Classical 6 iMix

Here’s the iMix for this coming week’s classical series concerts with conductor Hannu Lintu and cellist Ralph Kirshbaum. The recommended Sibelius recording is from a set recorded in the 60’s by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. I’d’ long heard that it was a landmark recording of the complete symphonies, and I was not disappointed. The orchestral sound is the aural equivalent of an S-class Mercedes, all luxurious, taut, powerful, and refined. The Beethoven recording is from the single best bargain in classical music: the set of Beethoven Symphonies recorded by David Zinman and the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra. Brilliant sound, breakneck tempi, and the entire set of all nine symphonies for less than $45 on iTunes. Finally, the Haydn is performed by the French marvel of the cello Gautier Capuçon with conductor Daniel Harding and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. A wonderfully idiomatic reading of these two great concerti for the cello, with many nods to period performance, but performed on modern instruments. The best of both worlds. Enjoy!

UPDATE: As OSO cellist Adam Esbensen said in his comment, the complete Beethoven Symphonies recorded by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Riccardo Muti (plus three add’l overtures) are mis-priced on iTunes for $9.99! Plus they’re under the higher file quality iTunes Plus format and have no digital copyright countermeasures. Get the set now before they discover the mistake!