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

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

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS - Haydn

Twenty-Fourth issue in the “Favourites From The Classics” series, which was to run for 25 editions.

3CD Set
Released August 1996
Cat No.: RDCD1431-3 (RDC93101-3)
RD Code: HAYD 024

CD1           Pomp and Elegance

Symphony No. 94 In G – 'Surprise', Hob. I/94

1 - 1st Movement: Adagio Cantabile – Vivace Assai

2 - 2nd Movement: Andante

3 - 3rd Movement: Menuetto: Allegro Molto: Trio

4 - 4th Movement: Finale: Allegro Molto

Capella Istropolitana conducted by Barry Wordsworth

Symphony No. 100 In G – 'Military', Hob. I/100

5 - 1st Movement: Adagio Allegro

6 - 2nd Movement: Allegretto

7 - 3rd Movement: Menuetto: Trio

8 - 4th Movement: Finale: Presto

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

Symphony No. 104 In D – 'London', Hob. I/104

9 - 1st Movement: Adagio Allegro

10 - 2nd Movement: Andante

11 - 3rd Movement: Menuetto: Trio

12 - 4th Movement: Finale: Allegro Spirituoso

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Josef Krips

CD2           Joy and Dignity

Concerto For Trumpet And Orchestra In E Flat, Hob. VIIe/1

1 - 1st Movement: Allegro

2 - 2nd movement: Andante

3 - 3rd Movement: Finale: Allegro

Paul Archibald, Trumpet, with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

String Quartet No. 3 In C – 'Emperor', Op. 76

4 - 1st movement: Allegro

5 - 2nd Movement: Tema Con Variazioni

6 - 3rd movement: Menuetto: Allegro

7 - 4th Movement: Finale: Presto

Krauss Quartet, Reinhard Krauss and Jenz Metzner, Violins, Michael Neuhaus, Viola, Uwa Kroggel, Cello

Sonata In E, Hob. XVI/13

8 - 1st Movement: Moderato

9 - 2nd Movement: Menuetto Trio Menuetto

10 - 3rd Movement: Finale: Presto - Gerard Abiton and Jürgen Schöllmann, Guitars

11 - Salve Regina In G Minor, Hob. XXIIIb/2: Adagio - Wiener Akadamie conducted by Martin Haselböck

CD3           Charm and Inspiration

1 - German Dances Nos. 1 - 5, 10 - 12, Hob. IX/12 - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

Piano Concerto No. 4 In G, Hob. XVIII/4

2 - 1st Movement : Allegro

3 - 2nd Movement : Adagio Cantabile

4 - 3rd Movement : Rondo Presto

Hae Won Chang, Piano, with Camerata Cassovia conducted by Robert Stankovsky

Concerto For Cello And Orchestra No. 1 In C, Hob. VIIb/1

5 - 1st movement: Moderato

6 - 2nd Movement: Adagio

7 - 3rd Movement: Allegro Molto

Michel Renard, Cello, with the Orchestre de Chambre Paul Kuentz conducted by Paul Kuentz

8 - Benedictus #from 'Missa Brevis' In B Flat, Hob. XXII/1 - Wiener Akadamie conducted by Martin Haselböck

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS - Tchaikovsky Volume 2

Twenty-Third issue in the “Favourites From The Classics” series, which was to run for 25 editions.

3CD Set
Released June 1996
Cat No.: RDCD1421-3 (RDC93091-3)
RD Code: KOV2 023

1           Moods and Memories

1 - Waltz #from 'Eugene Onegin' - Vienna State Opera Orchestra conducted by Massimo Freccia

2 - Humoresque In E Minor, Op. 10, No. 2 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent

3 - Symphony No. 6 In B Minor, Op. 74:  Third Movement - London Festival Orchestra conducted by Alexander Gibson

4 - Song Without Words, Op. 2, No. 3 - London Promenade Orchestra conducted by Eric Hammerstein

5 - Valse Sentimentale, Op. 51 - Sidney Sax, Violin, with the RCA Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eric Hammerstein

6 - April #from 'The Seasons', Op. 37b - London Promenade Orchestra conducted by Eric Hammerstein

7 - Marche Miniature #from Suite No. 1, Op. 43 - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Massimo Freccia

8 - Christmas Tree Scene #from 'The Nutcracker', Op. 71 - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

9 - Mazurka, Waltz And March From 'Album For The Young', Op. 39 - National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nick Ingman

10 - Cossack Dance (Hopak) #from 'Mazeppa' - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Douglas Gamley

11 - Waltz #from Symphony No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 13 (Winter Daydreams) - National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

12 - Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64: Fourth Movement - New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Jascha Horenstein

2           Drama and Passion

1 - Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: 1st Movement - Orchestra Filarmonica Di Roma conducted by Massimo Freccia

2 - Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: 2nd Movement - Orchestra Filarmonica Di Roma conducted by Massimo Freccia

3 - Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: 3rd Movement - Orchestra Filarmonica Di Roma conducted by Massimo Freccia

