Immerse yourself in the rich musical legacy of the esteemed French conductor Louis Frémaux with "Louis Frémaux - The Complete Birmingham Years," a comprehensive 12-CD set released on April 7, 2017, by Warner Classics. This meticulously curated collection assembles, for the first time, all the recordings that Frémaux made with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra during his tenure as their principal conductor. Spanning a vast repertoire, this box set offers over 163 tracks and a staggering 14 hours and 10 minutes of captivating performances, making it an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection.
The album showcases Frémaux's remarkable versatility and mastery, featuring a diverse array of compositions from renowned composers such as Berlioz, Massenet, Bizet, Lalo, and Saint-Saëns. From the grandeur of Berlioz's "Grande Messe des morts" to the lyrical beauty of Massenet's "Le Cid," and the symphonic brilliance of Bizet's "Symphony in C Major," each track is a testament to Frémaux's exceptional conducting and the orchestra's virtuosity. The set also includes lesser-known gems like Lalo's "Symphonie espagnole" and Saint-Saëns' "Cello Concerto No. 1," offering a comprehensive exploration of the Romantic and post-Romantic periods.
This remastered collection is a tribute to Louis Frémaux, who passed away in March 2017, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of classical music. The recordings, originally made for EMI, have been carefully restored and compiled to celebrate his contributions and the collaborative excellence of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Whether you are a seasoned classical aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this box set promises an enriching and rewarding listening experience, highlighting the timeless appeal of these masterful performances.
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: I. Requiem et Kyrie (Introitus)Hector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: II. Dies Irae - Tuba mirumHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: III. Quid sum miserHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: IV. Rex tremendae majestatisHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: V. Quaerens meHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VI. LacrymosaHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VII. OffertoriumHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VIII. HostiasHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: IX. SanctusHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, Robert Tear, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5, H. 75: X. Agnus DeiHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Le Carnaval romain, Op. 9, H. 95: OvertureHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Tristia Op. 18, H. 119: III. Marche funèbre pour la dernière scène d'Hamlet, H. 103Hector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: I. Marche hongroiseHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: II. Danse des sylphesHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: III. Menuet des folletsHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini, H. 76b: Grande OuvertureHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Les Troyens, Op. 29, H. 133, Act 4: No. 29 Chasse royale et orageHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz: Les Troyens, Op. 29, H. 133, Act 1: No. 11, Marche troyenneHector Berlioz, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: I. CastillaneJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: II. AndalouseJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: III. AragonaiseJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: IV. AubadeJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: V. CatalaneJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: VI. MadrilèneJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, Elizabeth Robinson, Anthony Moroney, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid: VII. NavarraiseJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Suite d'orchestre No. 4 "Scènes pittoresques": I. MarcheJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Suite d'orchestre No. 4 "Scènes pittoresques": II. Air de balletJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Suite d'orchestre No. 4 "Scènes pittoresques": III. AngélusJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: Suite d'orchestre No. 4 "Scènes pittoresques": IV. Fête bohêmeJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Massenet: La Vierge, Pt. 4: Le dernier sommeil de la ViergeJules Massenet, Louis Frémaux, Hilary Robinson, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Roma, WD 37: I. Une chasse dans la Forêt d'Ostie - Andante tranquillo - AndanteGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Roma, WD 37: II. Scherzo - Allegretto vivaceGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Roma, WD 37: III. Une procession - Andante moltoGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Roma, WD 37: IV. Carnaval à Rome - Allegro vivacissimoGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21: I. Allegro non troppoÉdouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Yan Pascal Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21: II. Scherzando (Allegro molto)Édouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Yan Pascal Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21: III. Intermezzo (Allegretto non troppo)Édouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Yan Pascal Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21: IV. AndanteÉdouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Yan Pascal Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21: V. Rondo (Allegro)Édouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Yan Pascal Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor: I. Prélude - Lento - Allegro maestosoÉdouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Paul Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor: II. Intermezzo - Andantino con motoÉdouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Paul Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor: III. Introduction - Andante - Allegro vivaceÉdouard Lalo, Louis Frémaux, Paul Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33: I. Allegro non troppoCamille Saint-Saëns, Louis Frémaux, Paul Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33: II. Allegretto con motoCamille Saint-Saëns, Louis Frémaux, Paul Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33: III. Allegro non troppoCamille Saint-Saëns, Louis Frémaux, Paul Tortelier, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Symphony in C Major, WD 33: I. Allegro vivoGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Symphony in C Major, WD 33: II. AdagioGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Symphony in C Major, WD 33: III. Scherzo - AllegroGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bizet: Symphony in C Major, WD 33: IV. Finale - Allegro vivaceGeorges Bizet, Louis Frémaux, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78, "Organ": I. Adagio - Allegro moderatoCamille Saint-Saëns, Louis Frémaux, Christopher Robinson, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra