BEETHOVEN & BRAHMS: COMPLETE SYMPHONIES - KEMPE, KLEMPERER (10 CDS)

This 10-CD set includes the nine symphonies of Beethoven and the four symphonies of Brahms in performances by two of the greatest German conductors of the 20th century, Otto Klemperer and Rudolf Kempe. The recordings feature Klemperer directing Beethoven with the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1960, and Kempe conducting Brahms with the Munich Philharmonic in 1975 and 1976. In 1945 the great German conductor Otto Klemperer began a close association with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London. One of the high points of this collaboration is this series of live recordings from performances in Vienna in 1960 of all nine Beethoven symphonies. Rudolf Kempe (1910-1976) was regarded as an outstanding opera conductor appearing regularly at the Bavarian State Opera, the Bayreuth festival and the opera houses of New York and London. He followed Sir Thomas Beecham as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and from 1965 to 1972 he undertook the artistic directorship of the Tonhalle orchestra, Zurich. The Munich Philharmonic chose him in 1967 as their general music director, a position Kempe held until 1976. Personnel: Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (conductor), Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Kempe (conductor)