Beethoven / Klemperer / Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1985 DMM pressing in shrink. The album featuring Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 7 and 8, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Otto Klemperer, is a distinguished recording in the classical discography, first released in the early 1960s on EMI. Klemperer, known for his intellectual rigor and architectural approach to orchestral works, brought a distinctive vision to Beethoven’s symphonies during his tenure with the Philharmonia Orchestra. His interpretation of the Seventh emphasizes structural clarity and rhythmic drive, often favoring broad tempos and a granitic sense of proportion. The Eighth, with its humor and compact form, is rendered with similar attention to detail and transparency, balancing wit and gravitas without excessive romantic indulgence.