Otto Klemperer was born on 14th May 1885 in Breslau, Silesia (now Wroclaw, Poland) and died on 6th July 1973 in Zurich and hence next year we mark 40 years since his passing. Although disfigured by a stroke suffered whilst a brain tumour was being removed he became a world-renowned conductor whose recordings became and remain touchstones for the EMI catalogue.

Having completed the highly successful series of Beethoven recordings it was natural for EMI to seek further Romantic symphonies from Otto Klemperer. In addition to those of Brahms, Bruckner and Mahler which appear in their own specific boxes, Klemperer recorded three by Schubert, two by Mendelssohn as well as the Hebrides Overture and Midsummer Night’s Dream Incidental music, all four by Schumann as well as three Overtures, the last three by Tchaikovsky as well as Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Franck’s D minor and Dvorák’s “From the New World”. This set also contains three Overtures by Weber and Johann Strauss’s Overture Die Fledermaus and two favourite Waltzes.

Although clearly not a Symphony the charming Incidental music to a Midsummer Night’s Dream by Mendelssohn is included as Klemperer held it in the greatest affection and performed it on many occasions throughout his career.

With the exception of the Franck and three of the Schumann Symphonies all recordings are with the Philharmonia Orchestra and therefore predate 1964.