Sir Henry J. Wood was a trailblazer in bringing classical music to the masses. Known for his daring orchestral transcriptions, including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Wood also championed contemporary composers, notably introducing Mahler’s Eighth Symphony to British audiences. His enduring legacy includes founding the Proms, which remain a cornerstone of British musical life, and producing a treasure trove of 78rpm recordings that capture his passion for innovation.

This week, Pristine presents a dazzling collection of Wood’s Bach transcriptions, from the rarely reissued Suite No. 6 to his playful, dramatic orchestration of the Toccata and Fugue. Adding festive flair, the release also features all five choruses from Handel’s Messiah, recorded live with 3,500 performers at Crystal Palace in 1926. Listen to Wood’s arrangement of the Preludio from Bach’s Partita No. 3 on our website and experience the boundless energy of a conductor who truly brought music to life.

We also celebrate Fritz Reiner's birthday this week with a special discount on all his recordings at Pristine!

As we approach the conclusion of Pristine’s 2024 releases, we are delighted to introduce a remarkable new series featuring Artur Rodziński and the NBC Symphony Orchestra in their early broadcasts from 1938. These performances showcase the orchestra’s exceptional versatility, featuring works by ten composers including Beethoven, Barber, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Wagner. Among these treasures is the historic broadcast première of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, the first performance outside the Soviet Union, captured amidst fascinating challenges and intrigue surrounding its abridged score.

Despite the archival recordings showing some signs of age, the energy and precision of the orchestra shine through. Rodziński’s leadership and growing admiration for Shostakovich’s work are palpable, offering a glimpse into the dynamic artistry of this era. This release is a testament to the enduring legacy of the NBC Symphony Orchestra and a thrilling addition to our collection.

We also celebrate Beethoven's 254th birthday with a 10% discount on each of the 266 Pristine albums which feature his music!

Schoenberg, one of music’s most revolutionary and polarising figures, takes centre stage in this week’s release as we again mark his 150th birthday. This album highlights three of Robert Craft’s early Schoenberg recordings: Variations for Orchestra (1957), performed with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra in Hollywood, the Violin Concerto (1962), featuring soloist Israel Baker, and Verklärte Nacht (1962), both with the CBC Symphony recorded in Toronto. Each piece is presented in pristine stereo sound, and required only subtle XR remastering to shine.

These performances capture the depth, intensity, and nuance of Schoenberg’s compositions, offering a compelling glimpse into his avant-garde legacy. You can sample the Violin Concerto's finale on our website or YouTube—it’s an ideal introduction to a composer whose work still challenges and fascinates audiences today.

We also celebrate the 159th birthday this week of Sibelius, with a 10% discount on all our recordings of his music.