Ripe for Reissue: Neeme Järvi's Strauss on Chandos

It's not often discussed, but there is no more comprehensive and consistently fine series of Strauss orchestral works and songs in the modern catalog. So why hasn't Chandos boxed them up and celebrated their accomplishment? Beats me...

[stevemcclue]

Incidentally, some of these works were recorded at the Caird Hall in Dundee: my home town!

[gavingriffiths]

Chandos also ought to box their Bax orchestral series - beautiful works, many of them recorded by Bryden Thomson and Vernon Handley, and not found anywhere else!

[zdl]

Neeme Jarvi's Chandos recording of Heldenleben originally coupled with Four Last Songs with Dame Felicity Lott got me hooked to Strauss forever. A priceless release!

[ftumschk]

I love Järvi's Macbeth and 4 Last Songs, so I'd certainly be up for a complete Järvi/Strauss set from Chandos. While they're at it, they could also consider issuing all of Järvi's superb Prokofiev discs in one box.

[robhaynes]

I heartily second this (and also a big Järvi box more generally). His Strauss is really very thrilling and not indulgent. And Dame Felicity... 🤩

[peterdixon]

I would vote for anyone who ran on a ticket of releasing the Neeme Järvi Strauss as a boxed set.

[MichaelCattermole]

Chandos also need to box up their splendid series of Vincent D'Indy orchestral recordings. Sure to be winner!

[FREDGARRISON]

The ending of the Sinfonia Domestica by Richard Strauss always reminded me of the NBC chime tones that they used to identify their station back in the day. I believe it was a "G" "E" & "C" which stood for their parent company General Electric. Since I am not musically inclined don't quote me on this. Another fine video, Dave...

[bbailey]

I was just listening to the Aus Italien disc, with four songs sung by Lott, today, which I'd picked up at a thrift store for a buck. A bargain of the century. Other than the last Allegro molto mvt of the Italien, which I felt would have benefited from more molto and push, it's the best I've ever heard with gorgeous sound and playing.

[peterdixon]

I was given a Chandos Neeme Järvi boxed set of Strauss and others as a birthday present. It is a ripe mixture. There are two Strausses, for a start. One gets An Alpine Symphony, The Nutcracker and the Shosto 10.

[twwc]

For years Järvi's Strauss has been a guilty pleasure of mine. I say "guilty" because all the critics back in the day said the Strauss recordings you're supposed to like are Reiner, Kempe, and Karajan. I do love Reiner and Kempe's Strauss (I'll eschew comment on Karajan), but Järvi has been my secret favorite, in part due to the astonishing Chandos sonics. (Reiner had great sonics too, but a different sort of great, more in your face.) But it wasn't just the sonics either. I had the great privilege of living near Detroit during Järvi's years as music director of the DSO and I made a point of attending all his Strauss performances, and I can say he achieved the same magic in Detroit when conducting Strauss that he did in Scotland. (Detroit has always been a great Strauss orchestra in live performance and maintained that during the Slatkin years.) So, I'd welcome a Chandos Järvi Strauss box, too, especially if Chandos decides to surprise us by offering it at a very low price, like the Warner Kempe box, which they probably won't.

[d.r.martin]

So good to see you cover these wonderful performances. I have four of Jarvi's Strauss disks and treasure them. What do you think of his Brahms cycle from that same era? Unfortunately, my CD of the 4th developed disk rot or something. Must find another copy.

[monsterlove]

Thanks for this review. Would you say Järvi's Strauss would be more complete than any other sets out there that claim to be "Complete"?