The first CD of this 6-CD set is devoted to the current Music Director of the Berlin Philharmonic, Sir Simon Rattle, and includes extracts from popular works like Orff's Carmina Burana and The Planets by Holst as well as more substantial works like Mahler's Fifth Symphony and Shostakovich's First Symphony. It also showcases extracts from Rattle's highly acclaimed superb new recording of Tchaikovsky's famous ballet The Nutcracker. CD 2 opens with examples of former Music Director Claudio Abbado's recordings with this great orchestra, including Mozart's Flute Concert No.2 with brilliant soloist Emmanuel Pahud. Following is a group of items conducted by Herbert von Karajan, including Mozart's Concerto for Flute & Harp and Dvorˇák's `New World' Symphony. Continuing with Karajan, the third CD presents a concert of popular works ranging from Mozart's `Eine kleine Nachtmusik' to the spectacular Prelude to Act III of Wagner's Lohengrin. CD 4 begins with several well-known works such as the first movement of Mendelssohn's lively `Italian' Symphony and `Morning' from Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite, all under the batons of guest conductors like Klaus Tennstedt, Jeffrey Tate and Lorin Maazel. These are followed by some spectacular extracts from operas and choral works including the powerful opening scene of Verdi's Otello. CD 5 presents some of the world's greatest instrumental soloists in a range of famous concertos. Violinists Nigel Kennedy and David Oistrakh are heard in Bach and Mozart respectively. Anne-Sophie Mutter plays the beautiful `Méditation' from Massenet's Thaïs and Yehudi Menuhin is heard in Brahms. The great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich gives us a taste of Richard Strauss's Don Quixote and the outstanding Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes performs works by Grieg and Rachmaninov.

The set ends with a collection of recordings by some of the legendary conductors of an earlier time, starting with the first movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony made in 1913 by Arthur Nikisch. There are several items by the much-loved Rudolf Kempe, a rarity by the enigmatic Sergiu Celibidache, who made only a handful of commercial recordings, and several of the acclaimed recordings by Wilhelm Furtwängler, who held the post of Music Director twice and was the predecessor of Herbert von Karajan.

TRACKLIST:

Disc 1
1. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sally Matthews, Christian Gerhaher, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Knaben des Staats- und Domchors Berlin & Simon Halsey – Carmina Burana, Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: O Fortuna – Coro (02:28)
2. Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle – Overture to Candide (04:17)
3. Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle – The Planets, Op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (07:24)
4. Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle – Feux d'artifice (05:04)
5. Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphonie fantastique, Op.14: IV. Marche au supplice (07:16)
6. Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle – Slavonic Dance, Op.46 No.1 (04:05)
7. Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 88 in G Major: IV. Finale (Allegro con spirito) (03:40)
8. Sir Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op.98: III. Allegro giocoso (06:29)
9. Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle – Gymnopédie No. 1 (orch. Debussy) (02:45)
10. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker & Mike Clements – Symphony No. 1, Op.10: Allegro (04:56)
11. Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor: IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsam (09:38)
12. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker & Libera – The Nutcracker – Ballet, Op.71, Act II, No. 12 – Divertissement:: Chocolate: Spanish Dance (01:13)
13. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker & Libera – The Nutcracker – Ballet, Op. 71, Act II, No. 12 – Divertissement: Tea: Chinese Dance (01:11)
14. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker & Libera – The Nutcracker – Ballet, Op. 71, Act II: Variation II: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy (02:25)
15. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker & Libera – The Nutcracker – Ballet, Op.71, Act II: Coda (01:24)
16. Sir Simon Rattle – Polovtsian Dances (from Prince Igor) (03:57)
17. Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker – Pictures at an Exhibition: 9.The Hut on Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yaga)/La Cabane sur des pattes de poule (03:25)
18. Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker – Pictures at an Exhibition: 10. The Great Gate of Kiev/La grande porte de Kiev (06:00)

Disc 2
1. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – I. Allegro aperto (07:31)
2. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – II. Andante ma non troppo (05:54)
3. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – III. Rondeau (Allegro) (05:21)
4. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – Kammermusik No. 1, Op. 24, No. 1: I. Sehr schnell und wild (01:06)
5. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – Kammermusik No. 1, Op. 24, No. 1: II. Mässig schnelle Halbe. Sehr streng im Rhythmus (03:03)
6. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – Kammermusik No. 1, Op. 24, No. 1: III. Quartett. Sehr langsam und mit Ausdruck (03:56)
7. Claudio Abbado & Berliner Philharmoniker – Kammermusik No. 1, Op. 24, No. 1: IV. Finale: 1921 (Lebhaft) (06:05)
8. Sabine Meyer, Berliner Philharmoniker & Claudio Abbado – Première Rhapsodie (08:29)
9. James Galway, Fritz Helmis, Herbert von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker – Flute and Harp Concerto in C K.299 (1985 Remastered Version): II Andantino (04:02)
10. Alexis Weissenberg, Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Piano Concerto No. 5, Op.73 'Emperor' (1996 Remastered Version): II. Adagio un poco mosso (04:28)
11. Alexis Weissenberg, Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Piano Concerto No. 5, Op.73 'Emperor' (1996 Remastered Version): III. Rondo (Allegro) (04:33)
12. Sviatoslav Richter, David Oistrach, David Oistrakh, Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello & Piano in C Major, Op. 56 (1996 Remastered Version): II. Largo (05:34)
13. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Symphony No. 104 in D 'London' (1996 Remastered Version): III. Menuet (04:29)
14. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Symphony No.8 'Unfinished' (1996 Remastered Version): I Allegro moderato (opening) (04:10)
15. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178, 'From the New World': II. Largo (04:36)
16. Maurice André, Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Trumpet Concerto in E flat (ed. F. Oubradous) (1998 Remastered Version): III. Rondo (Allegro molto) (03:39)

