UPC 028947955559

The period between 1959 and 1981 forms one of the most productive chapters in the history of Archiv Produktion. The music recorded in those two decades certified the labels international fame not only as a record company but also as a musical research institute, responsible for preserving the sounds of original instruments, and documenting the musical heritage of the Renaissance, Baroque and Early-Classical eras. By the end of the 1950s a major event transformed the world of early music: the arrival of stereo recording. It allowed musicians to present their period-instrument performance practice in a richer sound that would bring listeners even closer to the composers intentions. This 50 CD Box Set includes Archiv Produktions finest analogue recordings made between 1959 and 1981, representing a Golden Age of a pioneering label that defined the way early music should be performed and recorded. Featured artists include Karl Richter, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Pierre Fournier, John Eliot Gardiner, Trevor Pinnock and other icons of the Archiv label. The collection also includes a 150-page booklet with tracklists, rare photos and a new note by David Butchart. Among the treasures in this box set are 9 recordings that appear on CD for the first time, including French Empire string quartets, Rameaus Pigmalion, Early Italain organ music, Schuberts Arpeggione Sonata, Weber Songs with guitar, Haydn Baryton Trios, and Hesperion XXs only recording with the label. Other highlights include Telemanns complete constant Music Master, Cherubinis Comlete String Quartets, the complete Music of the Gothic Era with David Munrow and Purcells Choral Works with Simon Preston and Christ Church Choir Oxford.