Herbert Von Karajan: Vienna Philharmonic

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio    
2. Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: II. Andante cantabile con moto    
3. Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: III. Minuetto. Allegro molto e vivace    
4. Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: IV. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace    
5. Franz Schubert, Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 "Unfinished": I. Allegro moderato    
See all 15 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major (Haas edition): I. Adagio - Allegro    
2. Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major (Haas edition): II. Adagio    
3. Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major (Haas edition): III. Scherzo. Molto vivace    
4. Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major (Haas edition): IV. Finale. Adagio - Allegro moderato    
Disc: 3
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mass in C major, K. 317 "Coronation": I. Kyrie    
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mass in C major, K. 317 "Coronation": II. Gloria    
3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mass in C major, K. 317 "Coronation": III. Credo    
4. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mass in C major, K. 317 "Coronation": IV. Sanctus    
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mass in C major, K. 317 "Coronation": V. Benedictus    
See all 11 tracks on this disc
Disc: 4
1. Franz Joseph Haydn, Symphony No. 104 in D major, HV I/104: I. Adagio - Allegro    
2. Franz Joseph Haydn, Symphony No. 104 in D major, HV I/104: II. Andante    
3. Franz Joseph Haydn, Symphony No. 104 in D major, HV I/104: III. Minuetto. Allegro    
4. Franz Joseph Haydn, Symphony No. 104 in D major, HV I/104: IV. Finale. Spiritoso    
5. Antonin Dvorák, Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88: I. Allegro con brio    
See all 8 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Truly a legend in his own time, Herbert von Karajan was both celebrated and criticized for the "beautiful" sound he cultivated over hundreds of best-selling studio recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic. This four-CD set helps answer the critics by showcasing the conductor at his most intense — live in the 1960s and '70s.

Leading the Vienna Philharmonic, Karajan offers more mental — and, arguably, his most compelling — interpretations of his signature works; highlights include Haydn's "London" Symphony, Schubert's "Unfinished," and Dvoràk's Eighth, as well as Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra and sacred works by Mozart and Bruckner.

Drawn from the Salzburg Festival archives, these recordings — dating from 1964 to 1979, with three of the four discs in stereo — were digitally remastered by Ton Eichinger Studio in Vienna.

Packaged in an eye-catching slipcase, the 120-page book features iconic photos of the conductor in action, as well as rarely seen images of the composers. The extensive texts include an introduction by Pulitzer Prize–winner Tim Page, a scene-setting note by producer Gottfried Kraus, a penetrating essay by Karajan biographer Richard Osborne ("More Psychology Than Algebra: Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic") and detailed artist biographies from The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. All texts appear in English, French and German.

Herbert Von Karajan: Vienna Philharmonic, Music, Joanna Simon, José Van Dam, Ludwig van Beethoven, Anton Bruckner, Antonin Dvorak, Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Richard Strauss, Herbert von Karajan, Wiener Philharmoniker, Edith Mathis, Horst R. Laubenthal, Box Sets (Audio Only), Choral, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Period Symphony, Mass, Orchestral, Orchestral & Symphonic, Romantic Symphony, Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra, Symphonic, Te Deum
The Ultimate Puccini Collection
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Correction to the entry by "sergiocqh"
  • Fantastic!
  • HATE OPERA? THIS ONE WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND
  • "Ultimate" only if you like your opera "al fresco"!
  • Wonderful Performance but Average Recording Quality
 The Ultimate Puccini Collection
Giacomo Puccini , Herbert von Karajan , Riccardo Chailly , Stephen Barlow , Tullio Serafin , Lorin Maazel , Sir Edward Downes , Giuseppe Patane , Zubin Mehta , Alberto Erede , John Mauceri , Plácido Domingo , José Carreras , Kiri Te Kanawa , John Alldis Choir , Luciano Pavarotti , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Bologna Community Theater Orchestra , Ettore Bastianini , Carlo Bergonzi , Renato Cesari , Fernando Corena , Cesare Siepi , Renata Tebaldi , Gianna D'Angelo , Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra , Franco Corelli , Alfredo Mariotti , Regine Crespin , Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden , London Symphony Orchestra , Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra , Rome Opera House Orchestra , Pilar Lorengar , Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble , Mirella Freni , Rolando Panerai , Jussi Bjorling , Leontyne Price , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by PucciniAll Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Price, LeontynePrice, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Sutherland, JoanSutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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  3. Puccini Without Words
  4. Puccini: Great Opera Arias
  5. The #1 Opera Album

ASIN: B000007OU1
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

  1. Turnadot: Nessun Dorma!
  2. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
  3. Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
  4. La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz Song
  5. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
  6. Madame Butterfly: Un Bel Di
  7. TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
  8. La rondine: Il Sogno Di Doretta
  9. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
  10. La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mini
  11. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Love Duet, Act I
  12. Ch'ella mi creda libero
  13. TOSCA: Ah, Quegli Occhi...Qual'occhio Al Mondo - Love Duet, Act I
  14. TOSCA: Vissi D'Arte
  15. Madame Butterfly: Vogliatemi Bene - Love Duet, Act I
  16. La Boheme: Donde Lieta Usci
  17. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta!
  18. Turandot: In Questa Reggia

Amazon.com essential recording

Ordinarily, it pays to be wary of collections such as these, which often promise a lot but deliver a mishmash of disconnected excerpts. This disc, however, is something of an exception: you really do get just about all of Puccini's best arias, which is possible, because he didn't write so many operas that choosing the best moments becomes a matter of the producer's personal taste. Also, Puccini's operas are so popular that every major label has excellent complete recordings of all of them, so in making this compilation it was possible to cast from strength: all the singers here are fine. In fact, the only proviso that needs to be made before you rush out and add this disc to your collection is that it's wrong to assume that all of Puccini's best tunes lie in his arias. The opening 10 minutes of any one of his operas will tell you that's not true. So by all means enjoy this disc--then start sampling the operas complete. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Correction to the entry by "sergiocqh".......2005-11-08

"Quando m'en vo" is not omitted from this CD; it is just called "Musetta's waltz song." It is the same aria.

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic!.......2003-10-14

This is one of the first opera CDs I ever got. It's wonderful for just about any body;from the newbies like me or the opera fanatics. I especially like 'In Questa Reggia'. Buy it now!!

5 out of 5 stars HATE OPERA? THIS ONE WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND.......2003-09-04

The Ultimate Puccini Collection features some of Puccini's most arias and will appeal to even the most ardent operaphobes.

A great listening experience featuring some of the greatest opera performers of all time.

3 out of 5 stars "Ultimate" only if you like your opera "al fresco"!.......2002-06-13

The music is without question, among the most beautiful ever written. But the quality of the fidelity tells me that many of the selections were recorded live in concert in outdoor venues. I wish that was clear to me before I bought the disc. So, is the music the ultimate? YES! Is the recording the ultimate? NO!

