Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

Wind-powered Beethoven — an obvious choice for the Naturally series! Naturally Beethoven features two major works transcribed for wind ensemble. The Symphony No. 7 is a version authorized by Beethoven himself, scored for two oboes, two clarinets, two horns, two bassoons and one contrabassoon. The composer’s Septet opus 20 — originally scored for strings and winds— is presented in a transcription by Jiri Druzecky and Antonin Myslik.

Bonus material includes two rarely-heard songs by Beethoven, Ecco quel fiero istante,and In questa tomba oscura — works composed in 1795 and 1807 respectively.

Beethoven's complete incidental music to 'Egmont' is rarely recorded, as opposed to merely the Overture. At this series of concerts it was performed together with the sublime 7th Symphony in an interpretation by one of the great Beethoven conductors of our time.

This CD commemorates Kurt Masur's 85th birthday, recorded live at the Smolarz Auditorium, Tel Aviv University.

The Oslo Chamber Academy us a new ensemble with some of Scandinavia’s leading wind soloists. Since their formation, they have quickly established a reputation as being authentic advocates of music from whichever period they are performing, adjusting their instruments to reflect the repertoire.

Since 2010 they have been travelling overseas to showcase their unique ensemble, participating in many different festivals and including ‘Ruhr 2010’.

This is the first recording made by Jaap van Zweden with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, captured live at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center during a two-week Beethoven Festival in November 2007, one year before Maestro van Zweden assumed the role as the DSO’s Music Director. These recordings capture the energy and rapport that have come to define van Zweden’s five-year tenure with the DSO.