The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946 and is one of the world’s most prestigious bodies of musicians. In 1993 the RPO began to record important works of classical music for their unique “Royal Philharmonic Collection”. It was in this connection that the present recordings of the Complete Symphonies of Beethoven were made.

The conductors who took part in the project included Barry Wordsworth, for many years conductor-in-chief of the BBC Concert Orchestra, and James Lockhart who was musical director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in the 1960s. The internationally successful Günther Herbig, a Karajan pupil, is also featured here along with one of the few women to make a reputation as conductor during this period, Claire Gibault.

Contents:
CD 1
- Symphony No.1 in C major, op.21
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra /  Barry Wordsworth
Digitally recorded in 1994

- Symphony No.2 in D major, op.36
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra /  James Lockhart
Digitally recorded in 1994

CD 2
- Symphony No.3 in E flat major, op.55 'Eroica'
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Günther Herbig
Digitally recorded in 1994

CD 3
- Symphony No.4 in B flat major, op.60
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Barry Wordsworth
Digitally recorded in 1995

- Symphony No.5 in C minor, op.67
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Claire Gibault
Digitally recorded in 1994

CD 4
- Symphony No.6 in F major, op.68 'Pastoral'
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Mark Ermler
Digitally recorded in 1993

CD 5
- Symphony No.7 in A flat major, op.92
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Barry Wordsworth
Digitally recorded in 1994

- Symphony No.8 in F major, op.93
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / James Lockhart
Digitally recorded in 1994

CD 6
- Symphony No.9 in D minor, op.125
Gilian Webster (soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (contralto), Martin Hill (tenor), Robert Hayward (bass)
The Ambrosian Singers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Raymond Leppard
Digitally recorded in 1994