Great Recordings of the Century
‘A distinguished series of beautifully presented reissues.’ (Gramophone).
The EMI Classics flagship mid-price series of reissues Great Recordings of the Century has proved exceptionally successful since its launch in 1998.
It has achieved sales of over five-and-a-quarter million units.
A crucial element in maintaining the high standards achieved in Great Recordings of the Century is the work of EMI’s renowned team of engineers at Abbey Road Studios. Using the very latest technology, they make new transfers from the original materials (78s and analogue tape) and new remasterings (of both analogue and digital recordings).
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Special offer. Mahler: Song Cycles
RecommendedJanet Baker
Hallé Orchestra, New Philharmonia Orchestra, John Barbirolli
The songs of the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen ('Songs of a Wayfarer') are quoted from Mahler's First Symphony and the fresh, springtime atmosphere is shared by both works. The orchestration... — More…
Awards:
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Building a Library, November 2001, Runner-Up
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Building a Library, First Choice
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Special offer. Szymanowski - Choral Works
Elzbieta Szmytka, Florence Quivar, John Connell & Jon Garrison
CBSO Chorus & City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle
Three of Szymanowski's most important works show Rattle's ability to energise music in which he believes. Sensuality and cogency blend in refined sound. — More…
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1995, Winner - Choral
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Gramophone Awards, 1995, Winner - Engineering
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Special offer. Puccini: La Bohème
RecommendedVictoria de los Angeles, Jussi Björling, Fernando Corena, Robert Merrill, Giorgio Tozzi
The Columbus Boychoir & RCA Victor Chorus & Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
A classic, with extra electricity derived from the hasty recording, with Beecham's living, vivid conducting and a superb cast, both stellar and supporting, even though the mono sound is less... — More…
Awards:
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Building a Library, June 2008, First Choice
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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As a former pupil of Cortot, it wasn't perhaps surprising that Lipatti always kept a special place in his heart for Chopin. And thanks primarily to the 14 Waltzes, played in a non-chronological... — More…
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, 100 Greatest Recordings
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Special offer. Schubert - Symphonies Nos. 3, 5 & 6
RecommendedRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham
Beecham was well into his seventies when he made these recordings with the Royal Philharmonic, the orchestra he had founded in 1946. His lightness of touch, his delight in the beauty of the... — More…
Awards:
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Special offer. Gershwin: Porgy and Bess
RecommendedWillard White, Cynthia Haymon, Damon Evans, Cynthia Clarey, Harolyn Blackwell, Bruce Hubbard, Marietta Simpson & Gregg Baker
Glyndebourne Chorus & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle
Glyndebourne's epoch-making production, taken to the recording studio two years later, helped cement the work's reputation as one of the greatest 20th-century operas. — More…
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1989, Winner - Opera
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Special offer. Kern: Show Boat
RecommendedFrederica von Stade (Magnolia), Teresa Stratas (Julie), Jerry Hadley (Gaylord), Bruce Hubbard (Joe), Karla Burns (Queenie)
Ambrosian Chorus & London Sinfonietta, John McGlinn
this superb set at last does justice to a musical of the 1920s which is both a landmark in the history of Broadway and musically a work of strength..von Stade gives a meltingly beautiful performance,... — More…
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1989, Winner - Music Theatre
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Special offer. Mozart: Don Giovanni, K527
RecommendedEberhard Wächter, Joan Sutherland, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Gabriella Sciutti, Luigi Alva, Gottlob Frick
Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini
Although this set is over 40 years old, none of its successors is as skilled in capturing the piece's drama so unerringly. It has always been most recommendable and Giulini captures all the... — More…
Awards:
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Building a Library, July 2018, Also recommended
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Special offer. Debussy: Images pour piano - Books 1 & 2, etc.
RecommendedPeter Lloyd (flute)
London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1979, Winner - Engineering
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Gramophone Awards, 1979, Winner - Orchestral
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Special offer. Mahler - Symphonies
RecommendedLucia Pop, Elizabeth Connell, Edith Wiens, Felicity Lott, Trudeliese Schmidt, Nadine Denize, Richard Versalle, Jorma Hynninen & Hans Sotin
Tiffin School Boy’s Choir, London Philharmonic Choir & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1987, Winner - Orchestral
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