GUSTAV MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 6

Mahler once remarked to Sibelius “a symphony must be like the world, it must embrace everything.” His Sixth Symphony is a salient and personal statement, containing musical depictions of his wife and children. It reaches a tragic conclusion in the Finale representing “the hero, on whom fall three blows of fate, the last of which fells him as a tree is felled.” Klaus Tennstedt’s interpretations of Mahler during his celebrated partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra bear testimony to the way Mahler composed his life.

BENJAMIN BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Double Concerto for Violin & Viola
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10
Les Illuminations

This live recording conducted by the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s highly acclaimed Principal Conductor, Vladimir Jurowski, brings together three of Britten’s early works. Written just before his published Opus 1, the Double Concerto for Violin and Viola was never performed during Britten’s lifetime, but already demonstrates his mature style. The memorable way that the string orchestra depicts different characteristics of Britten’s composition teacher in the Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge led it to become Britten’s first popular classic. Les Illuminations sets Rimbaud’s poetry in vividly realised musical images, making it the crowning masterpiece of Britten’s early years.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN 1770-1827
Symphony No. 9

In one of his last concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra before his retirement from public performance, Klaus Tennstedt turned to Beethoven’s unequivocal proclamation of human love and brotherhood: the Ninth Symphony. As the conductor struggled with illness, every one of his late concerts in London became an event, as if any could be his last. Tennstedt’s singularly grand and lengthy view of Beethoven’s music was unique; that, and the acute atmosphere of his last London appearances, shines through in this performance, one of a pair of concerts marking the Orchestra’s 60th anniversary.

ARNOLD BAX (1883-1953)
Tintagel

SERGEI RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Symphony No. 3

Osmo Vänskä conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in thrilling live recordings of works by Bax and Rachmaninov, two composers renowned for their sweeping romanticism. As his tone poem unfolds, Bax’s music evokes legendary images of Tintagel whilst also reflecting a passionate love affair. Similarly, Rachmaninov’s third and most expressive symphony is a work of intense lyricism, unified by a melancholic and emotional melody.