Eugen Jochum Collection

This is a feast for collectors Here we have a 42-disk set of orchestral recordings Eugen Jochum made for the DGG label, recordings made from 1954 - 1966. This set was issued October 2016 and is advertised as Volume I. Volume II has yet to appear. Jochum (1902 - 1987) was a respected conductor of German repertory, particularly music of Bruckner. He recorded profusely for various labels. On this set he leads the Beinum Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony, the Hamnburg Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw, the London Philharmonic, the London Symphony, and the Boston Symphony. Concerted works feature major soloists: Emil Gilels (Brahms), Wolfgang Schneiderhan (Beethoven,) Monique Haas (Schumann), Johanna Martzy (Mozart),and Maurizio Pollini (Beethoven) .Nan Merriman and Ernst Haefliger are soloists in the Mahler; they already had recorded he work in xxx with the Concertgebouw ouw directed by Eduard van Beinum, now released on Pristine (REVIEW).

The Beethoven symphonies feature two orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic (Nos. 2, 5, 6 and 8) and the Bavarian Radio Philharmonic. The Bruckner symphonies are shared by the Berlin Philharmonic (Nos., 1, 4, 7, 8) and the Hamburg Philharmonic. The Berlin orchestra is heard in the Brahms symphonies. Each disk has the original release jacket, but no program notes. A 66-page booklet contains information about the conductor, many photographs, and complete recording details.

The set includes:

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies. Piano Concertos 1 asnd 2. Violin Concerto. Overtures.
BRAHMS: Syhmphonies. Hfayn Variations. Overtures. Piano Co ncertos.
BRUCKNER: Symphonies
ELGAR: Enigma Variations
HANDEL; Organ Concerto No. 6
HAYDN: Symphonies 88,91, 93 - 104
HÖLLER: Syhmphonie Fantasy. Sweelinck Variations.
MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde
MOZART: Syhmphonies 33, 36, 39, 40, 41. Violin Concerto No. 4. Serenade No. 13. Serenade for Winds.
SCHUBERT: Symphonies 5, 8 and 9.
SIBELIUJS: Night Ride & Sunrise, Oceanbides,, The Temp;est.
STRAUSS: Don Juan, Till Ejulensp;iegel, Waltzes from Der Rosenkavalier. Schalgobers Waltz.
WAGNER: Prelude to Act I, Good Friday Spell from Parsifal. Preludes to Acst I and 3 of Lohengrin.

Jochum made countless other recordings including a number with the Concertgebouw. There also are many earlier recordings made in Amsterdam that have yet to appear on CD. Many of these were on the Philips label. Perhaps some of these will be included in Volume II, which I look forward to.

There is much of value here for collectors, and the price is budget. This set might not stay in the catalog very long, get it while you can.

R.E.B. (April 2016)