Reviews (8)

I like it
Dude, Allegretto implies it's fast. Beethoven's metronome markings for the 2nd movement of the 7th are a lot faster than most conductors conduct at. Von Karajan does it the right way.

It's good but
This is a good recording. Good sound quality.
The Beethoven Symphonies recorded by Karajan and the Berlin Phil. in the 70's have more energy and aparkle.

Not too fast!
Many reviewers argue that Karajan plays too fast. I am not a musician, but if you compare this DVD with Solti's, the latter, in my opinion, is boring, too slow. Who knows how Beethoven would has play it? Course I do not, but this symphony played as Karajan does, is much more strong and full of emotions than played slower. I really like the seventh played fast. Karajan is the best playing Beethoven.

Perfect 6th, Rapid 7th
This DVD was my introduction to the concept of Classical music DVD's, and to Karajan's Legacy Series. Both of which, I am thoroughly impressed with! It has all the right camera angles, and sounds.

However, it is the interpretation of the 7th that lacks all the glory it deserves. The orchestra plays this symphony way too fast. The first, third, and fourth movements don't seem too bad, but the second movement, Allegretto, is played too fast. If you listen to the version in the movie "Immortal Beloved" of the Allegretto movement, it sounds perfect. But overall, the 7th symphony is acceptable.

The 6th however, is done exceptionally well. There are however a few shortcomings, like the first movement being a tad bit too fast, and the horns in the third movement not accented enough. But, overall, this is an excellent symphony played by an excellent orchestra.

Overall, the DVD is a great buy. A must-have.

1 out 2 ain't bad
Not 5 stars? Well, here is why. For the entire performance you get the best angels and close-ups for those intruments that have the lead in the piece. Narrowing down to the symphonies, the 6th is the best, that is in this DVD. I would say near perfection. Unfortunately, it has very weak horns and trumpets in the third movement and so you don't get the "calling" from them as Beethoven intended, and second of all, Karajan forgets to read the repeat signs in the score for it. Its second movement is beautifullly done though, excellent tempo and marvelous flute, clarinet and basson players, which also do great in the 7th Symphony. Now, the 7th symphony is the dark counter part of the 8th symphony. Some pieces are so very delicate that they must be treated with utter care. Its second movement is terribly done. It is played to fast and Karajan changes emotion near the middle as the orchestra winds down the A Minor scale. He begins this movement too fast, and with no emotion. The listener doesn't get to capture mysterious-self of the movement. Although it is to be played allegretto, he playes it allegro and too legato. This piece is very moody and if played at a wrong tempo you can get something else. This one failure to adhere to Beethoven's intention was enough to discredit one star. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Karajan's Don Carlos - well worth having.
This is DVD of a 1986 Salzburg Easter Festival live performance
and as such it has all the excitement and sense of occasion of a
real thatrical experience. Karajan, of course, controls the whole production, being his festival. The Berlin Philharmonic in the orchestra pit is something few recordings of this opera can compete with. Karajan conducts without a score in his usual transcendental manner. The total effect is crisp, powerful, dynamic, precise, tightly controlled and well detailed. His approach works especially well in the powerful climaxes, dramatic exchanges and the great assembly scenes. The finale of Act 2 (the Auto da fe scene) is superb.
The singers are what makes this performance so extraordinary and
memorable. The opera requires six top quality singers. Karajan,of course,hand picked them for the roles, using some of his perennial favourites and some newcomers.Agnes Baltsa and Jose Carreras plus Piero Cappuccilli are some of the perennials.
They are beyond praise. Baltsa probably "steals the show" with her wonderful voice and fire-eating, Callas -like dramatic and
emotional acting ability.Carreras, Karajan's favourite tenor, uses his voice articulately and with great inspiration. Cappuccilli,one of the great Italian lyric baritones of our time,
as Rodrigo, truly shines.
Ferruccio Furlanetto creates a deeply moving portrayal of Philip II. His great aria in the third act and subsequent exchange with the Grand Inquisitor are Verdi at his best and Furlanetto does great justice to it. Matti Salminen, the great Finnish basso, has
a stentorian voice and mighty presence-thoroughly frightening as the Inquisitor.
Finally, as the Queen, Fiamma Ozzo d'Amico, relatively lesser known, a young Italian spinto soprano, is equally at home in the
lyrical parts, but fully capable of dramatic outbursts. A beautiful woman, certainly looks the part. In her final duet with Carlo one can almost feel sparks flying between the two and
understand why the two were in love with each other.
Important note: This is the four act version, which has been used
successfully for over a hundred years. There are some minor cuts Karajan makes for the performance. E.g. Eboli's Song of the Veil is chopped in half, quite inexplicably-this way the song is incomplete and makes no sense at all! The CD set, however, is complete.
Not everybody likes Karajan. I personally prefer Giulini's more fluid and graceful style which gave him such resounding success in London. However, there is no video of Giulini that I know of.
Nevertheless, I can sincerely recommend this DVD, it will give
ample satisfaction. It comes on one disc, handsomely packaged with a well detailed booklet. The sound is first rate. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Opening Concert Berlin 750 Years
I thought at first that having Mozart's "Divertimento K.334" mixed with "Also sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss was a little odd. I believe that these choices were mostly done due to the rich history of Berlin, and how works such as these were important to the Berliners, and Austrians. Berlin and Vienna's musical elite, such as Sigmund von Robinig would commission works to be played in their salons, such as "Divertissements" or "Divertimento's." This was the order of the day for many elites, since they could afford to commission private musicians for years. This fasinating work was done in 1779, one year before the so-called start of Mozart's Golden Decade. These five separate movements are a continual testament of Mozart's genius and musical ability. Karajan's powerful allegro cycles through the moods of the Andante, Menuetto, Adagio, and back again for the Rondo/Allegro. Only Karajan can slap a person's mind with Mozart, then offer up Strauss before the smelling salts can be administered. This twist in the evening with the tone poem Zarathurstra can actually bring back moments of the Space Odyssey 2001. This flying through the color spectrum at the speed of light would even wow Arthur C. Clarke. This DVD is a must have for any collector of the Herbert von Karajan legacy videos, or with anyone with a yearning to experience again the Odyssey masterpiece!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

