Klaus Tennstedt’s studio recordings for EMI Classics, primarily with his cherished London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), are celebrated as a towering achievement, cementing his reputation as one of the great conductors of the late 20th century.
His landmark studio cycle of Mahler’s Symphonies is the monumental centerpiece of this legacy, alongside the live Mahler recordings he did. Tennstedt’s Mahler is universally praised for its sheer emotional commitment and deep feeling. His 1979 recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 was hailed as “revelatory” upon its release and remains just as “potent today – a reading of tremendous power and deep feeling” (Classics Today). Tennstedt possessed an instinctive grasp of Mahler’s vision. Reviewers noted his ability to take the LPO – an orchestra with little Mahler tradition – and inspire them to play the music with “passion, commitment, and in a thoroughly idiomatic manner.” This cycle, often cited for its thrilling climaxes and masterful shaping of Mahler’s vast canvases, is universally recognized as one of the finest surveys of the composer’s symphonies.
Tennstedt’s interpretations of the Central European repertoire, which also included magnificent recordings of Brahms and Wagner included in this box, favor an unfailingly beautiful orchestral tone and a massive solidity. He’s molding and shaping the music based on his structural overview. His Brahms German Requiem is in the tradition of Klemperer, marked by sincerity and conviction.
These recordings are a lasting testament to Tennstedt's profound artistry and his extraordinary musical partnership with the LPO (which represent two-thirds of the recordings in this box).
