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

Released in 1977 by the East German state-owned label Eterna, this recording of Beethoven's Ninth and Second Symphonies represents a landmark effort by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig under the direction of Kurt Masur. This production was part of a larger project to document the standard symphonic repertoire with a distinctly Germanic orchestral tradition, utilizing the prestigious Gewandhaus musicians to showcase the technical and interpretative standards of the German Democratic Republic.

The recording features an ensemble cast of vocalists and choral groups, including the Rundfunkchor Leipzig and Berlin, reflecting the deep institutional support for large-scale classical music performances in East Germany. The design aesthetic is characteristic of Eterna's minimalist, archival approach during the 1970s, which prioritized the fidelity of the performance and the historical weight of the works over elaborate cover art, positioning these pressings as standard-bearers for listeners seeking a rigorous and traditionalist interpretation of Beethoven.