Beethoven: 9 Symphonies

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Marking the centenary of Bernstein’s birth, DG proudly present the landmark Beethoven 9 Symphonies Wiener Philharmoniker cycle complete on vinyl, in a strictly limited, numbered edition adapted from the first complete release of this cycle on LP in 1980. Newly-cut lacquers from Emil Berliner Studios and 180-gram Optimal pressings • Leonard Bernstein’s legendary Beethoven Symphony cycle with the Wiener Philharmoniker recorded between 1977-1979, plus the Overtures to “Prometheus” and “King Stephen” • DG are utilizing half-speed vinyl mastering to ensure the best possible sound quality – extending the frequency range while reducing distortion and pushing still further what can be achieved with analogue s. • 180g pressings by Optimal and new lacquers cut at Emil Berliner Studios from the remastered original analogue tapes. For fidelity, no side exceeds 29 minutes in length so Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 have both been extended to one more side • 9-LP, Limited, Numbered Edition features lift-off lid box with adapted original cover of the original 1980 release, 2 gatefolds (Nos. 3 & 1, Nos 8 & 9) and 5 separate sleeves presenting the sleeve cover of each LP • Includes liner notes in four languages adapted from the original releases, plus 10 facsimile prints of the original journals of all s “Beethoven has always meant universality to me … I offer this cycle to all music-loving ears as a testament of faith and of my most profound reactions to this greatest of all composers.” Leonard Bernstein Half-Speed Vinyl Mastering When cutting a master lacquer to serve as a stamper for pressing LPs, it is possible to employ what is known as Half-Speed Vinyl Mastering. In this process, both the source (tape or computer) and cutting apparatus are run at half speed. In such transfers, the frequencies are reduced by half, with the transfer time correspondingly doubled. At half-speed, the cutting stylus’ navigation of a “winding” groove in the disc becomes cleaner and smoother. The finished pressing of the long-playing record reproduces the music at normal pitch. Half-Speed Vinyl Mastering makes possible a clear improvement in the reproduction of high frequencies on an LP. The frequency range is extended, while distortions are reduced.