LOUIS FREMAUX - ICON: THE BIRMINGHAM YEARS (12 CD)

Louis Fremaux: The Complete CBSO Recordings

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Louis Fremaux

This 12-CD set assembles, for the first time, all the recordings that the French conductor Louis Frémaux made (for EMI) with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra during his tenure as its Principal Conductor (1969-1978). These recordings helped to build the CBSO’s international reputation before the arrival of Simon Rattle as its Principal Conductor in 1980.

This 12-CD set joins Warner Classics’ Icon series, which pays homage to some of the greatest recording artists of the recent past. The box is devoted to the French conductor Louis Frémaux, who, from 1969 to 1978, preceded Simon Rattle as Principal Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. For the first time, it assembles all the recordings that Frémaux and the CBSO made for EMI. Over the course of the 1970s their discography played a substantial role in building the orchestra’s international reputation before the arrival of Rattle as its Principal Conductor in 1980. Indeed, such was the orchestra’s prowess in the French music favoured by Frémaux that, in 1978, Rattle described the CBSO as “the best French orchestra in the world”.

Louis Frémaux, who died aged 95 in March 2017, was born in northern France. He attended the conservatory of Valenciennes, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. Too young to join the army, he became involved in the Resistance, and at the end of the War he joined the French Foreign Legion, serving in Vietnam. In 1947 he entered the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied conducting with Louis Fourestier, going on to win the institution’s first prize for conducting in 1952. He launched his recording career with the Erato label, and a notable success was the Requiem by the Baroque composer Jean Gilles, which won the Grand Prix du Disque in 1956, the year Frémaux began his nine-year tenure as Chief Conductor of the Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra. He first conducted the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1968 and became its Principal Conductor the following year. The CBSO’s history had been somewhat chequered, despite attracting such principal conductors as Adrian Boult and Andrzej Panufnik, but Frémaux groomed the orchestra, taking it to a new level. While the team gained special renown for its performances of French repertoire, it also sustained a strong reputation in the works of modern British composers.

The vast majority of this Icon set is devoted to French music: Berlioz (notably the Grande Messe des Morts, the first recording project of the CBSO Chorus, which Frémaux established in 1973); Massenet; Bizet (including his rarely-heard symphonic suite Roma); Lalo; Saint-Saëns (including the Symphony No 3, a work closely associated with Frémaux); Fauré (the Requiem); Chabrier; Debussy; Dukas; Ravel; Ibert (whose music occupies almost an entire CD); Honegger; Poulenc (the Gloria, Piano Concerto and Les Biches) and Satie. The British-born composers featured are: Litolff; Walton (who occupies an entire CD, dominated by the two Façade suites), and John McCabe (1939-2015), whose Notturni was premiered by Frémaux and the CBSO in 1970.

Appearing for the first time on CD is a selection of arias by Leoncavallo, Puccini, Bizet, Sullivan, Lehár and Johann Strauss II, sung in English by the tenor by the Birmingham-born tenor David Hughes (1929-1972), who, before turning to opera, had enjoyed success as a popular singer; the arias are complemented by overtures by Offenbach. Other soloists appearing on the set include tenor Robert Tear, cellist Paul Tortelier and pianists John Ogdon and Cristina Ortiz.

All items in the set have been remastered from the original analogue tapes and digitized in full HD 24BIT/96kHz.

Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture
Berlioz: Grande Messe des Morts, Op. 5 (Requiem)
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts)
Berlioz: Le carnaval romain Overture, Op. 9
Bizet: Roma, symphony for orchestra in C major
Bizet: Symphony in C
Chabrier: España
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Fauré: Ballade in F sharp major for solo piano or piano & orchestra, Op. 19
Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11
Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48
Honegger: Movement symphonique No. 1 'Pacific 231'
Ibert: Bacchanale
Ibert: Bostoniana
Ibert: Divertissement
Ibert: Louisville Concerto
Ibert: Symphonie marine
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D minor
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21
Litolff: Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: Scherzo
Litolff: Concerto Symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102
Massenet: La Vierge: Le Dernier Sommeil de la vierge (Légende sacrée)
Massenet: Le Cid - Ballet music
Massenet: Scènes pittoresques
McCabe, J: Notturni ed Alba
McCabe, J: Symphony No. 2
Offenbach: Barbe-bleue - Overture
Offenbach: La Belle Helene Overture
Offenbach: La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein - Overture
Offenbach: La Perichole: Overture
Offenbach: La Vie Parisienne: Overture
Offenbach: Orphée aux Enfers Overture
Poulenc: Gloria
Poulenc: Les Biches
Poulenc: Piano Concerto
Puccini: Che gelida manina (from La Bohème)
Puccini: E lucevan le stelle (from Tosca)
Puccini: Nessun dorma (from Turandot)
Ravel: Boléro
Saint-Saëns: Allegro Appassionato in B minor Op. 43
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33
Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre, Op. 40
Saint-Saëns: Etude en forme de valse (No. 6 from Six Études, Op. 52)
Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux
Saint-Saëns: Le Cygne (from Le carnaval des animaux)
Saint-Saëns: Prélude to Le Deluge Op. 45
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 'Organ Symphony'
Saint-Saëns: Wedding Cake - Valse-Caprice for piano & strings, Op. 76
Satie: Trois Gymnopédies
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 2
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 3
Walton: Coronation Te Deum
Walton: Crown Imperial
Walton: Façade - An Entertainment
Walton: Façade Orchestral Suite No. 1
Walton: Façade Orchestral Suite No. 2
Walton: Gloria
Walton: Orb and Sceptre
Walton: The Wise Virgins

Disc 1 -
1 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: I. Requiem Et Kyrie (Introitus)
2 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: II. Dies Irae - Tuba Mirum
3 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: III. Quid Sum Miser
4 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: IV. Rex Tremendae Majestatis
5 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: V. Quaerens Me
6 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VI. Lacrymosa
7 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VII. Offertorium
8 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: VIII. Hostias
9 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: IX. Sanctus

- Disc 2 -
1 Grande Messe Des Morts, Op. 5, H. 75: X. Agnus Dei
2 Le Carnaval Romain, Op. 9, H. 95: Overture
3 Tristia Op 18, H 119: III Marche Funebre Pour la Derniere Scene D'hamlet, H 103
4 La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: I. Marche Hongroise
5 La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: II. Danse Des Sylphes
6 La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: III. Menuet Des Follets
7 Benvenuto Cellini, H. 76B: Grande Ouverture
8 Les Troyens, Op. 29, H. 133, Act 4: No. 29 Chasse Royale Et Orage
9 Les Troyens, Op. 29, H. 133, Act 1: No. 11 Marche Troyenne

- Disc 3 -
1 Le Cid: I. Castillane
2 Le Cid: II. Andalouse
3 Le Cid: III. Aragonaise
4 Le Cid: IV. Aubade
5 Le Cid: V. Catalane
6 Le Cid: VI Madrilene
7 Le Cid: VII. Navarraise
8 Suite No 4, "Scenes Pittoresques": I Marche
9 Suite No 4, "Scenes Pittoresques": II Air de Ballet
10 Suite No 4, "Scenes Pittoresques": III Angelus
11 Suite No 4, "Scenes Pittoresques": IV Fete Boheme
12 La Vierge: Le Dernier Sommeil de la Vierge
13 Roma, WD 37: I Une Chasse Dans la Foret D'ostie - Andante Tranquillo - Andante
14 Roma, WD 37: II. Scherzo - Allegretto Vivace
15 Roma, WD 37: III. Une Procession - Andante Molto
16 Roma, WD 37: IV Carnaval a Rome - Allegro Vivacissimo

