Kurt Masur at the NY Philharmonic: 10-CD Boxed Set Special Edition

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
Avery Fisher Hall, 10 lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-6973
TEL: (212) 875-5700 FAX: (212) 875-5717

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2001

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC SPECIAL EDITIONS™ TO RELEASE KURT MASUR AT THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC

10-CD Boxed Set To Offer Highlights of Maestro Masur's Eleven-Year Tenure with the Orchestra, Including Several Premiere Performances; Companion 176-Page, Full-Color, Hard Cover Book To Be Published as Tribute to the Music Director During His Valedictory Season with the Philharmonic

Celebrating Kurt Masur's eleven-year tenure as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, the Orchestra's own label will release Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic, a 10-CD boxed set of live recordings from the Orchestra's archives. The October release, also available for purchase as six separate volumes, affirms the breadth of Maestro Masur's musical achievements, presenting classics of the repertoire and new music from throughout Mr. Masur's tenure. A 176-page, full-color, hard-cover book outlining the numerous accomplishments and initiatives of the Masur era will be available on September 20, the Opening Night of his valedictory 2001-02 season.

"Kurt Masur has done so much for the Orchestra and for music in New York," commented Executive Director Zarin Mehta. "This elegant CD tribute captures the spectacular music-making he has achieved with the Philharmonic, and this beautiful retrospective book reflects his remarkable 11-year tenure as Music Director." The 16 works in the set (over 12 hours of recordings) feature Maestro Masur leading the New York Philharmonic in works by Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Dukas, Honegger, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Strauss, Stravinsky, and Weill. World and U.S. premiere performances of works by Gubaidulina, Tan Dun, and Henze will also be included - all composers championed by Maestro Masur. A special highlight of the set is the 1993 performance of Bach's Saint Matthew Passion, with soloists Edith Wiens, Carolyn Watkinson, Peter Schreier, Andreas Schmidt, and Alastair Miles, a work never before recorded by Mr. Masur despite his close affinity to the composer.

As with previous Special Editions releases, the handsomely packaged Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic will contain a wealth of documentation. Included in each individual volume is a booklet with detailed program notes, texts and translations, biographies, and photographs from the Philharmonic's archives. A 100-page booklet accompanies the boxed set of six volumes. It features essays and photographs as well as interviews with Maestro Masur and some of the composers and soloists with whom he's performed.

A 176-page, full-color, hard-cover book, also entitled Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic, will be available on September 20, Opening Night of the Orchestra's "Thank you, Kurt Masur" 2001-02 season. A tribute to Maestro Masur's achievements, the book will celebrate the numerous initiatives and artistic endeavors which have been the hallmark of the Maestro's tenure. From tours of Latin America, Asia, and Europe, festivals of music exploring the works of a single composer, special concerts, and recordings to ambitious outreach programs and educational series, Mr. Masur's remarkable accomplishments will once again be experienced through this limited-edition commemorative publication. A sampler CD with selections from the 10-CD set will also accompany the book.

The Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic collection set is the sixth New York Philharmonic Special Edition release. The Orchestra's critically acclaimed, award-winning recording label, launched during Maestro Masur's tenure, has previously released the 10-CD New York Philharmonic: The Historic Broadcasts 1923-1987; the 12-CD Mahler Broadcasts, 1948-1982; the 10-CD New York Philharmonic: An American Celebration; the 10-CD Bernstein LIVE; and Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Live at the New York Philharmonic.

The producer of Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic is Sedgwick Clark, editor of Musical America, and New York Philharmonic Audio Director Lawrence R. Rock, in collaboration with Philharmonic Archivist/Historian Barbara Haws, executive producer. As with all previous Special Editions releases, major funding has been generously provided by Rita E. and Gustave M. Hauser.

This 10-CD collection, including the 100-page accompanying booklet, is priced at $140. Six individual volumes -one three-CD set ( $39), two double-CD sets ( $26 each), and three single CDs ($16 each) - will also be available. The hard cover book, published by Random House, will cost $39.95. The book and recordings will be available in the U.S. and Canada by calling toll-free 1-800-557-8268. For international telephone orders call 317-781-1861. Foreign and domestic orders may also be faxed to 317-781-4608. The set and book will be available on-line through the Special Editions e-STORE at www.newyorkphilharmonic.org.

Source: New York Philharmonic

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