Best Karajan Recordings

[beethoven2]

Hi! Recently, I've been expanding my collection of Karajan recordings. I have a list of CDs I need below. I would appreciate it, if you advised me on which recordings are the best. When I say 'best', I have a few qualities in mind. First, overall best. The recording that most people consider the best. Second, originality. Which recording is most "typical Karajan sound"? And third, the best sound quality, re-editing, digital formatting, etc. Oh, by the way, I would prefer recordings with either the Berlin or Vienna Philharmonic.

For numbers 2-6, I mean the specific symphony's best recording by itself, not the complete cycle. For Haydn, the complete cycle.

1. Haydn London Symphonies
2. Beethoven Symphony 5
3. Beethoven Symphony 7
4. Beethoven Symphony 9
5. Beethoven Symphony 3
6. Other Beethoven Symphonies
7. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1
8. Tchaikovsky Symphony 5 +6
9. Mahler Symphony 5
10. Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos 2+3
11. Rachmaninoff Symphony 2

Because this is such a long list, feel free to only comment on a few items in the list. Thanks!

[john]

For no. 9 there is only one Karajan recording, this is on DG with the BPO and this is excellent.
For 10 & 11 you will unfortunately have to look elsewhere as Karajan never recorded these works.

I will comment on one of the others namely the Tchaikowsky Piano Concerto no.1, my personal favourite is the 'live' DG cd or Sony DVD of the 1988 Berlin new years eve concert with Kissin as the soloist, I feel this one fits most of the criteria you mention, however there are a few studio versions that are very good especially the DG cd with Berman as soloist.

I will leave further recommendations to other members who I know have greater understanding of the symphonies and will give you excellent guidance on these.

John

[john]

My apologies.

On my previous post I said that Karajan never recorded the Rachmaninov, of course there is an excellent Piano Concerto
no.2 on CD from EMI with Weissenberg as the soloist, you can also get this DVD via DG.

John

[beethoven2]

Thank you for your contributions, John. Hoping to see other opinions. Also, I was wondering, what's with the DG and EMI? Is there a difference? Is one better? Could anyone give me the background? But, please, remember the list.

[Rosy]

Dear Beethoven2,

On your list, you have insert pieces to me very dear; I don't want to create confusion in your mind, but as Alexander says, you can develop within you an idea, an opinion, then you decide just listening to your sensibility.

9. About Mahler, together Symphony No 5, I would recommend No 6 and No 9 live, this last is an absolute masterpiece ( all DG ). Useful comparison, Bernstein idea of interpretation.
?. Beethoven. We should consider that the nine Symphonies should be taken in toto as Karajan has always followed the Beethoven's unitary conception, and the Symphony No 9 is the summary of all other.Karajan has been following this thread. If you like Beethoven so much, don't interrupt this circle!
1. Haydn. I have the DG Box-set, release in 1990
7. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1. I like very much one quoted by John, with Evgeny Kissin as soloist.
8. Tchaicovsky 5 & 6, share the same sentiments; karajan is unsurpassed in both. Karajan Gold, one per disc, release in 1993
10. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2. I like one with Alexis Weissenberg as soloist (Emi CD or DG DVD)

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Very Best Wishes
Rosy

[Rosy]

Hello again, Beethoven2

About Beethoven, I've give you no indications because I have proposed you all karajan's recordings!
The difference between Emi and DG must be evaluated case by case; if I like a recording, I buy both!
About Karajan sound, it feels always, you try to consider his poetic.
Sorry for my advices doesn't request!

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Ciao
Rosy

[lee]

It's always hard to try and pinpoint the best of Karajan's recordings, but for what it's worth, the following is my own personal preferences:

Beethoven Symphonies - my favourite cycle is the one from DG recorded during 1976/77. For me it represents Karajan at the peak of his powers - it is more flamboyant than the 1960's cycle and has better sound than the EMI/Philharmonia integral as well as the later DG Digital cycle. As Waldstein has suggested, the DG/Unitel cycle on DVD is the visual equivalent.

Haydn London Symphonies: Karajan only recorded the complete London Symphonies once, for DG Digital. However, he recorded the London symphony (no 104) for both Decca in the early 1960's with the VPO and for EMI with the BPO in the early 1970's, as well as in the DG Digital cycle. Of the three, my favourite is the Decca/VPO version.

Tchaikovsky: Symp Nos 5&6 - Waldstein has given a fairly comprehensive answer here, but my own personal favourite is the tapings made for DG with the Berlin PO in 1976. They have darker edge to them than the 1960's Berlin traversal and are in better sound than the 1970 EMI cycle. The DG Digital recordings with the VPO are disappointing.

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No 1 - as John has suggested, the recording with Lazar Berman is probably the most central recommendation (and should be coupled with a very fine Violin Concerto with Ferras), but like Waldstein, I have a soft spot for the Orchestre de Paris version on EMI with Weissenberg.

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto Nos 2&3 - Karajan never performed the third, however there is a recording of the second with Weissenberg and the BPO on CD with EMI and DVD on DG.

Rachmaninov: Symphony No 2 - again Karajan never performed this work. However, there was talk of a recording of it with him and the BPO for EMI during the 1960's - plans which were vetoed by EMI executives.

Mahler: Symphony No 5 - there is only one recording of this, for DG in 1973.

Hope this helps, Lee