TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY NO. 4-- HERBERT VON KARAJA CONDUCTING BERLIN PHILHARMONIC

EMI Classics ( April 24, 2007 ), Genre: Classical

Disc 11. Symphony no 40 in G minor, K 5502. Symphony no 40 in G minor, K 5503. Symphony no 40 in G minor, K 5504. Symphony no 40 in G minor, K 5505. Symphony no 41 in C major, K 551 "Jupiter"6. Symphony no 41 in C major, K 551 "Jupiter"7. Symphony no 41 in C major, K 551 "Jupiter"8. Symphony no 41 in C major, K 551 "Jupiter"9. Concerto for Oboe in C major, K 314 (285d)10. Concerto for Oboe in C major, K 314 (285d)11.

Herbert Von Karajan

Release Date: February 11, 2003

Stars: Herbert Von Karajan; Release Date: March 11, 2008

Truly a legend in his own time, Herbert von Karajan was both celebrated and criticized for the "beautiful" sound he cultivated over hundreds of best-selling studio recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic. This four-CD set helps answer the critics by showcasing the conductor at his most intense — live in the 1960s and '70s. Leading the Vienna Philharmonic, Karajan offers more mental — and, arguably, his most compelling — interpretations of his signature works; highlights include Haydn's "London" Symphony, Schubert's "Unfinished, " and Dvoràk's Eighth, as well as Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra and sacred works by Mozart and Bruckner. Drawn from the Salzburg Festival archives, these recordings — dating from 1964 to 1979, with three of the four discs in stereo — were digitally remastered by Ton Eichinger Studio in Vienna. Packaged in an eye-catching slipcase, the 120-page book features iconic photos of the conductor in action, as well as rarely seen images of the composers. The extensive texts include an introduction by Pulitzer Prize–winner Tim Page, a scene-setting note by producer Gottfried Kraus, a penetrating essay by Karajan biographer Richard Osborne ("More Psychology Than Algebra: Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic") and detailed artist biographies from The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. All texts appear in English, French and German.

Release Date: June 24, 2008

Jose Carreras

The famously rich Philadelphia strings continue to sound terrific in Tchaikovsky, while the expert winds and brass shine on this disc. The opening fanfare, in which Eschenbach takes a more leisurely and less doom-laden approach than we hear from most Russian conductors, tells us his interpretation will emphasize structural balance over shorter-term thrills. Not that excitement is lacking, but this is a cooler, less overtly emotional approach that some may find a good complement to more-emotional versions in the catalogue. Eschenbach’s reading also displays more-relaxed tempos than are usually heard, while bringing out myriad welcome details that might otherwise be lost. Still, despite comparable timings, Bernstein’s New York Philharmonic performance has more rhythmic snap and excitement, while Mravinsky’s classic Leningrad version remains in a class by itself. Eschenbach is at the piano for the final six months of The Seasons, reminding us that he was a world-class pianist before he turned to conducting. He displays keyboard command of Tchaikovsky’s charming vignettes of the months, much as he did in his traversal of the first six of the set when coupled with his recording of the Tchaikovsky Fifth. --Dan Davis

Release Date: June 24, 2008