DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH 1906-1975
Symphony No.1 in F minor
Symphony No.5 in D minor

Shostakovich’s Symphonies 1 and 5 stand as milestones in what is probably the most important symphonic canon of the 20th century. In live recordings Kurt Masur and the London Philharmonic Orchestra survey the First Symphony, which established the composer as a skilful symphonist, and the Fifth, which confirmed his status as one of the greatest artistic talents of his time.

SERGEI RACHMANINOV 1873-1943
The Isle of the Dead
Symphonic Dances

These live recordings capture some of the first fruits of Vladimir Jurowski’s celebrated relationship with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, an ensemble through which he has championed the music of Rachmaninov both at the Royal Festival Hall and at Glyndebourne. These accounts of two contrasting but equally gripping orchestral works mirror the freshness and immediacy of the Russian musician’s relationship with this great British orchestra.

RICHARD WAGNER 1813-1883
Orchestral excerpts from Wagner operas:
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Rienzi, Götterdämmerung, Die Walküre, Tannhäuser

Wagner’s celebrated output for the opera house resulted not only in some staggering stage works, but also in unparalleled orchestral achievements. His operatic overtures, preludes and interludes have acquired a status as stand-alone concert works in their own right. Klaus Tennstedt was totally dedicated to the London Philharmonic Orchestra – a dedication which was reciprocated by the Orchestra’s musicians, staff and audiences, and which pervades these live performances from 1992.

JOHANNES BRAHMS 1833-1897
Symphony 1 in C minor
Tragic Overture
Academic Festival Overture

Marin Alsop and the London Philharmonic Orchestra revel in their first mutual encounter with Brahms on disk, as the orchestra respond to Alsop's vitality with deft, resonant playing.

'This is a strong start to a new Brahms symphony cycle from Naxos. Marin Alsop... brings the right balance of freshness and tradition to Brahms's First Symphony.'; 'The Tragic Overture has a rare sense of foreboding, and its moment of enlightenment towards the end is imbued with heartbreak. The Academic Festival Overture, meanwhile, is raspingly exuberant and a splendid close to the disc.' Matthew Rye, Daily Telegraph