4 - Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: 4th Movement - Orchestra Filarmonica Di Roma conducted by Massimo Freccia

5 - Francesca Da Rimini, Op. 32 (Symphonic Fantasia) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch

3           Romance and Elegance

1 - Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: 1st Movement - Itzhak Perlman, Violin, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alfred Wallenstein

2 - Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: 2nd Movement - Itzhak Perlman, Violin, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alfred Wallenstein

3 - Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: 3rd Movement - Itzhak Perlman, Violin, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alfred Wallenstein

4 - Romance In F Minor, Op. 5 - Christian Steiner, Piano, with the RCA Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

5 - Elegie #from Serenade For Strings In C, Op. 48: 3rd Movement - Vienna Chamber Orchestra conducted by Philippe Entremont

6 - Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33 - France Springuel, Cello, with I Fiamminghi conducted by Rudolf Werthen

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS - Puccini

Twenty-second issue in the “Favourites From The Classics” series, which was to run for 25 editions.

3CD Set
Released April 1996

Cat No.: RDCD1401-3 (RDC93071-3)
RD Code: PUCC 022

Series Code: 66

CD 1      Tenderness and Romance

1 - Nessun Dorma #from 'Turandot' - Thomas Harper

2 - Ch'ella Mi Creda Libero E Lontano #from 'La Fanciulla del West' - Thomas Harper

3 - Donna Non Vidi Mai #from 'Manon Lescaut' - Thomas Harper

Highlights from 'La Bohème': Act I

4 - Oh! Sventata, Sventata! - Luba Orgonasova and Jonathan Welch

5 - Che Gelida Manina - Luba Orgonasova and Jonathan Welch

6 - Si, Mi Chiamo Mimì - Luba Orgonasova

7 - O Soave Fanciulla - Luba Orgonasova and Jonathan Welch

Highlights from 'La Bohème': Act II

8 - Viva Parpignol - Fabio Previati, Luba Orgonasova and Boaz Senator

9 - Oh! Essa! Musetta! - Fabio Previati and Carmen Gonzales

10 - Quando Me'n Vo' Soletta - Carmen Gonzales

11 - Caro! Fuori Il Danaro! - Carmen Gonzales

12 - Mimì! Speravo Di Trovarvi Qui - Fabio Previati and Luba Orgonasova

Highlights from 'La Bohème': Act III

13 - Marcello, Finalmente! - Jonathan Welch, Fabio Previati and Luba Orgonasova

14 - Donde Lieta Uscì - Luba Orgonasova

15 - Dunque È Proprio Finita! - Jonathan Welch, Luba Orgonasova, Fabio Previati and Carmen Gonzales

Highlights from 'La Bohème': Act IV

16 - In Un Coupé? … O Mimi, Tu Più Non Torni - Fabio Previati and Jonathan Welch

17 - Vecchia Zimarra - Ivan Urbas and Boaz Senator

18 - Sono Andati? - Luba Orgonasova and Jonathan Welch

19 - Che Ha Detto Il Medico? - Jonathan Welch

CD 2      Charm and Dignity

1 - Chi'il Bel Sogno Di Doretta #from 'La Rondine' - Luba Orgonasova

2 - La Tregenda #from 'Le Villi' - Czecho - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) conducted by Ondrej Lenárd

Highlights from 'Madama Butterfly': Act I

3 - Dovunque Al Mondo - Yordy Ramiro

4 - Ed È Bella La Sposa? - Jozef Abel, Yordy Ramiro and Georg Tichy

5 - Amore O Grillo - Yordy Ramiro and Georg Tichy

6 - Ecco! Son Giunte Al Sommo Del Pendio - Miriam Gauci

7 - Bimba, Bimba Non Piangere - Miriam Gauci and Pinkerton

8 - Viene La Sera - Miriam Gauci and Pinkerton

9 - Bimba Dagli Occhi Pieni Di Malia - Miriam Gauci and Pinkerton

Highlights from 'Madama Butterfly': Act II

10 - Un Bel Di, Vedremo - Miriam Gauci

11 - Humming Chorus - Chorus

Highlights from 'Madama Butterfly': Act III

12 - Con Onor Muore - Miriam Gauci and Yordy Ramiro

13 - In Quelle Trine Morbide #from 'Manon Lescaut' - Miriam Gauci

14 - Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata #from 'Manon Lescaut' - Miriam Gauci

15 - Senza Mamma #from 'Suor Angelica' - Miriam Gauci

16 - Tu, Che Di Gel Sei Cinta #from 'Turandot' - Miriam Gauci

17 - Signore Ascolta! #from 'Turandot' - Miriam Gauci

18 - O Mio Babbino Caro #from 'Gianni Schicchi' - Miriam Gauci

CD 3      Passion and Drama

1 - Intermezzo From 'Manon Lescaut' - Czecho - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) conducted by Ondrej Lenárd

