[ Warner Classics The Klemperer Legacy / 10 CD Box Set ]
Release Date: Monday 15 December 2014
Otto Klemperer was born on 14th May 1885 in Breslau, Silesia (now Wroclaw, Poland) and died on 6th July 1973 in Zurich and hence next year we mark 40 years since his passing. Although disfigured by a stroke suffered whilst a brain tumour was being removed he became a world-renowned conductor whose recordings became and remain touchstones for the EMI catalogue.
Having completed the highly successful series of Beethoven recordings it was natural for EMI to seek further Romantic symphonies from Otto Klemperer. In addition to those of Brahms, Bruckner and Mahler which appear in their own specific boxes, Klemperer recorded three by Schubert, two by Mendelssohn as well as the Hebrides Overture and Midsummer Night's Dream Incidental music, all four by Schumann as well as three Overtures, the last three by Tchaikovsky as well as Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Franck's D minor and Dvorák's "From the New World". This set also contains three Overtures by Weber and Johann Strauss's Overture Die Fledermaus and two favourite Waltzes.
Although clearly not a Symphony the charming Incidental music to a Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn is included as Klemperer held it in the greatest affection and performed it on many occasions throughout his career.
With the exception of the Franck and three of the Schumann Symphonies all recordings are with the Philharmonia Orchestra and therefore predate 1964.
"Klemperer completists will probably have most of these performances already, and more general collectors will not necessarily regard any of the recordings as being first choice in the repertory. They nevertheless give an unusual sidelight on a conductor whose interpretations may be controversial but are always interesting." (MusicWeb)
Berlioz:
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14
Made in September 1963
Philharmonia Orchestra
Dvorak:
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World'
Made in October/November 1963
Philharmonia Orchestra
Franck, C:
Symphony in D minor
Made in February 1966
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Mendelssohn:
Hebrides Overture, Op. 26
Made in February 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 'Scottish'
Made in January 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
A Midsummer Night's Dream - incidental music, Op. 61
Made in January & February 1960
Heather Harper (soprano) & Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano)
Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 'Italian'
Made in February 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
Schubert:
Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D759 'Unfinished'
Made in February 1963
Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 9 in C major, D944 'The Great'
Made in September 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D485
Made in May 1963
Philharmonia Orchestra
Schumann:
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38 'Spring'
Made in October 1965
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61
Made in October 1968
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 97 'Rhenish'
Made in February 1969
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Made in May 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
Scenes from Goethe's Faust, WoO 3
Made in February 1969
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Genoveva Overture
Made in October 1968
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Made in October 1965
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Strauss, J, II:
Die Fledermaus Overture
Made in October/December 1961
Philharmonia Orchestra
Wiener Blut Waltz, Op. 354
Made in October 1961
Philharmonia Orchestra
Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 437
Made in October 1961
Philharmonia Orchestra
Tchaikovsky:
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36
Made in January/February 1963
Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique'
Made in October 1961
Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
Made in October 1961
Philharmonia Orchestra
Weber:
Der Freischütz Overture
Made in May 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
Euryanthe Overture
Made in September 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra
Oberon Overture
Made in May 1960
Philharmonia Orchestra