In the end, von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan was intensely interested in documenting his interpretations on video. He formed the company Telemondial which was responsible for producing this performance of the Bruckner 8th near the end of Karajan's life. Karajan had conducted the Bruckner 8th very early in his career and returned to it and other Bruckner symphonies many times. This is a well measured performance with an outstanding orchestra and should be very satisfying to most listeners. As has been previously noted, the video focuses on Karajan. Some viewers may be put off by Karajan's habit (mostly later in life) of conducting with his eyes closed.

By way of comparison, there is a Bruckner 8th with Boulez that is visually magnificent, recorded in a large beautiful church with an audience.The musical performance is every bit as wonderful as Karajan's, so I would say that Boulez should not be passed up.

Karajan also made a video of Bruckner Symphony 9 with Telemondial and both the 8th and 9th had been videotaped years earlier and released on VHS and Laser Disc under the DG label.

Sony also has videos that have not been released on DVD of the Brucker 6th, 7th, and 8th with Celibidache and the Munich Symphony Orchestra.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
I AM FAR FROM A PERFECTIONIST WHEN IT COMES TO THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF DVD'S.HOWEVER, I FOUND THE CAMERA WORK SO ANNOYING ON THIS ONE THAT I DID NOT ENJOY WATCHING IT.

THIS DVD NEVER SHOWED MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE ORCHESTRA AT ANY ONE TIME AND NEVER SHOWED EITHER THE CONCERT HALL OR THE AUDIENCE.ALMOST ALL THE CAMERA ANGLES WERE CLOSEUPS.A TYPICAL SHOT WOULD SHOW HVK AND A ROW OF FOUR VIOLINISTS.HVK WAS CLEARLY IN FOCUS, AS WAS 1ST VIOLINIST.HOWEVER, VIOLINISTS 2,3 & 4 WERE PROGRESSIVELY FUZZIER.SAME WITH SHOWING FOUR TRUMPETS, BASSOONS, ETC.PLAYER IN FOREGROUND IN FOCUS, PLAYERS IN BACKGROUND BADLY OUT OF FOCUS.SO, A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE FOOTAGE WAS OUT OF FOCUS.