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful Performance but Average Recording Quality.......2002-02-18

I love opera! I love Puccini! Not only is the vocalism important to me, but the quality of the recording as well. I enjoy my hi-tech sound system. I like to feel as if I am sitting in the front row of the first balcony when I listen to opera. This CD is excellent! The vocalists were well chosen. The technical performances are eloquent and emotional, as Puccini should be. However, the quality of the recording is not very good. No matter how you adjust your sound system, the recording is a bit tinny and as a result, the emotional high points of the arias are not as vibrant as they could be if the recording were of better quality. I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves Puccini and who is not as finicky as I!
2001: A Space Odyssey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996 Reissue)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • great music, great reissue
  • fantastic
  • whoa.
  • Great Music for Halloween, very creepy
  • Bleakest of Futures...
 2001: A Space Odyssey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996 Reissue)

Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. 2001 - A Space Odyssey
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  5. The Ligeti Project II: Lontano / Atmosphères / Apparitions / San Francisco Polyphony / Concert Românesc - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Jonathan Nott

ASIN: B0000033WB
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

  1. Overture: Atmospheres - The Sudwesfunk Orchestra, Ernest Bour
  2. Main Title: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) - The Vienna Philharmonic, Herbert Von Karajan
  3. Requiem For Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs & Orchestra - The Bavarian Radio Orchetra, Francis Travis
  4. The Blue Danube (Excerpt) - The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Von Karajan
  5. Lux Aeterna - The Stuttgart Schola Cantorum, Clytus Gottwold
  6. Gayane Ballet Suite (Adagio) - The Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Gennadi Rezhdestvensky
  7. Jupiter And Beyond - The Bavarian Radio Orchestra, Francis Travis, The Sudwesfunk Orchestra, Ernest Bour, Internationale.
  8. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  9. The Blue Danube (Reprise) - The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Von Karajan
  10. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) - Sudwesfunk Orchestra
  11. Lux Aeterna - The Stuttgart Schola Cantorum, Clytus Gottwold
  12. Adventures (Unaltered) - Internationale Musikinstitut, Gyorgy Ligeti
  13. HAL 9000 - Dialog Montage

Amazon.com

This commemorative reissue of music from 2001: A Space Odyssey combines the Also sprach Zarathustra theme, various Johann and Richard Strauss segments, and a ballet suite by Aram Khachaturian--all of which prove how much Stanley Kubrick's film attempts to avoid the soundtrack clichés of most science-fiction movies. Instead of the expected sci-fi effects, there is a more ironic application of music that would be otherwise incongruous to the celestial settings. Here, "The Blue Danube" complements scenes involving weightlessness and descending spacecraft, while Gyorgy Ligeti's creepy "monolith" music connotes Armageddon more than interplanetary exploration. The tracks play as they had appeared on the original soundtrack release back in the '60s, but there is also previously unreleased supplemental material and a dialogue montage entitled "HAL 9000." --Joseph Lanza

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars great music, great reissue.......2007-04-16

This is a great collection of music and I love the great mastering job that was done with this. The inclusion of the tracks from the original MGM soundtrack release are a great bonus. The liner notes include interpretations of the film and the music that are insightful.

I noticed that the music in the movie is mixed in surround sound, it would be great if they could release this on DVD-Audio or SACD surround. I'd buy it again!

5 out of 5 stars fantastic.......2007-03-11

I have the old lp release of this music, what an incredible array of classical music, topped off by my personal favorite piece of music in the world, the blue danube waltz. Let yourself be carried away in deep space by this incredible score.

5 out of 5 stars whoa........2006-09-04

"Atmospheres" was enough to make me buy this album. just try to imagine what eternity might sound like. okay, now you know exactly what Atmospheres is. wow. who else could having captured the feelings that are in this score? this is above talented. this is above genius. this is above avand garde. this is too good to be labeled as anything at all.

5 out of 5 stars Great Music for Halloween, very creepy.......2006-03-17

I bought this CD to use for a haunted house program, the music will creep you out.

5 out of 5 stars Bleakest of Futures..........2005-10-08

The atonal, unsettling atmosphere of much of the music of Ligeti is fitting to the bleak vision of a human future reigned by nothing but cold technology and of humans drained of emotions except for the deepest animalist fear originating from our inner reptilian brainparts which have not changed for over millions of years. The incongruity of Johann Strauss' lovely 'An der schönen blauen Donau' with the cold technicality of spacefaring as depicted here could not be more complete, but what a perfect find on Stanley Kubrick's part! It makes the uneasiness and confusion even greater. And then, to top it of, the complete and flabbergasting irony of using Richard Strauss' Fanfare for the 'rise of Man' in his 'Also Sprach Zarathustra': what a great destiny for 'Man' indeed, this bleakest of bleak visions of the future!
As a soundtrack for '2001: A Space Odyssey' this music together on one album is just great.
And besides, this soundtrack has indeed, like so many others I guess, made me aware of the genius of Ligeti, which otherwise might have gone unnoticed for me.
Strauss: The Best of Vienna
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc.
  • I am glad I bought this one
  • Great Music as usual
  • A gem!
  • Amazing truly Amazing
 Strauss: The Best of Vienna

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000HY9K
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

  1. The Blue Danube - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  2. Anna Polka - (French Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  3. Morning Papers - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  4. At The Hunt - (Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  5. Light of Heart - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  6. Wine, Women And Song - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  7. Pleasure - Train - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  8. Vienna Bonbons - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  9. Perpetual Motion - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  10. Accelarations - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  11. Pizzicato - Polka - (Johann And Josef Strauss) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
  12. Tales From The Vienna Woods - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.

Tracks:

  1. The Emperor Waltz - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  2. Thunder and Lightning - (Fast Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  3. Die Fledermaus: Overture - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  4. Voices of Spring - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  5. Prince Methusalem: Bandit Gallop - (From 'Prince Methusalem') - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  6. Artist's Life - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  7. Persian March - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  8. Roses from the South - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  9. Eljen a Magyar! - (Fast Hungarian Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  10. Chit-Chat Polka - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  11. Vienna Blood - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  12. Radetzky-March - (Johann Strauss, Father) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc........2005-02-23

If I'm not mistaken, most of the pieces were recorded originally live during a 1984 New Year's Concert conducted by Lorin Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic playing in its grand concert hall, the Musikverein. Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic have had a longstanding relationship dating from the 1960's, and without question, this CD does rank among my favorite New Year's Concert performances (However, the most mesmerizing ones I've heard have been those with the late Carlos Kleiber and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.) for the superb quality of the Vienna Philharmonic's playing. Maazel leads the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in some of the most popular works composed by the Strauss family, most notably Johann II Strauss' Tales from the Vienna Woods Waltz, Emperor Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Blue Danube Waltz and his father's Radetzky March, which traditionally closes out the annual New Year's Concert. Fans of the Strauss family, Vienna Philharmonic and Lorin Maazel, will not be disappointed with this excellent two CD compilation.

5 out of 5 stars I am glad I bought this one.......2003-04-25

I listen to this cd to relax and it is so soothing. It starts with The blue Danube, which is my favorite. But the rest of the songs do not disapoint.

5 out of 5 stars Great Music as usual.......2002-10-08

This is great recording,
I enjoy listening to it
veru much. This is a
compilation of all the
favorite waltzes by
the Strauss family, that
one might hear at a
New Year's eve concert
of the Vienna Philharmonic...
All waltzes and Polkas are
favorites of audiences everywhere
in the world...

5 out of 5 stars A gem!.......2001-10-29

Who else knows Strauss better than Viennese? I attest that no other orchestra in the world plays Strauss better than the Vienna Philharmonic. Their light sound is exactly what the composer wanted, and it really makes other clumsy, heavy attempts by some other orchestras like Berlin and Chicago seem pathetic.

As far as the content of these CDs go, they are fantastic. They have every waltz, march, and polko of Strauss II that you could possibly want, as well as a nice addition of "Radetzky March" by the composer's father. If you are looking for a Johann Strauss Jr. CD, get this one!

5 out of 5 stars Amazing truly Amazing.......2000-05-09

This 2 CD is amazing. It is great for plane rides and other things. I always listen to it at work. Allmost every song on this CD is beautiful and graceful. The blue danube is a classic and my personal favorite song on this album. Some of the songs are okay but none are bad. Overall this is an amazing 2 CD collection and it is worth every cent of your money . . .
Tune Your Brain with Mozart
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Tune Your Brain Music Series is Great!
  • Tune your brain with Mozart
  • Great first time clasical experience
  • Excellent choice!
  • Serendipitous Treasure
 Tune Your Brain with Mozart

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartAll Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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  5. Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 3, Unlock the Creative Spirit

ASIN: B000001H05
Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

  1. IQ Booster: Sinfonia Concertante For Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon And Orchestra In E Flat Major, K. App. C. 14.01 - Third Movement: Andantino Con Variazioni
  2. Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Divertimento In B Flat Major, K. 287 - Fouth Movement: Adagio
  3. Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Wind Serenade In E Flat Major, K. 375 - Third Movement: Adagio
  4. Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Violin Concerto No. 3 In G Major, K. 216 - Second Movement: Adagio
  5. Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Divertimento In D Major, K. 251 - Third Movement: Andantino
  6. Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Posthorn Serenade In D Major, K. 320 - Third Movement: Andante Grazioso
  7. IQ Booster: Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K. 622 - Third Movement: Rondo. Allegro
  8. Think Fast: Beta Wave Music: Sonata For Piano And Violin In B Flat Major, K. 454 - Third Movement: Allegretto
  9. Think Fast: Beta Wave Music: String Quartet In G Major, K. 387 - First Movement: Allegro vivace assai
  10. Think Fast: Beta Wave Music: Wind Serenade In C Minor, K. 388 - Fourth Movement: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Tune Your Brain Music Series is Great!.......2007-04-06

I love this series of classical music. See my review for Mozart: Energize. Besides listening to lovely music, work gets done!
LShamlian

5 out of 5 stars Tune your brain with Mozart.......2006-11-16

I put the cd music on my I-pod and listen to it while I study.

5 out of 5 stars Great first time clasical experience.......2006-07-02

Wanted to try the "Mozart Effect" on my teenage niece who only listened to rap and teen-pop. She said the first time she heard this it was like electrical sparks lighting up her brain. She loved it.

I am already familiar with classical music. This compilation is very well chosen, edited and engineered. There are some less than common selections, so even if you already have many symphonies, there will be some different music on this CD. Nothing is too long. The tempo is both mildly relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Good for studying or thinking.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent choice!.......2001-10-28

I bought this CD to play in my Kindergarten classroom. It is great for transition time - I turn it on to signal the children that it is time to clean up and meet me on the rug. They clean up, sit on the rug and close their eyes for a minute. This really works to calm them down and they seem to like the music. This CD is a must have!!!

5 out of 5 stars Serendipitous Treasure.......2000-11-01

I bought this CD just to have some classical music to listen to while driving across the deserts of the western US (classical radio stations are, alas, not too plentiful in rurual areas). It was on sale and looked like it would be reasonably good (how could one go too wrong with Mozart anyhow?). It also featured several selections I did not have on other CD's, so it would be a good addition to the Mozart section, I figured.

I had no idea a 'budget' CD could be this good. Whether or not this actually tunes your brain as the producers claim, the music is just stellar. Mozart was one of history's great composers, but the selection of works here is just astonishing in scope, composition, and variety. The performances and recording quality match the quality of the music too. This CD works as a "Mozart conoisseur's" collection.

While these are not Mozart's best known or most popular selections (The Marriage of Figaro, Ein Klein Nachtmuzik, etc. have to be located elsewhere), every song on this CD is a masterpiece -- living up to the descriptive line from "Amadeus" ('..Displace one note and you would only mar perfection...').

Even if you already have a sizaeable classical collection, this CD is a very worthwhile addition. At a bargain price, it's a real deal--almost a steal.
Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos / Richter
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great performance, poor remastering
  • Eloquence with hands of steel and a heart of fire
  • A performance that will live as long as recorded music
  • Idyosincratic Tchaikovsky , enigmatic Rachmaninov!
  • POWER
 Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos / Richter

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter
  2. Brahms: Concerto No.2/Beethoven: Sonata No.23
  3. Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata
  4. The Sofia Recital 1958
  5. Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 / Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

ASIN: B000001GQD
Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

  1. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor: 1. Moderato
  2. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor: 2. Adagio sostenuto
  3. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor: 3. Allegro scherzando
  4. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor: 1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
  5. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor: 2. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo -Tempo I
  6. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor: 3. Allegro con fuoco

Amazon.com essential recording

Although the late Sviatoslav Richter spent his later years concentrating on Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn, he never completely abandoned the music of his native country. His reading of Rachmaninov's most popular concerto, captured in fine late-'50s stereo, is one of the most glorious ever recorded. Richter's amazing technique is completely up to the demands of Rachmaninov's difficult writing, and he plays the heart-on-sleeve melodies with such refined intensity that they never sound sentimental. This performance is a truly amazing example of great pianism, very strongly supported by the fine orchestra and its little-known conductor. Unfortunately, the accompanying Tchaikovsky is a dud. Karajan and Richter recorded this work together as a favor to a record-company executive, but they don't seem to be in sympathy. The conductor's excessive refinement holds the pianist back, and the result is much too restrained for the music. Never mind. The Rachmaninov alone is easily worth the price of this disc. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Great performance, poor remastering.......2007-02-19

Previous reviews extoll the virtues of Richter's performance, and indeed it is magnificent. Unfortunately, the remastering of this recording did not produce a quality result. The dynamics are poor, resulting in fuzzy strings, and horns and a less than vibrant sound from Richter's piano. There is no sense of "presence". This is a valuable recording for those with two or more copies of the Rach 2, who want this one as a historic performance or for collectors of Richter. If this is your first copy and you have a decent sound system, steer clear.

5 out of 5 stars Eloquence with hands of steel and a heart of fire.......2006-07-09

Richter's work has long been a benchmark in the library of piano virtuosity, but in these two selections, he has transcended normal experience. For an artist to insert himself into the world of music on such a grand scale is to take great risks, and that is exactly what he has done. I believe that at a point, Richter and the music become one and the same. It is as though he were fused to each note. The result is a performance that is both flawless and yet, warm, sonorous and full. There is nothing that he has left out. He is an artist for the ages, and we are richer for his presence at the keyboard.

5 out of 5 stars A performance that will live as long as recorded music.......2006-01-19

There is nearly unanimous consensus that Richter's 1959 recording of the Rachmaninov 2nd rises to a height challenged only by the composer himself. Richter's ability to play the fastest passagework while moving from soft to loud and back again is breathtaking--speed doesn't change his control over dynamics one bit. But that's to pick out a single aspect of a performance that is by turns noble, lyrical, passionate, and poetic. One could spend the whole performance marveling just at the independence of Richter's two hands. He rescues this thrice-familiar work from its fulsome reputation. Rowicki conducts well, but the recorded sound is thin, and the Warsaw Phil. decidedly provincial. None of which matters a bit.

Reviewers here echo the Amazon critic in disparaging the Tchaikovsky First from 1963, although it is in better sound than the Rchmaninov and played better by the orchestra, too--Karajan had a special relationship with the Vienna Sym., a sorry ensemble under most conductors. I like this performance a great deal. Richter isn't highly individual--he plays for strength and dignity in the first movement, not for Horowitz's burn-down-the-house virtuosity, and in the last movement he applies restrained delicacy. Since the Tchaikovsky First is the deadest of dead horses to me, I liked hearing such thoughtful musicality. As for Richter and Karajan being on different pages, they sound together to me. Taste, what can you say? Five stars for both performances.

5 out of 5 stars Idyosincratic Tchaikovsky , enigmatic Rachmaninov!.......2004-08-17

The Tchaikovsky piano concerto was approached for Richter as a imperial concert and not as a simple introspective and romantic work .
This idea is extremely remarkable since you muts notice the fact the three first symphonies are deeply imperials , epic and surrounded for the epic majesty and russian pride .
But since the four till the sixth , the conception changes completely . We see the man and his inner sorrows and his fears.
In this sense the most of the western pianist play Tchaikovsky , as the wounded man tired due his personal tragedy .
Richter turns around the clock and reveals Tchaikovsky with the same spirit that we know in his first Symphny , radian and filled with vitality and fierce.
The slow tempo does not mean a rendition but a clever statement about a transition between the youth and the mature age . Karajan in this sense did not make any special contributtion in this case . He respected Richter and knew about his special rapport for Tchaikovsky . I mean you will feel the required histamina in the last bars but as a natural consequence of the musical language and not a simple firework exercise.
In the case of Rachmaninov , Richter keeps the romantic mood , and he avoids the excesive self indulgence so typical of Rachmaninov .
The emphasis turns around another levels , such as the epic nosthalgy for the land he will never see again and obviosuly the hidden homagge to his beloved friend the hypnotist doctor Dahl who rescued him from the alcohol hell .
Rowicki was one of the best polish conductors in any age . He understood perfectly this rapture feeling and the key was simply overwhelming .
Fundamental issue in your personal collection.

5 out of 5 stars POWER.......2004-05-20

Richter's performance on this cd reminds me very much of Rush's 2112 album. You are captivated from the moment you hit play, and you are taken on a journey. But by the end, you realize that every time you will pay it another visit, you will discover a whole new world of aesthetics that you had no prior perception of. Not just compositionally, but the same goes for what Richter's soul has to say. It's like getting two stories in one! This may initially sound ironic, given that his devilishly careful, almost brooding pacing, finds many listeners opting for Ashkenazy's spin. However, for me, the more thoughtful ... a performance is, the more intricacies there are to be found. When you listen to Rush, you barely get anything from the first listen... but you just KNOW that there IS an eternity of SOMETHING to be gathered, if you listen over and over again. So, in either case, you become strangely obsessed and fixated, drawn to listen just one more time. I suppose to really go out there, I will compare Richter to an artistic bag of potato chips. You must just keep going. That's not to say you get nothing from the first listen! Indeed, those familiar with the concerto and/or Richter will be blown away, regardless. But with every chord of the 1st movement of the Rach 2nd, you sense a world of unspoken stories, meaning, content! Warning, though - if you don't like being analytical, this isn't the recording for you. People complain of orchestral faults, injections of political issues, etc. etc.... but what captivates me every time I listen to Richter, is how superb he is at upping the ante for the utopian combination of brains and emotion. ... The same is to be said for the Tchaikovsky. Whatever stressors surround the nature of the recording, a true musician puts it all aside (OR uses it as fuel to the fire!) and performs a miracle at the piano. If you are openminded, buy this - you won't be disappointed. Rather,... you'll become addicted.
Verdi: Il Trovatore
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Price, Corelli and Karajan at their peaks--need any more be said?
  • Grab it before it goes away. . .
  • Brilliant Trovatore
  • A review plus corrections
  • Exceptional and Exciting
 Verdi: Il Trovatore

Manufacturer: Gala
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Puccini: Turandot
  2. Gounod: Romeo Et Juliette
  3. Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge
  4. Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan
  5. The Very Best of Franco Corelli

ASIN: B000001XN2
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

  1. Il Trovatore: Act I: Introduzione: 'All 'erta! All'erta!' (Ferrando, Coro)
  2. Il Trovatore: Act I: Di due figli vivea padre beato... Abbietta zingara' (Ferrando, Coro)
  3. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: Scena e Cavatina: 'Che piu t'arresti?' (Ines, Leonora)
  4. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Tacea la notte placida...Di tale amor' (Leonora, Ines)
  5. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: Scena, Romanza e Terzetto: 'Tace la notte' (Il Conte)
  6. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Deserto sulla terra' (Manrico, Il Conte)
  7. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Non m'inganno. Ella scende!... Di geloso amor' (Il Conte, Leonora, Manrico)
  8. Il Trovatore: Act II: Coro di Zingari e Canzone: 'Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie' (Coro)
  9. Il Trovatore: Act II: 'Stride la vampa' (Azucena)
  10. Il Trovatore: Act II: 'Mesta e la tua canzon!' (Coro, Azucena, Manrico, Un vecchio zengaro)
  11. Il Trovatore: Act II: Scena e Racconto: 'Soli or siam!' (Manrico, Azucena)
  12. Il Trovatore: Act II: 'Condotta ell'era in ceppi' (Azucena, Manrico)
  13. Il Trovatore: Act II: Scena e Duetto: 'Non son tuo figlio?' (Manrico, Azucena)
  14. Il Trovatore: Act II: 'Mal reggendo all'aspro assalto' (Manrico, Azucena, Un messo)
  15. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: Scena ad Aria: 'Tutto e deserto' (Il Conte, Ferrando)
  16. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: Il balen del suo sorriso...per me, ora fatale' (Il Conte, Ferrando, Coro)
  17. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: Finale II: 'Ah! se l'error t'ingombra' (Coro, Il Conte, Ferrando)
  18. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Perche piangete?' (Leonoro, Ines, Il Conte, Coro)
  19. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'E deggio, e posso crederlo?' (Leonora, Il Conte, Manrico, Ferrando, Coro, Ines, Ruiz)

Tracks:

  1. Il Trovatore: Act III: Coro d'Introduzione: 'Or co'dadi' (Coro, Ferrando)
  2. Il Trovatore: Act III: Scena e Terzetto: 'In braccio al mio rival!' (Il Conte, Ferrando, Coro, Azucena)
  3. Il Trovatore: Act III: 'Giorni poveri vivea' (Azucena, Ferrando, Il Conte, Coro)
  4. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: scena ed Aria: 'Quale d'armi fragor poc'anzi intesi?' (Leonora, Manrico)
  5. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Ah! si, ben mio' (Manrico)
  6. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'L'onda de'suoni mistici' (Leonora, Manrico)
  7. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Manrico?'-'Che?'-'La zingara' (Ruiz, Manrico, Leonora)
  8. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Di quella pira' (Manrico, Leonora, Ruiz, Coro)
  9. Il Trovatore: Act IV: Scena, Aria e Miserere 'Siam giunti' (Ruiz, Leonora)
  10. Il Trovatore: Act IV: 'D'amor sull'ali rosee' (Leonora)
  11. Il Trovatore: Act IV: 'Miserere' (Coro, Leonora, Manrico)
  12. Il Trovatore: Act IV: Scena e Duetto: 'Udiste? Come albeggi' (Il Conte, Leonora)
  13. Il Trovatore: Act IV: 'Qual voce!'...'Mira, di acerbe lagrime' (Il Conte, Leonora)
  14. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: Finale Ultimo: 'Madre, non dormi? ... Ai nostri monti' (Manrico, Azucena)
  15. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Che! Non m'inganna quel fioco lume?' (Manrico, Leonora, Azucena)
  16. Il Trovatore: Scene 2: 'Ti scosta!' (Manrico, Leonora, Il Conte, Azucena)
  17. Il Trovatore: Act III, Scene 2: Duettino: 'Solenne in quest'ora'
  18. Il Trovatore: Act III, Scene 2: Scena: 'Morir! Tremenda cosa!'
  19. Il Trovatore: Act III, Scene 2: Aria: 'Una fatale del mino destino... Egli e salvo!' (Don Alvaro: Franco Corelli - Don Carlo di Vargas: Ettore Bastianini Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Francesco Molinari Pradelli, 1958

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Price, Corelli and Karajan at their peaks--need any more be said?.......2006-08-07

This 1962 Vienna State Opera performance of Trovatore is now a document of a new Golden Age of opera. Price and Corelli had taken the Metropolitan by storm the previous year in the same roles and the vocal beauty, strength and ardor that propelled them to international stardom are much in evidence, particularly in the former's assumption of Leonora--Price even throws in a few extra high Cs in the "Miserere" for good measure. Her two big arias "Tacea la notte" and "D'amor sull' ali rosee" are replete with her characteristic shimmering vibrato and creamy tone. Corelli sings with big, gorgeous tone and with more care in phrasing than in some of his other recorded performances-only his concluding high note at the end of the third act seems somewhat pressed. Azucena and the Conte di Luna are in the more than capable hands of Giulietta Simionato and Ettore Bastianini.

Despite the ease with which the dictum that "all Trovatore needs is the four greatest singers in the world" is met, ultimately the driving force behind this night is Karajan, who gives this fast-moving melodrama exactly the propulsion it needs without slighting the lyrical moments. The Vienna Philharmonic responds with a razor-sharp rendition of the score. Against such virtues the faults of a live recording can easily be forgiven: mono sound and some questionable balances (the "offstage" harp in Manrico's first solo sounds as if it is about two feet from the microphone). Most of the traditional stage cuts are observed as well: thus the second verses of both Leonora's and Manrico's cabalettas are missing, as well as the whole of Leonora's last-act cabaletta, "Tu vedrai." Nevertheless, for opera lovers, this is a Trovatore not to be missed.

5 out of 5 stars Grab it before it goes away. . ........2005-11-18

This recording is a must have for any real lover of singing: Corelli and
Price together, LIVE, not to mention Simionato.

Karajan keeps things at a white hot clip, and the velvet of Price with
the trumpeting of Corelli make for the kind of over-the-top opera
experience one lives for.

Given the year and conditions of the recording, the sound is excellent.
I'm one who can tolerate less that state of the art sound for the
excitement of live historic performances.

Price occasionally interpolates unexpected high notes, and then
caps the "Mira" with a high c that would have best been left at home,
but these are just a few tiny pimples on an otherwise stunning face.
And at these prices, it is a complete steal. Buy it.

5 out of 5 stars Brilliant Trovatore.......2004-05-13

This is a fabulous Trovatore but the "Spotlight Reviewer" seems not to know the opera at all! The heroine of "Il Trovatore" is called LEONORA, not ELVIRA. He wrote his review to bash Maria Callas who is still the greatest Leonora to this day. (I'm quoting PRICE here!)

Anyway, Price, Corelli and Simionato made MAGIC here. Not to be missed!

4 out of 5 stars A review plus corrections.......2004-02-10

This is a fantastic Trovatore, my favourite after the performance with Callas and Lauri Volpi. (Live, 1951) But as great as this recordings is, these reviews aren't great. I want to correct the most atrocious mistakes. Several persons don't even know how to spell this opera. It's "Il Trovatore" not Travatore. And the heroine is called Leonora and not Elvira.

"Her trills is gorgeous in her second big aria. And lo and behold she sticks a high D that shames every singer alive at that time. I know she's a great Verdi singer. But I didn't know how great she was until this. The voice is sublime. It puts Caballe and Tebaldi and Callas to shame. And I'm a fan of those divas."

As lovely as all her singing is, it's just her trill that is flawed because it's shaky and unstable. That aside Price sounds FANTASTIC. Also, Callas sang E-flats and Ds as Leonora in her live-recordings from 1950-1951.

To sum it up: Excellent singing from Price&Corelli under the baton of the exquisite von Karajan. Two thumbs up!!!!!! A++++++++++++++++

5 out of 5 stars Exceptional and Exciting.......2003-12-05

I reviewed another release of this same recording, which is a bit more expensive, and just as great, though the sound quality of that release is better than this one (however, this is fabulous). To everyone reading the reviews, there is a problem if you read a review from "a European visiting America." That review is not of this opera, or this work, or this composer. That review deals with a live recording of Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots. Many of the details are inaccurate in that review as Corelli sings nothing above a hig B in it, and none of the cadenzas for his character.

However, be that as it may, this opera is IL TROVATORE, and I think it only right to let readers know which opera is being reviewed. You won't find a Joan Sutherland in this recording (what role would she sing with Price singing the lead female role). I find it very irresponsible of reviewers who love a particular performer to put their one review on every recording that was issued with that singer, even if the recording reviewed is not the one spoken of in the review. Amazon should really remove that review from this recording as it has nothing what ever to do with this recording.

As for Trovatore, well, this is an extremely energetic fabulous recording and all the principles are in wonderful voice (not to mention ability). The entire performance just rushes forth and we are swept away in it. The orchestra is incredible, and the conductor really sees the drama of the score. Sadly, the cabaletta that comes after the Miserare is missing (it isn't in many live recordings of the work) and it is something Price does so wonderfully well. As far as time goes, it doesn't take that long. It could have been added.

We are witnessing a performance that has few to match it, one where the energy and the "special magic" that seldom occurs in performance is happening.

This is a great buy, and I recommend it to everyone.
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Karajan bows out
  • Karajan's finest Bruckner!
  • Very difficult to surpass
  • A "farrewell" recording but not conducted that way
  • A Double Requiem
 Bruckner: Symphony No. 7

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Anton Bruckner: Symphony No.8 - Wiener Philharmoniker / Herbert von Karajan
  2. Bruckner: Symphonie No. 9
  3. Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 / Karl Böhm
  4. Gustav Mahler: Symphonie No. 9
  5. Bruckner: Symphony No. 9

ASIN: B000001GKC
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 7 In E Major: Allegro moderato
  2. Symphony No. 7 In E Major: Adagio. Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam
  3. Symphony No. 7 In E Major: Scherzo. Sehr schnell
  4. Symphony No. 7 In E Major: Finale. Bewegt, doch nicht schnell

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Karajan bows out .......2006-08-13

"His last recording" it says on the front of this issue. Karajan must have known that this would be the last time he would set down a Bruckner 7 and that the coda of his life's journey was upon him. So you might expect the performance to be a valedictory one, measured, pensive - final curtain stuff. But no, what he presents is the kind of youthful view which a much younger would man have; if I was told that the conductor was, say, Franz Welser-Most I could believe it. It's a reading which looks as much to the Schubert era as it does to the Late Romantic and it's a refreshing experience. The approach is similar in another of my favourite versions: Georg Tintner on Naxos (Tintner's is the later recording). In the end though on balance I prefer Karajan's earlier version on EMI (1972) because of the bigger, more panoramic view, and perhaps more in keeping with Bruckner's intentions for how this symphony should sound. If you are a serious Bruckner fan you shouldn't be without either of these Karajan versions: both exellent performances - interesting as two very different visions seen by the same man on two different occasions.

5 out of 5 stars Karajan's finest Bruckner!.......2006-06-07

The end of Herbert K's life brought a strange amount of discord. His health was very bad after falling off of a podium which broke his hip and there was an estrangement which set in between the Berlin Phil which sadly darkened the last years after all he did for this orchestra. That being said, the relationship which spawned again with the Vienna Philharmonic was a source of great music making...so that being said one can imagine how fine things were in Vienna in the late 80s with such conductors as Karajan, Giulini, and Abaddo making so many fine recordings in the Sofiensaal...to cap it off Bernstein was doing great Mahler in Vienna at that time as well!!

so...here we come to the last recording of Karajan's career. It is truly an awesome piece of music making with the Adagio as the high point...all of the wonder of this fine music is here plus the opulent phrasing which only the Vienna Phil can bestow on this music....as for price this recording at any price is worth having. Not since the like of Klemperer, Jochum and Knappersbusuch has such great Bruckner playing been heard...although I like Barenboim for different reasons his Bruckner is defintely not anywhere in this league...

so for true collectors of fine performances and Conducting this Karajan is a real must!

5 out of 5 stars Very difficult to surpass.......2006-05-26

Besides this recording, I also own Chailly, Celibidache (Munich), Jochum (Dresden) and Solti (CSO, nla). The spirituality is much more intense than all the others. The acoustics of the Grosser Saal of Musikverein is superb (i.e. just resonant enough, not too reverberating). The response from Wiener Philharmoniker is precise (you can hear pp,p,mf,f,ff), their playing natural and idiomatic. The whole recording has been remastered with the so-called 'Original Bit Processing' and is very satisfying. In short, it brings out the greatness of Bruckner's arguably best composition to its fullest extent. Anyone who can afford this should acquire this.

5 out of 5 stars A "farrewell" recording but not conducted that way.......2005-11-01

Reviewers here treat this Bruckner Seventh, which was released posthumously after Karajan's death in 1989, as if it foreshadows his passing. But this isn't a slow or reflectivly melancholic reading--in fact, the first movement is quicker (if only marginally) than any of Karajan's two previous recordings for EMI and DG, both with the Berlin Phil. By comparison the Vienna Phil. sounds sweeter, never bombastic, incapable of a brash phrase. The recordidng sounds so alive and present one could swear this was a live performance, but apparently it wasn't. In any case, the orchestra is more animated and fresh-sounding than on Karajan's previous readings.

Karajan always favored whispering pianissimos and thunderous, though controlled, fortissimos. Here the contrasts are much reduced; the music tends to stay in an average range until a climactic swell is called for. This evenness of tone gives the music a flowing quality, which is enhanced by Karajan's refusal to use start-and-stop phrasing so common with other conductors of Bruckner. The shaping is lyrical throughout; the slow movement is especially free and spontaneous, not at all funereal even if the composer was aware of Wagner's recent death. This memorial to his greatest hero is sublime rather than grieving.

With so many special qualities, it's hard not to declare that this is Karajan's greatest Bruckner Seventh recording. In terms of freshness and a singing line, only the live Giulini performance from London (on the BBC label) comes close to it in my experience. Highly, highly recommended.

4 out of 5 stars A Double Requiem.......2005-02-26

On the subject of Bruckner's 7th Symphony, composed after Bruckner perceived the impending death of his hero Richard Wagner and indeed appropriating the very Wagner tubas into the score in the Adagio which was apparently directly inspired by Bruckner's encounter with Wagner, it would be a disservice to the recorded versions of this work not to include this CD which proved to be Herbert von Karajan's valedictory recording.

Though the actual performance with the Vienna Philharmonic is not fully uplifting or illuminating, it does suggest the obeisance many of the great conductors of the romantic repertoire had for Bruckner. There is a communication with the spirit of Bruckner that haunts this recording, and to make the complete circle of dealing with Brucker's mighty 7th, this recording deserves a careful hearing. Grady Harp, February 2005
Dvorák: Symphonie No. 9; Smetana: Moldau
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Beautiful melodies
  • top notch
  • Excellent recording and a fine effort by old man Karajan
  • Five stars for the sound
  • The "New World" Symphony
 Dvorák: Symphonie No. 9; Smetana: Moldau

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,
  2. Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites/ Holberg Suite
  3. Bizet: L'Arlesienne / Carmen Suites
  4. Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie
  5. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO

ASIN: B000001GJU
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

  1. Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Adagio - Allegro Molto
  2. Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Largo
  3. Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Molto Vivace
  4. Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Allegro Con Fuoco
  5. Die Moldau

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful melodies.......2007-05-17

I'm obviously not as "into" classical music as I should be as I wasn't familiar with The New World Symphony until I happened to hear the National Symphony perform it in March 2007. But it's a beautiful piece of music with not one, but several, beautiful melodic lines that I recognized, but hadn't previously associated with this piece of music. "Oh, that's from the New World Symphony!" It's gorgeous stuff.

One thing that's sort of interesting about this symphony is that Dvorak doesn't repeat his melodic themes very often. There are some beautiful strains, but you'd best catch them when they arise because he clearly doesn't have a lot of repeats built into the score. On the plus side, this characteristic of the music encourages re-playing the CD.

Let me also say a few words about Smetana's "Moldau." This CD is more expensive than some other "New World" CDs, but I think it's worth the price premium due to "Moldau." "Moldau" is, as I understand it, the national song of the Czech Republic. It's a lovely tune, you can almost hear the river flowing through Prague.

I've found myself playing this CD a lot, which is the ultimate testimony to its virtues.

5 out of 5 stars top notch.......2005-10-21

The Smetana on this CD was the highpoint for me. The Dvorak is a great work and I have heard many excellent productions of it. This one is very enjoyable and the sound is fabulous. All soloists are clearly heard and the stereo image is great. The surprise for me was the Smetana which it turns out is a lovely piece of music played and recorded beautifully here. The beginning in which he tries to reproduce the movement of water in a stream is captivating. That is followed by one of the more hummable tunes I have encountered in music. Recommended highly.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent recording and a fine effort by old man Karajan.......2005-09-24

I don't need to tell you anything about the music, you'd have to have lived in a cave for your entire life to have never heard this. A few points on the performance - excellent pacing, great sound and the brass in the final movement is room-shaking. A great version for sure, with the added bonus of Smetana's Die Moldau from his symphonic poem, Ma Vlast. Kubelik's and Kertesz's readings of the 9th are probably better and more individualistic, but in terms of sonics this recording blows those out of the water. Expensive but worth every penny.

5 out of 5 stars Five stars for the sound.......2002-11-18

In his final days Herbert von Karajan was just crankin' 'em out, sometimes his third or fourth reading of a certain piece, just to try and get as much of his repertoire recorded digitally as possible. This recording - which was also used for one of his Telemondial video productions - is one of those. The Vienna Philharmonic the ensemble used this time after his fallout with the Berliners shortly before. I've had older renditions of this work on vinyl recorded with the Berlin Phil that were quite exceptional. I've always thought, why not just digitally re-master a 20 or 30-year-old recording from the late 50's through the early 70's when he was really in his prime, as opposed to issuing another rendition just to make a digital version of it? Nonetheless, these are still very fine readings of The Dvorak and the Smetana, and after reviewing a library copy, I would still be tempted to buy myself one of this 1985 issue just for the sound quality alone. The Deutsche Grammophon Original-Image Bit-Processing digital sound on this recording will blow you away.

5 out of 5 stars The "New World" Symphony.......2000-04-07

I have heard a few other recordings of this symphony, but I am no musicologist. As soon as I heard this recording, though, I never went back to any other disc. Karajan's majestic control and depth of exploration, two of his many magnificent hallmarks, are beyond sublime. I consider the "New World" Symphony and the "Moldau" some of the most powerful music ever written, and Karajan presents this awesome quality with such natural ease as he always does. The Vienna Philharmonic is not one whit behind him, and this stellar, long-venerated orchestra delivers a flawless recording.
Puccini and Pasta: A Romantic Italian Feast for Your Ears
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A great intro for ... opera fans
  • A great introduction to Puccini
  • Delightfully fun album; Opera for YOU!
  • Arrows straight to your heart.
  • A great first taste of opera's famous arias
 Puccini and Pasta: A Romantic Italian Feast for Your Ears

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041FP
Release Date: 1996-08-13

Tracks:

  1. Turandot: No One Shall Sleep
  2. Gianni Schicchi: O My Dear Daddy
  3. La Boheme: Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen
  4. La Boheme: They Call Me Mimi
  5. La Boheme: O Gentle Girl
  6. La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz Song
  7. La Boheme: Whence Happily She Came
  8. La Boheme: Mimi's Farewell
  9. Manon Lescaut: I Have Never Met A Woman Like Her
  10. Madame Butterfly: One Fine Day
  11. The Girl Of The Golden West: Let Her Believe I Am Free
  12. TOSCA: Strange Harmony
  13. TOSCA: Love Duet, Act I, Part I
  14. TOSCA: Love Duet, Act I, Part II
  15. TOSCA: For Love And Art
  16. TOSCA: The Stars Were Shining
  17. La rondine: Doretta's Dream
  18. Madame Butterfly: Love Duet, Act I, Part II

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A great intro for ... opera fans.......2002-02-14

I adore Italian opera -- particularly Puccini. That makes this CD a real gem. All my favorite arias and duets are here, sung by well-known and talented artists.

If you're new to opera, you can't go wrong with this album. Puccini was the Spielberg of his time, and his work still has a lot of popular appeal. (It's much easier to like "La Boheme" than Wagner's Ring cycle -- that's for sure!)

If you have a lot of opera already, you probably have most of these songs. Still, if you want them all in one place, this is a worthy buy.

5 out of 5 stars A great introduction to Puccini.......1999-09-23

This disc exposed me to the wonderful world of Puccini's melodious opera. It piqued my interest and turned me into a Puccini lover. Listening to full opera recordings has only solidified that love.

