Andre Cluytens: The Complete Orchestral Recordings

Andre Cluytens' name may not be well known in the US, but he does have a reputation with connoisseurs for a large discography that remains valuable for both choice of repertory and performance quality with world class orchestras, soloists, and recording crews. To have his legacy rescued from obscurity 50 years after his final recording does justice for both artist and music lovers who have long recognized his brilliance. Someone at Warner had a great idea and we only need to be smart enough to take advantage.Cluytens is typically associated with French music, and there may be nobody who outshines him in Ravel. But Cluytens was Belgian and his versatility in other repertory, especially Beethoven and Russian music, was easily comparable to Monteux's, who stole the attention of Americans as conductor in Boston and San Francisco.This collection spans a golden age of classical recording, starting with mono 78s from 1941 and closing with Cluyten's final stereo LP in 1966, l'Enfance du Christ with Victoria de Los Angeles, a recording I've always considered ideal. But his first recording of this piece, from 1951, may be even better thanks to an all-French cast, and is just one of many CD premiers included here. Berlioz lovers also get two recordings of the Symphonie Fantastique.Noting other highlights, the Beethoven here is phenomenal, with a list of soloists that includes Gilels, Solomon, and Oistrakh, plus all 9 symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic. More Gilels in the St Saens and Rachmaninov, plus Francois in the Ravel and Prokofiev, Ciccolini in the Franck and Tchaikovsky, and the composer himself in the two concertos by Shostakovich. An excellent 60m disc of Debussy including Jeux. Other discs featuring major works by Massenet, Gounod, Bizet, Faure, Debussy, Rimsky, Stravinsky and so on. Shorter works scattered throughtout, highlighted by Christoff in Mussorgsky, and some forgotten composers of the time, such as Maurice Delage, with his 4 Hindu Poems and 3 Jungle Chants charmingly sung by Martha Angelici.But that just scratches the surface. There are 65 CDs here, and I can only add my comments to those from other reviewers. Like DG's Fricsay box, this is a desirable discography of great value to the dedicated music collector at an affordable price.Remarks - Pictures at an Exhibition seems a bit undisciplined and the verbage of Debussy's complete Martyr may be a stretch for some listeners. Disc timings are sometimes on the LP scale, consistent with the original art design of the CD sleeves, so don't expect 65 CDs filled to full capacity."Each recording has been painstakingly remastered in 24-bit / 96kHz sound, using original tapes for LPs and best available sources for 78rpm, by Art & Son Studio, Paris". For the Beethoven and Berlioz, the improvement is appreciable, and the older mono recordings sound fresh and clear.

I have been a Classical record/CD collector for over 40 years, and the recent era of "Complete Recordings" by label or conductor is a dream come true.I wasn't very familiar with Andre Cluytens, but I had heard the name many times, and I knew that these were historic recordings well worth acquiring.This box set popped up on my page, and I deliberated for just a few minutes before ordering it.After listening to fifteen or more discs, and looking over the 65 discs and booklet, I can only urge Classical enthusiasts and collectors to get it immediately . A few early recording are from 78s, and about 1/2 are in mono, but they have all been remastered, and most have very good to excellent fidelity. Many of these performances are being released for the first time ever, or for the first time on CD; and they are unique and well worth listening to. For about $1.50 per disc, there is a lot of enjoyment here. After much listening, I consider Andre Cluytens to be in the same class as Ernest Ansermet or Jean Martinon. This is a very nicely done box set, with original covers shown, except for the few 78 discs.

The recordings are excellent in sound and in performance. The Shostakovitch piano concertos and all the Ravel are still as outstanding as when first issued. This box is one of the best big box bargains.HOWEVER,,,the booklet contains unclear information that Cluytens was a Nazi collaborator with the Germans during their occupation of France during World War II. The booklet also deals with a scheduled piano concerto performance by Alfred Cortot (another Vichy collaborator) that was cancelled. Did Cluytens cancel this or was it the audience?Can anyone help me get to the bottom of these issues?Anyway, if you can listen to Von K. and Furtwangler, there is no reason not to enjoy this wonderful box.

Although obscure in USA, Cluytens was a top notch conductor (died in 1967) which creates a problem as to who should buy this. The low price per disk makes it a top choice for those just starting to get into classical music. At the other extreme of the listener scale, classical music devotees will enjoy the opportunity to experience the work of this conductor, although if you want to get into obscure great conductors, start with Silvestri, Sell, & Jochum.To put Cluytens in perspective, he was so highly thought of in his time that he recorded two comlete sets of the Beethoven symphonies ( 1 mono, 1 stereo) with the Berlin Philharmonic before von Karajan ever did.Sonics are not top of the line as Cluytens stopped recording in 1958, but, considering the age of the recordings, the digital doctoring is very good except for some of the first mono lps.

What can I say but WOW! I have spent thousands of dollars buying more than 40 classical CD mega-sets and this is one of the top three sets I have bought. First of all, you get 65 cds for less than $1.50 each. Not cheap, generic CDs, but very high quality music. I sampled dozens of CDs in this set and every one of them was a pleasure to listen to! I have to be honest, I was hesitant to buy "another" conductor CD mega-set especially of a conductor I wasn't too familiar with. I am truly happy and glad I did! It is definitely money well spent in terms of value and quality.

Here are the great things about this set:1. Most of the discs are packed with music; most running 70+ minutes (the Beethoven cycle are exceptions in that they just have each piece, ad no other music).2. All the recordings have been remastered. Even the 78s sound really great.3. The mono discs are wonderful There is something great about mono symphonic music.4. The composers run the gamut. Plenty of new discoveries here.The only issue I have is that the box lid fits so tightly that I have struggled a few times to open it.A really well thought-out set.