Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique'

BIS are delighted to present a boxed set of Tchaikovsky’s Symphonies and other works. The recording have been well received. Symphony No.2 ‘Little Russian’ was hailed by Gramophone as ‘an outstanding performance…beautifully played and paced and immaculately recorded’ and No.3 ‘Polish’ of which, to quote International Record Review, Järvi presented ‘a free-flowing account that places choreographic elegance before symphonic muscle.’ Besides the six numbered symphonies, this ample selection (more than 7 hours of playing time) includes favourites such as Francesca da Rimini, Capriccio italien and Serenade for Strings as well as rarities, including rarely recorded extracts from the opera The Voyevoda and the incidental music to Dmitri the Pretender and Vassily Shuisky. The recordings remain available on the original discs as Hybrid SACDs with a Surround Sound option.

Since his death in 2005, there has been growing recognition of Carlo Maria Giulini’s status in the world of conductors. Now we are bringing together his American recordings – made with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra – in two separate capboxes, starting with a 6-CD Los Angeles set.

Giulini (1914–2005) was famous for his combination of rigorous classical discipline with thrilling excitement and colour in performance. Musicians loved him: although an extremely demanding perfectionist, he was, unusually for a conductor, one of the gentlest and most patient of men. As Victor Aitay, the Chicago Symphony's concertmaster recalled: 'In five minutes he had an orchestra that loved him. His approach to music was so honest and sincere, he was so clear and so knowledgeable of the music that the whole orchestra fell for him.' He was acclaimed for the incandescent spirituality and electrifying dynamism of his music-making, and for the remarkable level of ensemble perfection and balance – producing exceptional results both in concert and in the studio.

Fairly late in his career, Giulini became Musical Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, from 1978 to 1984, and made an inspiring series of recordings with them – a “revelatory association” was Gramophone’s phrase. "The orchestra is full of young people who are hungry to make music,” he said, “They do not say, here is Beethoven once more; they really want to play and the esprit de corps is unbelievable." It was especially in this later phase that Giulini's music-making developed a warm, burnished glow that made such a deep impression on Los Angeles Philharmonic audiences.

Here, then, are the complete orchestral recordings from Los Angeles, which include many classics of the repertoire, released for the first time in a single box set.

The three immortal Ballets of Tchaikovsky together in one 6-CD set.

Tchaikovsky, who in his darker moments drowned in Russian gloom, could write the most delightful, sparkling ballet music imaginable.

Famous, near legendary recordings of the great Ernest Ansermet and his Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

Decca licenses.

Newly written linernotes.

Oleg Caetani succeeded Marcus Stenz as Chief Conductor and Artistic director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He is a graduate of the St Petersburg Conservatory and has an interesting approach to Tchaikovsky’s music. He lets the composer speak and avoids the romantic trappings of over exaggerated rubato.