Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle The Sound of Simon Rattle

At the gala concert 2009, the Berliner Philharmoniker under its musical director Sir Simon Rattle and Lang Lang present works by two Russian composers. Sergei Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto, one of his most enduring popular pieces, demands a virtuoso pianist and a huge supple orchestral sound. Both it gets from the world famous Berliner Philharmoniker and the very gifted soloist Lang Lang. “The Nutcracker” by Piotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, perhaps the most popular of all ballets, completes the programme.

Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26 & Béla Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2, Sz. 95, BB 101 -
Lang Lang (piano); Berliner Philharmoniker; Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Classical | 1 CD | EAC Rip | 343 MB, 3% recovery | FLAC+LOG+Cue | Complete scans
Publisher: Sony Classical | Recorded: 2013 | Published: 2013 | Catalog Number: 88883732252

It is extremely hard for any new recording to compete with the stunning 1967 Berlin account that Argerich made with the Berliner Philharmoniker under Abbado… Lang Lang certainly equals the boldness, power and communicative quality of Argerich’s account. Under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle the Berliner Philharmoniker is highly persuasive and sympathetic. Not for the first time the woodwind excel - marvellous. - Michael Cookson; www.musicweb-international.com

This is the latest and, they tell us, the last of EMI’s Simon Rattle Edition, gathering together the conductor’s complete forays into certain composers and repertoire. As with any such project the sets hitherto released have contained both treasures and duds. Even though not everything here is perfect, this set sends the series out on a high with his complete Vienna recording of the Beethoven symphonies.

The conducting of Simon Rattle is the most compelling element in this recording of Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortilèges with the Berlin Philharmonic. Rattle draws playing of great delicacy and nuance from the orchestra, and the many sections that are scored as lightly as chamber music are played with especially loving attention to shaping the elegant and expressive phrases; the beginning of the second part of the opera is especially magical.

Tchaikovsky’s most famous work, The Nutcracker, is presented in this stunning new recording by the world’s greatest orchestra, the Berliner Philharmoniker, under the baton of their celebrated conductor Sir Simon Rattle. This musical fairytale follows Clara and her unusual prince and protector, The Nutcracker, through adventures and exotic delights in the magical Kingdom of Sweets.

Since its foundation in 2008, the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin has enjoyed storied success. Comprised of leading members of the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker, the ensemble combines the unbridled sound beauty of both top orchestras in their agile, chamber music-like playing. The cornerstone for this ensemble was laid by Sir Simon Rattle with his wish to conduct a joint concert with both the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker for his 50th birthday: the playing was so inspiring that the desire for continuing this shared experience immediately arose. The orchestra celebrated its US debut in 2019 with the concerts there with Anne-Sophie Mutter the crowning conclusion of a spectacular tour that saw enthusiastic audiences in 25 venues, such as the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Vienna Musikverein, as well as in Athens, Madrid, Lucerne, and Berlin. Deutsche Grammophon now presents the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin’s first recording on the Yellow Label which includes a premiere recording on DG of Schnittke’s Concerto For Piano And String Orchestra, Op. 136, alongside works by Shostakovich and Lutosławski.

Fans of Donaggio's previous De Palma scores will find a lot to admire here. In the many years since his last collaboration with De Palma, Donaggio hasn't lost a step, and his score for PASSION contains all the brooding darkness and sensuality one would want. As a bonus, you get an excellent recording of one of Debussy's finest pieces.