Berlioz Janowski

Maestro Marek Janowski leads a sensational cast — including star vocalists Lise Davidsen and Andreas Schager — on this new recording of Der Freischütz, the German Romantic opera par excellence. In the years after its 1821 premiere, the catchy melodies, picturesque charm and spooky scenes of Der Freischütz thrilled audiences throughout Europe. Janowski’s inspired reading lifts out the symphonic qualities of Carl Maria von Weber’s masterpiece, and makes clear why colleagues such as Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner raved about the work.

Maestro Marek Janowski leads a sensational cast — including star vocalists Lise Davidsen and Andreas Schager — on this new recording of Der Freischütz, the German Romantic opera par excellence. In the years after its 1821 premiere, the catchy melodies, picturesque charm and spooky scenes of Der Freischütz thrilled audiences throughout Europe. Janowski’s inspired reading lifts out the symphonic qualities of Carl Maria von Weber’s masterpiece, and makes clear why colleagues such as Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner raved about the work.

Sure. You know your Chuck Berry from your Teddy Bears, but maybe there's a 1,500-year gap in your knowledge of music. To know, know, know classical music is to love, love, love it. The 6 CDs in this collection take you from the middle ages to the Renaissance, the Baroque, to Romanicism to Modernism. They greatest conductors and orchestras play some of the greatest sonatas and symphonies ever written as you read about them in a special 48-page book. Before you know it, you'll be exploring works by your favorite composers or from your favorite era in music. This is the perfect newcomer's guide to music that is no where near as daunting, elitist or impenetrable as you might think.