giftclassicists There's a wealth of beautiful classical music out there but to the uninitiated, the sheer volume can appear a little intimidating, especially when you're trying to search for a present for the well-versed musician in your life. Luckily, we've asked our specialist Kate Rockstrom to select her top gift ideas for classicists (in the musical sense) for Christmas. Here's what she came up with:

0886978914125 Liszt, My Piano Hero
Lang Lang

Lang Lang was a feature soloist at this year’s Last Night of the Proms. Performing Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1, let me tell you, what a show! If you missed out, he’s put together a compilation disc, titled Liszt, My Piano Hero which just about sums it up. There’s a single and double disc editions available that will please any piano lover.

0028947794493 Sibelius: Symphony 2, Nielsen: Symphony 4
Gustavo Dudamel

Gramophone Awards 2011 named seminal conductor Gustavo Dudamel their ‘Artist of the Year’. For a very good reason too, this still young conductor is slowly taking over the world, one continent at a time. Currently Music Director of the LA Philharmonic, he has also been working with the Gutenburg Symphony Orchestra for the past four years. This recording features three majestic symphonies, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9, Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Nielsen’s increasingly popular Symphonies No. 4 & 5. You want to see what all the fuss is about? This little box set will give you a clue.

0028947645092 Edition Lockenhaus
Gidon Kremer

Gidon Kremer is a name well known to lovers of the ECM Label. A violinist beyond compare he straddles the divide between contemporary classical, traditional classical, jazz, world and more. This 5CD set is the perfect gift for a lover of 20th century and contemporary music. With performances from Kremer’s Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival you can be assured of good musicianship, an appealing list of repertoire to entice your loved one.

0028947794646 Complete Musician
Anne Sophie Mutter

Anne-Sophie Mutter has had one of the longest careers as a soloist, starting with her debut performance with the Berlin Philharmonic at the age of 13. She was a protégé of Karajan and with 2011 being her 35th year on stage, celebrations are in order. She is not only unsurpassed in her virtuosity but is also known for her musicality and support of contemporary works. The celebration comes in a 38 CD Box Set, including a book detailing her musical career to date. If this is all a bit much, there is a 2CD highlights edition that will be appreciated by any music lover.

0809478010593 Comedy and Tragedy Opera DVD Box Set

Of course, where would Christmas be without a box set? And with the Glyndebourne Festival attracting some of the best singers from around the world, you know that this 6 DVD set of opera’s will delight anyone on Christmas morn. Full of favourites, like Carmen by Bizet and Donizetti’s L'elisir d'amore there is also the dramatic Miserly Knight by Rachmaninov and Verdi’s Falstaff. This is simply a must for anyone wanting to thrill their loved one with a box full of glorious music.

Don’t forget to check out our staple go-to-guide, the Summer Reading Guide, but if you’re still stuck for the perfect present other ones that would always be appreciated are: Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with Anna Netrebko (also available in a prestige CD/DVD edition) for lovers of sacred choral music, Balanchine’s Jewels DVD for balletomanes, Schubert’s Schwanengesang with Mark Padmore and Paul Lewis for the lovers of lieder, and Birtwistle’s Nights Black Bird, a 2011 Gramophone Award Winner, for those who want something purely contemporary.

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kate-rockstrom-pic Kate Rockstrom is a Classical Specialist at Readings Carlton. She regularly performs as a flautist as well as writing about music and books, follow her at www.stonestream.net.