Works

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica'
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral'
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93

Conductors

• Barshai, Rudolf

Groups & Artists

• Moscow Chamber Orchestra

Firma Melodiya presents a unique boxed set with recordings of Beethoven’s symphonies 1 to 8 conducted by Rudolf Barshai. One of the most prominent representatives of domestic music performing art of the 20th century, Rudolf Barshai was a man of amazingly versatile talents. His character combined obsession of a seeker and explorer of new sides to performance with an aspiration for his own creative way avoiding a bitten path.

The Moscow Chamber Orchestra founded by Rudolf Barshai in 1959 was the first orchestra of a kind in this country and instantly became hugely popular. Its tours were an equal success both at home and overseas, and it sold an impressive number of records. However, Barshai felt an urge to symphonic conducting and after a few lessons from Ilya Musin he successfully debuted in that walk of life as well. The recording of Beethoven’s symphonies realized in 1969 to 1975 with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and musicians from the symphony orchestras of Moscow was Barshai’s first truly serious effort as a symphonic conductor.

These recordings were praised by Dmitri Shostakovich (“We haven’t heard a Beethoven like this since Klemperer”). Barshai’s conducting manner is characterized with ultimate precision in terms of the score, transparent harmonization of themes allowing us to hear the entire orchestral “vertical line” at all times; sustained, reserves tempos.

Unfortunately, for the reasons not depending on the conductor, Symphony No. 9 was never recorded. Nevertheless, this boxed set showcases an uncommon integrity of the conductor’s interpretation and is of interest for the fans of Barshai’s art and for a wide circle of listeners as well.