Deutsche Grammophon Best

Biber - Missa Salisburgensis - Musica Antiqua Koeln, Goebel, McCreesh (1998) {Deutsche Grammophon}
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© 1998 Deutsche Grammophon / Archiv Produktion / PolyGram | 457 611-2
Classical / Choral / Baroque

The Missa Salisburgensis for 53 parts in eight separate choirs, often called "the Mahler 8th of the baroque," is by far the most grandiose work composed before the 18th century. Written (by an unnamed composer generally presumed to be Biber) for the 1,100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Salzburg, it has extravagant scoring reflecting that city's enormous self-regard. This Mass is rarely performed or recorded, and probably not just because of logistical and financial constraints–the work can often seem tedious and overblown. The large number of parts and the reverberant acoustic of Salzburg Cathedral allowed for very little harmonic variety (virtually the entire Mass is in C major) or virtuoso fireworks; the music can make its effects only through variety of instrumental color and sheer massive sound. It is very much to the credit of Paul McCreesh, Reinhard Goebel, and their musicians that the Missa Salisburgensis sounds so engaging here: the grandeur is leavened with plenty of rhythmic snap, and some lighter moments sound tender and almost delicate. Unusually for McCreesh, there are no chants, prayers, or other trappings of a liturgical reconstruction; there are, however, three sumptuous instrumental sonatas and a motet included with the Mass. This may not be the most profound music of the 17th century, but it is surely among the most jubilant.

The compact disc, as a sound carrier, was still on the horizon when Herbert von Karajan urged his record company to utilize the new digital technology in his recordings. Consequently Karajan's Magic Flute, recorded in 1980, became the first release of a Deutsche Grammophon digital production and was first released on LP. By the time the maestro died in 1989, the CD had finally replaced the LP as the primary sound carrier, yet he was realistic enough to know that the pioneering early stages of the digital era would be followed by further technical development. This is reflected in Karajan Gold. In this series the later development of the digital process that occurs after Karajan's death could be turned to the benefit of the Maestro's own recordings. Thirty releases from the early digital era were remastered for this series using DG's special Original-Image Bit-Processing technology. They were issued between 1993-1995.

Sting - Symphonicities (2010) {Deutsche Grammophon}
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© 2010 Deutsche Grammophon / Cherry Tree / UMG | 274 2537
Rock / Pop / Classical Crossover

Given Sting’s far-reaching ambition and interests, it was merely a matter of time before he recorded an orchestral album, but 2010’s Symphonicities surprises by offering symphonic arrangements of his older songs instead of a new work. This is a canny move, for the common complaint lodged against rock-classical crossovers is against the quality of the material – think Paul McCartney or Billy Joel – a criticism that can’t be leveled here, as this is a selection of some of Sting’s best songs.

The Beethoven quartets have always been at the cote of the Emerson Quartet's repertoire, and over the years it has honed its playing of these works to a fine degree. Here in this new set we encounter exaltation, immaculate playing and ensemble precision of awesome proportions (typically, first and second violinists often swap their roles). The Emerson is perhaps the best rehearsed quartet of our century. The playing is not only flawless technically, but reflects a careful study of the music, both formally and in the players' intense preoccupation with textual matters. The recording of this set is also spectacular.

Göran Söllscher - Here, There and Everywhere: Göran Söllscher plays The Beatles
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Label/Catalog: Deutsche Grammophon # 447 104-2 | Country/Year: Germany 1995
Genre: Classical / Pop | Style: Crossover

This may be the best-ever recording of arrangements of Beatles' songs. (…) What makes this CD so successful is Sollscher's classical guitar expertise and the quality of the people writing the arrangements, which includes Toru Takemitsu, noted Japanese classical composer…

Mozart - The Complete Symphonies [The English Concert by Trevor Pinnock] (2002) [11CD BoxSet] {Deutsche Grammophon Collectors Edition}
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© 2002 Deutsche Grammophon / ARCHIV Produktion | 471 666-2
Classical / Symphony

Trevor Pinnock's set of Mozart symphonies, recorded between 1992 and early 1995, was greeted warmly upon its release in three separate volumes (the last volume typically never made it to U.S. shores as a domestic release) and Universal has seen fit to re-issue it in an 11-CD box as part of its Collectors Edition series. While the general public honed its "historically informed" ear on the pioneering compilation set by Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music in the mid-1980s, Pinnock's later account, the second such to use period instruments, showed just how much more refined and skillful period-instrument playing was to become.

Various Artists - Piano Daydreams - Argerich, Lang, Barenboim (2016) {Deutsche Grammophon Virtuoso Series 483 0395}
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© 2016 Deutsche Grammophon | 483 0395
Classical / Piano

August brings a new batch of (six) titles in the Virtuoso series. Building the range of recordings with big symphonies, key concertos, influential choral works and appealing chamber music. All of the titles in the series offer excellent recordings, famous artists, strong visuals, innovative booklet notes and best-selling composers. They tick every box to make serious classical music as easy and approachable as can be, with integrity and without compromise.

Arvo Pärt - Tabula Rasa (1999) {Deutsche Grammophon 00289 479 0569}
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© 1999 Deutsche Grammophon | 00289 479 0569
Classical / Contemporary Classical

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is best known for the mystical minimalist style he developed in the late 1970s. While pivotal works from this period are included here, this disc's special value is the glimpse it gives of where Pärt was coming from before he simplified his style. His Symphony no. 3 from 1971 contains many premonitions of the austere, quasi-religious music to come: unaccompanied Gregorian chant-like melodies, for example, and the punctuation of bells. But the Symphony also has a wider range of expression, color and dramatic contrasts, sharing a seriousness of purpose with Pärt's later works, but in a manner more akin to Shostakovich.

Seiji Ozawa - The Art of Seiji Ozawa (2013) [16CD Set] {Deutsche Grammophon}
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© 2013 Deutsche Grammophon / Universal | DG 4807020
Classical / Concerto / Symphony

A rewarding release… As to the Mandarin, first impressions suggest a gloved fist on Ozawa's part and a general softening of attack since [his earlier DG recording from] 1975… Ozawa is strong on sensuality - those all-pervading glissandos, the seduction games and the languidly teasing sequences that lead to the chase… As to the Concerto for Orchestra…the Bostonians' Bartókian pedigree - it was, after all, Koussevitzky who commissioned the work — guarantees a certain élan and refinement… Ozawa is best where the going gets frantic (his finale is terrific, especially at the outset, and he plays Bartok's more concise original ending)… Ozawa's virtues are intelligence, alertness and a fine ear for detail… (Gramophone [8/1995] reviewing the Bartók recordings, originally released as Philips 442783)