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Browse: Great Recordings of the Century (series)
‘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).
Mahler: Song Cycles
Recommended
Janet 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…
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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…
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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…
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Puccini: La Bohème
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Victoria 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…
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Kern: Show Boat
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Frederica 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…
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Gershwin: Porgy and Bess
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Willard 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…
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Gieseking's set of both Books of the Préludes is one of the great classics of the gramophone. The individual insights are endless, so is the extraordinary feeling for the music's evocation and... — More…
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In Wolf, more than anywhere, Schwarzkopf’s highly individual art finds its zenith of achievement. It would be tedious to catalogue the many insights, just get the records and listen for yourself. — More…
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Mahler - Symphonies
Recommended
Lucia 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
