The Czech conductor Rafael Kubelik is considered to be one of the greatest conductors of the second half of the 20th century. This collection contains recordings made between 1948 and 1959 with orchestras which played an important role in his artistic life, including the Czech Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Philharmonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Kubelík was deeply rooted in the music of his home country and the composers of the Bohemian-Moravian tradition such as Janácek, Smetana, Dvorák and Martinu are all featured in this 10 CD set.

Rafael Kubelik is particularly revered for his performances of the music of his Czech compatriots, and this set includes legendary recordings of Smetana‘s 'Ma Vlast', and Dvorák’s Symphony No.9 'New World'.

Kubelík was also known as a pioneering interpreter of the music of Mahler and the collection features him conducting two of the composer’s symphonies - Nos 1 and 5. In addition he was known as a champion of the musical avant-garde of his time, and music by Schoenberg, Hindemith and Bartok are presented here alongside works from the classical and romantic traditions by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Bruch.

Contents:
CD 1:
MAHLER: Symphony No.1
Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam
1951

CD 2:
MAHLER: Symphony No.5
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
1954

CD 3:
DVORÁK: Symphony No.9
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1951

DVORÁK: Slavonic Rhapsody, op.45 No.3
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1959

CD 4:
BARTÓK: Concerto for Orchestra
BARTÓK: Two Portraits, Op.5
Steven Staryk (violin)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1959

CD 5:
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No.1
Solomon (piano)
Philharmonia Orchestra
1952

MENDELSSOHN: Overture: A Midsummernight’s Dream
Philharmonia Orchestra
1952

CD 6:
MARTINU: Symphony No.4
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
1948, 1950

CD 7:
MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an exhibition (Orch. Ravel)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1951

JANÁCEK: Sinfonietta
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
1955

CD 8:
SMETANA: Má Vlast
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1952

CD 9:
BRUCH: Violin Concerto No.1
Ida Haendel (violin)
Philharmonia Orchestra
1948

HINDEMITH: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber
SCHOENBERG: Five Pieces for Orchestra, op.16
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1953

CD 10:
MOZART: Symphony No.38 in D Major (Prague)
1. I. Adagio. Allegro
2. II. Andante
3. III. Presto
Philharmonia Orchestra
1953

MOZART: Overtures:
4. Don Giovanni
5. Die entführung aus dem Serail
6. La Clemenza di Tito
7. La Finta Giardiniera
8. Der Schauspieldirektor
Philharmonia Orchestra
1952