Beethoven: Complete Symphonies / Chailly

Katerina Beranova (soprano), Lilli Paasikivi (alto), Robert Dean Smith (tenor) & Hanno Müller-Brachmann (bass) Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Riccardo Chailly

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (complete) The Creatures of Prometheus Overture, Op. 43 Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b Fidelio Overture Op. 72c Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 Egmont Overture, Op. 84 The Ruins of Athens Overture, Op. 113 Zur Namensfeier overture, Op. 115 König Stephan Overture, Op. 117

This complete cycle of Beethoven’s nine Symphonies is a landmark event for Decca, for Maestro Chailly, and for the Gewandhausorchester, where he has been Kapellmeister since 2005. These acclaimed performances were recorded live in the Gewandhaus over the last three years, in preparation for the highly-anticipated complete cycles that Maestro Chailly and the orchestra will give in several major European cities in October and November 2011 – performances which will provide the platform for launching these important new recordings. The cycle showcases the finesse and musicality of the legendary Gewandhaus Orchestra − from the Haydnesque elegance of the first two symphonies, to the grandeur and drama of the choral Ninth Symphony. This 5CD set of the nine Symphonies also includes selected Beethoven Overtures, and comes for an initial period in substantial and luxurious packaging, comprising a hard-back book with 5 internal CD wallets, all contained within an outer slipcase.