From American Record Guide
Record Collector | Mons, Belgium | 04/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Knappertsbusch's 1943 'Eroica' with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is an unexpectedly modern reading that achieves pleasant balance by understatement in the first movement and finesse in the finale. His 1942 Les Preludes is lyrical rather than dramatic, performed in the Viennese way with stylish and superb rubato. In both the Berlin Philharmonic plays with a big, sleek tone and relaxed manner--obviously Furtwangler's orchestra, yet clearly happy in those dark days to be playing for familiar, comfortable Kna. This disc is as good an introduction to the Knappertsbusch magic as any I know; Les Preludes in particular is original in conception and outstanding in execution."