Désiré-Émile Inghelbrecht: The Complete Erato Recordings

Désiré-Émile Inghelbrecht (1880–1965), a pivotal figure in 20th-century French music, was renowned as a conductor, composer, and passionate advocate for French repertoire. Inghelbrecht’s contributions to musical activities in France were essential: he became the inaugural music director of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées at its opening in 1913 and later founded the Orchestre national de la Radiodiffusion française. Beyond his work on the podium, he was a dedicated educator and promoter of music, using radio as a platform to reach broader audiences. This comprehensive box set showcases Inghelbrecht’s complete discographic legacy for Pathé, Ducretet-Thomson, Columbia and Erato. Spanning his 78 RPM records from 1929 to 1939, LP recordings from 1953 to 1955, and live broadcasts from 1955 to 1962, the collection highlights his favourite pieces interpretations alongside the major orchestral works of Debussy, of whom he was a close friend. Many of these recordings, including several CD premieres, underline Inghelbrecht’s dedication to preserving and sharing the essence of French music.