Rafael Kubelík enriched the repertoire of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks primarily with works by Czech composers and 20th century music. However, during his period as chief conductor of the orchestra, he also fostered the traditional German romantic repertoire with which the ensemble had made a name for itself as far back as its founding years under Eugen Jochum.

In May of 1977 Kubelík conducted Bruckner’s Symphony No.8 in C minor at a concert in Munich’s Herkulessaal, the recording of which is now being released. In a review in Munich’s Süddeutsche Zeitung, the orchestra was rated as equal in rank to such famous Bruckner orchestras as the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras.

Live recording, Munich, Herkulessaal, 12.5.1977.