Director of the San Francisco and the New World Symphony Orchestras, Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and winner of ten Grammy Awards, he is dynamic, stimulating and innovative. He is the recipient of the National Arts Medal, America’s highest honour for artistic excellence, and a member of the Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France.
Tilson Thomas’s 1989 recording of Heldenleben with the LSO on the CBS Masterworks series was hailed as outstanding: ‘This is the most emotionally sumptuous Heldenleben I have encountered since Barbirolli's with the same orchestra 20 years ago.’ The CD was coupled with a ‘witty and sparkling account’ of Till Eulenspiegel. (Gramophone Magazine 1989).
Since 2004, Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra have worked on Keeping Score, a media project including television, web sites, radio programmes and programmes in schools.
Tilson Thomas is well known for his ability to make music accessible and appealing to wide audiences, and these two exciting performances with extensive rehearsal footage and educational insight from such an expert communicator make for a valuable 2-DVD set.
This is the first DVD release.
Sound format: LPCM stereo/ Ambient Mastering
Picture format: 4:3
Running time: 143’
Subtitles: F/G
Menu languages: English
Booklet languages: E/F/G
Region code: 0
Territory Restrictions: None