Disc 3
1. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525, 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': I. Allegro (05:44)
2. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525, 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': II. Romanze (Andante) (05:56)
3. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525, 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': III. Menuetto (Allegretto) (02:23)
4. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525, 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': IV. Rondo (Allegro) (03:21)
5. Herbert von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker – 3 German Dances, K. 605: No. 3 in C Major, 'Die Schlittenfahrt' (02:47)
6. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Water Music – Suite (arr. Harty): VI. Allegro decisio (03:35)
7. Herbert von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker – Ma Vlast (1986 Remastered Version): Vltava, B.111 (1874) (05:29)
8. Herbert von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker – An die schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314 (Excerpt) (03:49)
9. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Tritsch-Tratsch, Polka schnell, Op. 214 (02:40)
10. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – La damnation de Faust, Op. 24: Hungarian March (04:18)
11. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Valse triste, Op. 44/1 (06:05)
12. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Karelia Suite, Op.11 (2005 Remastered Version): I. Intermezzo (04:03)
13. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Karelia Suite, Op.11 (2005 Remastered Version): III. Alla marcia (04:58)
14. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Concerto for Orchestra, Sz.116 (1989 Remastered Version): I. Introduzione (Andante non troppo – Allegro vivace) (04:26)
15. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – L'Arlésienne (1989 Remastered Version): Farandole (03:25)
16. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo (05:27)
17. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Lohengrin – Prelude Act III (1990 Remastered Version) (03:16)

Disc 4
1. Berliner Philharmoniker & Klaus Tennstedt – Symphony No. 4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': I. Allegro vivace – Più animato (07:49)
2. Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphonie No. 8 En Fa Majeur Op.93 : II Allegretto Scherzando (Remasterisé En 2006) (04:02)
3. Berliner Philharmoniker, Jeffrey Tate & Sylvia McNair – Peer Gynt: Prelude (Morning) (03:53)
4. Cochran, Mariss Jansons & Berliner Philharmoniker – Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny – Suite aus der oper: No. 1 Allegro giusto (01:15)
5. Cochran, Mariss Jansons & Berliner Philharmoniker – Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny – Suite aus der oper: No. 2 Moderato assai (02:27)
6. Berliner Philharmoniker & Lorin Maazel – Slavonic Dances, B.83: (Op.46 – Nos. 1-8); B.147 (Op.72 – Nos. 1-8): No. 1 in B Major: Odzemek (Molto vivace), Op.72 (04:21)
7. Berliner Philharmoniker & Lorin Maazel – Slavonic Dances, B.83: (Op.46 – Nos. 1-8); B.147 (Op.72 – Nos. 1-8): No. 5 in B Flat Minor: Spacirká (Poco adagio – vivace), Op.72 (02:50)
8. Berliner Philharmoniker & Lorin Maazel – Slavonic Dances, B.83: (Op.46 – Nos. 1-8); B.147 (Op.72 – Nos. 1-8): No. 7 in C Major: Kolo (Allegro vivace), Op.72 (03:30)
9. Angela Denoke, Jon Villars, Juliane Banse, Thomas Quasthoff, Alan Held, Berliner Philharmoniker, Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Sir Simon Rattle, Rainer Trost, Thomas Ebenstein, Ion Tibrea, Arnold Schoenberg Chor & Erwin Ortner – Fidelio, Act I: No. 3 Quartett: Mir ist so wunderbar (Marzelline/Leonore/Rocco/Jaquino) (03:39)
10. Angela Denoke, Jon Villars, Juliane Banse, Alan Held, Thomas Quasthoff, Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Berliner Philharmoniker, Rainer Trost, Sir Simon Rattle, Thomas Ebenstein, Ion Tibrea, Arnold Schoenberg Chor & Erwin Ortner – Fidelio, Act II: Wer ein holdes Weib errungen (Chours, Florestan, Leonore, Marzelline, Jaquino, Fernando, Rocco) (03:55)
11. Herbert von Karajan, Leontyne Price, Elena Obraztsova, Piero Cappuccilli, Maria Venuti, Chöre der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin & Berliner Philharmoniker – Il trovatore: Vedi le fosche notturne spoglie (Anvil Chorus) (03:05)
12. Herbert von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker – Otello (1988 Remastered Version), Act I: Una vela! (06:30)
13. Klaus Tennstedt & Berliner Philharmoniker – Die Walküre: Walkürenritt (The Ride of the Valkyries) (Act III) (05:22)
14. Helga Dernesch, Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Tristan und Isolde (1988 Remastered Version), Act III, Scene III: Mild und leise wie er lächelt (Isoldes Liebestod) (07:23)
15. Wiener Singverein, Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, José Van Dam & Helmut Froschauer – Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) Op.45 (1988 Remastered Version): IV. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (Mässig bewegt) (05:29)
16. Patrizia Pace, Waltraud Meier, Gustaf Sjokvist, Swedish Radio Choir, Stockholm Chamber Choir, Berliner Philharmoniker, Riccardo Muti & Eric Ericson – Mass No. 19 in D minor, 'Requiem' K. 626: Lacrimosa (03:41)
17. Angela Gheorghiu, Daniela Barcellona, Daniella Barcellona, Bo Wannefors, Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, Choeurs Orfeon Donostiarra, Orfeon Donostiarra, José Antonio Sainz Alfaro, Berliner Philharmoniker & Claudio Abbado – Messa di Requiem: Sanctus (02:44)

