FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS (Series)

In 1990, RD UK looked at the 1989 German success with the “Klassische Kostbarkeiten” series of classical releases. Originally released on vinyl in ‘87, the collections were now 3CD sets and issued at regular intervals to subscribing customers, each set featuring a leading classical composer, and presenting sometimes complete works, rather than the edited highlights for which RD had recently become more popular with their audience.

After the inevitable elongated period of market research, in 1991 the British RD decided to release their own “Favourites From The Classics” series, which was to run for 25 editions making it the longest running series released by RD. Taking a softer approach to their German counterparts, they lost the image of the composer and the ‘high-brow’ classical look that the Germans had used, and went with a simple silk background underneath a bold composer name check. The colour of the silk changed with each edition. Johann Strauss was the most popular composer to UK markets in research, and so it was this that was to launch the first of several series in the UK.

The series was subsequently picked up by the USA who went even further with ‘softening’ the concept by adding several volumes of multiple composers to replace the less ‘well known’ composers of the UK series.

Other editions were released throughout the world based on either the UK or German concepts including France, South Africa, Australia, Poland & Canada.

Many countries also reissued the collections with different designs and different configurations, to capitalise on the original success of the series.

ORIGINAL GERMAN SERIES ‘Klassische Kostbarkeiten’ (1987)

ORIGINAL UK SERIES ‘Favourites From The Classics’ (1991)

ORIGINAL US SERIES ‘Favorites From The Classics’ (1993)

UK REISSUES (2000)

GLOBAL EDITIONS

COMPLETE UK LISTING (Release Order)

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Johann Strauss
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Tchaikovsky
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Mozart
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Beethoven
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Chopin
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Gershwin
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Elgar
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Gilbert & Sullivan
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Handel
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Mendelssohn
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Brahms

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Grieg

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Rachmaninov

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Schubert

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Bach

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Liszt
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Schumannn

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Dvorák

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Vivaldi

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Wagner

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Mozart – Volume 2
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Puccini

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Tchaikovsky – Volume 2
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Haydn

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Beethoven – Volume 2

COMPLETE UK LISTING (Composer Order)

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Bach

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Beethoven
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Beethoven – Volume 2

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Brahms

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Chopin

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Dvorák

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Elgar

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Gershwin

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Gilbert & Sullivan

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Grieg

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Handel

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Haydn

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Liszt

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Mendelssohn

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Mozart

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Mozart – Volume 2

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Puccini

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Rachmaninov

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Schubert

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Schumannn
FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Johann Strauss

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Tchaikovsky

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Tchaikovsky – Volume 2

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Vivaldi

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS : Wagner

WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL MELODIES - Musical Portraits

Final issue of 'The World's Most Beautiful Melodies' series which ran for 15 volumes.

3CD Set
Released January 1997
Cat No.: RDCD1491-3  RDC93161-3
RD Code: MUPO 015
Series Code 062
Compilation by M Moritz, Production by P Marchant

1             Showpieces for Orchestra

Pictures At An Exhibition(Mussorgsky, orch. Ravel)

1 - Promenade

2 - The Gnome

3 - Promenade

4 - The Old Castle

5 - Promenade

6 - Tuileries

7 - Bydlo (The Ox - Cart)

8 - Promenade

9 - Ballet Of The Unhatched Chickens

10 - Samuel Goldenburg And Schmulye

11 - Market Place At Limoges

12 - Catacombs

13 - Baba - Jaga (The Hut On Fowls' Legs)

14 - The Great Gate At Kiev

National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin

Enigma Variations, Op.36(Elgar)

15 - Enigma

16 - I (C.A.E)

17 - II (H.D.S.–P.)

18 - III (R.B.T.)

19 - IV (W.M.B.)

20 - V (R.P.A.)

21 - VI (Ysobel)

22 - VII (Troyte)

23 - VIII (W.N.)

24 - IX (Nimrod)

25 - X (Dorabella)

26 - XI (G.R.S.)

27 - XII (B.G.N.)

