In the late 50s, complete performances of Bruckner symphonies were still very rare on record, due to the length of the works and the novelty of vinyl, making every new rendition a true event. Along with Otto Klemperer, Joseph Keilberth was among the trailblazers of this repertoire and the two works he recorded with the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Hamburg State Orchestra are important early milestones of the Bruckner discography.