His Legacy for Home Video - Complete DVD BOX

[mahalo]

Sony Music Entertainment will be releasing 37 DVDs that Karajan recorded for the company.
Those will be combined into a box.

www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Classical/Special/hvk/

The price is 100000 yen (nearly $1000).
In addition, a baton with Karajan's autograph will be given to a purchaser as a benefit.
It is said that the autograph is an engraving.

[darkehmen]

I have to say, that is completely and utterly incredible. Of all of the year's complete boxed sets, this is the most precious.

I really can't justify buying it, as I have all of the DVDs except for the forthcoming Missa Solemnis and Overtures discs, but what a magnificent treasure-trove this would be.

mahalo, could you possibly translate what, in the contents list, is described in points 2 and 3, in green?

www.sonymusicshop.jp/detail.asp?associate=SMO&goods=SIBC-69

A Google translation gives:

1. DVD titles all 37 CD 40
1982-1988, the most mature stage of Karajan's later life to the music world, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and two large post, in fluent performances name can be overwhelming
2. luxury documents Karajan's critical biography, complete discography, concert record (planned), and included commentary works, and introduce performance artist, plenty worth reading 200 pages (planned)
3. with DVD navigation (37 Title Game highlights included)
4. baton inclusion (Karajan's signature print set)

1 and 4 and easy (37 DVDs, and the baton that you mention -- surely the most brilliant of all items to add to such a collection, a truly incredible keepsake), but the translations for points 2 and 3 are murky. Point number 2 sounds especially interesting, and I'd love to know exactly what is being offered.

[mahalo]

Hello darkehman,

I am afraid if I do not understand correctly what you would like to have me do.
However, I am explaining the following.

No.2 is "Luxury Booklet". A 200 paged book. The contents are as you mention.
No.3 is something like a "sample" DVD. I think it consists of fragments/parts of the box set.
As to "introduce performance artist", I think it may be an explanation/introduction of the artists who appear on the DVDs.

Does the above help?

[darkehmen]

Ah, yes, it does help. Thank you. I wasn't quite understanding that Item 2 was an actual book -- or booklet.

I wonder what the "complete discography" and "concert record" might comprise. A partial (or complete) record of Karajan's recordings and live concerts, like what John Hunt has published? And just in Japan, or everywhere? Very interesting.

[mahalo]

darkehmen said:

I wonder what the "complete discography" and "concert record" might comprise. A partial (or complete) record of Karajan's recordings and live concerts, like what John Hunt has published? And just in Japan, or everywhere? Very interesting.

Oh, I see.

It is my regret that I can not find detailed explanation on them.
If I can get more information on this set, I will post here.

[mahalo]

Correction.

The set includes 37 "titles" and 40 "DVDs".

[john]

Mahalo

Thanks for the information, this is indeed a fantastic release, however it is typical of the recording companies to release individual discs first and then a complete boxed set after most of us have already purchased some of the discs.

If you find out any further information please let us know especially if it will be released (with english version book) in the USA or better still europe.

John

[mahalo]

john said:

Mahalo

Thanks for the information, this is indeed a fantastic release, however it is typical of the recording companies to release individual discs first and then a complete boxed set after most of us have already purchased some of the discs.

If you find out any further information please let us know especially if it will be released (with english version book) in the USA or better still europe.

John

John,

Thank you for your interest in the set.
If I find a version with english book, I will post here.

[David]

Unfortunately for me I will be celebrating yet another landmark anniversary/birthday later this year .

However, this gives me an excellent excuse and opportunity to justify purchasing this truly magnificent DVD boxed set from Japan .

The set will be released on 21st May and I thought that members may be interested to know that it is currently available on a pre-order basis at a large discount of 26% from Amazon in Japan.

The discounted price quoted is 74,000 yen. However, my invoice was for 70,476 plus 3,000 for postage, giving a total of 73,476. I am assuming that the lower starting price may have been in connection with the removal of tax for an international sale.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the discount was reduced or even removed after the release date.

73,476 yen is the equivalent of GBP £358 as shown on -

www.xe.com/ucc

Please note that it is almost certain that there will be some Royal Mail and Customs charges on delivery.

I found that the set was surprisingly easy to order with no real differences from Amazon UK. Here is your starting point, although it is possible that this link may not work after the release date if changes have been made. The page is initially in Japanese, but there is a link to change to English -

www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%81%AE%E9%81%BA%E7%94%A3%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%97%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88DVD-BOX-%E3%83%98%E3%83%AB%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%83%88%E3%83%BB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A4%E3%83%B3/dp/B001544M6I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1211006091&sr=1-4

[~Linda~]

David

Thank you for posting this information which is very useful for buyers outside Japan.

The point about Royal Mail and Customs charges on delivery is a very valid one and should be taken into consideration when making a purchase. I speak from experience!

Linda

[Rosy]

Hello All!

I'm very tempted! Does anyone Know tell me if the Complete DVD Box includes Operas and Documentaries?

******************************************************************************

Thank you very much

Rosy

[David]

Hello Rosy,

Following on from your posting yesterday, I have been looking round at some Japanese sites for some more details of this DVD set. As Mahalo has already said it consists of 37 titles which are contained on 40 DVDs. I have the impression that this may be because three of the operas are each spread over two discs, although I’m not certain of this.

I found the following page on the Tower Records site. Hopefully the link will perform the translation automatically and then display the details -

tinyurl.com/3qtfo7

Regards -
David

[Rosy]

Dear David,

Thank you! Your information is very useful, just what I wanted to know. The temptation grew!!!

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Rosy

[halcover1]

Hi all:
Im not sure I'm going to buy it. I have all the previous DVD,s from Sony, also some reissued
because the Centenary in a lower prize. To have a batton with Karajan's autograph engraved doessn't means to much. I have 6 pictures "signed" by him. You may have a reproduction of his signature in some books.
halcover1

[Catalin N. R.]

Hi all,

Can someone who has this DVD box set, tell me which is its weight, in Kilograms? Thank you very much.

Regards,
Catalin