THE PERFORMANCE ITSELF SEEMED EXCELLENT.SOUND QUALITY - LISTENED TO PART OF DVD WITH HEADPHONES.SOME OF THE 4TH MOVEMENT HAD BAD DISTORTION.

GOING TO ORDER THE BOULEZ VERSION OF THE BRUCKNER 8TH.





... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good recording
First opening of this symphony... the clarinets sound great!!!
such warmth and the resonance of the sound!!
The home of Vienna Philharmonic, Musikvereign is a legendary hall.
I got to play there once and the hall makes you sound soooo good.
The trumpets are too loud at times though in this recording.
Karajan's interpretation is good and the orchestra sounds very good...
Don't hesitate to get this recording

Herbert Von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic
Tchaikovsky's Fifth is widely considered the least of his three great symphonies. It seems to rest somewhat uncomfortably alongside the more significant Fourth and Sixth Symphonies, but trying to pin down the distinction is difficult. The Fifth, like the Fourth, is a 'Motto' symphony, with a theme that begins the piece and repeats in each of the four movements. I suspect it is this repeated theme that may be the source of the problem--the Motto of the Fifth Symphony is less dramatic than the 'Fate' fanfare of the Fourth, and the way it is grafted onto the Sonata structure is not always convincing. It serves as a functional introduction to the first movement, then that movement proceeds in regular sonata form as though the Motto had not ever appeared. The Motto then makes a noisy interruption to the slow movement, is tagged on to the Waltz, and is convincingly developed only in the Finale. I've tried to imagine this piece without the appearances of the Motto in the first three movements, and although it is doubtlessly arrogant of me to think so, it seems to work much better. Regardless, to concentrate on that theme to the exclusion of the rest of the piece is to miss some of Tchaikovsky's best, most interesting music. Listen, for example, to the beginning of the second movement, with its gorgeous string harmonies and the beautiful horn solo. I'm sure you'll agree that this is lovely music indeed. The Waltz, too, with its notable idiosyncratic bassoon solo following after the first theme, is delightful. And the second theme of the Finale, presented first in the woodwinds, starts with such an interesting harmonic and melodic shift that it always sounds fresh and original, no matter how many times I hear the piece.

This recording is a DVD, not a CD, but nothing more is included than the live concert performance--no real extras or special features (even though the box claims a few--but I really don't think you can call paper programme notes or the ability to punch up particular tracks "special features"!), although the printed programme notes are good. The concert was recorded in 1984, five years before Von Karajan's death, and displays him at the height of his musical powers. Leaning far forward, with his shock of white hair, brooding Austrian brow and jutting lower lip, conducting low with his arms bowed out at the elbows, I couldn't help but think of a powerful silverback gorilla leading his tribe. Practically sacrilegious, I know, but I couldn't escape the image. Although both Von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic are superb, the recording quality is not always the best. Although the tone of the lower strings is rich and full, there seems to be a bit of upper register noise interference. Balance is occasionally a problem, especially with the flutes whose solo lines are almost covered several times. As in most live concert recordings, there is some audience noise, coughing and so forth--it's not overmuch but some may find it distracting. Camera angles are excellent, and like other Von Karajan videos there is a great effort made to concentrate on the musicians and not extraneous things like the hall or the audience. Most of the shots are close-up, and special care is taken so that in all but the widest shots no music stands can be seen--as though the entire orchestra is playing by memory! All in all, this is a rather nice product, one that Tchaikovsky lovers and Von Karajan fans will definitely desire. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

observing a master
It is not only an entertaining experience to see and hear the orchestra, but a fascinating educational one to watch a master conductor at work. Here, Karajan, who was somewhat of a conducting prodigy, displays himself in his later, wiser years. The music is fantastic, the conducting a rare peek at the driver's seat of the orchestra. He is commanding. He is authoritative, and his orchestra responds to him. There is much to be learned as well as much to be enjoyed from this DVD.

A revelation.
This is the first DVD I have bought and these are not my favourite Beethoven Symphonies. But what a revelation! A magnificent and entertaining experience seeing this great conductor at work. Indeed a great monument to his work. If the conductor seems to be an important focus point this is quite fitting since it seems to capture something of the interpretation of this wonderful music (I can't stop listening to it) that isn't that obvious by only listening to the recordings which are available on CD. Strongly recommended.