Disc 5
1. Nigel Kennedy & Berliner Philharmoniker – I. [Allegro] (03:47)
2. Nigel Kennedy & Berliner Philharmoniker – II. Andante (06:52)
3. Nigel Kennedy & Berliner Philharmoniker – III. Allegro assai (03:21)
4. David Oistrach, David Oistrakh & Berliner Philharmoniker – Violin Concerto No. 3 in G, K.216 (1989 Remastered Version): III. Rondeau (Allegro – Andante – Allegretto) (06:46)
5. Yehudi Menuhin, Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Violin Concerto in D, Op.77 (1988 Remastered Version): III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace (08:20)
6. Leif Ove Andsnes, Mariss Jansons & Berliner Philharmoniker – Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.16: II. Adagio (06:18)
7. Anne-Sophie Mutter, Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Thaïs: Méditation (06:47)
8. Sarah Chang, Berliner Philharmoniker & Plácido Domingo – Introduction:Allegro moderato (02:53)
9. Sarah Chang, Berliner Philharmoniker & Plácido Domingo – I. Moderato (02:08)
10. Sarah Chang, Berliner Philharmoniker & Plácido Domingo – II. Lento assai (02:27)
11. Sarah Chang, Berliner Philharmoniker & Plácido Domingo – III. Allegro moderato (01:52)
12. Sarah Chang, Berliner Philharmoniker & Plácido Domingo – IV. Moderato (02:34)
13. Yehudi Menuhin, Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwaengler & Wilhelm Furtwängler – Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.64 (1999 Remastered Version): II. Andante – Allegretto non troppo (08:00)
14. Berliner Philharmoniker & Herbert von Karajan – Don Quixote – fantastic variations, Op.35 (1996 Remastered Version): Thema: Mäßig – Don Quixote. The Knight of the Mournful Countenance (02:23)
15. Leif Ove Andsnes, Berliner Philharmoniker & Antonio Pappano – Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 1: III. Allegro vivace (07:50)

Disc 6
1. Arthur Nikisch, Berliner Philharmoniker & Artur Nikisch – Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 (2002 Remastered Version): I. Allegro con brio (06:45)
2. Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwaengler & Wilhelm Furtwängler – Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique' (2010 Remastered Version): III. Allegro molto vivace (09:21)
3. Berliner Philharmoniker & Sergiu Celibidache – Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical' (2011 Remastered Version): III. Gavotte (01:49)
4. Edwin Fischer & Berliner Philharmoniker – Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat, Op. 83 (1999 Remastered Version): II. Allegro appassionato (08:39)
5. Berliner Philharmoniker, Chöre der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Rudolf Kempe & Hermann Lüeddecke – Der fliegende Holländer – Overture (1994 Remastered Version) (11:21)
6. Berliner Philharmoniker, Rudolf Kempe, Chöre der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Karl Forster & Hermann Lüeddecke – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1994 Remastered Version): Dance of the Apprentices & Entry of the Mastersingers: 'Ihr tanz? Was werden die Meister Sagen?' (05:34)
7. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Theme: Andante 'Chorale St. Antoni' (02:08)
8. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation I: Poco più animato (01:06)
9. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation II: Più vivace (00:56)
10. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation III: Con moto (01:48)
11. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation IV: Con moto (01:52)
12. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation V: Vivace (00:58)
13. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation VI: Vivace (01:10)
14. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation VII: Grazioso (02:33)
15. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Variation VIII: Presto non troppo (01:02)
16. Berliner Philharmoniker & Rudolf Kempe – Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a (1994 Remastered Version): Finale: Andante (03:51)
17. Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwaengler & Wilhelm Furtwängler – Leonore Overture No. 2, Op. 72a (2010 Remastered Version) (16:04)