Beethoven will always be renowned for his symphonies and concertos, but no collection of his orchestral works would be complete without the overtures and incidental music. The remarkable range of these works is demonstrated by the majestic ceremonial overture The Consecration of the House that invokes the style of Handel, whom Beethoven considered ‘the master of us all’. It contrasts with the resolute heroism and high tragedy of Coriolan and the remarkable cantata Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt, which cast its spell on Mendelssohn. These classic recordings with the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Stanisław Skrowaczewski were originally issued as part of a 3-LP VOX Box set.

This VOX Audiophile Edition recording was first released in 1980 as an LP (SVBX 5156), and has been a much-admired favourite ever since. There have been several re-releases of this title over the years, but collectors will be delighted to see that these recordings have been restored to their original excellence for this Naxos edition by going back to the original Elite Recordings master tapes and newly transferring them to CD in 192kHz/24-bit high definition.

Stanisław Skrowaczewski was a renowned conductor who blended American and European qualities to deliver performances of great individuality and character. He was appointed conductor laureate of the Grammy award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, and his mastery of orchestral colour and balance is fully displayed in his recording of the complete orchestral music of Ravel, made with the Minnesota Orchestra for the VOX label. This Beethoven release is another demonstrationquality example of the fine synergy between this conductor and orchestra.

The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.

‘The performances are marvellous, absolutely marvellous… It will knock your socks off. Give this a shot, it’s phenomenal’ – David Hurwitz of ClassicsToday.com