Beethoven Symphonies: Kletzki

Beethoven's symphonies are among the cornerstones of the symphonic repertoire. They bear witness to the composer's remarkable journey from airy Classicism to the peerless idiom he had developed on the threshold of the Romantic epoch. Those who have taken up the challenge to record the complete cycle include the Polish-born conductor Paul Kletzki, who gained great renown after the war, primarily in America. He was the principal conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for a year and after his debut in Philadelphia went on to conduct the leading American and European orchestras. This remarkable complete recording of Beethoven's symphonies was made during Kletzki’s performances with the Czech Philharmonic in 1967, during the orchestra's golden age under the chief conductor Karel An?erl. This gem of the Supraphon archives thoroughly deserves the current re-edition in remastered form owing to its freshness and expressive depth.

Collectors over the years have coveted Paul Kletzki's Beethoven symphonies, which are generally reminiscent of the rhythmic incisiveness of Toscanini combined with Kletzki's own personal touches and superbly played on modern instruments by the Czech Philharmonic. The Symphony No. 7 is particularly noteworthy for its drive and incisiveness via Kletzki's interpretation which basically holds true to Beethoven's score except for an interesting slight accelerando in the final pages. In the LP and CD eras, it has always been difficult to find these recordings of all 9 symphonies. Now Supraphon has issued this complete set in remastered digital stereo.