Karajan and the Philharmonia

[Barbirollians]

I know they had their ups and downs but he made some terrific records with them. I have been listening to a box in the Warner Karajan series from 1951-1960 of classical and 19th century works and how vital so manner of their collaborations were in particular Brahms 2 and 4, Schubert 8, early a Richard Strauss recordings and Johann Strauss and other Viennese works . the box includes a great clapping free Radetzky March .

What was really illuminating was comparing the two recordings of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - the Allegro of the Philharmonia recording much quicker and the whole performance zips along - the BPO account from only a couple of years later in the same box has a significantly slower Allegro and the very plush strings make it seem very dated no matter how gorgeous the playing.

[jayne lee wilson]

Most striking for me were the Roussel 4th (only 15 years old when recorded) and the famous Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, one of my earliest LP purchases......

[silvestrione]

I know they had their ups and downs but he made some terrific records with them. I have been listening to a box in the Warner Karajan series from 1949-1960 of classical and 19th century works and how vital so manner of their collaborations were in particular Brahms 2 and 4, Schubert 8, early a Richard Strauss recordings and Johann Strauss and other Viennese works . the box includes a great clapping free Radetzky March .

What was really illuminating was comparing the two recordings of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - the Allegro of the Philharmonia recording much quicker and the whole performance zips along - the BPO account from only a couple of years later in the same box has a significantly slower Allegro and the very plush strings make it seem very dated no matter how gorgeous the playing.

Yes, though, a minor correction, you're actually referring to the 1951 -- 1960 Warner box...the only one I don't have!

[Barbirollians]

Yes, though, a minor correction, you're actually referring to the 1951 -- 1960 Warner box...the only one I don't have!

Yes one of the other boxes is 1949-60 can’t remember which.

If you can get us reasonably priced I recommend it wholeheartedly . The Schumann 4 from 1957 is another classic this time with the BPO though.

[Petrushka]

Yes one of the other boxes is 1949-60 can’t remember which.

If you can get us reasonably priced I recommend it wholeheartedly . The Schumann 4 from 1957 is another classic this time with the BPO though.

The 1949-1960 box is the one that includes the Sibelius symphony recordings with the Philharmonia, a Bartok Concerto for Orchestra and Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta plus the famous Britten Frank Bridge Variations and RVW Tallis Fantasia. It's a great set with many more classic recordings.

[Barbirollians]

Yes one of the other boxes is 1949-60 can’t remember which.

If you can get us reasonably priced I recommend it wholeheartedly . The Schumann 4 from 1957 is another classic this time with the BPO though.

It also includes the 1958 Bruckner 8 with the BPO which contemporaneous Gramophone reviews suggest was a major event . Derycke Cooke noted that the set cost £5 the equivalent of £117.70 nowadays.

It still holds up well.

[Bryn]

It also includes the 1958 Bruckner 8 with the BPO which contemporaneous Gramophone reviews suggest was a major event . Derycke Cooke noted that the set cost £5 the equivalent of £117.70 nowadays.

It still holds up well.

Phew, that's £23.59 more than I paid for the Complete Warner Karajan boxed boxes.

[Bert]

Phew, that's £23.59 more than I paid for the Complete Warner Karajan boxed boxes.

Very lucky you, Bryan

[Barbirollians]

The 1949-1960 box is the one that includes the Sibelius symphony recordings with the Philharmonia, a Bartok Concerto for Orchestra and Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta plus the famous Britten Frank Bridge Variations and RVW Tallis Fantasia. It's a great set with many more classic recordings.

Finally , opened this box and my those mono Sibelius records are superb . Just listened to thr Frank Bridge variations no wonder that is such a famous record . Like the Tallis Fantasia too seems to move a long quite briskly compared with Boult and Barbirolli.

An account of the Harty suite from the Water Music likely to send the most zealous Hippites for their smelling salts- contains some gorgeous horn playing though no doubt from Dennis Brain.

[Barbirollians]

Some splendidly played Rossini overtures from 1960 right at the end of HVK’s time with the Philharmonia is next in the box. It is striking what a crack orchestra they were in those days.

[Barbirollians]

The Roussel 4 really comes up as fresh as paint in this remastering.

[richardfinegold]

I was thinking of getting that box, but isn’t it dominated by Opera recordings (not my bailiwick).

[Barbirollians]

I was thinking of getting that box, but isn’t it dominated by Opera recordings (not my bailiwick).

No - but there are quite a lot of opera intermezzi in mono and stereo- there is a lot of early Philharmonia Sibelius 2,4-7 , some Bartok Concerto for Orchestra and both a mono and stereo Music for Strings , P and C , the Roussel , the Frank Bridge Variations and Tallis Fantasia and the Rossini Overtures. There are a couple of arias with Boris Christoff and rather fine they are too.

I have not listened to the whole box but there is also a Berlioz CD including the symphonie fantastique , someBizet Carmen and L’Arlesienne suites, La Mer and I think his first BPO New World.

[BBMmk2]

Most striking for me were the Roussel 4th (only 15 years old when recorded) and the famous Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, one of my earliest LP purchases......

& their RVW Thomas Tallis!

[ChandlersFord]

Karajan’s Philharmonia recordings seem to be generally highly-regarded; as are his early BPO recordings.

Karajan’s attitude to the orchestra was, apparently, slightly dismissive. He once likened them to a student orchestra, because they lacked the instinct for ‘cutting loose’ (or something). One of their deps (Peter Gibbs) famously mounted a verbal attack on von K for keeping an American audience waiting and then refusing to take a bow/do an encore: that may have coloured his perception of the band.