Greatness is not a respector of name.
One might judge von Karajan as a person, and find his actions quite low indeed. Never the less, I have found his DVD of "Beethoven Symphonies numbers One and Eight" to be simply outstanding. As the Greek law maker Solon suggested so many hundreds of years ago, "Judge not the dead for they may place a curse on you the living." So, I prefer to watch and listen to this great work, and leave his serious personal failings to others.

What a legacy?
Karajan is a sad example of the shortcomings of the Nuremberg Trial: although he was one of the conductors pleasing Adolf Hitler, he has been permitted to slaughter Beethoven, Vivaldi (and so many others who didn't deserve that) when he should have directed only Berlioz or Wagner. Just listen to Beethoven or Dvorak directed by Eugene Ormandi, or even Georg Solti, and you'll understand why I think that Karajan got for music the same lightness as a lead-footed deep-sea diver got for dancing the can-can.

Good Performances -- Monument to the Conductor
At this point, Sony has released all of its von Karajan performances of the Beethoven symphonies on five DVDs. They are all very good performances, created for film (rather than concert performance) in the early 80s. Von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, his personal orchestra, and the performance is as much von Karajan as Beethoven. Musically, these are very fine performances, with von Karajan in absolute control of the orchestra which plays very precisely. These are the performance as he wanted to present them -- smooth, well thought-out, and note-perfect. This particular disk gives a chance to compare early symphony to a much later one and see how much the composer expanded the form.

There is probably no right way to put symphonic music onto film -- these productions (made by conductor's own film company) spend most of their time focused on the conductor with cut-away shots to both individual and groups of instrumentalists (also singers in the 9th), usually focusing on the instruments themselves rather than the players.

It is fascinating to watch von Karajan -- his authority in the music and with this orchestra are clear thoughout each performance. He conducts without a baton and uses his whole body to conduct, though not in a distracting way (I am thinking of Leonard Bernstein here).

The sound and picture on these DVDs are excellent; the sound is truly comparable to a well-recorded CD. The soundtrack is available both in stereo and also an excellent 5.1 Dolby mix. The disks have a set of program notes and a biography of von Karajan. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

New Year's Concert 1985
One who is familiar with the works of Herbert von Karajan will know about his unique power with orchestration. This particular DVD is no different, and in fact exceptional (again)! Weber's "Der Freischutz," Cavallo's "Pagliacci", Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody #5," and Ravel's "Bolero" to be experienced on one DVD is marketing genius. The "Der Freischutz" Overture leads this DVD with a steady, almost Straussian alpine touch of individual signature pieces for building the movement, such as the magical horns that adds grace, and power to the work. It was almost like von Karajan was sending each listener through a maze, in which the mood was steady, and unyielding until Ravel's "Bolero." This is a very good example of early, middle, and later Romanticism works that von Karajan shares for this remarkable evening.
Herbert von Karajan's Legacy for Home Video is truly a remarkable collection, which the best is presented for the true connoisseur of classical music. I highly recommend this, and all others in the collection. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

guilty pleasure
Purists close your eyes and ears for this one. If you are one of those people who need to have 300 year-old music performed on 300 year-old instruments by 300 year-old people (OK, I exaggerate), you will hate this performance. The Berlin Philharmonic at the peak of their "Karajan sound" capabilities throw the full weight of their symphonic splendour at this Bach program. I love it in its own right. Karajan was never known or liked for his baroque conducting, in fact he was despised for his interpretation of the Brandenburg concertos, but this is still a great, great recording, especially with the exceptional Rias Rundfunkchor performing Bach's Magnificat. Real goose-bump stuff. And we need not talk about the untarnished skills of the young Ann-Sophie Mutter playing in perfect harmony with her great menthor's conducting. If you have a Gardiner or a Hernoncourt or a Herrwhege recording of these pieces at home: go ahead, get this one, it's a guilty pleasure, but it works.
As for sound and video quality: all DVDs from this Karajan series are exceptionally good considering that the original material was recorded 20some years ago. They leave nothing to be desired.

