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The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is one of the most recorded and broadcasted orchestra’s in the world. Their media history goes far back into the 20th Century with Willem Mengelberg as one of the first great conductors to build an extensive catalogue. The first Mengelberg-recording with the RCO took place in May 1926, with performances of Wagner, Berlioz, Beethoven and an impressive Adagietto out of Mahler’s 5th Symphony; a milestone in recording history. What a sound; what a free interpretation. Since then, the RCO has made innumerable recordings with Mengelberg and after 1936 it was frequently recorded by the Dutch Radio (especially AVRO). Today, we can still enjoy the sound of the RCO under Mengelberg thanks to the many live CD recordings. Under the baton of Eduard van Beinum the Concertgebouw Orchestra started their yearlong relationship with the Philips label. Hundreds of recordings with him, and even many more with Bernard Haitink, were added to the impressive recording history of the orchestra. The orchestra in fact recorded (including with famous guest conductors and soloists) for all major record companies such as EMI and Deutsche Gramophone (the wonderful Bernstein Mahler recordings). A new chapter was added when Riccardo Chailly started his tenure as music director. His exclusive DECCA contract and his preference to Italian and to 20th century music enriched the RCO catalogue enormously. In 2004 the orchestra established RCO LIVE, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s own in-house label under which it produces CD, SACD and DVD releases of live concerts given at the Concertgebouw under the direction of Mariss Jansons, as well as the leading guest conductors with whom it regularly works.
Of the more than 1000 records available, MonteVerdi has selected one special edition for every chief-conductor. But of course you can always visit the MonteVerdi CD or DVD Shop to browse your way through the RCO’s recording history.
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Shop for Classical Music CD Boxes
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Willem Mengelberg
Conductor
Released in 2002 by Andante, this is an impressive three-disc collection highlighting the passionate, provocative and inimitable musicianship of Willem Mengelberg and his great Concertgebouw Orchestra. The CD box includes a handsomely illustrated 84-page booklet (Limited Edition - available in all MonteVerdi CD shops except for the UK)
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Eduard van Beinum
Decca recordings 1948 - 1953
Besides his Philips contract, Eduard van Beinum made many recordings for Decca with his Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This 5 CD Box shows the solid musicianship of this maestro with a total lack of self-glorification. (Limited Edition - available in all MonteVerdi CD shops)
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Bernard Haitink –
Bruckner – The symphonies
Bernard Haitink’s interpretations of Bruckner’s and Mahler’s music are internationally regarded as the best ever made. His Bruckner cycle for Philips is an everlasting statement in orchestral history. (Available in all MonteVerdi CD shops)
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Riccardo Chailly
Mahler the symphonies
Riccardo Chailly’s impressive interpretations in the 1995 Mahler Festival of the Concertgebouw came as a big surprise. The new RCO chief turned out to be a magnificent advocate of the RCO Mahler tradition. This complete 12 CD Mahler set is excellent in all musical aspects. (Available in all MonteVerdi CD shops)
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Mariss Jansons
Dvorak symphony no. 9
This recording is one of the first released on the new RCO LIVE label. The recording clearly shows the happy marriage between Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: unique unity, masterly playing, and a velvet orchestra sound. (Available in all MonteVerdi CD shops)
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DVD'S
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Mariss Jansons – Richard Strauss
Ein Heldenleben
A top quality DVD of the majestic symphonic poem that Richard Strauss dedicated to the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Jansons is in splendid form conducting in a dazzling, vibrant performance. Recorded live in the Concertgebouw in September 2004. (Available in the USA, UK and Canada MonteVerdi DVD shops)
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