"Prelude" - Orchestral Treasures, set for release on August 28, 2025, under Warner Classics, is a meticulously curated collection of classical masterpieces conducted by the esteemed Sir Neville Marriner. Spanning a generous 2 hours and 56 minutes, this album is a testament to the timeless beauty of orchestral music, featuring compositions from some of the most celebrated composers in history.
The album opens with the familiar and enchanting melodies of Grieg's "Peer Gynt" and Bach's "Air on the G String," setting a tone of elegance and sophistication. It seamlessly transitions through a diverse range of musical styles and eras, from the Baroque elegance of Bach and Handel to the Romantic passion of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, and the operatic grandeur of Verdi and Puccini. Each piece is a gem in its own right, showcasing the versatility and depth of the orchestra under Marriner's expert guidance.
Highlights include the lively and rhythmic "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Grieg, the serene and contemplative "Prelude. Morning Mood," the iconic "Canon" by Pachelbel, and the spirited "Brandenburg Concerto No. 1" by Bach. The album also features exquisite arrangements of popular operatic arias, such as "La donna è mobile" from Verdi's "Rigoletto" and "E lucevan le stelle" from Puccini's "Tosca," as well as the enchanting "Méditation" from Massenet's "Thaïs."
Sir Neville Marriner, a legendary figure in the world of classical music, brings his unparalleled insight and artistry to this collection. His interpretations are both sensitive and dynamic, capturing the essence of each composition with clarity and precision. The performances are brought to life by a world-class orchestra, delivering a rich and immersive listening experience that highlights the full spectrum of orchestral colors and textures.
"Prelude" - Orchestral Treasures is not just an album; it is a celebration of the orchestral repertoire, offering a rich tapestry of musical experiences that will delight both seasoned classical enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Whether you're in the mood for something soothing or invigorating, this collection has something to offer. Prepare to be transported through time and across continents, as each piece tells its own unique story, creating a cohesive and captivating journey through the world of classical music.
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 2: No. 7, In the Hall of the Mountain KingEdvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Ambrosian Singers, Lucia Popp
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 4: No. 13, Prelude. Morning MoodEdvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue for Three Violins and Continuo in D Major: CanonJohann Pachelbel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. AirJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV 537: II. LargoAntonio Vivaldi, Sir Neville Marriner, Bernard Soustrot, Maurice André, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Telemann: Trumpet Concerto in D Major, TWV 51:D7: IV. AllegroGeorg Philipp Telemann, Maurice André, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach, JS: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: I. —Johann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Alan Loveday, Caroline Marwood, Celia Nicklin, George Caird, George Malcolm, Graham Sheen, Nicholas Hill, Timothy Brown
Bach, JS: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: II. AdagioJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Alan Loveday, Caroline Marwood, Celia Nicklin, George Caird, George Malcolm, Graham Sheen, Nicholas Hill, Timothy Brown
Bach, JS: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: III. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Alan Loveday, Caroline Marwood, Celia Nicklin, George Caird, George Malcolm, Graham Sheen, Nicholas Hill, Timothy Brown
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: I. Molto allegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: I. OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: II. Adagio e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: III. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: IV. AndanteGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: V. Allegro da capoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: VI. MinuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: VII. AirGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: VIII. MinuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: IX. BourréeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: X. HornpipeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Grieg: 2 Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: No. 1, The Wounded Heart (Orchestral Version)Edvard Grieg, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-Flat Major, Op. 17, K. 595: II. LarghettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Rudolf Buchbinder, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11: II. Andante cantabile (Arr. Marriner for String Orchestra)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Shostakovich: Suite from The Gadfly, Op. 97a: V. Barrel Organ Waltz (Orch. Atovmyan)Dmitri Shostakovich, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Shostakovich: Suite from The Gadfly, Op. 97a: VIII. Romance (Orch. Atovmyan)Dmitri Shostakovich, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden, Act 3: Dance of the TumblersNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Berlioz: La damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H 111: Danse des sylphesHector Berlioz, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Verdi: Rigoletto, Act 3: "La donna è mobile" (Instrumental Version, Arr. Pryce Jackman)Giuseppe Verdi, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Puccini: Tosca, Act 3: "E lucevan le stelle" (Instrumental Version, Arr. Pryce Jackman)Giacomo Puccini, Sir Neville Marriner, Mitchell Dalton, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1: I. Prélude (Orch. Guiraud)Georges Bizet, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner
Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1: II. Aragonaise (Orch. Guiraud)Georges Bizet, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner
Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1: III. Intermezzo (Orch. Guiraud)Georges Bizet, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner
Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1: V. Les dragons d'Alcala (Orch. Guiraud)Georges Bizet, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner
Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1: VI. Les toréadors (Orch. Guiraud)Georges Bizet, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner
Offenbach: Les contes d'Hoffmann, Act 4: Barcarolle. "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" (Instrumental Version)Jacques Offenbach, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner
Massenet: Thaïs, Act 2: MéditationJules Massenet, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Sir Neville Marriner, Hans Kalafusz
Mozart: 3 German Dances, K. 605: No. 3 in C Major "Die Schlittenfahrt"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: La finta semplice, K. 51: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Les petits riens, K. Anh. 10: IV. AndantinoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Les petits riens, K. Anh. 10: VIII. AdagioWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Les petits riens, K. Anh. 10: XI. PantomimeWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Les petits riens, K. Anh. 10: XII. PassepiedWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Les petits riens, K. Anh. 10: XIV. AndanteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492: OvertureWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19: III. Rondo. Molto allegroLudwig van Beethoven, Till Fellner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Beethoven: Romance for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 in G Major, Op. 40Ludwig van Beethoven, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Schubert: Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in A Major, D. 438: I. AdagioFranz Schubert, Sir Neville Marriner, Josef Suk, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Telemann: Horn Concerto in D Major, TWV 51:D8: II. LargoGeorg Philipp Telemann, Barry Tuckwell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Mozart, L: Horn Concerto in D Major: II. AndanteLeopold Mozart, Barry Tuckwell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Mozart, L: Horn Concerto in D Major: III. AllegroGeorg Philipp Telemann, Barry Tuckwell, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
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