In the last two decades of his life Sándor Végh placed increasing emphasis on conducting. At the beginning of this period he was still performing as a violinist, until because of age-related joint problems he had to lay down the bow. Végh conducted the Camerata Academica chamber orchestra from 1978 right until his death in 1997. A marked feature of the Camerata sound was that the strings were usually Végh’s students. This resulted in the creation of an even string sound and unity of style which was unique in its type. “For me the Camerata is an instrument, and the members feel every frisson of my soul. They give me a great deal of pleasure.” – said Végh in an interview. The music of Schubert played a special role in Végh’s life: he approached it with deep respect and worked painstakingly with it. The first four symphonies, composed between 1813 and 1816, have until now not been available in Sándor Végh’s interpretation. This present compilation contains previously unpublished recordings that were made in the concert hall of the Cologne Philharmonic during the Camerata Academica’s Schubert cycle, in which all the composer’s symphonies were played between 26 May and 2 June 1996.