Otto Klemperer, considered an old guard in Beethoven, Brahms and Bruckner in the last century, appeared to be left out in the recent onslaught of budget reissues. His partial cycle of Bruckner symphonies, from No. 4 to No.9, recorded with the Philharmonia and later New Philharmonia Orchestra was greeted with acclaim in the British press ever since its first members appeared in the early 1960s. In recent years it was difficult to obtain these CDs as many were out of print. Some of them were reissued in Japan, branded as using fancy techniques or material, e.g. HQCD, SHM-CD, and charged a high price.
He died in 1973 and so next year will be 40 years since his death. It appears that EMI has planned for some "anniversary" reissues. Here comes a no-frills box-set of these 6 Bruckner symphonies in October (EMI 4042962). It will be a good opportunity for those young enough not to be familiar with his art and recordings to get to know him. It will be a rewarding journey I'm sure.
He has had more than his fair share of the vicissitudes of life and health, and the very fact that he could still conduct from the podium and make some wonderful music in his late years is a testament to his inner mental strength, to which I pay great respect.
These recordings may not be my top choices, but nevertheless they occupy a place in my heart and on my shelf that I just want to keep for a long long time. From time to time I will listen to them again, with admiration and awe.
