Colin Davis and the Concertgebouw Orchestra:⁤ A ‌Harmonious Partnership

A Dutch Orchestra with a Strong Bond with a Master British Conductor

The complete ​Philips recordings of British virtuoso conductor Colin Davis and the Concertgebouw Orchestra ⁣are released for the first time in a limited edition 18-CD box set. Recorded in the orchestra’s⁣ acoustically perfect home⁣ base in ‌Amsterdam,‌ the set features works by Haydn, Berlioz, Dvorak,​ and Stravinsky that are‍ characteristic of the orchestra’s classical performances.

Colin Davis made his debut with the Concertgebouw Orchestra in ⁤1966 and quickly established a good relationship with the orchestra. Davis gave the musicians a lot of freedom, but he also controlled them well and was ⁤very popular. His first recordings came eight years‍ later. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto (with Arthur Grumiaux) and⁢ Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique were widely praised for their rhythmic sense and the humble dignity that characterized Davis’ conducting.

Davis’ sympathies are evident in the light rhythms, the refined 18th-century phrasing,⁢ and the⁤ usual joy ‌of ‌his symphonies. The “Paris” Symphony (except⁣ No. 85) was followed by the⁣ complete “London” Symphonies (Nos. 93-104). The set also includes No. 84, which Davis recorded ⁢with the English Chamber ‌Orchestra at Oiseau-Lille in⁤ 1960. This is also the first time that Davis and the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s Haydn⁢ symphonies have been‍ released together.

His highly‍ acclaimed recordings of Dvorak include the composer’s last three symphonies, the Violin​ Concerto (with Salvatore Accardo), and the ‍Cello Concerto (with Heinrich Schiff). Throughout his long career, Davis has ‍particularly enjoyed bringing out the nostalgic aspects and Czech rhythms‍ of Dvorak’s music,​ and his​ astute approach to Stravinsky is also evident in his recordings of ​the​ three ballets.

These recordings were popular and never disappeared from the catalogue, ‌but listening to them⁤ together highlights the strength of Davis’ ‌partnership with a distinctive and ⁣remarkable Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Tracklist

CD1: Haydn

• Symphony No. 82 in C major Ho.bI:82 “Bear” (1-4)
• Symphony No. 83 in G minor, Hob.I:83 “The Hen” (5-8)
• Symphony No. ​84 in ‌E flat major, ⁣Hob.I:84 (9-12)
• Recorded: January 1986 (1-8), October 1960 (9-12)

CD2: Haydn

• Symphony No. 86 in⁢ D major Hob.I:86 (1-4)
• Symphony No. 98 in B flat major Hob.I:98 (5-8)
• Recorded: May‍ 1979

CD3: Haydn

• Symphony No. 103 in ​E-flat major, Hob.I:103 “Drum Beats” (1-4)
• Symphony No. 87 in A major ⁤Hob.I:87 (5-8)
• Recorded: November 1976

CD4: Haydn

• Symphony No. 88 in⁢ G major‌ Hob.I:88 “V” (1-4)
• Symphony No. 99 in E flat major, ‍Hob.I:99 (5-8)
• Recorded: November 1975

CD5: Haydn

• Symphony No. 92 in G major, Hob.I:92 “Oxford” (1-4)
• Symphony No. 91 in E flat major, Hob.I:91⁢ (5-8)
• Recorded: January 1983

CD6: Haydn

• Symphony No. 93⁤ in D major, Hob.I:93 (1-4)
• Symphony No.⁢ 94 ⁤in G major⁤ Hob.I:94 “Surprise” (5-8)
• Symphony No. 96 in D major Hob.I:96 “Miracle” (9-12)
• Recorded: November-December 1981

CD7: Haydn

• Symphony No.‍ 95 in C minor, Hob.I:95 (1-4)
• Symphony No. 97 in C⁣ major, ‍Hob.I:97 ‌(5-8)
• Recorded: December 1980

CD8: Haydn

• Symphony No. 100 in G major Hob.I:100 “Military” (1-4)
• Symphony No. 104 in D major Hob.I:104 “London” (5-8)
• Recorded: November 1977

CD9: ⁣Haydn

• Symphony No. 101‍ in D major Hob.I:101 “The Clock”‌ (1-4)
• Symphony No.‍ 102 in B flat major Hob.I:102 (5-8)
• Recorded: May 1979

CD10: Beethoven

• Violin Concerto in D major, Op.61 (1-3)
• Performer: Arthur Grumiaux (violin)
• Recorded: January ⁢1974

CD11: Berlioz

• Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14 (1-5)
• Recorded: January 1974

CD12: Mussorgsky

• Pictures at​ an Exhibition (orchestral arrangement by Ravel) (1-12)
• Symphonic poem “Night on ​Bare Mountain”⁣ (arranged by Rimsky-Korsakov) (13)
• Recorded: November 1979

CD13: Dvorak

• Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op.70 (1-4)
• Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op.88⁤ (5-8)
• Recorded: November 1975 (1-4), November 1978 (5-8)

CD14: Dvorak

• Symphony No. 9 ‍in E minor, Op. 95 ⁣”From the New World” ​(1-4)
• Recorded: November 1977

CD15: Dvorak

• Violin Concerto in A minor, Op.53 (1-3)
• Romance in F minor (4)
• Performer: ⁢Salvatore Accardo (violin)
• Recorded: November 1979

CD16: Dvorak

• Cello Concerto ⁤in B minor, Op.104 (1-3)
• Silence of the Forest Op.68 ⁤No.5 (4)
• Performer: Heinrich Schiff​ (cello)
• Recorded: December 1980

CD17: Stravinsky

• The⁢ Firebird (1910 version) (1-15)
• Recorded: November 1978

CD18: Stravinsky

• Ballet “The Rite of Spring” (1-13)
• Ballet “Petrushka” ‌(1947 version) (14-28)
• Recorded: November 1976 (1-13), October⁤ 1977​ (14-28)

*First CD⁢ release

World’s first CD

Performance

• Colin Davis (Conductor)
• Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• English Chamber Orchestra (CD1: 9-12 only)

Recording Location

• Amsterdam
• London ‌(CD1:9-12 only)