Post by darkehmen on Feb 4, 2008 6:45:10 GMT 1
So we all know that HvK re-recorded many works, returning to them time and again as record technology advanced. However, there are more than a few items in his repertory that he only recorded once. These "one-offs" are often particularly powerful readings of significant works.
Incidentally, I'm not talking about works that Karajan performed but never officially recorded, and which only exist in unofficial or pirate versions (we can have a separate thread about those). I also do not mean operas, because opera recordings are such enormous undertakings that they do usually mean a one-time-only experience (although even there, Karajan revisited a number of operas). I mean orchestral works for which he entered the studio and laid down tracks once and once only, meaning that if one wants to hear the conductor's own, definitive idea of a work, there is only one recording to consult.
I thought I'd list 12 of what I consider to be his most significant one-off recordings, and ask for yours. Many (but not all) come from my favourite period of the Karajan/Berlin collaboration, the early digital era. These are invaluable documents, and I'm glad that Karajan found the opportunity to preserve his interpretations of these pieces.
1. Strauss: Symphonia domestica
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002S8B/
How extraordinary that Karajan, a Strauss specialist, only recorded this mighty tone poem once -- but what a recording! The A.R.T. digital remastering by EMI is excellent, and between the two albums on which it has been reissued, this is the one to have. (In the other case, a 2CD Strauss collection, it is absurdly split over two CDs.)
2. Bruch/Mendelssohn: Violin Concerti
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000056TKI/
My favourite of the many brilliant Karajan/Muter recordings, and I prefer these concerti to the more famous ones of Brahms and even Beethoven. Both are unique recordings in the Karajan oeuvre. The Mendelssohn has the Elfenromantik sound that one encounters in many of this composer's best works, and the Bruch is soaring, rich Romanticism.
3. Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KRN06O/
This is actually my favourite Sibelius symphony, and a Karajan recording that I particularly treasure. One hears here that ethereal, transparent string sound that characterizes the early digital recordings. Some say that the early Sibelius symphonies are Tschaikowsky-inspired, but I find them distinctively Sibelian. I particularly discern the unique Sibelius sound in the haunting violin passages, and in the liberal use of timpani (employed here more frequently than in just about any symphony I've ever heard, and performing a vital musical function on their own, not just supporting tutti passages). In this album, the First coupled with a digital reading of the Sixth (another glorious product of the early digital era, and a recording that I prefer to Karajan's '60s version of the same symphony), while in the original album, it was coupled with a digital Karelia Suite (again, Karajan's only reading of the work), which is another splendid piece, especially in its concluding "march" section.
4. Nielsen: Symphony No. 4
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001GNJ/
Karajan renowned affinity for Scandinavian composers is as evident in this recording as in his famous Grieg and Sibelius albums. This symphony's timpani duel is one of the most unique and exciting passages in orchestral music, and one dearly wishes that Karajan had filmed the work. It would be a thrill to see as well as hear.
5. Franck: Symphony in D minor
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000DOGX/
Only one recording of this powerful symphony. The sound definitely testifies to its late '60s/early '70s vintage, but somehow, the dark colours of the strings suit this minor-key work. Particularly thrilling is Karajan's take on the tense theme that follows the opening. The Orchestre de Paris may not be the Berlin Philharmonic, but Karajan definitely gets the most out of them here (as he does in his fascinating film of the Symphonie Fantastique). For his Paris recordings, Karajan wisely focussed on compositions by French composers, believing, I'm sure, that the music would be "in the players' blood" -- and from the results, I'd say he was right. A must-have recording.
6. Saint-Saens: "Organ" Symphony
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001GJZ/
Speaking of French works, how thrilling to have a digital take for Karajan's one-time-only "Organ" symphony. The ancient, gravelly tones of the Notre Dame organ contrast richly with the exquisitely beautiful Berlin string sound (this is from that magical early-'80s era). Again, a film would have been phenomenal -- perhaps seeing the Berlin orchestra playing in Notre Dame cathedral itself. In his explorations of less-travelled composers and compositions, I think Karajan was drawn to musical "hooks" (like the timpani in the Nielsen 4th, and the organ in this case), something that sets the compositions off as unique.
7. Beethoven: Grosse Fuge
(download only)
I've discussed the marvels of this recording in a previous thread.
8. Mozart: Grosse Messe
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ASAEPS/
Although Mozart only composed a few works in minor keys, I find it interesting that those are often his most profound compositions (the Requiem, the two G-minor symphonies, the Adagio & Fugue). Add to that list the Great Mass in C minor, in a recording for the ages. Much as I admire Karajan's Requiem recording with the Vienna Philharmonic from a few years later, I find the sound world of this mass even more captivating -- particularly for the translucent string sound, which blends so perfectly with the soprano's voice. I would agree with a sentiment expressed elsewhere, that Karajan's Mozart evolved over the course of his career, and in this recording, as in the Eine kleine Nachtmusik from the same era, one heard a clarity, a complete absence of any "heaviness" in the strings, that for me is the ideal manner of performing works of Viennese classicism.
