This varied and vivid selection of works shows Ravel as the master of the ‘choreographic symphony’, words he himself used to describe his masterpiece Daphnis et Chloé, which contains some of his boldest and most resplendent music. His imagination retained a direct link to the poetry of children, as shown in Ma mère l’oye, whilst in Valses nobles et sentimentales he set out to write a sequence of waltzes following the example of Schubert. These classic VOX recordings from 1974 by Stanisław Skrowaczewski and the Minnesota Orchestra are critically acclaimed. The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.

For its final concert of the 2021–22 season and Osmo Vänskä’s last as artistic director, the Minnesota Orchestra chose to present Mahler’s mammoth Eighth Symphony, which calls for one of the largest complement of performers in the history of music, a symbol of the communitarian spirit of collective cultural, social and religious-philosophical endeavour in what has been referred to as a ‘Mass for the Masses’.

Beethoven will always be renowned for his symphonies and concertos, but no collection of his orchestral works would be complete without the overtures and incidental music. The remarkable range of these works is demonstrated by the majestic ceremonial overture The Consecration of the House that invokes the style of Handel, whom Beethoven considered 'the master of us all'. It contrasts with the resolute heroism and high tragedy of Coriolan and the remarkable cantata Meeresstille und gluckliche Fahrt, which cast its spell on Mendelssohn.

Collectors of a certain age may remember this attractive pairing of Mozart’s 17th and 27th piano concertos through its original LP release on Vox’s subsidiary label Candide. It also turned up on CD as part of Vox’s long gone budget Prima series. Newly remastered for Vox’s new Audiophile Series, this 1978 Elite Recordings production supervised by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz retains its vivid impact and vibrant detail.

Universal Music presents the first volume of The Mercury Masters, featuring Byron Janis' rendition of Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2" and "Two Preludes". Newly remastered, this collection comprehensively documents a golden era in American classical recording and many of these vividly characterized recordings are appearing in digital formats for the first time.

"Dazzling orchestral colors," is one one way to describe the music of Ottorino Respighi. "Belkis, Queen of Sheba" was conceived as an evening-long ballet with singing whose lavishness has kept it from view since its La Scala premiere. This is only the second recording of a suite prepared by the composer " for the first time with the tenor solo (sung by Chad Shelton), and with the movements in the correct order. The music's oriental perfumes and barbaric splendor guarantee the enthusiasm of anyone who hears it. "Dance of the Gnomes" is a little-known but characteristically dramatic and colorful (some might say "lurid") tone poem. "Prof." Johnson's stunning HDCD sonics make Respighi's greatest hit "The Pines of Rome" (with extra brasses and organ!) a dazzling conclusion to this unusual, inventive program.

For the latest instalment in their Mahler series, the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of Osmo Vänskä presents what many consider to be the pinnacle of the Austrian composer’s entire work, the Ninth Symphony, his last completed symphony.

The seven Sibelius symphonies span a quarter of a century in all (1899–1924) and encompass a complete world. Were one to choose two that reveal the furthermost poles of his symphonic art, they would be the two recorded here, the First and Fourth; the one an essay in the received tradi tion, the other a work so original and inward-looking as to open up an entirely new world, and inconceivable from the vantage point of the 1890s.

Sergei Rachmaninoff was one of the most beloved composers of the twentieth century. His music is redolent of his Russian homeland, and it sings long, lush melodies that define the term "romantic." Everyone who knows and loves his piano concertos will enjoy these lyrical and dynamic works for orchestra. The "Symphonic Dances" in recent years have become one of Rachmaninoff's most-performed scores. The five "études-Tableaux" were orchestrated by Ottorino Respighi from the brilliant originals for piano. "Vocalise" is one of the great classical melodies, and is hummable by everyone. Initial response from renowned reviewers is amazingly positive. Two have said this is the finest orchestral recording that Reference Recordings has ever made!