Kurt Masur, a name synonymous with orchestral brilliance, invites you into a world of timeless classics with his album "The Last Golden-Age Maestro." Released on January 2, 2025, under the prestigious Warner Classics label, this collection is a testament to Masur's unparalleled mastery and the enduring power of classical music.
Spanning a generous 5 hours and 9 minutes, the album is a rich tapestry of orchestral works that showcase Masur's deep understanding and reverence for the composers he interprets. From the dramatic intensity of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 to the lyrical beauty of Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers, each piece is performed with a level of artistry that only a maestro of Masur's caliber can achieve.
The tracklist is a veritable who's who of classical music, featuring works by composers such as Brahms, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, and Sibelius. Highlights include the energetic "Rhapsody in Blue" by Gershwin, the hauntingly beautiful "Finlandia" by Sibelius, and the powerful "Alexander Nevsky" by Prokofiev. Each selection is a masterclass in orchestration, demonstrating Masur's ability to bring out the nuances and depths of these beloved compositions.
Masur's conducting is marked by a rare combination of precision and passion, a quality that shines through in every note of this album. Whether he is leading a delicate rendition of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 or a thunderous performance of Beethoven's Egmont Overture, his command of the orchestra is nothing short of inspirational.
"The Last Golden-Age Maestro" is not just an album; it is a celebration of the golden age of classical music, as interpreted by one of its greatest conductors. Kurt Masur's final album is a fitting tribute to his legacy, offering listeners a chance to experience the magic of his conducting one last time.
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition: V. Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens (Orch. Gorchakov)Modest Mussorgsky, Kurt Masur, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Act 3: The Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade I (Orch. Gorchakov)Modest Mussorgsky, Kurt Masur, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, MWV M13: Wedding MarchFelix Mendelssohn, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Beethoven: Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C Major, Op. 56: II. Largo -Ludwig van Beethoven, Christian Zacharias, Ulf Hoelscher, Heinrich Schiff, Gewandhausorchester, Kurt Masur
Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: II. VariazioniNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Prokofiev: Suite No. 2 from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64ter: I. The Montagues and CapuletsSergei Prokofiev, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, S. 124: I. Allegro maestosoFranz Liszt, Michel Béroff, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Dvořák: 8 Slavonic Dances, Op. 72, B. 145: No. 2 in E MinorAntonín Dvořák, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25, MWV O7: III. Presto - Molto allegro e vivaceFelix Mendelssohn, Kurt Masur, Cyprien Katsaris, Gewandhausorchester
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, MWV M13: NocturneFelix Mendelssohn, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 38 "Spring": II. LarghettoRobert Schumann, Kurt Masur, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin, Op. 24, Act 2: WaltzPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90: III. Poco allegrettoJohannes Brahms, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 13, Waltz of the FlowersPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. AndanteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kurt Masur, Helen Huang, New York Philharmonic
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brioLudwig van Beethoven, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 107, MWV N15 "Reformation": IV. Choral. Andante con motoFelix Mendelssohn, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Sibelius: Finlandia, Op. 26Jean Sibelius, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26: I. Prelude. Allegro moderatoMax Bruch, Sarah Chang, Kurt Masur, Dresdner Philharmonie
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 "Four Legends from the Kalevala": No. 2, The Swan of TuonelaJean Sibelius, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129: III. Sehr lebhaftRobert Schumann, Natalia Gutman, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Kurt Masur
Beethoven: Egmont, Op. 84: OvertureLudwig van Beethoven, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26: I. Andante - AllegroSergei Prokofiev, Michel Béroff, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: II. Adagio non troppoJohannes Brahms, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, MWV M13: OvertureFelix Mendelssohn, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78: V. The Battle on the IceSergei Prokofiev, Kurt Masur, State Choir Latvija, Gewandhausorchester
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35: II. The Kalendar PrinceNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178 "From the New World": II. LargoAntonín Dvořák, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: I. Allegro molto appassionatoFelix Mendelssohn, Maxim Vengerov, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Ravel: La valse, M. 72Maurice Ravel, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique": IV. Finale. Adagio lamentosoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Ravel: Boléro, M. 81Maurice Ravel, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Gershwin / Orch. Grofé: Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwin, Fazıl Say, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderatoLudwig van Beethoven, Hélène Grimaud, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23: I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spiritoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic
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