Classical Companion

Symphonies Nos 38-41
Warner Classics 2564 63067-2 (2CDs + bonus)
Harnoncourt recorded in his prime with the COE in Vienna, 1991. Fast minuets though, which some wlll dislike. A COE Anniversary set with 15 excerpts from other works as a bonus.

Symphonies Nos 39-41
Linn Records CKD308 (two SACDs)
Sir Charles Mackerras and the SCO. Also available at 88.2kHz/24-bit resolution.

Symphonies, Overtures and Serenades
Warner Classics 4043612 (eight discs)
Klemperer with the NPO/Philharmonia; it is good to see the earlier monos and stereo remakes of Nos 39-41 are reissued here.

Symphonies Nos 40 and 41
DG 413 5472
Karl Böhm’s VPO recordings: short on repeats, slowish speeds. CD-quality download only.

Symphonies Nos 40 and 41
DG 478 3621
Bernstein and the VPO, Musikverein 1984. Symphony No 39 can be seen as a video from 1981 – with the Piano Concerto K453, directed from the keyboard [EuroArts 2072098].

Symphonies Nos 40 and 41
Decca UCCD-7218
Karajan’s two VPO recordings from 1959/62 are currently available as a Japanese import (and reasonably priced on Amazon UK).