It says a lot about the caliber of a musician when his/her record label decides that it is worth the expense to produce a lavish box set, even in a limited edition, in honor of an anniversary, especially when that artist's career seems far from over. Deutsche Grammophon celebrates the talent of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter with this 2011 set, complete with display case and full-color, hardcover book, on the 35th anniversary of her first public performance. It includes her complete DG discography to date, from the first, 1978 recording of Mozart's Concertos Nos. 3 and 5 with Herbert von Karajan, to the 2010 Brahms Sonatas with Lambert Orkis. Two bonus discs contain previously unreleased live performances at the memorial service for Witold Lutoslawski (1994) and at George Mason University (1995), and an 11-year-old Mutter playing Prokofiev. The book is filled not only with pictures from her life and career, but comments from her best collaborators and mentors: Andre Previn, Karajan, Aida Stucki, and Orkis. While there are a few critics of her interpretations of standard repertoire, including some of the works included here, she excels in the modern and contemporary pieces, and in those Romantic works that let her technical skills shine and her passion come out. There is no denying that Mutter is one of those musicians who loves what she does and is committed to the music and sharing it with her audience. The book and bonus discs are what make this package worth having for the devoted Mutter fan. ~ Patsy Morita, Rovi
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