This brand-new deluxe edition is part of Decca's anniversary program commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of the great opera composer Giacomo Puccini. Made in January 1974 at Vienna's Sofiens?le, this recording features the finest ensemble of the era, led by Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti, and conducted by Herbert von Karajan. Upon it's initial release, the recording was praised by critics and music lovers alike, with Gramophone magazine describing it as "a set to dream about." Remastered from the original 1975 tapes, the legacy continues with this 3 LP set on audiophile 180g vinyl.

Double vinyl LP pressing. Sheku's 2018 chart-topping debut album, Inspiration, centered around Shostakovich's 1st Cello Concerto. Now, he's recorded the 2nd Cello Concerto, during a critically acclaimed tour with John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London. The work features alongside the Shostakovich Cello Sonata and Britten Cello Sonata, recorded with his sister and frequent duo partner, Isata Kanneh-Mason. Shostakovich wrote the concerto for renowned cellist, Rostropovich, with whom he also shared a mutual friendship with Britten. The sonatas on this album were recorded in Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, the same place that Rostropovich and Britten recorded the Britten Cello Sonata for Decca in 1968 - the recording which made Sheku fall in love with the work.

Acclaimed pianist Beatrice Rana presents her latest album, a radiant tribute to J.S. Bach's Keyboard Concertos. Featuring BWV 1052, 1053, 1054, and 1056, this recording captures the intimate chemistry of Rana with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, with Candida Thompson as concertmaster. Recorded in April 2022, following a 10-concert tour together, the album reflects the depth and brilliance born of their shared musical journey. Bach's timeless elegance and energy are reimagined through Rana's expressive artistry and the ensemble's dynamic interpretation.

In my opinion, film music is one of the rare territories where a composer can write freely, providing that he chooses the films and subjects that suit his personality. This is the ideology that Howard Shore, one of the most innovative film composers, has embraced for more than 40 years. This album provides the perfect synthesis of three Paris concerts, which aimed to define the mysterious contours of the composer's multifaceted output. Picture Disc 3 LP set in special 3-flap-butterfly gatefold with lyrics in Sindarin and English translation from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring. Limited Edition.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra led by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt. Presented as part of the Decca Collection focusing on composers and their most famous pieces of all time, encompassed in beautifully hand-drawn packaging in an expressionist style and pressed on red colored vinyl.

Luciano Pavarotti is captured at the height of his expressive power, interpreting the arias that made him a legend. From the soaring lyricism of Verdi to the heartfelt passion of Puccini, this definitive collection reveals Pavarotti's unparalleled gift for shaping a melody, illuminating a character, and touching the soul. Each track glows with renewed depth and presence, drawing listeners closer than ever to the unmistakable warmth and brilliance of the world's most beloved tenor. The album is reissued with newly remastered HD audio for the very first time. These were taken freshly from the pre-master tapes in the Decca vaults and bring a fresh and beautiful perspective to these historic recordings.

Verismo, meaning "realism," was a late-19th century movement in Italian opera that shifted the focus from kings and myths to ordinary people living vivid, emotionally charged lives. These operas confront love, jealousy, betrayal, and longing with unfiltered immediacy. The arias on this album are direct, lyrical, and often explosive, demanding a singer who can deliver both technical brilliance and raw human truth. Originally released in 1971, this reissue comes with new remastered HD audio for the first time. These were taken freshly from the pre-master tapes in the Decca vaults and bring a fresh and beautiful perspective to these historic recordings.

The definitive power and passion of Dvor�k's Symphony No. 9 'From the New World', captured in Karajan's legendary 1977 recording with the Berliner Philharmoniker, is made available in a limited edition LP pressing. Widely celebrated for it's vivid dramatic sweep, lush emotional depth, and superb orchestral execution, this performance stands as a landmark in the history of classical recording. Karajan's interpretation sensitively reveals how Dvor�k weaves the musical impressions of his American experience into the unmistakable fabric of his Central European Romantic style.

