This 3-CD set couples together a selection of some of the more popular classics recorded by the great German conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler. Furtwängler was born 125 years ago in 1886 and this birthday tribute comes as a timely reminder of his genius. He was, without doubt, one of the truly great musical interpreters of the 20th century and we are fortunate indeed that he was working at a time when EMI were able to capture on record his work both in the studio and on the concert platform.

All the recordings were made with the Vienna Philharmonic in the late 1940s and early '50s, during the final years of the conductor's career. The first disc in the set contains three popular symphonies by composers who were close to Furtwängler's heart. The other two CDs comprise a selection of well-known shorter works, making this the ideal means by which purchasers can familiarise themselves with the work of this great man of music.