Ferenc Fricsay: Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon, Vol.1 - Orchestral Works

This set is the most satisfying I have purchased over my 40+ years of buying 75+ years of buying classical recordings. Fricsay is an absolute marvel. My previous favorite performance have been falling one by one to Fricsay's incredible interpretations. Several I would especially mention, Beethoven's 3rd symphony, Tchaikovsky's 6th symphony, and The Marriage of Figaro. I can't say enough for this set. Don't miss it!

If your a Fricsay fan, as I am, this collection is self-recommending, so you don't need my additional comments on his immense gifts as a conductor nor the quality of the performances, which are manifestly exceptional. He was a genius of eloquence, lyricism, and understatement, with a fine sense of dance and dynamism that he could summon at will when the music required it, but never as a means of superimposing himself on the music just to plump his own ego, the failing of a another great German conductor who shall remain nameless. (Although early in the "other" conductor's career, he could be as delicious and deft as Fricsay, who sadly, never lived long enough to take the victory laps he so richly deserved.) My main contribution here is on the sound quality -- it is excellent, and thoroughly vintage DG -- clear, clean, precise; bright compared to say Decca, Phillips and EMI, but almost never harsh and dry (that came later, well after Fricsay had passed away). As far as whether there has been any remastering, unfortunately the booklet gives no clue. It's a safe assumption, however, that Polygram followed the same practice here as it did on the mega-sets from Decca and Phillips: using the most recent CD mastering available, but not remastering simply to have a later date. This is fine with me, as "newer" is not always better (I am no fan of DG's rather hot 24 bit remasters). Finally, the vintage mono recordings, which make up much of this recording, are superb. In this regard, DG was as good as anyone, including Walter Legge's best work at EMI, which means they are pure magic.

If you aren't familiar with this conductor, here's your chance to correct that situation. The transfers to CD are so good that even the early monaural recordings sound brilliant. (Listen to the Bartok.) I'm very glad that I took a chance on this! -jdt

Ferenc Fricsay is one of the most underrated conductors in history. Tragically dying of cancer at the age of 48, his never reached his peak potential but what he did leave us is incredible. I cant recommend this box set enough.

A wonderfully complete collection highlighting the work of a great, but relatively unknown conductor who always honored the music

A Legend, indeed.

Worth every $ !

These are classic performances. Fans of this conductor know what they are getting. Delve in and enjoy. I did have to take away 1 star due to the layout and packaging. Universal did not use top quality materials (my box ripped in shipment). For instance, the Emil Gilels complete box had considerably thicker material for the box and glossy paper used for printing - but those materials were not used here. Also, the compositions were in mostly alphabetical order (when possible), and do not necessarily follow what is on the cover (original covers were duplicated). So the front of the sleeve can indicate one thing, but that music often is not on that disc, but a different disc. Stupid and confusing.

