Charles Munch discography


Alsatian conductor Charles Munch was one of the most widely recorded symphonic conductors of the twentieth century. Here is a partial list of his recordings.

Partial list of sound recordings by Charles Munch

Recordings made with the [Amsterdam Concertgebouw] Orchestra for Decca">Decca Records">Decca

Recording made with the Bavarian Radio and Television Orchestra for [Deutsche Grammophon]

Broadcasts from Tokyo of the [Boston Symphony Orchestra] released by Altus

Broadcasts from Moscow of the [Boston Symphony Orchestra] released by Ars Nova

Broadcast from Moscow of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Arte

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from Symphony Hall Centennial Set released by the Boston Symphony Orchestra

  • 1953 Auber: La Muette de Portici Overture, same as West Hill Radio Archives release
  • 1953 Prokofiev: Love for Three Oranges March and Scherzo
  • 1958 Roussel: Suite in F Op. 33
  • 1959 Fauré: Pénélope Overture, same as Music & Arts release
  • 1959 Franck: Le Chasseur Maudit
  • 1962 Debussy: La Mer
  • 1962 Ravel: ''La Valse''

Broadcast from Tanglewood of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Broadcast from Edinburgh of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by ICA

  • 1956 Haydn: Symphony No. 102 in B flat Major, Hob.I-102

Broadcast of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Living Stage

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Memories

Broadcast from Prague of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Multisonic

  • 1956 Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
  • 1956 Honegger: Symphony No. 3

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Music & Arts

Recordings made with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for Pristine Classics (RCA recordings, unless noted)

Broadcast of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Tahra

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by West Hill Radio Archives

  • 1951 Richard Strauss: Tod und Verklärung
  • 1952 Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Emperor, Pianist: Lélia Gousseau
  • 1952 Honegger: La Danse des Morts, Soloist: Betty Allen, Mariquita Moll, Arnold Moss and Gérard Souzay with New England Conservatory Chorus
  • 1952 Mendelssohn; Symphony No. 4 in A, Italian
  • 1952 Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C, K. 551. Jupiter, same as Memories release
  • 1952 Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat
  • 1952 Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor, Unfinished
  • 1952 Wagner: Tristan and Isolde – Prelude & Liebestod
  • 1953 Auber: La Muette de Portici Overture, same as BSO release
  • 1953 Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D
  • 1953 Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Eroica
  • 1953 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat, Pianist: Claudio Arrau
  • 1953 Debussy: Ibéria
  • 1953 Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole,, Violinist: Ruth Posselt
  • 1953 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
  • 1953 Richard Strauss: Divertimento
  • 1953 Wagner: Die Meistersinger – Act III Excerpts
  • 1954 Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92
  • 1954 Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61, Violinist: Zino Francescatti
  • 1954 Berlioz: Beatrice and Benedict Overture
  • 1954 Berlioz: Harold in Italy Violist: Joseph de Pasquale
  • 1954 Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn
  • 1954 Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World, Op. 95
  • 1954 Ibert: Flute Concerto, Flutist: Doriot Anthony Dwyer
  • 1954 Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor "Organ", Organist: E. Power Biggs
  • 1954 Richard Strauss: Allerseelen, Wiegenlied, Morgen, Ständchen, Soprano: Irmgard Seefried
  • 1954 Wagner: Eine Faust Overture
  • 1955 Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61, Violinist: Jascha Heifetz
  • 1955 Beethoven: Die Weihe des Hauses, Op. 124: Overture
  • 1954 Berlioz: Les nuits d'été Soprano: Victoria de los Ángeles
  • 1955 Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 73
  • 1955 Debussy: La Damoiselle élue Soprano: Victoria de los Ángeles with Radcliffe Choral Society
  • 1955 Milhaud: Symphony No. 6
  • 1955 Ravel: Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and Strings, Harp: Bernard Zighera, Flute: Doriot Anthony Dwyer, and Clarinet: Gino Cioffi
  • 1955 Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
  • 1955 Roussel: Suite in F
  • 1955 Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C
  • 1955 Richard Strauss: Don Juan, Op. 20
  • 1956 Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 2, Op. 72
  • 1956 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, Pianist: Clara Haskil
  • 1956 Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 Eroica in E
  • 1956 Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastoral in F, Op. 68
  • 1956 Brahms: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15, Pianist: Rudolf Serkin
  • 1956 Brahms: Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor, Violinist: Zino Francescatti and Cellist: Samuel Mayes
  • 1956 Fauré: Requiem, Adele Addison, Donald Gramm, Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society
  • 1956 Schumann: Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120
  • 1957 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor in E flat, Op. 73. Pianist: Claudio Arrau
  • 1957 Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
  • 1957 Debussy: Images pour orchestre
  • 1957 Franck: Symphony in D Minor
  • 1957 Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129, Cellist: Pierre Fournier
  • 1957 Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Violinist: Richard Burgin
  • 1958 Berlioz: Le Corsaire Overture
  • 1958 Debussy: Jeux
  • 1958 Debussy: La Mer
  • 1958 d'Indy: Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
  • 1958 Ravel: La Valse
  • 1958 Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
  • 1958 Ravel: La valse
  • 1955 Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole
  • 1958 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales
  • 1960 Beethoven: Creatures of Prometheus - Excerpts
  • 1960 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 Pianist: Sviatoslav Richter
  • 1960 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 98 Pianist: Sviatoslav Richter

