SIBELIUS: Finlandia, En Saga etc (Herbert von Karajan)

 SIBELIUS, Jean - Finlandia, En Saga etc (Herbert von Karajan, BPO)

 recorded 1976, CD published 1987

Brahms: Concertos for Piano No.1 & 2, Fantasia Op.116 - Jochum, Gilels, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116

Emil Gilels, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Eugen Jochum

Beethoven: Symphonies 1, 2 & 9 (von Karajan 1983, 1984)

  

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphonies 1, 2 & 9 (Herbert von Karajan)

recorded 1983, 1984

Mozart: Violin Concerto No.4 - Haydn: Symphonies Nos.92 & 104 - Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Hans Rosbaud

Mozart: Violin Concerto No.4 - Haydn: Symphonies Nos.92 & 104

Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Hans Rosbaud, Berlin Phiharmonic Orchestra

[DG 457 720-2]

The Haydn "London" Symphony has everything one wants from this piece--grandeur, breadth, singing lines, nobility of phrase, an irradiated orchestral tone. The Oxford Symphony has elegance and wit to spare, not to mention poise and balance of textures. The Mozart D Major Concerto (15 March 1956) finds Schneiderhahn in top form.

-- Gary Lemco --

Here is a wonderful bargain, three major works in fine mono sound led by one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. Hans Rosbaud was probably best known for his pioneering work with contemporary composers from Stravinsky to Ligeti. But he was a superb conductor of the classical repertoire as well. Here he performs the improbable task of getting the mighty Berlin Philharmonic to play Haydn and Mozart with the kind of clarity and attention to detail we have come to expect from period instrument groups, and with more expression than we usually get from those ensembles. Wolfgang Schneiderhan, an unjustly neglected violinist, plays very stylish Mozart as well. Highest recommendation!

-- Leslie Gerber --

Posted by octron