This boxset includes the Beethoven recordings made with the Philharmonia Orchestra between 1951 and 1958: the complete symphonies (with the Nos. 8 and 9 in stereo) - Karajan's most highly regarded cycle - as well as three overtures, some arias with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, the Piano Concertos Nos. 4 and 5 with Swiss pianist Walter Gieseking, and finally the Missa solemnis. "Karajan's 1953 recording of the Seventh Symphony truly is one of the finest performances of the Symphony ever put on disc... his 1954 Pastoral is indeed miraculous." Gramophone

Jean-Yves Thibaudet/Gustavo Dudamel/Los Angeles Philharmonic - "Khachaturian: Piano Concerto" / Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic comprise the dream team for a rarely recorded concerto, the Khachaturian: Piano Concerto. Verve Label Group; Decca; Classical.

NABUCCO

Seiji Ozawa / Boston Symphony Orchestra - Respighi: Pines of Rome; Roman Festivals; Fountains of Rome [180g 2 LP] No contemporary Italian was as successful an instrumental composer in the concert hall in the period after World War I as Ottorino Respighi with his four-movement symphonic poems, 'Fountains of Rome' (1917), 'Pines of Rome' (1924) and 'Feste Romane' (1929). In these works, programme music experienced a magnificent revival. When this Boston Symphony recording was made on 8-track analog in 1977, the nightingale's song was not recorded during the orchestral sessions but added in from an additional tape when the 2-track master was mixed a few weeks later in Hanover. That additional tape is no longer in the archives. So, in preparing this new release for DG's Original Source Series, producer Rainer Maillard decided to use one of Hampe's original recordings (as chosen by Respighi himself), playing the 1910 shellac disc (matrix no. 7438r) on an acoustic gramophone in the Emil Berliner Studios' echo chamber and mixing it in (in real time) while cutting. 2-LP set, 180g vinyl.

Sir John Barbirolli's electrifying interpretations of the works of Jean Sibelius have inspired audiences all over the world. In a letter to Barbirolli, Sibelius declared himself to be a 'devoted admirer' of the conductor, adding that he was always happy to know that his compositions were in Barbirolli's 'masterful hands'. This collection features, among other works, the complete symphonies - including Barbirolli's specialty, No. 2 -, the incidental music of Pell�as et M�lisande and that great instrumental song of nationalism Finlandia.

Elgar: Cello Concerto, Sea Pictures (Vinyl) - At the premiere of Elgar's Cello Concerto in 1919, John Barbirolli - himself a cellist - was playing in the London Symphony Orchestra. When he recorded the work in 1965 he chose Jacqueline du Pr� as soloist and she remains inextricably linked with this elegiac, but passionate work. Barbirolli's special affection for Elgar's music is just as evident in the glorious account of Sea Pictures with Janet Baker and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Limited triple vinyl LP pressing. Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, with it's story of magical transformations, love and deceit and it's irresistibly melodic score, defines Romantic ballet. It is no coincidence that conductor Andr� Previn has described himself as "a complete romantic" and that this recording has become a classic of the catalogue. When it was made in 1976, Previn had spent the best part of a decade as Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. With their combination of show business flair and deep sensitivity, he and the LSO's players proved to be the ideal team for Tchaikovsky's glorious ballet music.

Vinyl LP pressing. When it comes to evoking the colors and moods of Vivaldi's Spring', 'Summer', 'Autumn' and 'Winter', Itzhak Perlman deploys an inimitably rich and varied palette. He directs the London Philharmonic Orchestra from the violin.

Shani retains the joy without over-forcing the music's physical impact... The Rotterdam Philharmonic possesses an appealing inner glow and warmth that radiates a strong sense of collegiate endeavour. (BBC Music Magazine) The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and it's chief conductor Lahav Shani open this Mendelssohn album with Mendelssohn's Symphony No 3, the 'Scottish', that was inspired by his first visit to Great Britain in 1829. The overture Meeresstille und gl�ckliche Fahrt (Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage), first heard in 1828, was inspired by two short poems by Goethe. The album closes with 3 of Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte Op.19b, orchestrated by maestro Shani.