Recordings made with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for [RCA Victor]

Broadcasts of the [Chicago Symphony Orchestra] released by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's From the Archives Series

  • 1963 Rameau orchestrated by d'Indy: Dardanus Suite
  • 1966 Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2
  • 1967 Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 42

Recording made with the [Czech Philharmonic] for Multisonic

Recording made with the Czech Philharmonic for Praga

Recording made with freelance orchestra of London musicians for His Master's Voice">His Master's Voice (British record label)">His Master's Voice

Recording made with freelance orchestra of Paris musicians for, also released by A Classical Record, His Master's Voice">His Master's Voice (British record label)">His Master's Voice

Recording made with the Hungarian Radio and Television Orchestra for [Philips]

Recordings made with [London Philharmonic] for Decca

  • 1947 Roussel: The Spider's Banquet, also released by LYS
  • 1947 Roussel: Suite in F Op. 33, also released by LYS
  • 1947 Bizet: Symphony in C
  • 1947 Bizet: ''Jolie Fille de Perth - Danse bohémienne''

Broadcast of the [NBC Symphony] released by Memories, same as Music & Arts set

  • 1954 Debussy: Ibéria
  • 1954 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
  • 1954 Roussel: ''Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2''

Broadcast of the NBC Symphony released by Music & Arts, same as Memories set

  • 1954 Debussy: Iberia
  • 1954 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
  • 1954 Roussel: ''Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2''

Recordings made with the New Philharmonia Orchestra">Philharmonia Orchestra">New Philharmonia Orchestra for Decca

  • 1966 Offenbach, arranged by Manuel Rosenthal: Gaîté Parisienne
  • 1966 Bizet: L'Arlésienne Suite
  • 1966 Bizet: Carmen Suite
  • 1967 Respighi: Fontane di Roma
  • 1967 Respighi: ''Pini di Roma''

Recordings made with the [New York Philharmonic] for Columbia Records

Broadcast of the New York Philharmonic issued by LYS

Broadcasts of the New York Philharmonic released by Music & Arts

Recordings made with the [New York Philharmonic] for Pristine Classics

Recordings made with the Orchestre de l'Association des Concerts Lamoureux">Lamoureux Orchestra">Orchestre de l'Association des Concerts Lamoureux for Erato">Erato Records">Erato

  • 1965 Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2, Le double
  • 1965 Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor Cellist: André Navarra
  • 1965 Roussel: Suite in F Major, Op. 33
  • 1965 Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 42
  • 1965 Roussel: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 53
  • 1965 Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33 Cellist: André Navarra

Recordings (Live) made with the [Orchestre de Paris] on Altus

Recordings made with the [Orchestre de Paris] for EMI/Angel

  • 1967 Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
  • 1967 Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68
  • 1967 Honegger: Symphony No. 2
  • 1967 Ravel: Bolero
  • 1967 Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2
  • 1968 Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
  • 1968 Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
  • 1968 Ravel: ''Rapsodie Espagnole''