28 - XIII (***) Romanza

29 - XIV (E.D.U.) Finale

English Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Boughton

2             Fate and Destiny

1 - Francesca Da Rimini, Op. 32 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch (Tchaikovsky)

2 - Les Préludes - New Symphony Orchestra of London conducted by Sir Adrian Boult (Liszt)

3 - Hamlet, Fantasy Overture, Op. 67 - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (Katowice) conducted by Adrian Leaper (Tchaikovsky)

4 - The Wild Huntsman (Le Chasseur Maudit) - RCA Symphony Orchestra conducted by Massimo Freccia (Franck)

3             Sound and Spectacle

Roman Festivals (Fontane Di Roma)(Respighi)

1 - Circus Maximus

2 - The Jubilee

3 - The October Festival

4 - The Epiphany

New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Massimo Freccia

Rapsodie Espagnole(Ravel)

5 - Prélude À La Nuit

6 - Malagueña

7 - Habañera

8 – Fería

Orchestra Filarmonica di Roma conducted by René Leibowitz

Escales (Ports Of Call)(Ibert)

9 - Rome – Palermo

10 - Tunis – Nefta

11 – Valencia

Orchestra Filarmonica di Roma conducted by René Leibowitz

12 - An American In Paris - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Morton Gould (Gershwin)

TIMELESS FAVOURITES - You Are My Heart's Delight - Friml, Lehar & Romberg

Eighth issue in the “Timeless Favourites” series, which was to run for 13 editions.

3CD Set
Released August 1996
Cat No.: RDCD1471-3 (RDC93141-3)
RD Code: FNR 008
Series Code 58

1               Enchanting Moments

1 - Student Prince Highlights - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Lehman Engel

2 - Gold And Silver Waltz - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

3 - Czardas From 'Gypsy Love' - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eric Hammerstein

4 - Serenade From 'Frasquita' - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

5 - Merry Widow Highlights - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Lehman Engel

6 - You Are My Heart's Delight - Rosalind Page with Hill Bowen and his Orchestra

7 - Patiently Smiling #from 'The Land of Smiles' - Douglas Gamley and his Orchestra

2               Romantic Favourites

1 - Desert Song Highlights - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Lehman Engel

2 - Friederike Suite (Minuet, Intermezzo, Polka) - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eric Hammerstein

3 - Say Not Love Is A Dream #from 'The Count of Luxembourg' - Vienna State Opera Orchestra conducted by Reg Owen

4 - Champagne Waltz - Douglas Gamley and his Orchestra

5 - Wolgalied #from 'Der Zarewitsch' - Douglas Gamley and his Orchestra

6 - Vagabond King Highlights - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Lehman Engel

3               Treasured Souvenirs

1 - Rose - Marie Highlights - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Lehman Engel

2 - Giannina Mia #from 'The Firefly' - Douglas Gamley and his Orchestra

3 - O Maiden, My Maiden #from 'Friederike' - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

4 - Waltzes Of Youth - RCA Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Gamley

5 - New Moon Highlights - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Lehman Engel

6 - Love – What Has Given You This Magic Power #from 'The Land of Smiles' - Douglas Gamley and his Orchestra

7 - Waltz From 'Gypsy Love' - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eric Hammerstein

THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL MELODIES - The World's Favourite Concertos

Volume 14 of the 'The World's Most Beautiful Melodies' series which was to run for 15 volumes.

3CD Set
Released October 1996
Cat No.: RDCD1461-3  RDC93131-3
RD Code: WFC 014
Series Code 062
Compilation by M Moritz, Production by P Marchant

1       Enchantment and Romance

Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor, Op. 23 (Tchaikovsky)

1-1st Movement

2-2nd Movement

3-3rd Movement

Earl Wild, Piano, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Anatole Fistoulari

Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35 (Tchaikovsky)

4-1st Movement

5-2nd Movement

6-3rd Movement

Itzhak Perlman, Violin, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alfred Wallenstein

2       Elegance and Grace

Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54 (Schumann)

1-1st Movement

2-2nd Movement

3-3rd Movement

Malcolm Frager, Piano, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jascha Horenstein

Violin Concerto No. 5 In A 'Turkish', K219 (Mozart)