- Disc 4 -
1 Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, Op. 21: I. Allegro Non Troppo
2 Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, Op. 21: II. Scherzando
3 Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, Op. 21: III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
4 Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, Op. 21: IV. Andante
5 Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, Op. 21: V. Rondo (Allegro)
6 Cello Concerto in D minor: I Prelude - Lento - Allegro Maestoso
7 Cello Concerto in D minor: II. Intermezzo - Andantino Con Moto
8 Cello Concerto in D minor: III. Introduction - Andante - Allegro Vivace
9 Cello Concerto No. 1 in a Minor, Op. 33: I. Allegro Non Troppo
10 Cello Concerto No. 1 in a Minor, Op. 33: II. Allegretto Con Moto
11 Cello Concerto No. 1 in a Minor, Op. 33: III. Allegro Non Troppo

- Disc 5 -
1 Symphony in C Major, WD 33: I. Allegro Vivo
2 Symphony in C Major, WD 33: II. Adagio
3 Symphony in C Major, WD 33: III. Scherzo - Allegro
4 Symphony in C Major, WD 33: IV. Finale - Allegro Vivace
5 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ": I. Adagio - Allegro Moderato
6 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ": II. Poco Adagio
7 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ": III. Allegro Moderato - Presto
8 Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ": IV. Maestoso - Allegro
9 Concerto Symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: II. Scherzo

- Disc 6 -
1 Requiem, Op. 48: I. Introit Et Kyrie
2 Requiem, Op. 48: II. Offertoire
3 Requiem, Op. 48: III. Sanctus
4 Requiem, Op. 48: IV. Pie Jesu
5 Requiem, Op. 48: V. Agnus Dei
6 Requiem, Op. 48: VI. Libera Me
7 Requiem, Op. 48: VII. in Paradisum
8 Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11
9 Ballade, Op. 19
10 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: I. Introduction Et Marche Royale Du Lion
11 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: II. Poules Et Coqs
12 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R 125: III Hemiones (Ou Animaux Veloces)
13 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: IV. Tortues
14 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R 125: V L'élephant
15 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: VI. Kangourous
16 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: VII. Aquarium
17 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R 125: VIII Personnages a Longues Oreilles
18 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: IX. Le Coucou Au Fond Des Bois
19 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R 125: X Voliere
20 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: XI. Pianistes
21 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: XII. Fossiles
22 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: XIII. Le Cygne
23 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: XIV. Final

- Disc 7 -
1 Le Carnaval Des Animaux, R. 125: XIII. Le Cygne
2 6 Études, Op 52: No 6 Caprice, D'apres L'étude en Forme de Valse (Arr E Ysaye for Violin and Orchestra)
3 Le Deluge, Op 45: Prelude
4 Wedding Cake in A-Flat Major, Op. 76
5 Allegro Appassionato in B minor, Op. 43
6 Danse Macabre, Op. 40
7 Espana
8 Prelude a L'apres-Midi D'un Faune, L 86
9 L'apprenti Sorcier
10 Bolero, M 81

- Disc 8 -
1 Divertissement: I. Introduction - Allegro Vivo
2 Divertissement: II Cortege - Moderato Molto - Animato Subito
3 Divertissement: III. Nocturne - Lento
4 Divertissement: IV. Valse - Animato Assai
5 Divertissement: V. Parade - Tempo Di Marcia
6 Divertissement: VI. Finale - Quasi Cadenza - Vivo (Tempo Di Galop)
7 Symphonie Marine
8 Bacchanale
9 Louisville-Concert
10 Bostoniana
11 Pacific 231, H. 53

- Disc 9 -
1 Gloria, FP 177: I. Gloria in Excelsis Deo
2 Gloria, FP 177: II. Laudamus Te
3 Gloria, FP 177: III. Domine Deus
4 Gloria, FP 177: IV. Domine Fili Unigenite
5 Gloria, FP 177: V. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei
6 Gloria, FP 177: VI. Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris
7 Piano Concerto, FP 146: I. Allegro Assai
8 Piano Concerto, FP 146: II. Andante Con Moto
9 Piano Concerto, FP 146: III Rondeau a la Francaise - Presto Giocoso
10 Les Biches, FP 36B: I Rondeau - Tres Lent - Subito Allegro Molto
11 Les Biches, FP 36B: II. Adagietto
12 Les Biches, FP 36B: III. Rag-Mazurka - Presto
13 Les Biches, FP 36B: IV. Andantino
14 Les Biches, FP 36B: V. Final - Presto
15 Gymnopedies (Orch Debussy): No 1 Lent Et Grave
16 3 Gymnopedies (Orch Debussy): No 3 Lent Et Douloureux

- Disc 10 -
1 Facade, Suite No 2: No 1 Fanfare
2 Facade, Suite No 2: No 2 Scotch Rhapsody
3 Facade, Suite No 1: No 2 Valse
4 Facade, Suite No 1: No 4 Tango-Pasodoble
5 Facade, Suite No 1: No 3 Swiss Jodelling Song
6 Facade, Suite No 2: No 3 Country Dance
7 Facade, Suite No 1: No 1 Polka
8 Facade, Suite No 2: No 4 Noche Espagnole
9 Facade, Suite No 2: No 5 Popular Song
10 Facade, Suite No 2: No 6 Old Sir Faulk
11 Facade, Suite No 1: No 5 Tarantella - Sevillana
12 Gloria
13 Orb and Sceptre
14 Coronation Te Deum
15 Crown Imperial

- Disc 11 -
1 The Wise Virgins: I. What God Hath Done Is Rightly Done - Vivace Assai (From Was Gott Tut, Das Ist w
2 The Wise Virgins: II. Lord, Hear My Longing
3 The Wise Virgins: III. See What Love Can Do
4 The Wise Virgins: IV. Ah! How Ephemeral
5 The Wise Virgins: V. Sheep May Safely Graze
6 The Wise Virgins: VI. Praise Be to God
7 Notturni Ed Alba: I. Hymnus Ante Somnum - Andante
8 Notturni Ed Alba: II. Phantoms - Vivo
9 Notturni Ed Alba: III. Te Vigilans Oculis - Lento
10 Notturni Ed Alba: IV. Somnia - Agitato
11 Notturni Ed Alba: V. Alba - Lento
12 Symphony No. 2: I. Vivo
13 Symphony No. 2: II. Andante
14 Symphony No. 2: III. Allegrissimo
15 Symphony No. 2: IV. Lento
16 Symphony No. 2: V. Vivo

- Disc 12 -
1 Pagliacci, Act 1: "To Act!... on with the Motley" (Recitar!... Vesti la Giubba) [Canio]
2 La Boheme, Act 1: "Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen" (Che Gelida Manina) [Rodolfo]
3 Carmen, WD 31, Act 2: "See How the Flower" (La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee) [Don Jose]
4 La Jolie Fille de Perth, WD 15, Act 2: "Hear the Voice" (À la Voix D'un Amant Fidele) [Smith]
5 Tosca, Act 3: "When the Stars Were Brightly Shining" (E Lucevan Le Stelle) [Mario Cavaradossi]
6 Turandot, Act 3: "None Shall Sleep Tonight" (Nessun Dorma) [Calaf]
7 The Gondoliers, Act 2: "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" (Marco)
8 Paganini, Act 2: "Girls Were Made to Love and Kiss" (Gern Hab' Ich Die Frau'n Gekusst) [Paganini]
9 Frasquita, Act 2: "When the Moon Is Shining White" (Hab' Ein Blaues Himmelbett) [Frasquita]
10 Frederica, Act 2: "O Maiden, My Maiden" (O Madchen, Mein Madchen) [Friederike]
11 Eine Nacht in Venedig, Act 1: "Love, I Am Here" (Komm' in Die Gondel) [Duke]
12 The Land of Smiles, Act 2: "You Are My Heart's Delight" (Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz!) [Sou-Chong]
13 Orphee Aux Enfers: Overture
14 La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein: Overture
15 La Belle Helene: Overture
16 Barbe-Bleue: Overture
17 La Vie Parisienne: Overture