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de France">French National Orchestra">Orchestre national de France for Auvidis-Valois, previously issued on Disques Montaigne*

  • 1962 Debussy: La Mer*
  • 1962 Debussy: Iberia*
  • 1962 Debussy: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer*
  • 1962 Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2Le Double*
  • 1962 Honegger: Symphony No. 1*
  • 1962 Honegger: Le Chant de Nigamon
  • 1962 Honegger: Pastorale d'été
  • 1962 Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2*
  • 1963 Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
  • 1963 Beethoven: Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124
  • 1963 Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
  • 1964 Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60
  • 1964 Honegger: Symphony No. 2
  • 1964 Honegger: Symphony No. 5, Di tre Re
  • 1964 Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 42
  • 1964 Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22
  • 1965 Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
  • 1966 Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture, Op. 23
  • 1966 Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite Op. 80
  • 1966 Roussel: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 53
  • 1966 Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2
  • 1966 Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in D Major, Op. 120
  • 1967 Berlioz: Le corsaire Overture, Op. 21
  • 1967 Franck: Symphony in D Minor

Broadcast made with the Orchestre national de France for Cascavelle

  • 1953 Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette Op. 17., Soloists: Irma Kolassi, Joseph Peyron, Lucien Lovano with National Orchestra Chorus of Radio France

Broadcasts of the Orchestre national de France for Euromuses

  • 1958 Schmitt: Symphony No. 2
  • 1962 Debussy: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de France for His Master's Voice">His Master's Voice (British record label)">His Master's Voice

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F.">ORTF">O.R.T.F. for Accord

  • 1961 Barraud: Symphony No. 3
  • 1961 Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2
  • 1962 Debussy: Ibéria
  • 1962 Debussy: La mer
  • 1962 Debussy: ''Trois Nocturnes''

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F.">ORTF">O.R.T.F., reissued by Eloquence Australia

  • 1961 Barraud: Symphony No. 3
  • 1961 Roussel: ''Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2''

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Erato">Erato Records">Erato and Warner

Broadcast made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Music & Arts

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Turnabout(?) and Scribendum

  • 1966 Albéniz: Iberia
  • 1966 Debussy: Iberia
  • 1966 Debussy: La Mer
  • 1966 Debussy: Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune
  • 1967 Bizet: Jeux d'Enfants
  • 1967 Bizet: Patrie Overture
  • 1967 Bizet: Symphony in C
  • 1967 Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
  • 1967 Mussorgsky: Khovanchina - Introduction and Persian Dance
  • 1967 Rimsky-Korsakov: Golden Cockerel - Introduction and Cortège des noces
  • 1967 Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Overture

Broadcast of the Orchestre Philharmonique de la R.T.F. for Euromuses

Recordings made with the [Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire] for Decca

Recordings made with the Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire for His Master's Voice">His Master's Voice (British record label)">His Master's Voice and Warner