Highlights from 'Tosca': Act I

2 - Santa Ampolle … Recondita Armonia - Giorgio Lamberti and Jozef Spacek

3 - Mario! Mario! Mario! - Nelly Miricioiu and Giorgio Lamberti

4 - Non La Sospiri La Nostra Casetta - Nelly Miricioiu and Giorgio Lamberti

5 - Ah, Quegli Occhi! … - Nelly Miricioiu and Giorgio Lamberti

6 - Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza - Silvano Carroli

Highlights from 'Tosca': Act II

7 - Orsù, Tosca, Parlate … Nel Pozzo … Nel Giardino - Nelly Miricioiu and Silvano Carroli

8 - Floria! … Amore … Vittoria! - Nelly Miricioiu, Giorgio Lamberti and Silvano Carroli

9 - Vissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore - Nelly Miricioiu

Highlights from 'Tosca': Act III

10 - Io Tenni La Promessa - Silvano Carroli and Nelly Miricioiu

11 - E Lucevan Le Stelle - Giorgio Lamberti

12 - Ah! Franchigia A Floria Tosca … - Giorgio Lamberti and Nelly Miricioiu

13 - O Dolci Mani - Nelly Miricioiu and Giorgio Lamberti

14 - Come È Lunga L'Attesa! - Nelly Miricioiu

15 - Mario, Su Presto! - Nelly Miricioiu

16 - Prelude To Act III From 'Edgar' - Czecho - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) conducted by Ondrej Lenárd

17 - Prelude To 'Le Villi': Czecho - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) conducted by Ondrej Lenárd

18 - Se Come Voi Piccina Io Fossì #from 'Le Villi' - Miriam Gauci

FAVOURITES FROM THE CLASSICS - Mozart Volume 2

Twenty-first issue in the “Favourites From The Classics” series, which was to run for 25 editions.

3CD Set
Released February 1996

Cat No.: RDCD1381-3 (RDC93051-3)
RD Code: MOZ2 021

Series Code: 66

 

CD1 - Elegance And Dignity

1-3        Piano Concerto No. 23 In A, K488-Jenö Jandó, Piano, with the Concentus Hungaricus conducted by Mátyás Antal

4-6        Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat, K417-Miloš Števove, Horn, with the Capella Istropolitana conducted by Josef Kopelman

7          Così Fan Tutte Overture, K588-Capella Istropolitana conducted by Barry Wordsworth

8-11      Symphony No. 39 In E Flat, K543-The London Mozart Players conducted by Jane Glover

CD2 – Charm And Inspiration

1          Non Più Andrai #from 'The Marriage of Figaro'-Andrea Martin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

2          Crudel! Perche Finora #from 'The Marriage of Figaro'-Andrea Martin and Donna Robin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

3          Deh Vieni, Non Tardar #from 'The Marriage of Figaro'-Donna Robin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

4          Madamina #from 'Don Giovanni'-Andrea Martin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

5          La Ci Darem La Mano #from 'Don Giovanni'-Andrea Martin and Donna Robin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

6          Deh! Vieni Alla Finestra #from 'Don Giovanni'-Andrea Martin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

7          Vedrai, Carino #from 'Don Giovanni'-Donna Robin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

8          Il Mio Tesoro #from 'Don Giovanni'-John Dickie with the Capella Istropolitana conducted by Johannes Wildner

9          Soave Sia Il Ventro #from 'Così Fan Tutte'-Joanna Borowska, Rohangiz Yachmi and Peter Mikulaš with the Capella Istropolitana conducted by Johannes Wildner

10         Der Vogelfänger Bin Ich Ja #from 'The Magic Flute'-Andrea Martin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

11         Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schön #from 'The Magic Flute'-John Dickie with the Capella Istropolitana conducted by Johannes Wildner

12         Der Hölle Rache #from 'The Magic Flute'-Donna Robin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

13         Ein Mädchen Oder Weibchen #from 'The Magic Flute'-Andrea Martin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

14         Papageno, Papagena #from 'The Magic Flute'-Andrea Martin and Donna Robin with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra conducted by Konrad Leitner

15         Laudate Dominum #from 'Solemn Vespers', K399-Kate Hurney and the Ambrosian Singers with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

16         Dies Irae #from 'Requiem', K626-Ambrosian Singers with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

17         Confutatis Maledictis #from 'Requiem', K626-Ambrosian Singers with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

18         Gloria #from 'Coronation Mass' (Krönungsmesse), K317-Ambrosian Singers with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

CD3 - Grace And Enchantment

1-3        Concerto For Flute And Harp In C, K299-Robert Dohn, Flute, and Margit Anna Süss, Harp, with the Orchestra Der Ludwigsburger Festspiele conducted by Wolfgang Gönnenwein

4          Minuet From Divertimento No.17 In D, K334-National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

5          German Dances, K571-National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt

6-8        Serenade No. 6 In D (Serenata Notturna), K239-France Springuel, Cello, with I Fiamminghi conducted by Rudolf Werthen

9-11      Divertimento No. 1 In D, K136-National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt