André Cluytens was an interesting figure and appreciation of his artistry was on the ascent when he died prematurely in 1967 at the age of 62. Born in Belgium in 1905 to a musical family, his career spanned the concert hall, opera house and recording studio and he spent many years as chief conductor of opera houses in Belgium, France and Vienna. He was also was the first Frenchman (he became a citizen in 1940) to conduct Wagner at Bayreuth. In 1949 he succeeded Charles Munch as Chief Conductor of the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra and he toured widely, taking the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to the UK, US, and Canada. He was renowned for his interpretations not only of the French but also German/Austrian repertoire. He made several recordings with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London for EMI in the late '50s and early '60s, of which this is a fine example and the original LP is much sought after by collectors. In the original review in The Gramophone of July 1960, D.C. remarked that - "The performances are full of vitality and brilliantly brought off... 'La Valse' is... a really thrilling affair..." Advertisement in the July 1960 Gramophone - "André Cluytens and The Philharmonia Orchestra - a new LP in STEREO or MONO full of glittering musical contrasts"