Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Bruckner

Given the depth, range and quality of the Deutsche Grammophon catalogue, it’s hardly been difficult to put together another anthology of great recordings and great artists. The structure is as before – here are 53 original albums (including three double-sets), featuring the great names of Deutsche Grammophon’s recording history, presented, once more, in alphabetical order of artist. Claudio Abbado leads off with a complete Carmen and Krystian Zimerman rounds off with his memorable account of the Chopin Ballades.

Conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler already enjoyed a worldwide legendary standing during his lifetime - he was considered the German conductor and performances were greeted with rapturous applause. Today, more than 50 years after his death, Wilhelm Furtwangler is still an icon and his work has become an integral part ofthe music scene.

This 50-CD collection of analogue albums aims to represent the heyday of Philips’ passion for great natural sound – the Stereo Years. There was a firm belief within the label’s team that recording technique was there to serve the music - the Musicians had their own views about how any given piece should be interpreted and how it should sound; the recording team’s job was to grasp that vision and make it a reality. This recording philosophy, combined with great artistry and visionary repertoire policy, created a special chapter in the history of classical music recordings that still inspires artists, sound engineers and collectors alike.

This 50-CD collection of analogue albums aims to represent the heyday of Philips’ passion for great natural sound – the Stereo Years. There was a firm belief within the label’s team that recording technique was there to serve the music - the Musicians had their own views about how any given piece should be interpreted and how it should sound; the recording team’s job was to grasp that vision and make it a reality. This recording philosophy, combined with great artistry and visionary repertoire policy, created a special chapter in the history of classical music recordings that still inspires artists, sound engineers and collectors alike.

"Kurt Masur has made some excellent recordings of Liszt's orchestral works where the music has been nobly served by his balanced approach. His performances have been characterized by an underlying warmth and romance, and he has shown real passion where it is appropriate, of a kind where there is no spilling over into the rhetorical posturing which can sometimes bedevil performances of this composer's music. Those admirable qualities are again apparent in this latest record." (Gramophone)

Gerd Albrecht was a leading German conductor. He was best known for his interpretations of late Romantic and 20th century German repertory. His father was Hans Albrecht (1902-1961), a well-known musicologist. He was a choral scholar at the age of 15 and began conducting when he was 16. He studied at the Hamburg Musikhochschule (Hamburg Music Academy) from 1955 to 1958.

We propose a toast, as our Spatburgunder anniversary compilation brings you velvety elegance and distinctive, symphonic sounds of the orchestra, led by esteemed conductors such as Marek Janowski and Lawrence Foster. The music on our celebration of orchestral music is a hand-picked selection of classical gems from the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Bruckner, played by orchestras including Akademie fur Alte Musik, the WDR, and Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestras, bringing you a chance to reminisce and enjoy some old favourites.