Notable Classical Music Box Sets, January 2025

Michael Tilson Thomas – The Complete Columbia, CBS and RCA Recordings

Michael Tilson Thomas – The Complete Columbia, CBS, and RCA Recordings
This 80-disc box set compiles Michael Tilson Thomas’s recordings for Columbia, CBS, and RCA from 1973 to 2005, showcasing his expansive repertoire across orchestral, choral, and vocal works. The collection highlights Tilson Thomas’s affinity for American composers, with standout performances of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (featuring the Columbia Jazz Band) and An American in Paris alongside the New York Philharmonic. His recordings of Ives’s symphonies with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Concertgebouw Orchestra further emphasize his dedication to American music.

The set also features Tilson Thomas’s interpretations of Mahler, Berlioz, and Stravinsky, as well as core repertoire by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. This Sony Classical box is a more comprehensive collection of Tilson Thomas’s recordings, covering a wider repertoire than the 14-disc set recently released by Eloquence / Deutsche Grammophon. With performances by orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and San Francisco Symphony, the collection provides a broad view of Tilson Thomas’s collaborations and musical interests.

Haydn – Complete Symphonies – Heidelberger Sinfoniker

The Heidelberger Sinfoniker’s complete cycle of Haydn symphonies, which began in 1999, stands as a comprehensive and solid offering in the catalog. Initially led by Thomas Fey, the project was later entrusted to other conductors after Fey stepped down due to health issues. This 36-disc set employs period instruments and offers an alternative to Giovanni Antonini’s ongoing cycle with Il Giardino Armonico and the Kammerorchester Basel. While Antonini’s recordings often push interpretative boundaries with a more radical edge, the Heidelberger set opts for a refined, less provocative approach, bringing out Haydn’s humor and inventiveness in a natural and unforced manner. Reviews consistently highlight the ensemble’s crisp playing and stylistic authenticity, making this collection a reliable purchase for Haydn aficionados.

David Oistrakh: Warner Remastered Edition

Released to mark the 50th anniversary of David Oistrakh’s passing, this 61-disc set (58 CDs and 3 DVDs) offers a comprehensive overview of the legendary violinist’s artistry. The collection includes Oistrakh’s complete Warner Classics studio recordings, originally made for Columbia and HMV, newly remastered in HD from the original tapes. Alongside these are live and early studio performances, with many receiving their first CD release. The set also features concert footage and a documentary directed by Bruno Monsaingeon, adding further context to Oistrakh’s legacy. This box provides a detailed portrait of one of the 20th century’s most influential violinists, capturing his technical brilliance and musicianship.

Paavo Järvi – Complete Erato Recordings

This 31-disc box set compiles Paavo Järvi’s recordings for Erato, highlighting his work with orchestras such as the Orchestre de Paris, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. The set reflects Järvi’s focus on Nordic and Baltic composers, featuring works by Sibelius, Pärt, Tüür, and Tubin. Key symphonic works include Sibelius’s Kullervo, Lemminkäinen Suite, and cantatas, as well as symphonies by Stenhammar, Roussel, and Tubin. The collection also features Brahms’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2, with Nicholas Angelich as soloist. Other notable soloists include cellist Truls Mørk and mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter.

Beyond this core repertoire, the set spans a wide range of composers, from Mahler and Rachmaninoff to Bernstein and Britten. Concertos by Prokofiev, Dvořák, and Bruch are featured, alongside orchestral works by Dukas, Bizet, and Dutilleux. A previously unreleased performance of Franck’s Symphony in D minor, recorded in 2023, adds further interest to this survey of Järvi’s recordings. The variety and depth of the collection offer a broad perspective on his work across different styles and eras.

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