Sinfonie Nr. 2 D-dur Op. 36 / Sinfonie Nr. 9 D-moll Op. 125 (Mit Schlußchor Über Schillers Ode „An Die Freude“)

Released by the East German label ETERNA in 1966, this two-LP set captures the monumental Beethoven cycle conducted by Franz Konwitschny with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Konwitschny, who served as the Gewandhauskapellmeister until his death in 1962, was widely celebrated for his interpretations of the Austro-Germanic canon, favoring a balanced, structural approach that avoided the romantic excesses common in other mid-century readings. This recording is a quintessential example of the East German state label's commitment to high-fidelity documentation of their premier symphony orchestra.

The technical production reflects the high standards of VEB Deutsche Schallplatten, utilizing the acoustics of Leipzig’s concert halls to provide a transparent, natural soundstage. Featuring prominent soloists of the era such as Theo Adam and the Rundfunkchor Leipzig, the Ninth Symphony performance is noted for its disciplined, earnest approach. While this specific ETERNA pressing was primarily distributed within the Eastern Bloc, it has since become a sought-after historical document for collectors who appreciate the rigorous, unadorned aesthetic of the Konwitschny era.