If you like Bach . . . You'll love this!
I found this DVD a delightful treat, and it has become one of my favorites. First and foremost, I am a fan of J.S. Bach, and Herbert Von Karajan. One of the bonus's here is watching the performance of Sophie Ann Mutter with this legendary conductor and the Berlin Philharmonic - in her mid-twenties. Another bonus is watching Mastro Karajan not only in his usual conducting role, but also playing the harpsichord in both pieces. Even though I have never heard the compliment of full orchestra in a Bach concerto before, I don't think Mr. Bach would have minded, and I considered it an exciting departure. The Magnificat was exceptional and if you have some good sub-woofers, you'll pick up the low 50hz organ notes that accompany this piece.

The video was excellent as with most of the Sony productions, and the audio was stupendous. This was a live performance and it is about as Deutsche as it can get. Here we have a German conductor, a German violinist, conducting and playing with a German Orchestra for Germans.

Shameless indulgence
Although this is about as far from an authentic Bach performance as you can get (the performance notes acknowledge this), it is impossible not to like the performance here, especially the Magnificat. File this performance as a big, late Karajan, symphonic Bach performance, and pick up Gardner's version when it comes out as an antidote. The only bad thing about the DVD is the hopelessly pompous performance notes. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A DVD of Strauss' work worth grabbing.
This is my first Karajan DVD experience. The first shock I got watching this DVD is the hue/saturation of the picture. I never thought the floors of Philharmonie looked like Mahogany of some sort. The whole picture has a darker hue compared to previous videos of Philharmonie where it has light and bright hue.

On the other hand, the sharpness of the picture pleasently surprises me and the sound is top-notch, especially with Dolby Digital 5.1 feature. I own Karl Bohm's Eine Alpensinfonie and no doubt I look forward to Karajan's interpretation.

Throughout the whole film, thankfully the strings did not dominate the orchestra as usual, although the winds are still a bit weak and rarely distinctive. I still relish Bohm's version where the winds are prominent and characterful and his "impressionistic" treatment of each movement. In this film, I don't hear the clarinets imitating the Scottish bagpipes in "The Ascent" and the horn fanfare are too loud in the same movement whereas in Bohm's version, there's an offstage effect. To sum it up, whereas in Bohm's version, he scales the Alpine heights with his listeners, Karajan merely observes and imagine how he did it from afar.

However, Karajan makes it up with weight, drama and extra "oomph" that Bohm's version lack. I would advice you to own this DVD just for the ferocious Thunderstorm scene. There's also the usual richness of the Berliner's strings to look forward to.

"like a musician playing his instrument"
This is the best recording of Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony.
Here's why:
It is a stunning piece of music--an auditory journey up an alpine mountain, complete with sunrise and sunset, and even an impressive, powerful mountain storm.
Herbert von Karajan shaped the Berlin Philharmonic into perhaps the best orchestra ever. Von Karajan shows how, like a musician, a great conductor "plays" an orchestra as if it were his instrument.
This DVD allows you to see, up close, the conducting details and nuances of body language which get so much more out of the orchestra.
The DVD format also allows you to check back with the program titles to verify what the music is describing.
The photography and sound recording could not be better.
You will have a better seat, a better view, than anyone at any concert.
This is an opportunity to see a great conductor perform a great musical work on his personal instrument, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Superlative recording
This DVD recording of the Alpine Symphony by Strauss is amazing. Having had his release on the Karajan Gold edition for a while, I thought it would be good to pick up yet another Karajan interpretation.

The Berlin Philharmonic play beautifully especially at the section following the storm. Karajan appears to be completely overcome by the passionate BPO strings. I would dare say Karajan gave this music his all to prove how valuable this piece is in the repetoir.

The storm sequence is wonderfully played. I wish the cameraman could have captured a shot of the wind machine...as i have never seen one before. Other than that though there are some fabulous shots of Karajan's conducting, strings, brass, woodwinds, ect. The only neglected section is the percussion section. The picture appears clear, and the sonics are great in my opinion.

The music itself really packs a wollop and deserves to be played on a quality surround sound system. This is my introduction to the Karajan Legacy Series and i am very impressed with this recording of the Alpine Symphony. ... Read more