To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Otto Klemperer’s death, EMI Classics pays tribute to the incomparable conductor with the release of an extensive edition of 11 luxurious yet affordably-priced boxsets. Three new sets devoted to Mahler, Bach, Rameau, Handel, Gluck & Haydn and 20th Century Music are coming out this May. Otto Klemperer had a remarkable career as a young man but it was at the age of 70 that he started a series of recordings that would not only establish him as an internationally renowned conductor but provide EMI with a catalogue of recordings that became and remain touchstones.
This 8-CD collection contains the solo orchestral recordings that Klemperer undertook of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. He recorded the Bach Orchestral Suites twice, the first in 1954, these appear on CD for the first time, and in 1969 whilst the recording of the Brandenburg Concertos date from 1960. Of Handel, he recorded No, 4 of the set of six Concerti Grossi Op. 6 in 1956.
The Classical period is represented in this collection by Franz Josef Haydn. In all Klemperer recorded 8 of his symphonies – 6 from the set written for Salomon’s London concerts, the one-called Oxford, supposedly written for the time he received an honorary degree from its University and the delightful No. 88. These recordings were made over the period from 1960 to 1971.
The works by the other two composers contained in this box are arrangements. Gluck composed his opera Iphigenia in Aulis in 1774 inspired by Euripedes’s last play written between 408 and 406BC, the year of his death. Richard Wagner made his arrangement at the end of 1846/beginning of 1847 in Dresden and it was this that Klemperer heard when Gustav Mahler conducted it in 1907 just a few weeks short of his 22nd birthday and this would serve as an inspiration for his entire career.
The work by Rameau was transcibed by Klemperer himself in 1967 and is a Gavotte in A minor with six doubles or variations taken from his Nouvelles suites de pieces de clavecin (c.1728). It was first performed with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in June 1968.
Disc: 1
1. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: I. Ouvertu
2. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: II. Couran
3. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: III. Gavot
4. Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: IV. Forlan
5. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: V. Menuets
6. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: VI. Bourré
7. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066: VII. Passe
8. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.1 in F major,
9. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.1 in F major,
10. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.1 in F major,
11. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.1 in F major,
12. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.2 in F major,
13. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.2 in F major,
14. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.2 in F major,
Disc: 2
1. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.3 in G major,
2. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.3 in G major,
3. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.4 in G major,
4. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.4 in G major,
5. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.4 in G major,
6. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.5 in D major,
7. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.5 in D major,
8. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.5 in D major,
9. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.6 in B flat m
10. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.6 in B flat m
11. Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 (1992 Remastered Version), Brandenburg Concerto no.6 in B flat m
Disc: 3
1. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: I. Ouvertu
2. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: II. Rondea
3. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: III. Sarab
4. Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: IV. Bourré
5. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: V. Polonai
6. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: VI. Menuet
7. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: VII. Badin
8. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV1068: I. Ouvertu
9. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV1068: II. Air
10. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV1068: III. Gavot
11. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV1068: IV. Bourré
12. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV1068: V. Gigue
13. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV1069: I. Ouvertu
14. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV1069: II. Bourré
15. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV1069: III. Gavot
16. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV1069: IV. Menuet
17. 4 Orchestral Suites BWV1066-9 (1992 Remastered Version), Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV1069: V. Réjouis
Disc: 4
1. Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4 in A minor (2006 Remastered Version): I. Larghetto affetuoso
2. Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4 in A minor (2006 Remastered Version): II. Allegro
3. Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4 in A minor (2006 Remastered Version): III. Largo e piano
4. Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4 in A minor (2006 Remastered Version): IV. Allegro
5. Iphigénie en Aulide – Overture (2003 Remastered Version)
6. Gavotte with Six Variations (2000 Remastered Version)
7. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: I. Ouverture
8. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: II. Courante
9. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: III. Gavottes I & II
10. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: IV. Forlane
11. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: V. Minuets I & II
12. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: VI. Bourrées I & II
13. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C, BWV 1066: VII. Passepiede I & II
Disc: 5
1. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): I. Ouverture
2. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): II. Rondeau
3. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): III. Sarabande
4. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): IV. Bourrées I & II
5. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): V. Polonaise
6. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): VI. Menuet
7. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 (2012 Remastered Version): VII. Badinerie
8. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: I. Ouverture
9. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: II. Air
10. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: III. Gavottes I & II
11. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: IV. Bourrée
12. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: V. Gigue
13. Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D, BWV 1069 (2012 Remastered Version): I. Ouverture
14. Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D, BWV 1069 (2012 Remastered Version): II. Bourrées I & II
15. Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D, BWV 1069 (2012 Remastered Version): III. Gavotte
16. Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D, BWV 1069 (2012 Remastered Version): IV. Menuets I & II
17. Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D, BWV 1069 (2012 Remastered Version): V. Réjouissance
Disc: 6
1. Symphony No. 88 in G Major (1990 Remastered Version): I. Adagio – Allegro
2. Symphony No. 88 in G Major (1990 Remastered Version): II. Largo
3. Symphony No. 88 in G Major (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuetto (Allegretto) & Trio
4. Symphony No. 88 in G Major (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Finale (Allegro con spirito)
5. Symphony No. 98 in B Flat Major (1990 Remastered Version): I. Adagio – Allegro
6. Symphony No. 98 in B Flat Major (1990 Remastered Version): II. Adagio
7. Symphony No. 98 in B Flat Major (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuet (Allegro) and Trio
8. Symphony No. 98 in B Flat Major (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Finale (Presto)
9. Symphony No. 101 in D ‘Clock’ (1990 Remastered Version): I. Adagio – Presto
10. Symphony No. 101 in D ‘Clock’ (1990 Remastered Version): II. Andante
11. Symphony No. 101 in D ‘Clock’ (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuet
12. Symphony No. 101 in D ‘Clock’ (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Vivace
Disc: 7
1. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor (1990 Remastered Version): I. Allegro moderato
2. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor (1990 Remastered Version): II. Andante cantabile
3. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuetto & Trio
4. Symphony No. 95 in C Minor (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Finale (Vivace)
5. Symphony No. 100 in G Major `Military` (1990 Remastered Version): I. Adagio – Allegro
6. Symphony No. 100 in G Major `Military` (1990 Remastered Version): II. Allegretto
7. Symphony No. 100 in G Major `Military` (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuet (Moderato) & Trio
8. Symphony No. 100 in G Major `Military` (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Finale (Presto)
9. Symphony No. 102 in B Flat (1990 Remastered Version): I. Largo – Allegro vivace
10. Symphony No. 102 in B Flat (1990 Remastered Version): II. Adagio
11. Symphony No. 102 in B Flat (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuetto (Allegro) and Trio
12. Symphony No. 102 in B Flat (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Finale (Presto)
Disc: 8
1. Symphony No. 92 in G Major ‘Oxford’ (1990 Remastered Version): I. Adagio – Allegro spiritoso
2. Symphony No. 92 in G Major ‘Oxford’ (1990 Remastered Version): II. Adagio
3. Symphony No. 92 in G Major ‘Oxford’ (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuet
4. Symphony No. 92 in G Major ‘Oxford’ (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Presto
5. Symphony No. 104 in D Major ‘London’ (1990 Remastered Version): I. Adagio – Allegro
6. Symphony No. 104 in D Major ‘London’ (1990 Remastered Version): II. Andante
7. Symphony No. 104 in D Major ‘London’ (1990 Remastered Version): III. Menuet (Allegro) & Trio
8. Symphony No. 104 in D Major ‘London’ (1990 Remastered Version): IV. Finale (Spiritoso)