Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica'

This set contains the first three symphonies together with the eighth by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Although there are over 12 years separating No. 8 from the first two they probably have more in common than No. 3 has with its predecessors. The first two and No. 8 use the same size of orchestra as does Haydn in his last group of symphonies and Beethoven even uses the word menuetto for the third movement of No. 8. The first symphony shows his debt to Haydn and Mozart, especially the former when he starts both first and last movement with a slow introduction. During the completion of the second he had to face the awful realisation that he was going deaf so it is the third, arguably his most remarkable work, called “Eroica”, which took the form on to a much higher level of achievement. Some writers have given prominence to the figure of Napoleon – indeed Beethoven had originally intended to dedicate the work to him – but the use of a tune representing the hero Prometheus, from his ballet Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus (The Creatures of Prometheus), on which he wrote variations for the last movement may well show that it was indeed Beethoven who, Prometheus like, is the hero in his stand against the wrath of the unjust gods. Wolfgang Sawallisch shows his enormous wealth of experience conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

This CD brings together two superstars of the last 50 years, Sir Georg Solti and the great Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson. The release was originally timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary (2007) of Solti's death and his 10 years spent at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden – but was delayed a year due to contractual negotiations - both the Wagner tracks are with the Covent Garden Orchestra, as it was known then, at the Proms in 1963.

Solti's Beethoven is well known for its robust energy but this version of the 'Eroica' with the LSO is quite relaxed yet powerful and extremely beautiful. It comes from the same concert as the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Cherkassky (BBCL 4160-2).

Solti and Nilsson were linked both on stage and particularly in the recording studio by Richard Strauss and Wagner. Solti's famous Wagner's 'Ring' cycle for Decca has been one of the monuments of the classical recording industry for many years and Nilsson's Brunnhilde is one of the phenomenon's of that celebrated set. She is here recorded live with a passionate accompaniment driven by Solti in the great Prelude & Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde where Nilsson's voice is so powerful that it dominates the ROH Orchestra even in the greatest climaxes!

Wagner's Siegfried's Rhine Journey gives us a flavour of Solti in Wagner's 'Ring' providing tremendous attack and excitement.

The CD has been recorded in excellent stereo sound and transferred with exceptional care by Paul Baily.