As part of Deutsche Grammophon’s all-inclusive celebration of its 120-year history, a thorough review of this magnificent story is out now in a brand-new coffee table book State of the Art: The Story of Deutsche Grammophon, published in collaboration with Verlhac Editions, Paris.

This new edition is an extended and revised version of the book with the same title originally published in 2009, but this time wonderfully includes a glorious 12-track 180g vinyl LP.

Deutsche Grammophon has done more than any other label to define the classical music scene and recording industry. Ergo, State of the Art is the exclusive full-length history of the legendary Yellow Label, based on unprecedented access to Deutsche Grammophon archives and featuring interviews with artists, historians, producers, engineers and former and current DG executives.

Richly illustrated with hundreds of photographs, State of the Art traces the fascinating history of the label from its founding by Emil Berliner in 1898 to its current status as the home of many of the world's most exceptional artists.

“These are exciting times for classical music,” observes Dr Clemens Trautmann, President Deutsche Grammophon: “Deutsche Grammophon’s 120th anniversary is about sharing classical music’s emotional force and expressive beauty with as many people as possible around the world."

"The Yellow Label’s founders used new technology to inspire millions and – together with our family of artists – we are determined to continue what they started as we engage established and future audiences with our DG120 campaign."

"We are delighted to welcome Google Arts & Culture, Volkswagen Group and our other international partners who are supporting this ambitious global initiative.”

One of the defining characteristics of DG is its long-lasting relationships with the world’s greatest musicians. And here on this brand new 12-track 180g vinyl LP we find a whole host of them coming together to showcase DG in all its true glory.

Side 1:
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
3 Etudes de concert
1. No. 3 in D flat "Un sospiro" (Allegro affettuoso) - Daniil Trifonov Alfredo Catalani (1854-1893)
La Wally: Act 1
2. Ebben? Ne andro lontana - Anna Netrebko, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Antonio Pappano
Sergey Vasil'yevich Rachamaninov (1873-1943)
10 Preludes, Op. 23
3. No. 5 Alla marcia in G minor - Lang Lang
Gabriel Faure (1845-1924)
4. Berceuse, Op. 16 - Anne-Sophie Mutter, Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
West Side Story - Symphonic Dances
5. Cool Fugue - Los Angeles Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Carnaval, Op. 9
6. Preambule - Daniel Barenboim

Side 2:
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
1. Chant du Menestrel, Op. 71 - Mstislav Rostropovich, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
2. An die Musik, Op. 88 No. 4 - Fritz Wunderlich, Hubert Giesen
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
3. Allegro con brio - Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Symphony No. 88 in G Major
4. Menuetto (Allegretto) - Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwangler
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
La Boheme: Act 4
5. O Mimi, tu piu non torni - Enrico Caruso, Antonio Scotti, Unknown Orchestra
6. The voice of Emil Berliner - Emil Berliner

As for the nitty-gritty of the actual art side of this product, well, if truth be told, if you already own the State of the Art book put out by DG in 2009 to celebrate its first 111 years, then you might not find this version worth investing in (save for the inclusion of the vinyl LP, of course).

All the photos in the 2009 book and all but a dozen or so images of LP covers have simply been carried over from this previous book along with the text, of course.

So, in comparison, the new 2019 book has some additional images and texts which cover and update more DG information within those passing years of release ie: 2009-2019, but aside from the aforementioned vinyl LP, well, that's about it DG lovers/collectors.

But, for those who don't already possess the 2009 edition, well, you're in for a right royal treat here, trust me! All the major artists of historical significance are covered in this stunning, so vibrantly colorful book along with historical tidbits that you may or may not even know about each of the DG artists within it, of course.

Features:
• Extended & Revised Hardback Book
• 180g Vinyl LP
• Bilingual edition book - English and German
• LP includes 12 tracks from legendary recordings
• Made in Germany

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