BEETHOVEN / MOZART

 

Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’

Symphony No. 29

 

Beethoven

Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 ‘Eroica’

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra / Otto Klemperer

Recording: Konserthuset, Stockholm, 17 April 1958

STEREO

 

Mozart

Symphony No. 29 in A major K201

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Otto Klemperer

Recording: Herkulessaal, Munich, 15 April 1956

MONO

 

This CD is very rare and documents Klemperer's return to Stockholm following his last appearance in 1947. Peter Heyworth in his authoritative book on the conductor, states, ‘In contrast to the wild and unpredictable figure the city has seen 11 years earlier, he now impressed the orchestra with his air of quiet authority. After the final concert (Beethoven's 'Eroica') it played a salute and the orchestra joined in with a standing ovation.’

 

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 was very much part of Klemperer's repertoire and this performance in terms of tempo is broadly similar to his later EMI version from October 1959 though both the scherzo and finale are quicker in Stockholm. The coupling is Mozart's Symphony No. 29, a favourite of Klemperer, in another rarity not issued before while the conductor was in Munich in April 1956.

 

Re-mastering by Tony Faulkner.

  

Medici Masters MM0372