The late conductor, Kurt Masur, had a long relationship with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, dating back to 1987. This recording, made during his tenure as Principal Conductor (2000-2007), highlights the close relationship between Conductor and Orchestra. This release adds to a growing collection of Shostakovich symphonies on the LPO label. Previous recordings featuring Kurt Masur have been praised for their 'emphatic style' and 'serious class.' The most recent Shostakovich release was described by BBC Music Magazine as "the most stunning Shostakovich disc I have heard this year." The 'Leningrad' Symphony is a true monument to one of the darkest times in recent history. It's famous 'Invasion' theme portrays a brooding sense of unease as an enemy approaches. It was written to bolster the people of the besieged city of Leningrad; it's Leningrad premiere in summer 1942 was broadcast through loudspeakers during the siege as an act of defiance. The London Philharmonic Orchestra gave the UK premiere of this Symphony (it's first performance outside Russia) in June 1942, after the score had been smuggled out of occupied Russia to the West on microfilm.

STRAVINSKY: SYMPHONIES OF WIND INSTRUMENTS

The two works on this release were conducted by the late Klaus Tennstedt who had a long and close association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, including serving as Principal Conductor from 1983-87. Tennstedt rarely conducted ballet music, but his physical exuberance shines through in these recordings. This is the first ever release of Stravinsky's works conducted by Klaus Tennstedt and it adds to a growing collection of his critically acclaimed live performances on the LPO label. Beethoven's Sixth Symphony is a Gramophone Editor's Choice and was described as 'a visionary performance'. Of the collection of Mahler's symphonies, Classic FM Magazine said 'musically it sweeps away everything before it'. The pieces come from early in Stravinsky's career. The Firebird was the first full-length score Stravinsky wrote for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Based on an old Russian folk tale, it tells the story of a young prince who battles an evil demon-king with the help of the mysterious and magical Firebird. Following the success of The Firebird Stravinsky began work on his second ballet. Petrushka once again occupies a typically Russian setting, a fair in St Petersburg's Admiralty Square bustling with revellers and popular Russian melodies. In the centre of the scene, three puppets brought to life dance and squabble as the mesmerized audience looks on.

This release marks the 29th on the LPO label conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, and is the first Jurowski-conducted Richard Strauss release to date. Vladimir Jurowski has a strong affinity with Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman Without a Shadow), and chose to conduct a selection of orchestral highlights from the opera rather than the composer's own published Fantasie. He went on to conduct the complete opera at the Metropolitan Opera in 2013. "If the evening can boast a hero, the honor must go to Vladimir Jurowski, who conducts with abiding passion, sensitivity and propulsion." (The Financial Times) The performances of the three works on this release were also critically well received, with the soloists within the Orchestra noted for their 'poise' and 'exquisite handling' of Die Frau ohne Schatten and Jurowski's 'perfect blending of rich textures' in Eine Alpensinfonie. The Dance of the Seven Veils was performed as part of the opening concert of the London Philharmonic Orchestra's critically acclaimed The Rest is Noise festival of music which shaped the twentieth century. "Jurowski and the LPO set the scene with an outstandingly delicate performance of the Dance of the Seven Veils." (The Financial Times)

Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3 exudes an essential Russianness reacting both the country's distinctive character and the exiled composer's nostalgia for the homeland he left in 1917. Contrastingly, the natural beauty of Rachmaninoff's country estate, Ivanovka, is evoked in 10 Songs, delicately orchestrated by the grandfather of the London Philharmonic Orchestra's Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Vladimir Jurowski and sung here by Vsevolod Grivnov. Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in live concert recordings of this fascinating combination of works.

MAHLER: SYMPHONY NO.4

The head of a musical dynasty, Neeme J�rvi is one of today's most respected maestros. He conducts many of the world's most prominent orchestras and works alongside soloists of the highest caliber. J�rvi has a special affinity with the music of Dvorak and this CD adds to his acclaimed recording of the Requiem released on the LPO label in 2009. In this wonderful live concert recording, he conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. This release presents a strong lineup of soloists from superlative soprano Janice Watson, bass Peter Rose, and tenor Peter Auty.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY NO 3 OVERTURE

SYMPHONY NO 5 & CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA

For collectors of Tchaikovsky Symphonies these recordings of Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3, taken from the Complete Tchaikovsky Symphonies box set are available as a separate release for the first time on the LPO label and along with this re-release of the Manfred Symphony join previous releases of the numbered symphonies as a complete set. Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski is a renowned conductor of Tchaikovsky. The previous release of Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 was a Gramophone recording of the month, number 19 in the Sunday Times 100 best records of the year, a Classic FM album of the week, and one of the Arts Desk's Top Classical albums of 2012. Jurowski's Tchaikovsky has been praised for it's nuance, musical empathy and intelligent phrasing.

CONFESSION OF ISOBEL GOWDIE / CHAMBER SYMPHONY

SYMPHONY NO 7

BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY 1 & SYMPHONY 4

IN LIEBLICHER BLAUE

FIRST NOWELL / CANTATA 63 / VOM HIMMEL HOCH