  • 1939 Bloch: Violin Concerto in A minor, Violinist: Joseph Szigeti
  • 1939 Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Pianist: Alfred Cortot, also released by LYS
  • 1939 Vivaldi orchestrated by Dandelot: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 3, No. 9, Violinist: D. Soriano
  • 1939 Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 7 in D major, K. 217a, Violinist: D. Soriano
  • 1939 Gabriel Faure: Bercuse for Violin and Orchestra, Violinist: D. Soriano
  • 1941 Delannoy: La pantoufle de vair : Danse des négrillons et Apothéose Violinist: Henri Merkel, also released by A Classical Record, Malibran, and LYS
  • 1941 Delannoy: Sérénade concertante for Violin Violinist: Henri Merkel, also released by A Classical Record, Malibran, and LYS
  • 1941 Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S. 124, Pianist: Joseph Benenuti
  • 1941 Gustave Samazeuilh: Le Cercle des heures, Mezzo Soprano, Eliette Schenneberg
  • 1941 Gustave Samazeuilh: Nuit, also released by A Classical Record
  • 1941 Ernesto Halffter: Rapsodia Portugesa Pianist: Marguerite Long, also released A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1941 Honegger: La Danse des Morts with Jean-Louis Barrault, Odette Turba-Rabier, Charles Panzéra and Elaine Schenneberg with chorus, also released by LYS
  • 1941 Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5, K. 219, Violinist: Jacques Thibaud
  • 1942 Debussy La mer, also released by A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1942 Honegger: Symphony No. 2, also released by A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1942 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20, K. 466, Pianist: Jean Doyen, also released by A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1942 Ravel: La valse, also released by A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1942 Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte, also released by A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1942 Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Pianist: Jacques Février, also released by LYS
  • 1942 Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1, Pianist: Kostia Kostantinov, also released by LYS
  • 1944 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73,The Emperor, Pianist: Marguerite Long, also released by A Classical Record
  • 1946 Louis Aubert: Habanera, also released by A Classical Record and LYS
  • 1946 Chopin orchestrated by Louis Aubert: La Nuit ensorcelée, also released by A Classical Record
  • 1946 Jolivet: Les Trois complaintes du soldat vaincu Soloist: Pierre Bernac also released by A Classical Record

Recordings made with the Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire for Oiseau-Lyre

Recording made with the Paris Philharmonic for Polydor

  • 1938 Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Pianist: Jacqueline Blancard
  • 19?? Widor: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Pianist: Marcelle Herrenschmidt

Recordings made with the [Philadelphia Orchestra] for [Columbia Records]

  • 1963 Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust - Danse des follets, Danse des sylphes, Marche hongroise
  • 1963 Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 80
  • 1963 Ravel: ''Valses nobles et sentimentales''

Broadcast of the Philadelphia Orchestra released on the Philadelphia Orchestra's Centennial Set

  • 1963 Ravel: ''Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2''

Recordings (Live) made with the [Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra] issued by Panton">Panton Records">Panton

  • 1967 Martinů: Symphony No. 6 ''Fantaisies Symphoniques''

Broadcast of the [RAI] Symphony Orchestra released by Tahra

Recording made with the [Rotterdam Philharmonic] for Turnabout">Vox Records">Turnabout(?) and Scribendum

Recording made with the [Royal Philharmonic Orchestra] for Reader's Digest

Broadcast of the [Symphony of the Air] released by Music & Arts

Recording of the USSR State Academic Orchestra released by Meloydia

  • 1965 Debussy: La Mer
  • 1965 Honegger: Symphony No. 2
  • 1965 Rameau orchestrated by d'Indy: Dardanus Suite
  • 1965 Roussel: ''Bacchus et Ariane, Suite No. 2''

Recordings Lacking Full Information

The Supraphon recordings were part of "45" record that was a bonus insert in a booklet-length biography of Munch in Czech issued by Supraphon. The Boston Symphony Orchestra Archives has the booklet and recording with the details.

Video of Charles Münch on DVD

DVD with the Boston Symphony on ICA

DVD with the Boston Symphony on NHK

DVD with the Boston Symphony on VAI

DVD with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on VAI

  • 1963 Berlioz: Les Troyens - Royal Hunt and Storm Music
  • 1963 Rameau orchestrated by d'Indy: Dardanus Suite
  • 1963 Ravel: La Valse
  • 1963 Ravel: ''Valses nobles et sentimentales''

DVD with the Orchestre National de l'ORTF on EMI classics

  • 1966 Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68
  • 1966 Ravel: ''Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2''

DVD with the Orchestre de Radio-Canada on VAI

  • 1963 Berlioz: ''Symphonie Fantastique''

DVD ''The Art of Conducting'' Volume II on EMI

  • 1957 Franck: Symphony in D Minor - excerpts with the Czech Philharmonic
  • 1962 Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique - excerpts with Boston Symphony
  • 1962 Debussy: La Mer - excerpts with Boston Symphony
  • 1962 Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 - excerpts with Boston Symphony
  • 1966 Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique - excerpts with the Hungarian Radio and Television Orchestra