Kurt Masur often refers to the 1990s recordings of the Brahms symphonies and overtures as his first major challenge with the New York Philharmonic, which he had taken the direction a few months earlier: “I had to create the warmth of a mid-European sound and an understanding of the spirit of this music”. This collection, also including the rare Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) is one of the major achievements of its time in this particular repertoire.