Kurt Masur

When reading about Sarah Nemtanu’s many musical accomplishments in 2012, it is hard to believe that she is only 31 years old. At the age of 21 she became the joint leader and violin soloist of the Orchestre National de France, and in 2007 she won the French classical music industry’s Instrumental Soloist Revelation award. In 2009 she was the ‘real’ violinist in Radu Mihaileanu’s film 'Le Concert'.

"This is one of my favourite works. The effect it had on me the first time I heard it was almost magical! I sensed I shouldn’t play it too soon; I preferred to save it for a special occasion...The special occasion has occurred. The gifted filmmaker Radu Mihaileanu was able to make the concerto his own through the sincere images and magnificent story of the film 'Le Concert', for which I had the pleasure of advising and doubling the actress Mélanie Laurent.

Mihaileanu’s favourite version for the lengthy final scene was a David Oistrakh recording with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy. I had to adapt my tempi to theirs for the film, but what a pleasure it was to follow this marvellous violinist’s lead – as far as I’m concerned, he is the greatest of them all!

After 'Le Concert' was released, and although I could have taken advantage of the film’s reputation to help my own cause, I didn’t want to record the concerto. I took the time to create my own personal rendition. As chance (or magic. . .) would have it, the concert we recorded took place on 25 April last with the Orchestre National de France conducted by Kurt Masur at the Théâtre du Châtelet." Sarah Nemtanu

Kurt Masur, Honorary Guest conductor, takes the helm of the IPO for Schoenberg's harrowing cry against Nazi Germany coupled with one of Bruckner's most popular Symphonies in the Robert Haas Edition.

"What the text of "A Survivor from Warsaw" means to me ? It is a warning to all Jews never to forget what has been done to us…… The miracle is, to me, that all these people, who might have forgotten for years that they are Jews, suddenly, facing death, remember who they are". Arnold Schoenberg

Recorded live at the Mann Auditorium, 31/12/2006 [Schoenberg] & 3/1995 [Bruckner]

This re-release celebrates one of the world’s most important and credible conductors and reflects Masur’s sovereign command of German symphonic music. The works include Mendelssohn’s Trumpet Overture and the Kyrie from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.

Kurt Masur is well known to London audiences as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic from 2000-2007. In September 2002, Mr. Masur became Music Director of the Orchestre National de France and from the beginning of the 2008/2009 season he assumed the title of Honorary Music Director for Life. Now, aged 82, he has commenced a new association with the Philharmonia Orchestra appearing as recently as February this year at the RFH. However he appears here with his ‘own’ orchestra, with whom he has made many successful recordings for Naïve, in Strauss’ mountain tale inspired by family snowfights at his home in Garmisch.

“The usual things: technical perfection; febrile, vibrato-heavy emotions; strength . . . Her "wired" playing style is especially notable in the chamber pieces, partly because of André Previn, her piano partner . . . his fingers are admirably clean and agile even at the swiftest speeds . . . Lynn Harrell, Mutter’s cello colleague, maintains an appealing velvet throb in the Trio . . . [Concerto]: you can feel the adrenalin pumping . . . the German superstar, pirouetting nicely with a burnished tone, nervous rhythms, a furious finale and a vibrating, skylark andante” The Times, London

Each release includes a booklet with a three-language synopsis (English/French/German), full cast list and detailed track list.