Volume 1 01. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 1. Introitus et Kyrie 02. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 2. Graduale 03. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 3. Dies irae 04. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 4. Offertorium 05. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 5. Sanctus 06. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 6. Pie Jesu 07. Requiem No. 2 in D Minor : 7. Agnus Dei 08. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 1. Kyrie 09. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 2. Gloria 10. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 3. Credo 11. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 4. Sanctus 12. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 5. Benedictus 13. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 6. Agnus Dei
Volume 2 01. Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338 : I. Allegro vivace 02. Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338 : II. Andante di molto 03. Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338 : IIa. Minuet K. 409 04. Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338 : III. Finale (Allegro vivace) 05. Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504 "Prague" : I. Adagio - Allegro 06. Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504 "Prague" : II. Andante 07. Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504 "Prague" : III. Finale (Presto) 08. Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner" : I. Allegro con spirito 09. Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner" : II. Andante 10. Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner" : III. Menuetto 11. Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner" : IV. Finale (Presto) 12. Sinfonia in G Major : I. Allegro (Arr. by Hans Gál) 13. Sinfonia in G Major : II. Andante (Arr. by Hans Gál) 14. Sinfonia in G Major : III. Allegro (Arr. by Hans Gál)
Volume 3 01. Bassoon Concerto in B-Flat Major, K. 191 : I. Allegro - Cadenza: Edouard Flament 02. Bassoon Concerto in B-Flat Major, K. 191 : II. Andante ma adagio 03. Bassoon Concerto in B-Flat Major, K. 191 : III. Rondo (Tempo di menuetto) 04. Sinfonia concertante in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:105 : I. Allegro 05. Sinfonia concertante in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:105 : II. Andante 06. Sinfonia concertante in B-Flat Major, Hob. I:105 : III. Allegro con spirito 07. Concerto for 2 Flutes in G Major, G. 1077 : I. Allegro 08. Concerto for 2 Flutes in G Major, G. 1077 : II. Largo 09. Concerto for 2 Flutes in G Major, G. 1077 : III. Rondo. Allegretto ma non tanto 10. Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D. 200 : I. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con brio 11. Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D. 200 : II. Allegretto 12. Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D. 200 : III. Menuetto (Vivace) 13. Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D. 200 : IV. Presto. Vivace
Volume 4 01. Music to Goethe's Tragedy "Egmont", Op. 84 02. Overture "Leonore No. 3", Op. 72b 03. Overture "Fidelio", Op. 72c 04. Overture "Coriolan", Op. 62 05. Overture "Nameday", Op. 115 06. Overture "The Consecration of the House", Op. 124
Volume 5 01. Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica" : I. Allegro con brio 02. Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica" : II. Marcia funebre (Adagio assai) 03. Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica" : III. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) 04. Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 "Eroica" : IV. Finale (Allegro molto)
Volume 6 01. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" : I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande: Allegro ma non troppo 02. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" : II. Szene am Bach: (Andante molto mosso) 03. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" : III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute (Allegro) 04. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" : IV. Gewitter, Sturm (Allegro) 05. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral" : V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm: Allegretto
Volume 7 01. Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 : I. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro - Meno allegro 02. Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 : II. Andante sostenuto 03. Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 : III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso 04. Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 : IV. Adagio - Piu andante - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio - Piu allegro
Volume 8 01. Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 : I. Allegro non troppo 02. Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op.98 : 2. Andante moderato 03. Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op.98 : 3. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno presto - Tempo I 04. Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op.98 : 4. Allegro energico e passionato - Più allegro 05. Harold en Italie, Op.16 : 1. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio - Allegro) 06. Harold en Italie, Op.16 : 2. Marche des Pèlerins (Allegretto) 07. Harold en Italie, Op.16 : 3. Sérénade (Allegro assai - Allegretto) 08. Harold en Italie, Op.16 : 4. Orgie de brigands (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro, Tempo I)
Volume 9 01. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : 1. Rêveries. Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato ed appassionato assai) 02. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : 2. Un bal (Valse: Allegro non troppo) 03. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : 3. Scène aux Champs (Adagio) 04. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : 4. Marche au Supplice (Allegretto non troppo) 05. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : 5. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro - Ronde du Sabbat: Poco meno mosso) 06. Anacréon : Overture 07. La muette de Portici, S. 16 : Overture
