Richard Strauss : Also Sprach Zarathustra - Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker

Richard Strauss : Also Sprach Zarathustra

Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker

1973, 1974

An electrifying Zarathustra, arguably, the best on the market

Penguin Guide

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra op.30 : Introduction 02. Of the Backworldsmen 03. Of the Great Longing 04. Of Joys and Passions 05. The Song of the Grave 06. Of Science and Learning 07. The Convalescent 08. The Dance Song 09. Song of the Night Wanderer 10. Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche op.28 11. Don Juan op.20 12. Salome: Tanz der sieben Schleier

Amazon.com essential recording

Editorial Reviews : David Hurwitz

Herbert von Karajan was a Strauss specialist, and if ever composer and conductor were united in musical philosophy, then these two were. Both favored making a beautiful, creamy, homogenized sound over just about all else, and von Karajan clearly relished the opportunities this music offered for playing that combined both tonal opulence and virtuosity. His Zarathustra (a.k.a. 2001: A Space Odyssey) is, along with Fritz Reiner's, probably among the two or three best performances preserved on disc, and von Karajan is nearly flawless on the other works as well. More good news: DG has given him warm, rich sound that's much better than their Berlin average. An essential Strauss collection.

Amazon com : Editorial Reviews : Ted Libbey

The readings from Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic are exquisitely played and splendidly recorded. Von Karajan's way with the music is supple, suave, and dashingly characterful, and his tempos are faultlessly judged. The orchestra is at its best, remarkable for the silky transparency it brings to the texture and the fascinating detail of the solo work--not least, the flute solos by James Galway, then a member of the BPO. The recording has been optimally transferred and presents a solid image.

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