WAGNER: TRISTAN UND ISOLDE

Yuja Wang/Andris Nelsons/Boston Symphony Orchestra - "Messiaen: Turangalilaa-Symphonie". A sonic masterpiece unfolds as Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra join forces with Yuja Wang for a stunning rendition of Olivier Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie. This stunning recording, produced by the BSO's legendary audio team, is now available on CD.

John Eliot Gardiner Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra "The Brahms project with the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique in 2007 was a thrilling undertaking - a thorough reappraisal of Brahms's sound world, both in terms of period instruments and a study of the surviving evidence of performance practice. So why then a second recording 18 years later? First, because these symphonies are evergreen - miracles at the time of their inception and super-challenging every time one encounters them. Second, because I sensed a need and a personal challenge to build on that seminal earlier experience and to extend it's findings and interpretations to/in working with a modern instrument orchestra - especially such a distinguished, flexible and immensely accomplished one as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - in search of a fresh synthesis of styles and approaches. 'Fuego y cristal,' as Jorge Luis Borges described them. That's what we've been aiming at." - John Eliot Gardiner. 3-CD Digipak set with booklet.

Joe Hisaishi - "Joe Hisaishi Conducts The End Of The World; Reich: The Desert Music". Joe Hisaishi's new album blends cinematic sound worlds with the spellbinding power of a live performance experience. Recorded in 2024 at Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Hisaishi's album features the maestro's original piece "The End of the World" and Steve Reich's "Desert Music," performed with the Futures Orchestra Classics and the Philharmonic Chorus of Tokyo. Now in it's seventh volume, the "JOE HISAISHI FUTURE ORCHESTRA CLASSICS" series highlights Joe Hisaishi's signature versatility, precision and passion. CD Digipak.

Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works and Concertos - The ultimate offering for the 2025 Ravel Anniversary Year: Seong-Jin Cho is joined by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons to bring you, Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works and Concertos, available on this deluxe, hardcover book 3 CD boxset. Limited Edition. Seong-Jin Cho Andris Nelsons Boston Symphony Orchestra.

In May 2002, in a series of live concerts in the Golden Hall of Vienna's Musikverein, a journey unique in the Wiener Philharmoniker's long and distinguished history reached it's conclusion. This thrilling set of symphonies is the fruit of that journey. The recordings were made 'live', Sir Simon Rattle believing that a live performance has it's own rhythm. "A superbly played account... Rattle's must now be the strongest recommendation amongst modern Beethoven cycles." BBC Music Magazine

Born at the intersection of music, visual arts, and the world of cinema, this vibrant new program by producer Robert Townson brings together ten internationally renowned composers in world-premiere compositions. Pictures at an Exhibition: The Paintings of Bob Peak is modelled after the timeless concept of one of Mussorgsky's greatest works and brought to life by the Los Angeles Film Orchestra, under the baton of the legendary conductor Leonard Slatkin. Each one of the ten new movements is inspired by a unique piece from the oeuvre of the American illustrator Bob Peak (1927-1992), known for his posters for films including West Side Story, Superman, Apocalypse Now, and the original Star Trek movies, but also a prolific artist of commissions for Time magazine, the Olympics, and countless others. Composers include Mychael Danna, Harry Gregson-Williams, Marc Shaiman and Bill Conti.

New HD 192kHz/24-bit remastering from original tapes by Studio Circ�. Herbert Blomstedt is an iconic American-born Swedish conductor known for his extensive career and "old-world ideals" approach to music. His career has included tenures as chief conductor of prominent orchestras, such as the Staatskapelle Dresden, and as music director of the San Francisco Symphony. Blomstedt was notably the first conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra from 1967 to 1977, during which time he made the acclaimed recordings contained in this Nielsen box set. Blomstedt's conducting style is often described as disciplined and serene, using minimal, refined gestures without a baton, as he believes the orchestra needs a musician to communicate with rather than a "time beater." He has been praised for his ability to bring out the grace and clarity in a piece, and for his collaborative and communicative relationship with the musicians he leads.