Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
*French National Radio/TV Orchestra, Paris
"Complete Early Berlin Philharmonic Recordings, 1957-1962"
DGG 477.5254, Stereo/Mono, 8 CDs, ADD
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When Lorin Maazel made his first recordings (mono) with the Berlin PO for Deutsche Grammophon, he was a mere 26 years old. One can only imagine the pros and cons (mostly cons) of this "youngster" leading this great, world-class musical institution. But remember, von Karajan was only 30 when he started to lead the orchestra, and there were few who complained. The set is augmented by early recordings of Maazel also leading the French National Radio & TV Orchestra, indicated by the asterisk (*) below.
This eight-CD boxed set documents those early years and includes Maazel's debut recording of 1957, Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet, but here's the complete listing of what's in the box:
- Beethoven: Symphony #5 (rec. 1958/stereo); Symphony #6 (Pastoral) (rec. 1959/stereo); Consecration of the House Overture (rec. 1958/stereo); 12 Contradances (rec. 1960/stereo)
- Brahms: Symphony #3; Tragic Overture (both recorded 1959/stereo)
- Schubert: Symphony #2; Symphony #3 (both rec. 1962/Stereo); Symphony #4 (Tragic) (rec. 1959/Stereo); Symphony #5 (rec. 1961/stereo); Symphony #6 (Little) (rec. 1961/stereo); Symphony #8 (Unfinished) (rec. 1959/stereo)
- Mozart*: Symphony No. 1; Symphony #28; Symphony #41 (Jupiter) (all rec. 1960/stereo) [No. 41 previously unissued]
- Mendelssohn: Symphony #4 (Italian) (rec. 1960/stereo); Symphony #5 (Reformation) (rec. 1961/stereo)
- Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet Dramatic Symphony (rec. 1957/mono)
- Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture (rec. 1957/mono); Symphony #4 (rec. 1960/stereo)
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol (rec. 1958/stereo)
- Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet excerpts from Suites 1/2 (rec. 1957/mono)
- Respighi: Pines of Rome (rec. 1958/stereo)
- Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain (rec. 1959/stereo)
- *Britten: Variations & Fugue on a Theme of Purcell [The Young person's Guide to the Orchestra], Lorin Maazel, narrator (rec. 1962/stereo)
Eight CDs, generously filled time-wise, documenting the early years of Lorin Maazel, extensive notes and commentary by Richard Osbourne, and of course, many pictures throughout the booklet.
