Marc Minkowski reveals the romantic side of Offenbach.

With Offenbach Romantique, Marc Minkowski, the pre-eminent Offenbach conductor of our day, sheds light on his compatriot's neglected instrumental output in a program that showcases Offenbach's irresistible qualities as an orchestral, Romantic composer.

The album features the sensational world premiere recording of the long-lost original version of Jacques Offenbach's large-scale 'Concerto militaire' for cello and orchestra - recorded here complete for the first time. It is often overlooked that the composer was himself a superb cello player, known in the salons of Paris as the 'Liszt of the cello'. His only concerto is as much a document of Offenbach's love for this instrument as it is proof of the composer's rich compositional talents. In 'Concerto militaire', Offenbach combines a sparkling, witty approach with rich lyricism and soaring melodies, all interwoven with passages requiring breathtaking, Paganini-like virtuosity. Marc Minkowski teams up with exceptional cello virtuoso Jérôme Pernoo and Les Musiciens du Louvre to create a unique and long-overdue homage to Offenbach the impassioned Romantic composer. Far removed from the opéra bouffe clichés, Offenbach Romantique is a colourful tribute to Jacques Offenbach's orchestral writing.

Estimated despatch 5-10 days after ordering.