3 out of 5 stars Delightfully fun album; Opera for YOU!.......1999-04-30

Opera unfortunatley has the reputation for being uppity and pretentious, but this album shows that Opera can be fun and entertaining. This album is SUPERB for just listening to as you work, eat, or sleep. Especially if you've recently been turned on to Opera by Mr. Andrea Bocelli, you'll enjoy the rich diversity of this album. You know the tenor; how about soprano, etc? Grab a bowl of spaghetti, pour a glass of wine (or grape juice) and enjoy "Puccini & Pasta"!

5 out of 5 stars Arrows straight to your heart........1999-03-28

These beautiful arias will give you goose-bumps from head to toe, pierce your life's stress-tempered armor, and home straight into your heart. Bravo!!!

5 out of 5 stars A great first taste of opera's famous arias.......1999-03-04

Think you might like to try some opera? The arias on this disc are fabulous! Sylvia McNair has a voice like an angel. A must have for a beginning opera collection.
Wagner: Overture & Preludes
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent
  • The Only Truly Memorable Tracks On This 2 Disc Album Are Jochum's Parsifal Pieces
  • A Thing of Beauty
  • It's OK
  • Falls short of being great.
 Wagner: Overture & Preludes

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection
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ASIN: B000001GLB
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

  1. Rienzi: Overture
  2. Overture
  3. Overture
  4. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act I
  5. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III
  6. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude to Act I
  7. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude to Act III
  8. Die Walkure: The Ride of the Valkyries

Tracks:

  1. TRISTAN & ISOLDE - Prelude to Act I
  2. TRISTAN & ISOLDE - Introduction to Act III (Massig Langsam)
  3. TRISTAN & ISOLDE - Liebestodt
  4. SIEGFRIED - Siegfried-Idyll
  5. GOTTERDAMMERUNG - Orchestral Interlude: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
  6. PARSIFAL
  7. PARSIFAL - Good Friday Music

Amazon.com

This is a dazzling collection of nonvocal excerpts from Wagner's operas, from the peace and loveliness of Rafael Kubelik's Siegfried Idyll to the passionate, disturbed Prelude to the first act of Tristan, led by Karl Bohm, and the wild Ride of the Valkyries, with Herbert von Karajan in a particularly rambunctious mood. Other highlights in the two and a half hours of music are transcendent readings of two Parsifal excerpts by Eugen Jochum and the Bavarian Radio Orchestra and a Flying Dutchman set. But couldn't DG have tried to include some information about anything in their teeny paper insert? --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent.......2007-02-13

I grew up listening to all kinds of music. I must say that listiening to this CD is a wonderful change to today's music. It is relaxing and soothing.

3 out of 5 stars The Only Truly Memorable Tracks On This 2 Disc Album Are Jochum's Parsifal Pieces.......2006-11-06

Many reviewers are stating that this is some sort of great introduction to Wagner, when I think they are not aware of many other terrific orchestral Wagner CDs. EMI has recently released an outstanding CD by Karajan of various Wagner preludes and overtures from the non "Ring" operas. That CD is part of EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" catalogue and it's also available in the "Karajan Collection". Two different pressings, exact same thing.

To get some juicy "Ring" selections, you should investigate George Szell's oustanding CD on Sony Essential Classics which is uniquely captivating as far as orchestral excerpts from the Ring operas go.

Getting back to this DG Double, here is my rundown of all the tracks. The Rienzi Overture is done well by Karl Bohm but it's nothing remarkable. The Flying Duthchman also conducted by Bohm is played with gusto, pretty good. The Tannhauser Overture is an extremely dull run-through by Otto Gerdes, what a nightmare! Listen to Solti instead to get the full power of this terrific piece! The Lohengrin preludes by Kubelik lack the dreamy mysticism and rich power of Karajan's versions on EMI. The preludes to Die Meistersinger are played by Bohm and Jochum, Bohm is too relaxed and slow in the prelude to Act 1 but Jochum finds more life in the prelude to act 3. The ultra-famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is played by Karajan, an excerpt from his complete set of the Ring and yes the soprano soloists are on display here. It's a good account but hardly matches the excitement of Solti's version from his complete Ring recording.

The second CD opens up with powerful excerpts from Tristan and Isolde played by Bohm, the prelude and Act 3 intro are taken from his famous Bayreuth set with Birgit Nilsson. Nilsson however is not represented in the final Liebestod, instead a later, not very passionate Bohm recording is tacked on. The Siegfried Idyll is conducted by Kubelik and is not very memorable, certainly lacking the romantic abandon of the famous Karajan versions. Siegfried's Rhine Journey from Gotterdammerung is led by Karajan and sounds great.

Finally we get to the best part of this 2CD package, Eugen Jochum's performances of the Prelude and Good Friday Music from Wagner's final masterpiece, Parsifal. Both sound highly involved and deeply spiritual, the sound is great for something that was recorded way back in 1957. The brass get a bit edgy but it's not much of a worry, the readings are exceptional.

If you're a Wagner newbie, this 2CD set might satisfy you but I recommend you go and buy that EMI Karajan CD and the Ring excerpts by Szell, listen to those and you'll be well on your way to tackling a full opera. The most accessible opera to start with is Lohengrin.

4 out of 5 stars A Thing of Beauty.......2006-06-17

I am not overly fond of opera but there are exceptions. This album is such an exception. I suppose that is because there is little to be heard in the way of singing on it. I like it for the instrumental passages and they are wonderful.

As the title suggests, these are primarily overtures and preludes. They are not as bombastic as Wagner is wont to be but they are very strong. They are evocative of beauty and majesty. It is good orchestral music.

The performances included are all from Germanic orchestras. This music is a part of the culture and it is well done. If I have one complaint, it is a minor one. The pianissimo passages are sometimes so soft as to not be present. They are...understated in the extreme.

All in all, this is a quality recording capable of producing hours of enjoyment from its two disks.

4 out of 5 stars It's OK.......2006-03-20

I judge this CD for it's sound quality - very good. The Wagner's music it's not really my type of music, therefore I can't say it's a poor CD. If the music is just OK is not the CD's fault. Simply my taste doesn't match Wagner's music.

3 out of 5 stars Falls short of being great........2006-02-01

I'm surprised that all of the other reviewers neglected to mention the shortcomings of this set. Without Siegfried's Funeral March from Die Gotterdammerung and coupled with the fact that the liner notes stink, this is well deserving of 2 stars, but I was generous. Get the EMI set "Orchestral Music" with Szell conducting which has everything that this collection has plus Siegfried's Funeral March, good liner notes and extra selections.

Music Review:

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  5. James Levine Conducts
  6. Joseph Fennimore in Concert II
  7. Lejeune: Muze, honorons... / Les Pages & Les Chantres / Olivier Schneebeli
  8. Mahler: Kindertotenlieder Nos1-5; Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op52
  9. Mahler: Symphonies 9 &10
  10. Messiaen: Livre d'Orgue, Méditations, etc / Bate

Music Review

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