Ferenc Fricsay was one of the greatest of the 20th century conductors and this collection contains all of his recordings produced by Deutsche Grammophon (DG). It spans his earliest mono recordings from 1949 to his later stereo recordings, his last being in 1961, before his untimely death in 1963 aged only 48. If you already have the two previous sets (Complete Edition vol 1 and vol 2) plus the 4 Mozart Radio Broadcast CDs, there is nothing new here apart from the complete set being repackaged in a superb box along with all the previous documents and bonus CD and DVD. However, if you don't have these then this offers a truly magic complete set of recordings from a highly talented musician. It contains 86 CDs with two bonus CDs (a DVD of fricsay rehearsing Kodaly and Dukas and a sound only CD of a rehearsal of Smetana's Vltava).Fricsay was a very individual conductor who pioneered new musical sounds and recordings during the 50's and 60s many of which are still reference recordings today - 60- 70 years on from his death. His Beethoven and Dvorak stereo 9th symphonies are very famous and have virtually never left the catalogue - they really don't sound their age. He recorded the Tchaikovsky 6th symphony twice with DG - his early mono recording from 1953 was famously one of the most exciting ever recorded while his 1959 stereo version, never published in his lifetime, has been described by some critics as one of the best ever versions. His two versions of Verdi's requiem are very special recordings that I listen to often. His love of Mozart and his pioneering approach to lean lithe sounds are represented by a large crossection of Mozart's music from symphonies through to complete operas. Fricsay, was taught by Bartok and Kodaly and his recordings of their music are rarely surpassed. His stereo recordings of Bartok's piano concertos with Geza Anda are usually used as reference recordings today, despite being recorded in 1959-60. There are many other treasures to discover from orchestral through to his equally ground-breaking opera recordings in their day. The recordings produced by DG in the 1950s and 60s were of the highest quality and you can hear that in all of these recordings. It is packaged in a robust, superbly produced box, with a comprehensive booklet and the CDs are in cardboard sleeves decorated with corresponding images taken from LPs of their day. I can thoroughly recommend this set. The set contains:Bartók: Cantata+B3:B217 Profana 'The Nine Enchanted Stags', BB 100, Sz. 94Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, BB 123, Sz.116Bartók: Dance Suite, BB 86, Sz. 77Bartók: Divertimento for Strings, Sz. 113Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, BB 114, Sz. 106Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 1, BB 91, Sz. 83Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2, BB 101, Sz. 95Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3, BB 127, Sz. 119Bartók: Rhapsody for piano & orchestra, Op. 1, BB36b, Sz. 27Bartók: Two Portraits Op. 5Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz 112Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 84Beethoven: Fidelio, Op. 72Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72bBeethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica'Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major, Oversions - his early famous monop. 93Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'Beethoven: Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C major, Op. 56Berlioz: Ballet des Sylphes (from La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24)Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24: Rákóczi MarchBerlioz: Le carnaval romain Overture, Op. 9Bizet: Carmen (highlights)Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1Bizet: L’orage s’est calmé (from Les pêcheurs de perles)Bizet: Votre toast je peux vous le rendre 'Toreador Song' (from Carmen)Blacher: Piano Concerto No.1, Op.28: FinaleBlacher: Variations on a Theme of Paganini Op. 26Borodin: Prince Igor: Polovtsian DancesBrahms: Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53Brahms: Double Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op. 102Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73Brahms: Variations on a theme by Haydn for orchestra, Op. 56a 'St Anthony Variations'Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26Debussy: Danses sacrée et profaneDebussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un fauneDukas: The Sorcerer's ApprenticeDvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World'Dvořák: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53Egk: Franzosiche Suite after RameauEgk: Kleine Abraxas-SuiteEinem: Capriccio for Orchestra, Op. 2Einem: Geschwindmarsch in E major (from Dantons Tod)Einem: Piano Concerto, Op. 20Falla: Noches en los jardines de EspañaFortner: Finale (Symphony (1947))Françaix: Concertino for Piano and OrchestraFranck, C: Symphonic Variations for piano & orchestra, M46Giordano, U: Nemico della patria (from Andrea Chénier)Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82Glière: Symphony No. 3 in B minor, Op. 42 'Il'ya Murometz'Gluck: Orfeo ed EuridiceGounod: Avant de quitter ces lieux (from Faust)Gounod: Faust - Ballet MusicGounod: Faust - Waltz, Act IIHandel: Harp Concerto in B flat major, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294Hartmann, K: Symphony No. 4: FinaleHartmann, K: Symphony No. 6Haydn: Symphony No. 44 in E minor 'Mourning'Haydn: Symphony No. 48 in C major 'Maria Theresia'Haydn: Symphony No. 95 in C minorHaydn: Symphony No. 98 in B flat majorHaydn: Symphony No. 100 in G major 'Military'Haydn: Symphony No. 101 in D major 'The Clock'Haydn: Te Deum, Hob. XXIIIc:1Haydn: The Seasons, Hob.XXI:3Henze, H: Ballett-VariationenHindemith: Symphonic DancesHonegger: Concertino for Piano & OrchestraHubay: Scène de la csárda No. 4 'Hejre Kati', Op. 32Kodály: Dances of GalantaKodály: Dances of MarosszékKodály: Háry János SuiteKodály: Psalmus hungaricus, Op. 13Kodály: Symphony in CLeoncavallo: Si può? (from I Pagliacci)Liebermann, R: Furioso for OrchestraLiebermann, R: Suite über Schweizerische VolksliederLiszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, S359 No. 1 in F minorLiszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, S359 No. 2 in D minorLiszt: Les Préludes, symphonic poem No. 3, S97Mahler: Rückert-LiederMahler: Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder! (Rückert-Lieder)Mahler: Ich atmet' einen linden Duft (Rückert-Lieder)Mahler: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (Rückert-Lieder)Mahler: Liebst Du um Schönheit (Rückert-Lieder)Mahler: Um Mitternacht (Rückert-Lieder)Martin, F: Petite Symphonie ConcertanteMendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream - incidental music, Op. 61Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64Mozart: Adagio & Fugue in C minor for Strings, K546 - Orchestral versionMozart: Bassoon Concerto in B flat major, K191Mozart: Batti, batti, o bel Masetto (from Don Giovanni)Mozart: Cassation K63Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major, K622Mozart: Deh vieni, non tardar (from Le nozze di Figaro)Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K384Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K620Mozart: Divertimento No. 10 in F major, K247Mozart: Divertimento No. 17 in D major K334Mozart: Don Giovanni, K527Mozart: Ein musikalischer Spass K522Mozart: Exsultate, jubilate, K165Mozart: Idomeneo, K366Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K492Mozart: Masonic Funeral Music in C minor, K477Mozart: Mass in C minor, K427 'Great'Mozart: Mi tradì quell'alma ingrata (from Don Giovanni)Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K459Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K595Mozart: Requiem in D minor, K626Mozart: Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in A major, K386Mozart: Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in D major, K382Mozart: Serenade No. 6 in D major, K239 'Serenata Notturna'Mozart: Serenade No. 11 in E flat major, K375Mozart: Serenade No. 13 in G major, K525 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major, K. 297bMozart: Sull' aria che soave zeffiretto (from Le Nozze di Figaro)Mozart: Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, K16Mozart: Symphony No. 4 in D major, K19Mozart: Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, K22Mozart: Symphony No. 6 in F major, K43Mozart: Symphony No. 7 in D major, K45Mozart: Symphony No. 8 in D major, K48Mozart: Symphony No. 9 in C Major, K73Mozart: Symphony No. 23 in D major, K181Mozart: Symphony No. 27 in G major, K199Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K201Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major, K385 'Haffner'Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K543Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551 'Jupiter'Mozart: Vedrai, carino (from Don Giovanni)Mozart: Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K339: Laudate DominumMussorgsky: A Night on the Bare MountainOrff: Carmina Burana (excerpts)Ponchielli: Dance of the Hours (from La Gioconda)Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical'Puccini: Che gelida manina (from La Bohème)Puccini: E lucevan le stelle (from Tosca)Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43Ravel: BoléroRavel: Introduction & AllegroRavel: La ValseRespighi: La Boutique Fantasque, PP120Rimsky Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia OvertureRossini: Il Signor Bruschino OvertureRossini: Il viaggio a Reims OvertureRossini: L'Italiana in Algeri OvertureRossini: La gazza ladra OvertureRossini: La scala di seta OvertureRossini: Largo al factotum (from Il barbiere di Siviglia)Rossini: Resta immobile (from Guglielmo Tell)Rossini: Semiramide OvertureRossini: Stabat MaterRossini: Tancredi OvertureSarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D759 'Unfinished'Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38 'Spring'Smetana: Má Vlast: Z ceských luhu a hájuSmetana: Vltava (from Má Vlast)Strauss, J, II: An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314Strauss, J, II: Annen-Polka, Op. 117Strauss, J, II: Der Zigeunerbaron OvertureStrauss, J, II: Die FledermausStrauss, J, II: Die Fledermaus OvertureStrauss, J, II: Eljen a Magyar Schnell-Polka, Op. 332Strauss, J, II: Frühlingsstimmen Walzer Op. 410Strauss, J, II: Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Op. 325Strauss, J, II: Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 437Strauss, J, II: Morgenblätter Walzer, Op. 279Strauss, J, II: Perpetuum Mobile, Op. 257Strauss, J, II: Pizzicato PolkaStrauss, J, I: Radetzky March, Op. 228Strauss, J, II: Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388Strauss, J, II: Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op. 214Strauss, J, II: Wiener Blut Waltz, Op. 354Strauss, R: Burleske for Piano and orchestra in D minor, AV85Strauss, R: Don Juan, Op. 20Strauss, R: Duett-Concertino for Clarinet, Bassoon & Strings, AV147Strauss, R: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and OrchestraStravinsky: Divertimento (symphonic suite from Le Baiser de la Fée)Stravinsky: Movements for Piano & OrchestraStravinsky: Oedipus RexStravinsky: PetrushkaStravinsky: Symphony of PsalmsStravinsky: The Rite of SpringTchaikovsky: 1812 Overture, Op. 49Tchaikovsky: Polonaise (from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24)Tchaikovsky: Serenade for strings in C major, Op. 48Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66: WaltzTchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20 SuiteTchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique'Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker: Waltz of the FlowersTchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35Tchaikovsky: Waltz from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24Tcherepnin: Bagatelles (10), Op. 5Verdi: Aida: BallabileVerdi: Di Provenza il mar (from La Traviata)Verdi: I vespri siciliani OvertureVerdi: La forza del destino OvertureVerdi: La traviata: Prelude to Act 1Verdi: Morir! Tremenda cosa! (from La Forza del Destino)Verdi: Nabucco OvertureVerdi: O don fatale (from Don Carlo)Verdi: Otello: Ballet MusicVerdi: Quattro Pezzi SacriVerdi: Ave Maria (from Quattro Pezzi Sacri)Verdi: Laudi alla Vergine Maria (from Quattro Pezzi Sacri)Verdi: Stabat Mater (from Quattro Pezzi Sacri)Verdi: Te Deum (from Quattro Pezzi Sacri)Verdi: RequiemWagner: Der fliegende HolländerWeber: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 73Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65Weber: Konzertstück in F minor, Op. 79 for piano & orchestra

When I started to buy LP's many years ago, DGG as it was then issued older recordings in bargain sets. The first Ferenc Fricsay recording I bought was his Beethoven Symphony No 9. I had sung it as a chorister with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and wanted to add it to my collection. The recording was a fine one. It is in this incredible boxset as number 10 and sounds just as fresh as it did to me way back. There are a plethora of re-issued large boxsets. This one is special if you know this great Hungarian conductor or wish to sample his excellent conducting skills with fine orchestras. Totally recommended.

Good

What a great conductor and recordings. Now let's have Volume 2 of the vocal recordings with librettos.Arrived on time in great condition.

Wunderbare "Zusammenfassung" seines musikalischen, orchestralen Wirkens. Die Box-Aufmachung durch die DGG mit den CD-Hüllen der früherer Langspielplatten haben einen ganz besonderen Flair.