❖ One of five box-sets exploring Hans Knappertsbusch’s high-risk strategy in which he relies upon the ‘magic of the moment’ to reveal previously undiscovered musical insights
❖ His interpretations of composers’ works lead to pleasing new discoveries, even within well-known scores
❖ Knappertsbusch disliked rehearsals intensely believing that they were an inhibiting influence. He firmly believed in the inspiration of the moment being central to every performance, taking on Wagner’s idea of spontaneity and tempo modification
❖ His courageous artistry is clearly demonstrated in each of the five sets in this collection

Beethoven: Symphonies No.3 “Eroica”, No.5, No.8 No.9 “Choral” (excerpt)
Coriolan Overture
Brahms: Symphonies No.3 & No.2
Bruckner: Symphonies No.4 “Romantic”, No.8 & No.9
Handel: Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.5
Haydn: Symphonies No.94 “Surprise” & No.88
Komzák II: Bad’ner Mad’In
Liszt: Les Préludes
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Nicolai: The Merry Wives of Windsor Overture
Pfitzner: Palestrina: Prelude to Act I
Schubert: Symphony No.8 “Unfinished”

Johann Strauß II: Die Fledermaus Overture, Tausend und eine Nacht
Josef & Johann II Strauß: Pizzicato Polka
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Op.71a
Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer Overture, Tannhäuser Bacchanal & Einzug der Gäste, Lohengrin Prelude to Act 3, The Ride of the Valkyries, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Preludes to Act 1, Act 3 & Tanz der Lehrbuben
Parsifal Transformation scene from Act 1
von Weber: Invitation to the Dance
Wolf: Italian Serenade for Orchestra
Lucretia West, mezzosoprano
Erna Berger, soprano; Torsten Ralf, tenor
Der Kittelische Chor
unter Leitung von Prof. Kittel
Recordings: 1941 - 1957