9. Adam: Giselle
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000E6EGWS/
Giselle is actually my favourite of the popular ballets, because its libretto taps into that vein of Dark Romanticism that also yields treasures like Der Freischuetz and Der fliengende Hollaender. Consequently, I am delighted that Karajan recorded an extensive selection from the work. The music is lush and rich -- this is the sumptuous Karajan sound (but not "thick"). A particular treat is Karajan's handling of "Loys seul et entree de Giselle -- Scene d'amour." I've heard this ballet in performance, and let me tell you, from a musical perspective, the experience was nowhere near as fulfilling as listening to this recording. In its review, Arkivmusic.com observes that other conductorsAnd to my ears, a better way.
10. Delibes: Coppelia (Suite)
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001IVO9/
Another one-off ballet recording. How can one live without the Mazurka from the opening section of the Coppelia suite? This is an extremely spirited reading, and the percussion is very much alive -- surprisingly so, considering the vintage of the recording (1961, contemporary with the Giselle). This generous CD also includes Les Sylphides, and it is interesting to hear Karajan performing Chopin's themes -- even if the arrangements are not by Chopin himself.
11. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian"
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001GXC/
How surprising to find that Karajan only recorded this work (a cornerstone of the repertory) once. I anticipated a digital revisit, which never materialized, but the recording that we do have is delightful -- sunny, bouncy, and with a lightness of touch that I usually associate with Karajan's Haydn and Mozart recordings. I wouldn't want to be without Karajan's complete Mendelssohn symphony set, but here it comes with a stirring reading of the sublime Hebrides overture, so it's a disc I particularly treasure.
And as a collection . . .
12. Digital Haydn Symphonies
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00118YMSQ/
Speaking of Haydn, I've said before how much I admire Karajan's Haydn recordings, in all of their crystalline clarity and transparency, and here is one of the more interesting DG issues that will be appearing later this year -- a box containing Karajan's complete Paris and London symphony sets. True, Karajan recorded a few of the works before these definitive collections appeared, but most of the symphonies in this series are one-time-only recordings. "Hours and hours of pure listening pleasure," as they say.
So those are some of my favourite among Karajan's "one off" interpretations. There are quite a few more. I'd love to hear which one-time-only Karajan orchestral recordings other forum members treasure . . .
Incidentally, I'm not talking about works that Karajan performed but never officially recorded, and which only exist in unofficial or pirate versions (we can have a separate thread about those). I also do not mean operas, because opera recordings are such enormous undertakings that they do usually mean a one-time-only experience (although even there, Karajan revisited a number of operas). I mean orchestral works for which he entered the studio and laid down tracks once and once only, meaning that if one wants to hear the conductor's own, definitive idea of a work, there is only one recording to consult.
I thought I'd list 12 of what I consider to be his most significant one-off recordings, and ask for yours. Many (but not all) come from my favourite period of the Karajan/Berlin collaboration, the early digital era. These are invaluable documents, and I'm glad that Karajan found the opportunity to preserve his interpretations of these pieces.
1. Strauss: Symphonia domestica
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002S8B/ How extraordinary that Karajan, a Strauss specialist, only recorded this mighty tone poem once -- but what a recording! The A.R.T. digital remastering by EMI is excellent, and between the two albums on which it has been reissued, this is the one to have. (In the other case, a 2CD Strauss collection, it is absurdly split over two CDs.)
2. Bruch/Mendelssohn: Violin Concerti
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000056TKI/My favourite of the many brilliant Karajan/Muter recordings, and I prefer these concerti to the more famous ones of Brahms and even Beethoven. Both are unique recordings in the Karajan oeuvre. The Mendelssohn has the Elfenromantik sound that one encounters in many of this composer's best works, and the Bruch is soaring, rich Romanticism.
3. Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KRN06O/This is actually my favourite Sibelius symphony, and a Karajan recording that I particularly treasure. One hears here that ethereal, transparent string sound that characterizes the early digital recordings. Some say that the early Sibelius symphonies are Tschaikowsky-inspired, but I find them distinctively Sibelian. I particularly discern the unique Sibelius sound in the haunting violin passages, and in the liberal use of timpani (employed here more frequently than in just about any symphony I've ever heard, and performing a vital musical function on their own, not just supporting tutti passages). In this album, the First coupled with a digital reading of the Sixth (another glorious product of the early digital era, and a recording that I prefer to Karajan's '60s version of the same symphony), while in the original album, it was coupled with a digital Karelia Suite (again, Karajan's only reading of the work), which is another splendid piece, especially in its concluding "march" section.
