Classical-music recording companies save their best box sets for holiday giving. Here’s a look at some of the most appealing offerings, ranging in price from $18.98 to more than $300. Several are geared to novices and casual listeners, and others better suit the aficionado.
Arkivmusic Gift Sets
ArkivMusic and Naxos have teamed to produce five budget-priced, thematic box sets drawn from previous recordings. They range from a classical-guitar collection to a wide-ranging survey of American symphonies by such composers as George Antheil, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives and Virgil Thomson. 25 CDs,$99.88
Let My Prayer Arise
Paul Hillier must be counted in the ranks of the world’s top choral conductors. Here, he leads the Theatre of Voices and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in performances of eight centuries of orthodox church music. Selections range from a 12th-century chant to Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, a towering 20th-century choral creation. 3 CDs,$41.98
Maria Callas
The Live Recitals and The Studio Recitals
Callas is one of the legendary performers in the history of opera. A few other singers might have had more raw vocal talent, but none could deliver a more riveting performance than this mercurial soprano, who became an international celebrity. Live, 10 CDs $66.98; Studio, 13 CDs, $88.98
Milken Archive of American Jewish Music Deluxe Box Set
In 2003, the Milken Archive began the massive undertaking of recording a comprehensive overview of Jewish music in the United States, from liturgical works to theatrical tunes. With the completion of the 50th album in the project, this box set became possible. 50 CDs, $349
Schubert
The Great Piano Sonatas
Less widely known than much of Schubert’s other output and vastly overshadowed by Beethoven’s works in this form, the composer’s piano sonatas are nonetheless major accomplishments. This box set brings together a generally well-received group of recordings of the best ones by pianist Alain Planès. 8 CDs, $69.98
Shostakovich
The Complete Symphonies
Conductor Mariss Jansons, one of the world’s great interpreters of Shostakovich, spent nearly 20 years recording the Russian composer’s 15 often turbulent symphonies with eight major orchestras. He completed the project in the fall of 2005, just in time for the set to be released in conjunction with the 100th anniversary this year of Shostakovich’s birth. 10 CDs, $66.98.
Ssteinway Legends
Grand Editions
The Steinway Legends series showcased acclaimed recordings by 10 of the most famous Steinway artists of the 20th century, including Martha Argerich and Maurizo Pollini. The individual releases have been grouped in this deluxe set and housed in a miniature replica of a Steinway grand piano. 21 CDs, $179.98.
Ultimate Series
Ranging from the “Ultimate Bach” to “Ultimate Classical Chill Out,” the eight compilations in this budget series are ideal for classical-music novices. Each brings together what are billed as “essential masterpieces” performed by name artists of past and present. 5 CDs, $18.98
Wagner
Der Ring Des Nibelungen
Wagner’s “Ring” cycle stands as perhaps the most ambitious undertaking in the history of opera. Noted conductor Pierre Boulez leads the performances of the four operas, recorded in 1979 and 1980 in the theater in Bayreuth, Germany, that the composer designed for the production of his works. 12 CDs, $95.98
Fine arts critic Kyle MacMillan can be reached at 303-954-1675 or at kmacmillan@denverpost.com
