Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s influence on musical performance was transformative. In the 1950s, already established as an orchestral cellist in Vienna, he struck a new path by founding Concentus Musicus Wien, dedicated to performance on period instruments. As a conductor he developed relationships with major orchestras, always shedding new light on mainstream repertoire with his deep understanding of the composer’s intentions and historical performing style. This 15-CD collection, spanning eras from the late Renaissance to Romanticism, demonstrates the scope of his achievement.
Bach, J S:
Cantata BWV80 ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’: Komm in mein Herzenshaus
Cantata BWV81 ‘Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?’
Cantata BWV82 ‘Ich habe genug’
Cantata BWV83 ‘Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde’
Beethoven:
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Bruckner:
Symphony No. 7 in E Major
Dvorak:
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ‘From the New World’
The Water Goblin, Op. 107 (B195)
Handel:
Water Music
Organ Concerto No. 15 in D minor, HWV304
Organ Concerto No. 13 in F major, HWV295 ‘The Cuckoo and the Nightingale’
Haydn:
Symphony No. 30 in C major ‘Alleluia’
Symphony No. 53 in D major ‘The Imperial’
Symphony No. 69 in C major ‘Laudon’
Mendelssohn:
The Fair Melusine Overture, Op. 32
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – incidental music, Op. 61
Die erste Walpurgisnacht, Op. 60
Monteverdi:
L’Orfeo
Mozart:
Voi avete un cor fedele, K217
Ma che vi fece, o stelle…Sperai vicino il lido, K368
Misera, dove son? – Ah! non son’ io che parlo! K369
A questo seno deh vieni…Or che il cielo, K374
Mia speranza adorata… Ah, non sai qual pena, K416
Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio! K418
No, che non sei capace, K419
Ah se in ciel, benigne stelle, K538
Schubert:
Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 ‘Tragic’
Schumann:
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Martha Argerich (piano)
Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23
Gidon Kremer (violin)
Strauss, J, II:
Kreuzfidel Polka, Op. 301
Leichtes Blut, polka schnell, Op. 319
Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Op. 325
Egyptischer Marsch, Op. 335
Wiener Bonbons Walzer, Op. 307
Pizzicato Polka
Unter Donner und Blitz, Op. 324
An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314
Vivaldi:
The Four Seasons
Flute Concerto, Op. 10 No. 1 in F major, RV 433 ‘La tempesta di mare’
Violin Concerto, Op. 8 No. 6 in C major, RV180 ‘Il Piacere’