Volume 10 01. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 1 : Scène 1. "Le vieil hiver a fait place au printemps" 02. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 1 : Ronde des Paysans. "Les bergers quittent" - Scène 2. "Mais d'un éclat guerrier" 03. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 1 : Marche hongroise 04. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Scène 3. "Sans regrets j'ai quitté les riantes campagnes" 05. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Chant de la fête de Pâques. "Christ vient de ressusciter!" 06. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Scène 4. "O pure émotion!" 07. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Scène 5. Choeur de buveurs. "A boire encor!" 08. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Chanson de Brander. "Certain rat, dans une cuisine" 09. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Fugue sur le thème de la chanson. "Amen" 10. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Chanson de Méphistophélès. "Une puce gentille" 11. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Scène 6. Air de Méphistophélès. "Voici des roses" 12. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Songe de Faust. "Dors! heureux Faust" 13. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Ballet des Sylphes 14. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 2 : Choeurs de Soldats et Chanson d'Etudiants. "Villes entourées" - "Jam nox stellata velamina pandit" 15. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : (Prélude: La retraite) 16. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : "Merci, doux crépuscule!" - "Je l'entends!" (Faust / Méphistophélès, Faust) 17. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Scène 10. "Que l'air est étouffant" 18. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Le roi de Thulé (Chanson gothique). "Autrefois un roi de Thulé" 19. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Scène 11. Evocation. "Esprits des flammes inconstantes" 20. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Menuet des Follets - Scène 12. "Maintenant chantons à cette belle" 21. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Sérénade de Méphistophélès. "Devant la maison" 22. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Scène 13. "Grands dieux!" 23. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 3 : Scène 14. "Allons, il est trop tard!" - "Je connais donc enfin" 24. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : Scène 15. Romance. "D'amour l'ardente flamme" 25. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : "Au son des trompettes" 26. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : Scène 16. Invocation à la Nature. "Nature immense" 27. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : Scène 17. Récitatif et Chasse. "A la voûte azurée" 28. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : Scène 18. La course à l'abîme. "Dans mon choeur retentit sa voix" 29. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : Scène 19. Pandaemonium. "Has! Irimiru Karabrao!" - "Tradioun marexil" 30. La Damnation de Faust, Op.24 / Part 4 : Scène 21. Le Ciel. "Laus! Laus!" - Apothéose de Marguerite. "Remonte au ciel, âme naïve"
Volume 11 01. Symphony No. 2 in E flat : I. Adagio-Allegro agitato 02. Symphony No. 2 in E flat : II. Larghetto 03. Symphony No. 2 in E flat : III. Scherzo. Allegro molto 04. Symphony No. 2 in E flat : IV. Finale. Allegro, leggiero assai 05. Jeux d'enfants, Op. 22 - Petite Suite for Orchestra : I. Marche: Trompette et tambour 06. Jeux d'enfants, Op. 22 - Petite Suite for Orchestra : II. Berceuse: La Poupée 07. Jeux d'enfants, Op. 22 - Petite Suite for Orchestra : III. Impromptu: La toupie 08. Jeux d'enfants, Op. 22 - Petite Suite for Orchestra : IV. Duo: Petit mari, petite femme 09. Jeux d'enfants, Op. 22 - Petite Suite for Orchestra : V. Galop: Le bal 10. La mer, L. 109 : I. From Dawn till Noon on the Sea (De l'aube à midi sur la mer) 11. La mer, L. 109 : II. Play of the Waves (Jeux de vagues) 12. La mer, L. 109 : III. Dialogue Of The Wind And The Sea 13. Danse sacrée et danse profane, L. 103 : I. Danse sacrée 14. Danse sacrée et danse profane, L. 103 : II. Danse profane
Volume 12 01. Russian Easter Festival, Overture, Op. 36 02. Overture "May Night" 03. The Golden Cockerel (Suite) : I. Tsar Dodon In His Palace (Arr. by Glazunov & Steinberg) 04. The Golden Cockerel (Suite) : II. Tsar Dodon On Campaign (Arr. by Glazunov & Steinberg) 05. The Golden Cockerel (Suite) : III. Tsar Dodon As Guest Of The Queen Of Shemakha (Arr. by Glazunov & Steinberg) 06. The Golden Cockerel (Suite) : IV. The Wedding And Lamentable End Of Dodon (Arr. by Glazunov & Steinberg) 07. In the Steppes of Central Asia 08. Fragment de l'Apocalypse, Op. 66 09. Ruslan and Lyudmila : Overture
Volume 13 01. Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 "Pathétique" : I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo 02. Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 "Pathétique" : II. Allegro con grazia 03. Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 "Pathétique" : IIII. Allegro molto vivace 04. Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 "Pathétique" : IV. Finale (Adagio lamentoso - Andante) 05. Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32
Volume 14 01. Lohengrin : Prelude to Act I 02. Lohengrin : Prelude to Act III 03. Tannhäuser, WWV 70 : Overture 04. Tannhäuser, WWV 70 - Paris Version : Der Venusberg (Bacchanale) 05. Siegfried Idyll, WWV 103 : Siegfried Idyll 06. Die Walküre, WWV 86B : The Ride of the Valkyries
Volume 15 01. Les Choéphores : I. Vocifération funèbre 02. Les Choéphores : II. Libation 03. Les Choéphores : III. Incantation 04. Les Choéphores : IV. Présages 05. Les Choéphores : V. Exhortation 06. Les Choéphores : VI. La Justice et la lumière 07. Les Choéphores : VII. Conclusion 08. Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, H. 202 "Di tre re" : I. Grave 09. Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, H. 202 "Di tre re" : II. Allegretto - Adagio - Allegretto 10. Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, H. 202 "Di tre re" : III. Allegro marcato 11. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : I. Andante 12. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : II. Lento (Elle regarde avec étonnement de tous côtés) 13. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : III. Allegro (Bacchus danse seul) 14. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : IV. Andante (Le baiser) 15. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : V. Allegro deciso (Le Thiase défile) 16. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : VI. Andante (Danse d'Ariane) 17. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : VII. Moderato e pesante (Danse d'Ariane et de Bacchus) 18. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : VIII. Allegro brillante (Bacchanale) 19. Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2, Op. 4 : IX. Allegro molto
Volume 16 01. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : I. Rêveries. Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato ed appassionato assai) 02. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : II. Un bal (Valse: Allegro non troppo) 03. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : III. Scène aux champs (Adagio) 04. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : IV. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo) 05. Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48 : V. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro - Ronde du Sabbat: Poco meno mosso) 06. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : Promenade I 07. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 1 Gnomus 08. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : Promenade II. 09. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 2 The Old Castle 10. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : Promenade III. 11. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 3 The Tuileries Gardens 12. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 4 Bydlo 13. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : Promenade IV. 14. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 5 Ballet Of The Chickens In Their Shells 15. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 6 Samuel Goldenberg And Schmuyle 16. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 7 The Market-place At Limoges 17. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 8 The Catacombs (Sepulchrum romanum) 18. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 9 Cum mortuis in lingua mortua 19. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 10 The Hut On Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yaga) 20. Pictures at an Exhibition - Orch. Ravel : No. 11 The Great Gate Of Kiev
Volume 17 01. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, "Singulière" : I. Allegro fuocoso 02. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, "Singulière" : II. Adagio - Scherzo (Allegro assai) - Adagio 03. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, "Singulière" : III. Presto 04. Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major "Naïve" : I. Allegro risoluto 05. Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major "Naïve" : II. Adagio 06. Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major "Naïve" : III. Scherzo. Allegro molto 07. Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major "Naïve" : IV. Finale. Allegro vivace 08. Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, D. 417 "Tragic" : I. Adagio molto - Allegro vivace 09. Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, D. 417 "Tragic" : II. Andante 10. Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, D. 417 "Tragic" : III. Menuetto (Allegro vivace) 11. Symphony No.4 in C minor, D.417 - "Tragic" : IV. Allegro
Volume 18 01. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : Einleitung 02. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Im Anfange schuf Gott Himmel und Erde" 03. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Nun schwanden vor dem heiligen Strahle" 04. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Und Gott machte das Firmament" 05. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Mit Staunen sieht das Wunderwerk" 06. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Und Gott sprach: Es sammle sich das Wasser" 07. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Rollend in schäumenden Wellen" 08. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Und Gott sprach: Es bringe die Erde Gras hervor" 09. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Nun beut die Flur das frische Grün" 10. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Und die himmlischen Heerscharen verkündigten" 11. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Stimmt an die Saiten" 12. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Und Gott sprach: Es seien Lichter" 13. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "In vollem Glanze steiget jetzt die Sonne" 14. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 1 : "Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes" 15. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Und Gott sprach: Es bringe das Wasser" 16. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Auf starken Fittiche" 17. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Und Gott schuf grosse Walfische" 18. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Und die Engel rührten ihre unsterblichen Harfen" 19. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "In holder Anmut stehn" - "Der Herr ist groß in seiner Macht" 20. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Und Gott sprach: Es bringe die Erde" 21. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Gleich öffnet sich der Erde Schoß" 22. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Nun scheint in vollem Glanze der Himmel" 23. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Und Gott schuf den Menschen nach seinem Ebenbilde" 24. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Mit Würd und Hoheit angetan" 25. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Und Gott sah jedes Ding, was er gemacht hatte" 26. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 2 : "Vollendet ist das große Werk" - "Zu Dir, o Herr, blickt alles auf" 27. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 3 : "Aus Rosenwolken bricht" 28. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 3 : "Von deiner Güt', o Herr und Gott" 29. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 3 : "Nun ist die erste Pflicht erfüllt" 30. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 3 : "Holde Gattin !" 31. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 3 : "O glücklich Paar und glücklich immerfort" 32. Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2 / Part 3 : "Singt dem Herren alle Stimmen" 33. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 1. Kyrie 34. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 2. Gloria 35. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 3. Credo 36. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 4. Sanctus 37. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 5. Benedictus 38. Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation" : 6. Agnus Dei
Volume 19 01. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : No.1 Kyrie 02. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : No.2 Gloria 03. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Domine, Fili unigenite 04. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Quoniam tu solus 05. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : No.3 Credo 06. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Et incarnatus est 07. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Et resurrexit 08. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : No.4 Offertorium 09. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Sanctus 10. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Benedictus 11. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : No.6 Agnus Dei 12. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : No.7 Domine salvam: Prière de l'Église 13. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Prière de l'Armée 14. Messe solennelle de Ste. Cécile : Prière de la Nation 15. Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957 : Introduction (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957) 16. マルケヴィチヘノインタビュー : Ellenville festival (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957) 17. マルケヴィッチヘノインタビュー : Rite of Spring (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957) 18. マルケヴィチヘノインタビュー : Composer (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957) 19. マルケヴィチヘノインタビュー : Recording (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957) 20. マルケヴィッチヘノインタビュー : Work with students (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957) 21. マルケヴィチヘノインタビュー : Future activities (Markevitch Interview 2.8.1957)
Issued complete for the first time, Igor Markevitch’s Deutsche Grammophon legacy from Berlin, Paris, Prague and New York, made between 1953 and 1965. ORIGINAL JACKETS | LIMITED EDITION.
‘I record so much I forget even my own records!’ Markevitch was a prolific recording artist for several labels, principal among them Deutsche Grammophon, HMV/EMI and Philips (Eloquence has also released a new, complementary collection of his Philips legacy). He felt more comfortable in the studio than many of his podium colleagues and viewed recording as the opportunity to bring out aspects of the score which could remain unheard by live audiences.
As a polymath, Markevitch turned from composition to conducting after the Second World War, and soon became one of the most in-demand conductors of his day, at home in a vast range of repertoire, equally at home in Classical-era symphonies by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, Romantic narratives by Berlioz, Wagner and Tchaikovsky, and contemporary Francophone composers such as Milhaud, Honegger and Roussel, bringing to each of them a sharp attack and acute sensitivity to colour and harmony.
Nowadays, many conductors follow Markevitch’s lead in refusing to specialise: he was a man ahead of his time, and his analytical mind was well suited to the precision of DG’s engineering teams. He worked with many of Europe’s finest orchestras, enjoying a productive relationship with the Berlin Philharmonic which resulted in many superb recordings from 1953–55, such as a pioneering album of symphonies by Schumann’s Swedish contemporary, Franz Berwald. Late in 1956, an invitation to conduct the successor to Toscanini’s NBC Symphony, the Symphony of the Air, resulted in lithe and athletic symphonic Beethoven (No. 3) and Brahms (No. 1)
Most of Markevitch’s DG legacy, however, was made in Paris, with the Lamoureux Orchestra whose fortunes he revived as chief conductor between 1957 and 1961. This relationship produced fleet and graceful, French-accented Beethoven (Pastoral Symphony and overtures) and Brahms (Symphony No. 4) and a superbly cast Damnation of Faust still widely considered as the finest interpretation of Berlioz’s ‘dramatic legend’ on record. Gounod, Bizet, Auber and Debussy receive no less vividly idiomatic treatment.
Markevitch was best known internationally as a fiery interpreter of Russian repertoire, represented here by virtuoso pieces of tone-colour and atmosphere from Lyadov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin and Tchaikovsky, including two specialities, Francesca da Rimini and the ‘Pathétique’ Symphony. He could also galvanise choruses to heights of dynamic response: DG recorded him in Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Coronation Mass (twice, in Berlin and Paris, both reissued here) and the less familiar D minor Requiem of Cherubini and Gounod’s Saint Cecilia Mass. Recorded in Prague with the Czech Philharmonic in the early 1960s, these albums became Markevitch’s swansong to DG. Featuring original covers and a new essay by Peter Quantrill, this box includes much material long unavailable on CD.
