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).
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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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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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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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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…
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Building a Library, June 2008, First Choice
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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A generous selection of Rubinstein's early Chopin recordings shows a seemingly effortless, intuitively musical response to each piece. Sound quality is not an issue when faced with such great... — More…
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia
RecommendedVictoria de los Angeles, Luigi Alva, Ian Wallace, Carlo Cava
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vittorio Gui
Perhaps it's a shade misleading to refer to this classic EMI recording as a 'Glyndebourne' set. It has all the ingredients of a Glyndebourne production: notably the cast, the orchestra and chorus,... — More…
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Building a Library, February 2017, Also Recommended
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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…
Awards:
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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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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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…
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Gramophone Awards, 1989, Winner - Music Theatre
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Ludwig presents them with disarming dedication and to hear the hackneyed Ave Maria sung like this is to realise afresh the beauty which all too often is jellied over with sentiment. Gervase de... — More…
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Presto Favourites, Christa Ludwig - Our Top 10 Recordings
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