Daniel Barenboim has signed a major recording deal with Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics, set to continue beyond 2012.

Encompassing Barenboim’s work as both a conductor and pianist, the extensive plans include the artist’s first recordings of Chopin and Liszt piano concertos, a new Beethoven symphony cycle with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, and a new Bruckner recording with the Berlin Staatskapelle, where he currently serves as music director. Also on the cards are several solo piano recordings.

The first discs are released on Deutsche Grammophon early in 2011, marking the 60th anniversary of Barenboim’s performance debut. Dedicated to Chopin, they include a solo recital recorded in Warsaw as well as the two concertos accompanied by the Berlin Staatskapelle under Andris Nelsons. These are followed later in the year by a new recording from the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra of Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony and Schoenberg’s Variations for Orchestra on Decca Classics.

In celebration of Liszt’s bicentenary year, 2011 will also see the release of the two piano concertos, recorded for the first time by Barenboim with Pierre Boulez conducting the Berlin Staatskapelle, and solo piano works, including some debut recordings.

“I am very happy and grateful to be beginning a strong partnership with these two great recording companies, Deutsche Grammophon and Decca,” said Barenboim.  “I made my very first recording in the 1950s for Philips, so in a way, this marks a homecoming for me. What makes me particularly happy is that this unique collaboration allows me to prioritise my work with the Staatskapelle and the West-Eastern Divan in equal measure.”