Karl Böhm (1894-1981) & the LSO: Schubert Symphony No.2 (June 28, 1977; London) – Richard Strauss Tod und Verklärung/Death and Transfiguration (August 10, 1977; Salzburg Festival) – Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 (June 1980; St John’s Smith Square; for Deutsche Grammophon).

KB also recorded Tchaikovsky Four & Six with the LSO for DG. This Fifth is probably the best of them.

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Jack Brymer, LSO principal clarinet for numerous years, who played under Karl Böhm, recalled the conductor not just as a strict figure but with deep affection, particularly noting the intense emotional impact of his rehearsals. 

• On Böhm’s Intensity: Brymer wrote: “This was a figure we had known of as a great dictator, but we really got to love him”.
• On Death and Transfiguration: Referring to a rehearsal of Richard Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration (likely the famous 1977 Salzburg performance), Brymer remarked that “the orchestra was so moved that some of the players were in tears, the playing was so wonderfully tragic in its intensity”. 

While some reports highlighted the emotional reaction of audiences and players during the 1977 performance as the music was performed, Brymer specifically confirmed that the, “tears were at rehearsal”.