4. Nielsen: Symphony No. 4
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001GNJ/Karajan renowned affinity for Scandinavian composers is as evident in this recording as in his famous Grieg and Sibelius albums. This symphony's timpani duel is one of the most unique and exciting passages in orchestral music, and one dearly wishes that Karajan had filmed the work. It would be a thrill to see as well as hear.
5. Franck: Symphony in D minor
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000DOGX/Only one recording of this powerful symphony. The sound definitely testifies to its late '60s/early '70s vintage, but somehow, the dark colours of the strings suit this minor-key work. Particularly thrilling is Karajan's take on the tense theme that follows the opening. The Orchestre de Paris may not be the Berlin Philharmonic, but Karajan definitely gets the most out of them here (as he does in his fascinating film of the Symphonie Fantastique). For his Paris recordings, Karajan wisely focussed on compositions by French composers, believing, I'm sure, that the music would be "in the players' blood" -- and from the results, I'd say he was right. A must-have recording.
6. Saint-Saens: "Organ" Symphony
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001GJZ/Speaking of French works, how thrilling to have a digital take for Karajan's one-time-only "Organ" symphony. The ancient, gravelly tones of the Notre Dame organ contrast richly with the exquisitely beautiful Berlin string sound (this is from that magical early-'80s era). Again, a film would have been phenomenal -- perhaps seeing the Berlin orchestra playing in Notre Dame cathedral itself. In his explorations of less-travelled composers and compositions, I think Karajan was drawn to musical "hooks" (like the timpani in the Nielsen 4th, and the organ in this case), something that sets the compositions off as unique.
7. Beethoven: Grosse Fuge
(download only)
I've discussed the marvels of this recording in a previous thread.
8. Mozart: Grosse Messe
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ASAEPS/Although Mozart only composed a few works in minor keys, I find it interesting that those are often his most profound compositions (the Requiem, the two G-minor symphonies, the Adagio & Fugue). Add to that list the Great Mass in C minor, in a recording for the ages. Much as I admire Karajan's Requiem recording with the Vienna Philharmonic from a few years later, I find the sound world of this mass even more captivating -- particularly for the translucent string sound, which blends so perfectly with the soprano's voice. I would agree with a sentiment expressed elsewhere, that Karajan's Mozart evolved over the course of his career, and in this recording, as in the Eine kleine Nachtmusik from the same era, one heard a clarity, a complete absence of any "heaviness" in the strings, that for me is the ideal manner of performing works of Viennese classicism.
9. Adam: Giselle
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000E6EGWS/Giselle is actually my favourite of the popular ballets, because its libretto taps into that vein of Dark Romanticism that also yields treasures like Der Freischuetz and Der fliengende Hollaender. Consequently, I am delighted that Karajan recorded an extensive selection from the work. The music is lush and rich -- this is the sumptuous Karajan sound (but not "thick"). A particular treat is Karajan's handling of "Loys seul et entree de Giselle -- Scene d'amour." I've heard this ballet in performance, and let me tell you, from a musical perspective, the experience was nowhere near as fulfilling as listening to this recording. In its review, Arkivmusic.com observes that other conductors
offer interpretations that are quite balletic...Karajan, however, stresses the symphonic elements. The Vienna Phil plays Adam's music as if it were a Beethoven symphony. This is...an acknowledgment of a different way of interpreting Adam's score.
10. Delibes: Coppelia (Suite)
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001IVO9/Another one-off ballet recording. How can one live without the Mazurka from the opening section of the Coppelia suite? This is an extremely spirited reading, and the percussion is very much alive -- surprisingly so, considering the vintage of the recording (1961, contemporary with the Giselle). This generous CD also includes Les Sylphides, and it is interesting to hear Karajan performing Chopin's themes -- even if the arrangements are not by Chopin himself.
11. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian"
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001GXC/How surprising to find that Karajan only recorded this work (a cornerstone of the repertory) once. I anticipated a digital revisit, which never materialized, but the recording that we do have is delightful -- sunny, bouncy, and with a lightness of touch that I usually associate with Karajan's Haydn and Mozart recordings. I wouldn't want to be without Karajan's complete Mendelssohn symphony set, but here it comes with a stirring reading of the sublime Hebrides overture, so it's a disc I particularly treasure.
And as a collection . . .
12. Digital Haydn Symphonies
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00118YMSQ/Speaking of Haydn, I've said before how much I admire Karajan's Haydn recordings, in all of their crystalline clarity and transparency, and here is one of the more interesting DG issues that will be appearing later this year -- a box containing Karajan's complete Paris and London symphony sets. True, Karajan recorded a few of the works before these definitive collections appeared, but most of the symphonies in this series are one-time-only recordings. "Hours and hours of pure listening pleasure," as they say.
So those are some of my favourite among Karajan's "one off" interpretations. There are quite a few more. I'd love to hear which one-time-only Karajan orchestral recordings other forum members treasure . . .