Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus/Beethoven, Ludwig van: Beethoven/Mozart (Medici Masters Audio CD)

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. Medici Masters have also published Klemperer's performance of Bruckner's Symphony No.7 (MM030-2) from this time.

Reviews:
• Honest and forthright music making, with wonderful lucid textures and complete command of form over the largest scale. This is vintage Brahms and unquestionably vintage Klemperer; and utterly unsentimental Mahler. Michael Tanner, BBC Music Magazine (MM005-2)
• …this is the finest interpretation of Beethoven's 'Choral' Symphony that I have heard from [Klemperer]. Antony Hodgson, classicalsource (MM031-2)
• This recording, with Otto Klemperer conducting the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, brings out the work's blazing majesty. Gavin Engelbrecht, The Northern Echo (MM015-2)