"Perhaps the greatest conductor of the 20th century"

[jayne lee wilson]

Conspiracy! It's all a conspiracy! Infamy, they've all...


Reactions a bit over the top here? The HVK mag is only accessible through the digital subscription and even though I have that, I won't be bothering...

Those of us who've always bought Gramophone (and IRR) mainly for reviews and release lists (and now the brilliant archive), don't bother our heads too much about Specials or promotions etc. Whats in the noos is often whats comin' to town...

Recent G. issues have included features about Max Davies, Robin Holloway, Lachenmann and Gubaidulina, and while I could pick a fight with some comments or omissions within, you have to at least give them A for effort. Stimmulistening!
The Specialists Guides are often very handy too. Recents have included lesser-known Hindemith, Piano Quintets and music for Shakespeare's Tempest... and this month we finally got a print review of...
Rozhdestvensky VW live in Leningrad...(RC)...... AFAIK, only one since John Quinn's noble Musicweb effort.

[waldo]

Conspiracy! It's all a conspiracy! Infamy, they've all...


Reactions a bit over the top here?

I am sure you are right. I certainly wasn't implying that it compromised GM's integrity in any way......

Citizen Camembert, if I remember rightly.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Perhaps Karajan's finest recordings were those he made for Decca. I think of the breathtakingly atmospheric Vienna Aida, the Tchaikovsky Ballet Suites, Dvorak 8 (though it no. 4 at the time), Strauss tone poems, Tosca, La Boheme and Madama Butterfly, The Planets (vastly better than his Berlin remake) and Otello. These were HvK at his peak.

[greenilex]

I was taken to see Klemperer conduct Beethoven when I was still a child. I still value those performances higher than anything I have heard subsequently.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

When I was young, I could not appreciate Klemperer's performances. They just seemed too heavy and ponderous. Now I can appreciate their strength.

[Ferretfancy]

Perhaps Karajan's finest recordings were those he made for Decca. I think of the breathtakingly atmospheric Vienna Aida, the Tchaikovsky Ballet Suites, Dvorak 8 (though it no. 4 at the time), Strauss tone poems, Tosca, La Boheme and Madama Butterfly, The Planets (vastly better than his Berlin remake) and Otello. These were HvK at his peak.

I agree, and what terrific balance between voices and orchestra in the Otello, Aida and Tosca !

One of the earliest Decca recordings he made was Die Fledermaus, which is still delightful. I must try to hear his EMI Beethoven symphonies with the Philharmonia again. I remember them as excellent, as was his mono recording of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. I saw him conduct the Philharmonia on a number of occasions at the RFH, including a wonderful Don Juan.

[Barbirollians]

Furtwangler for me is the one I wish had been recorded in good stereo sound - what we get is probably no more than an approximation on his mono records.


Otherwise Walter and Barbirolli

[Dave2002]

And, whilst it might be a point in Karajan's favour had he never conducted any Orff, one has to admit:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Temporum-Fin...arajan%2C+orff

Somewhat strange piece!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Somewhat strange piece!

I think that's the most polite reaction to the work I've ever encountered!

[cloughie]

Didn't he conduct quite a lot of Levi Strauss?

501 performances of his cousin Richard?

[Dave2002]

I think that's the most polite reaction to the work I've ever encountered!

I'm still trying to check out Bryn's Katchaturian 3, which might even be more problematic. Perhaps I shouldn't bother, but I'm now intrigued.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'm still trying to check out Bryn's Katchaturian 3, which might even be more problematic. Perhaps I shouldn't bother, but I'm now intrigued.

More laughs in the Khatchaturian.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

501 performances of his cousin Richard?

[BBMmk2]

Comparing HvK's recording of Mahler's 6th, although very good recording and interpretation, etc, I still find that Abbado's is infinitely far better. In all the repertoire that both conductors had, Abbado, certainly had the edge over HvK.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Comparing HvK's recording of Mahler's 6th, although very good recording and interpretation, etc, I still find that Abbado's is infinitely far better. In all the repertoire that both conductors had, Abbado, certainly had the edge over HvK.

My seconds will see your seconds, sir (and will order a couple of Black Sheep ales for us).

"Infinitely"??!! Bah - humbug, I say - HUMBUG!!!