Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Così fan tutte, opera, K. 588: Overture
2. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, WAB 108: I. Allegro moderato
3. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, WAB 108: II. Scherzo. Allegro moderato - Trio. Langsam
4. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, WAB 108: III. Adagio. Feierlich langsam; doch nicht schleppend
5. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, WAB 108: IV. Finale. Feierlich, nicht schnell

Disc 2:

1. Symphony No. 91 in E flat major ('Letter T'), H. 1/91: I. Largo - Allegro assai
2. Symphony No. 91 in E flat major ('Letter T'), H. 1/91: II. Andante
3. Symphony No. 91 in E flat major ('Letter T'), H. 1/91: III. Menuet. un poco Allegretto - Trio
4. Symphony No. 91 in E flat major ('Letter T'), H. 1/91: IV. Finale. Vivace
5. Symphony No. 9 in C major ('The Great'), D. 944: I. Andante - Allegro ma non troppo
6. Symphony No. 9 in C major ('The Great'), D. 944: II. Andante con moto
7. Symphony No. 9 in C major ('The Great'), D. 944: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio
8. Symphony No. 9 in C major ('The Great'), D. 944: IV. Finale. Allegro vivace

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #250853 in Music
• Released on: 2003-11-04
• Number of discs: 2

Customer Reviews

Great Conductors of 20th Century = Best Reissues of the 21st
It's sad that the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" reissue series has not gotten more attention, because it has my vote for the best reissue program thus far of the 21st Century. Drawing from the archives of all the major classical labels (EMI, Sony, BMG, DG, Decca, Philips, Supraphon, etc.), EMI and IMG Artists have assembled a wonderful series of affordable two-disc sets by the leading conductors of the last century. And unlike its counterpart, "The Great Pianists of the 20th Century," which are basically compilations of material already available on other CDs, the "Great Conductors" features rare and, for the most part, previously unreleased performances! And as if that wasn't enough, the most recent volumes (beginning with no. 25) are now available at mid-line instead of full-price!

This particular CD, Volume 27, features the great Karl Bohm. Unlike many of the conductors featured in this series, the majority of Bohm's great performances have been reissued on CD, mostly by Deutsche Grammophon. As a result, you would think there wouldn't be any worthwhile unreleased material left. Well, guess again, and since the track information is non-existent above, allow me to tell what is contained in this fine collection.

This 2CD set only contains four works -- an Overture and three Symphonies. First is the Overture, from Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutti" from 1962 with the Philharmonia Orchestra made for EMI. This piece was extracted from the complete recording of the opera, a critically acclaimed performance, and since I am not an opera collector it is wonderful to have here. Next is Bruckner's 8th Symphony, recorded live in the studio for radio broadcast in 1974 with the Koln RSO. Disc two begins with Haydn's 91st Symphony from 1973 with the Vienna Philharmonic. I am delighted with this work's inclusion as I have always enjoyed Bohm's now out-of-print disc of Haydn's Symphonies Nos. 88, 89 & 92 (now they just need to reissue 90). Last is Schubert's 9th from a 1979 live recording with the Staatskapelle Dresden. This performance of "The Great" is not as great as the one on Bohm's Schubert Cycle for DG, but it is very enjoyable and nice for comparisons. A final note, all of the selections on this collection are in stereo.

Whether you are a serious collector of classical music or a beginner, the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" has something for everyone. If the prized, rare performances don't excite you, then use this as an opportunity to check out one of the greatest conductors ever recorded. Chances are, since stores are offering increasingly homogenized classical music sections, this conductor might not be in your collection. And that would truly be a shame.

Mostly old-age Bohm, in good shape
Karl Bohm was 87 when he died in 1981 as a staple of the DG catalog. It was said that his recordings died the day he did, but in fact they've survived. I must admit an antipathy to his musical personality, which was often brusque and hurried or else dead-pan and inexpressive. But Bohm certainly passed for a great conductor, and here the compilers have given us a generous sample of major works (for once), mostly taken from Bohm's autumn years.

CD 1 begins badly with a lackluster 1962 Cosi fan Tutte Over. that comes, surprisingly, from his acclaimed studio performance of the opera. The rest of the disc features a big work, the Bruckner Eighth in a live performance from Cologne (1974) in decent stereo. Bohm makes the orchestra sound good--he always possessed that talent--and the reading is straight-faced, sober, and reliable. One would have expected better from such a famous Bruckner specialist.

CD 2 is much improved, beginning with a genial Haydn Sym. 91 with the Vienna Phil. (1973). This studio recording comes off agreeably in every way, but especially in the sunny playing of the orchestra. Don't expect any revelations, however. The very best item is the concluding Schubert Ninth from Dresden, a live performance in very good stereo from 1979. For a conductor in his mid-eighties this performance is highly commendable. I especially liked the briskly taken second movement, which Bohm keeps going very well--so often it drags--but everything is nice here, well-balanced and carefree. It's not deeply felt Schubert, but then I've never heard depth from Karl Bohm. He was a highly superior Kapellmeister, and for that I appreciated this collection.

One of the finest of the series.
Unlike many of the other sets in this admirable series, Bohm's has the usual advantage of being entirely stereo. But, regarding the selections, let's dispense first with the cookie and get to the meat and potatoes. The Cosi fan tutte Overture has no glitches. It is well characterized and presented. Elsewhere, Karl Bohm shows that he is well in touch with the mystery and majesty of the marvelous Bruckner Eighth. He directs a performance that simply and powerfully underscores those features of the Bruckner idiom that are among the most magnetic and endearing---namely, grandeur and haunting beauty. And, he is aided significantly in his effort by the acoustics of the recording venue, which seem to offer a perfect match for the composer's expansive sonorities. Somewhat of a downside to all this however is the occasionally less than stellar quality exhibited by the horn section, especially the main player--- not a serious problem, though it could be considered a bit of a distraction now and then. Nevertheless, the big orchestral climaxes are extremely satisfying, and so too are the deeper spiritual episodes. Very enjoyable Bruckner...The Haydn Symphony 91 is fine, but here I prefer things to be a little more lithe, and a tad lighter in tone during the quicker sections...The Schubert Ninth is nicely nuanced, sturdy and dynamic, clearly one of the best "Great C Majors" ever recorded. Noteworthy also are the impressive sounding horns of the Dresden Staatskapelle. In fact, I find this Dresden account preferable to Bohm's earlier one with the Berlin Philharmonic. All the more interesting because when it was made, Bohm was 85 years old. Listening especially to the final movement, you would never know this. Indeed, these recordings are a testament to Karl Bohm's greatness as one of the elite conductors of the past.