4-1st Movement

5-2nd Movement

6-3rd Movement

Lola Bobesco, Violin, with the Orchestre de Chambre de Wallonie

3       Sentiment and Charm

Cello Concerto In E Minor, Op. 85 (Elgar)

1-1st Movement

2-2nd Movement

3-3rd Movement

4-4th Movement

Maria Kliegel, Cello, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michael Halasz

Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64 (Mendelssohn)

5-1st Movement

6-2nd Movement

7-3rd Movement

Hyman Bress, Violin, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by René Leibowitz

THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL MELODIES - The World's Most Romantic Symphonies

Volume 13 of the 'The World's Most Beautiful Melodies' series which was to run for 15 volumes.

3CD Set
Released August 1996
Cat No.: RDCD1451-3  RDC93121-3
RD Code: WMRS 013
Series Code 062
Compilation by M Moritz, Production by P Marchant

1         Joy and Splendour

Symphony No. 4 In A, Op. 90 ‘Italian’ (Mendelssohn)

1 - 1st Movement

2 - 2nd Movement

3 - 3rd Movement

4 - 4th Movement

Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Anthony Bramall

Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 ‘From The New World’ (Dvorák)

5 - 1st Movement

6 - 2nd Movement

7 - 3rd Movement

8 - 4th Movement

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Rudolf Kempe

2         Grandeur and Charm

Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64 (Tchaikovsky)

1 - 1st Movement

2 - 2nd Movement

3 - 3rd Movement

4 - 4th Movement

New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Jascha Horenstein

Symphony No. 1 In C (Bizet)

5 - 1st Movement

6 - 2nd Movement

7 - 3rd Movement

8 - 4th Movement

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch

3         Tenderness and Passion

Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D759 ‘Unfinished’ (Schubert)

1 - 1st Movement

2 - 2nd Movement

National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 (Berlioz)

3 - 1st Movement

4 - 2nd Movement

5 - 3rd Movement (Part I)

6 - 3rd Movement (Part II)

7 - 4th Movement

8 - 5th Movement

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Massimo Freccia

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS - Beethoven Volume 2

Final issue in the “Favourites From The Classics” series, which ran for 25 editions.

3CD Set
Released October1996
Cat No.: RDCD1441-3 (RDC93111-3)
RD Code: BEE2 025

1         Splendour and Charm

1 - Romance In G For Violin And Orchestra, Op. 40, No. 1 - Philippe Koch, Violin, with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37

2 - 1st Movement: Allegro con brio

3 - 2nd Movement: Largo

4 - 3rd Movement: Rondo: Allegro

Dubravka Tomsic, Piano, with the Ljubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Anton Nanut

Symphony No. 8 In F, Op. 93

5 - 1st Movement: Allegro vivace e con brio

6 - 2nd Movement: Allegretto scherzando

7 - 3rd Movement: Tempo di menuetto

8 - 4th Movement: Allegro vivace

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by René Leibowitz

2         Sentiment and Grandeur

Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 ‘Pathétique’

1 - 1st Movement: Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio

2 - 2nd Movement: Adagio cantabile

3 - 3rd Movement: Rondo: Allegro

Peter Rösel, Piano

Symphony No. 3 In E Flat, Op. 55 'Eroica'

4 - 1st Movement: Allegro con brio

5 - 2nd Movement: Marcia funebre: Adagio assai

6 - 3rd Movement: Scherzo: Allegro vivace; Trio

7 - 4th Movement: Allegro molto; Poco andante; Presto

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by René Leibowitz

3         Elegance and Passion

Triple Concerto For Violin, Cello And Piano In C, Op. 56

1 - 1st Movement: Allegro

2 - 2nd Movement: Largo

3 - 3rd Movement: Rondo alla polacca

Philippe Koch, Violin, France Springuel, Cello and Daniel Blumenthal, Piano, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

Sonata In F Minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’

4 - 1st Movement: Allegro assai

5 - 2nd Movement: Andante con molto

6 - 3rd Movement: Allegro, ma non troppo

Peter Rösel, Piano

7 - Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt