This week we are presenting a number of recordings of major works - two Bach Brandenburg Concertos, the Mozart 40th, the Beethoven 5th, Schubert’s “Unfinished” and the Brahms 2nd - by Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra which are, for the most part, completely unknown to modern listeners. In the case of the Bach works, these are the only versions Ormandy recorded over his long career.

Taken from a series of anonymously released 78rpm albums issued in a series conceived by the New York Post, these superb recordings from the late 1930s have remained barely identified since their release, despite selling in their millions. In superb new transfers by Mark Obert-Thorn they can finally be appreciated for what they truly are - a cornucopia of Classical Music's Greatest Hits delivered by one of the greatest orchestras and conductors of the era.

We also celebrate the 150th birthday of Charles Ives with a 20% discount on all his music this week at Pristine.

"The musicianship of her Casta Diva leaves most of the versions I know as non-starters, the glissando passages in the cabaletta “Deh bello a me ritorna” shortly afterwards are breathtaking, Norma’s anguish when she finds out that she is betrayed, the reproachful dignity and biting scorn of her scenes with the wretched Pollione and her hieratic magnanimity in dealing with her rival—all these are truly wonderful. She also makes you hear the music for the first time...” - The Gramophone, 1954

Norma was one of the roles which made Maria Callas's international reputation, and this recording from 1954 finds her at her vocal peak. Now XR remastered in Ambient Stereo, it's an essential update to an essential recording.

We celebrate this week the birthday of Vaughan Williams with an automatic discount on all his recordings at Pristine.

"Toscanini completes the trilogy; and be it said at the start that he gets a remarkably good recording. His performance, and the orchestra's, it goes without saying, are superb." - The Gramophone, 1954

Toscanini was a great advocate for his friend Respighi's Roman Trilogy, and these studio recordings, made with the NBC SO between 1949 and 1953, really shine here in these new Ambient Stereo XR remasters from Pristine.

This week we also celebrate another composer with strong Toscanini links - it's Verdi's 211th birthday, and all week we have a special automatic discount on all his recordings at Pristine.