Get with the beat
Major maestros dominate this month’s round-up
Last month, we reported on the death of Louis Frémaux, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s much admired former principal conductor. Warner Classics has now released its tribute to the French maestro in the form of a 12-CD Louis Frémaux – The Complete CBSO Recordings set (0190295886738). French music looms large – from Berlioz’s Grande Messe des morts to Ibert’s Bostoniana, and much in between – but it’s not all Gallic, as the likes of Walton and John Mccabe join the party.
Frémaux’s successor at the CBSO was Simon Rattle, who is also the subject of a new box set from Warner Classics. In this instance it is Sir Simon’s 15 years at the Berlin Philharmonic that is being celebrated. Called Rhythm & Colours, the set’s seven CDS largely cover big hitters such as Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and Holst’s Planets, but keep a particular ear out for a Borodin Second Symphony of rare refinement (0190295835026).
For those who crave more Mahler, Signum Records comes up trumps with its Complete Symphonies Nos 1-9, played by the Philharmonia under Lorin Maazel (SIGCD363). Featuring soloists such as mezzo Sarah Connolly, these live Royal Festival Hall performances are from the Philharmonia’s Mahler symphony cycle in 2011 and buzz with atmosphere.
The six discs, meanwhile, that make up conductor Seiji Ozawa and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s The Complete RCA Recordings set (88985392102) contain a wonderfully eclectic mix of repertoire. Perhaps the pick of the recordings are Bartók and Schoenberg piano concertos, played by Peter Serkin.
Finally, for something completely different, try The Sixteen’s three-disc Selva Morale e Spirituale collection (Coro COR16156) – a timely reminder of just why we are all getting so excited about the 450th anniversary of the birth of Monteverdi this year.
Keep an ear out for Rattle’s refined Borodin Second