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Masters
EMI Masters is a collection of legendary performances comprising definitive recordings by the twentieth century's greatest artists. All titles have been digitally remastered from the original master tape at EMI's Abbey Road Studios. These are landmark recordings in beautifully presented packaging.
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There is a feeling of one-ness between orchestra and conductor which is the hallmark of a great recording. But it is surely the adagio that will convert the listener with Jack Brymer's clarinet... —
Awards:
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Building a Library, February 2012, First Choice
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Building a Library, June 2012, First Choice
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Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1970s
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Building A Library, June 2022, Also Recommended
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Sir Adrian Boult conducts Elgar & Holst
RecommendedLondon Symphony Orchestra, The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
Awards:
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Building A Library, January 2025, Recommended Recording (The Planets)
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Elgar: Violin Concerto & Introduction and Allegro
RecommendedNigel Kennedy (violin)
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley
Kennedy's first recording of the Elgar Concerto is aflame with a young man's passionate inspiration, though never lacking subtler nuance, while Handley simply breathed Elgar like no-one else. —
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1985, Recording of the Year
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Gramophone Awards, 1985, Winner - Concerto
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Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1980s
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Audio formats guide -
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Haydn: Cello Concertos No. 1 & 2
Mstislav Rostropovich (cello)
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Iona Brown
This is a quite extraordinary achievement. Not the least of its merits is that it leaves you loving the music as never before. The orchestra gives splendid support and the sound is warm and... —
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English String Music
RecommendedSinfonia of London & New Philharmonia Orchestra, with the Allegri String Quartet, Sir John Barbirolli
This is almost certainly the very finest recording of English string music...Moreover it might also be considered one of Barbirolli's very finest records —
Awards:
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Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1960s
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Audio formats guide -
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Mendelssohn & Beethoven: Violin Concertos
RecommendedItzhak Perlman (violin)
Philharmonia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini, Andre Previn
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 1981, Winner - Concerto
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Brahms & Dvorak: Violin Concertos
RecommendedItzhak Perlman (violin)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini, Daniel Barenboim
This classic recording of the Brahms may now seem a touch on the stately side, but Perlman's playing is a constant delight. The performance of Dvorak's Concerto is both highly expressive and... —
Awards:
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Grammy Awards, 21st Awards (1978), Classical Album of the Year
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Audio formats guide -
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Awards:
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Building a Library, March 2016, First Choice
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These superbly remastered recording are among the most timeless and inspiring ever made. Essential listening. —
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Sir John Barbirolli conducts English String Music
Sinfonia of London & New Philharmonia Orchestra, with the Allegri String Quartet
Sir John Barbirolli
This is almost certainly the very finest recording of English string music...Moreover it might also be considered one of Barbirolli's very finest records —
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Downloads
Audio formats guide
