LSO Live

Berlioz: Grande messe des morts (Colin Davis) [2 SACD Hybrid]

The LSO counts the finest orchestral players among its members and many of its principals are renowned soloists in their own right. They have developed new ensembles within the Orchestra to hone their incredible musicianship in different ways: from recent recordings of Reich by the LSO Percussion Ensemble to unique chamber performances of Stravinsky's 'The Soldier's Tale' and Mozart's 'Gran Partita'. The LSO String Ensemble, directed by Orchestra Leader Roman Simovic, are a key example of this practice, showcasing the wealth of talent that the London Symphony Orchestra has to offer.<br/><br/>Following two well-received releases, the LSO String Ensemble continues on LSO Live with three English masterpieces: Vaughan Williams' 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis', a visionary fusion of folksong and sacred music; Britten's 'Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge', a challenging landmark of 20th-century string writing, here in a virtuosic performance; and Elgar's 'Introduction and Allegro', a work beloved of the LSO, having been composed for and premiered by the Orchestra.<br/><br/>"Delightfully sweet-toned lyricism, and an easy, smiling virtuosity". The Daily Telegraph on Roman Simovic. An acclaimed soloist, performing at many of the world's most prestigious venues, Roman Simovic has awarded prizes at numerous international competitions, placing him among the foremost violinists of his generation. He says of these pieces: "it's a big challenge for me to perform this wonderful English programme with an English orchestra. The LSO has a really special, unique, sound and to produce this standing up without a conductor, well it's quite a challenge! But my fellow players are all fantastic musicians with huge knowledge and I think people more and more are looking forward to our concerts, because it's something really special: real chamber music."

Verdi: Requiem (Gianandrea Noseda) [SACD Hybrid]

Sjostakovitj: Symphony No 8 (Noseda) [SACD Hybrid]

Debussy: La mer / Jeux (Valery Gergiev) [SACD Hybrid]

"Watch out for the live recording on LSO Live' Richard Morrison, The Times 'Irresistible...the performance was being recorded for LSO Live. I shall be first in the queue to buy it.' Rupert Christiansen, The Telegraph 'Roll on the recording...' BachTrack 'Rattle's relationship with this score is a long one, and it unfolds here in spontaneous, giddy arcs...picked out in gilded detail by the musicians of the LSO.' Alexandra Coghlan, The Arts Desk 'Rattle's moving statement of intent. Simon Rattle and Peter Sellars go headstrong into a bright future with the London Symphony Orchestra...' The Guardian 'Rattle draws shimmering beauty from the forest...' The Standard 'Rattle's conducting was immaculate... the performance has made me think about the work again, wondering how far I should prod that glorious surface to see what lies beneath.' The Spectator 'A magnificent achievement.' Seen and Heard International Sir Simon Rattle leads an all-star cast in this highly anticipated new recording of Debussy's evocative opera Pelleas et Melisande. It was captured in January 2016 during performances of an innovative collaboration between Rattle and Peter Sellars, two of the boldest creative minds in music and theatre today. Supported by the London Symphony Chorus, prepared by renowned choral director Simon Halsey, it is a moving statement of intent for Rattle's tenure as LSO Music Director. The plot, a love triangle between Prince Golaud, his wife Melisande and his brother Pelleas, is shrouded in mystery and full of gripping twists and emotion-filled turns, ultimately ending in Pelleas's untimely death. The sensuous score contains some of Debussy's most exquisite music and perfectly crystalises the atmosphere of Maeterlinck's original play. Debussy himself explained the appeal of the work: 'The drama of Pelleas which, despite its dream like atmosphere, contains far more humanity than those so-called "real life documents", seemed to suit my intentions admirably. In it there is an evocative language whose sensitivity could be extended into music and into the orchestral backcloth.'

Fauré: Requiem [SACD Hybrid]