Dvorak Järvi

A 50-CD set of legendary recordings celebrating the world-renowned Decca Sound. Classic-status pioneering stereo recordings from the past 60 years and starring a galaxy of internationally-acclaimed artistic talent.

The great Norwegian cellist Truls Mork gathers into a box set of 5 CDs no less than 9 concertos from the vast repertory for cello and orchestra. Recorded during a decade (1991-2001) and released in their time as individuals, these recordings comprise the standard works of his instrument with huge appeal to audiences, namely opuses by Haydn, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Miaskovsky, and some contemporary pieces by Aaron Jay Kernis. In the recorded performances of these pieces, Mork is paired by top notch orchestras such as London Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and world class conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Paavo Jarvi, Eiji Oue and Iona Brown. The captured sound is marvellous throughout.

Gil Shaham took up the violin aged seven and a mere three years later debuted as soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Less than a year later, Shaham performed with Israel's foremost orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Shaham has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras. His recordings for Deutsche Grammaphon reveal a broad repertoire and not least an affinity to the music of the twentieth century.

The intent of this set is pretty clear from the titles of each of the six discs: Meditations; Orchestral Fireworks; Invitation to the Dance; Nocturne; Pomp & Circumstance; Grand Opera. This is mood or 'theme' music designed to provide either a background or a sequence of 'tasters' initiating the person who comes fresh to classical music with a sampling from the 'great and the good'. True the 'great and the good' are all from the core repertoire; not even a scintilla of Janacek, Nielsen, Adams, Reich which is a shame.