Recorded - Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna 27th May 1953. During the 1950's, Karl Böhm made a handful of orchestral recordings for Decca with the Wiener Philharmoniker of, music by, among others, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Weber. Reappearing here, for the first time on CD, internationally, are his swift recordings of Beethoven's Eighth and of two Schubert symphonies (Nos. 5 and 8). Never imposing his will too strongly on his Viennese orchestra - and they had these classics in their blood - he directs performances that are fresh and gives full rein to the Vienna Philharmonic's wonderful tonal resources. Add the acoustic of the Grosser Saal at the Musikverein, familiar as daily bread to all the participants, and you have the best kind of tradition.

Celebrating his half-century as a Decca artist, as well as his eighty-fifth birthday, Sir Georg Solti here offers a nicely autobiographical collection of three sets of variations: the Peacock Variations of Kodaly representing his Hungarian roots, the lively Paganini Variations of Blacher a recognition of his years as German citizen, and finally a tribute to his unique Britishness in Elgar's Enigma Variations. The disc is also a tribute to the Vienna Philharmonic and Solti's special relationship with that orchestra, with whom he recorded these live performances in the Musikverein last April. You have only to compare this warmly expressive, subtly nuanced, and deeply felt account of the Elgar with Solti's earlier Chicago version of 1974 to appreciate not only the quality of this great Viennese orchestra, but the way in which Solti has mellowed over the last two decades.

The legendary American film composer John Williams conducts the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra for the first time Visit from the dear God was the title of the standard,
standing upright jubilant choirs at their first appearance: as if God was received by
earthly disciples John Williams in Vienna documents the historical performance a
very special honour in the life of the composer Symphonic Hollywood sounds on the stage
of the Vienna Musikverein the world-famous orchestra plays cult themes from Star Wars,
Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and other milestones in film history Star guest
Anne-Sophie Mutter with adaptations for violin arranged especially for her by Williams Star
Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park the soundtracks of the master of cinematic
magic John Williams are among the most popular in the history of film and have received numerous
prestigious awards, including five Oscars, five Emmys, four Golden Globes and twenty-five Grammys.