Since his death in 2005, there has been growing recognition of Carlo Maria Giulini’s status in the world of conductors. Now we are bringing together his American recordings – made with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra – in two separate capboxes, starting with a 6-CD Los Angeles set.

Giulini (1914–2005) was famous for his combination of rigorous classical discipline with thrilling excitement and colour in performance. Musicians loved him: although an extremely demanding perfectionist, he was, unusually for a conductor, one of the gentlest and most patient of men. As Victor Aitay, the Chicago Symphony's concertmaster recalled: 'In five minutes he had an orchestra that loved him. His approach to music was so honest and sincere, he was so clear and so knowledgeable of the music that the whole orchestra fell for him.' He was acclaimed for the incandescent spirituality and electrifying dynamism of his music-making, and for the remarkable level of ensemble perfection and balance – producing exceptional results both in concert and in the studio.

Fairly late in his career, Giulini became Musical Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, from 1978 to 1984, and made an inspiring series of recordings with them – a “revelatory association” was Gramophone’s phrase. "The orchestra is full of young people who are hungry to make music,” he said, “They do not say, here is Beethoven once more; they really want to play and the esprit de corps is unbelievable." It was especially in this later phase that Giulini's music-making developed a warm, burnished glow that made such a deep impression on Los Angeles Philharmonic audiences.

Here, then, are the complete orchestral recordings from Los Angeles, which include many classics of the repertoire, released for the first time in a single box set.