Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
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. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com
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... read more

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan, Music, Richard Strauss, Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, Michel Schwalbe, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra, Unspecified Dance for Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Excellent Strauss representative in a modest collection

Great, But Karajan's Digital Zarathustra is even better!

Til Eulenspiegel is the reason I have this C.D.!

The greatest recording of Zarathustra ?

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GQT
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Einleitung - Introduction
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von den Hinterweltlern - Of The Backworldsmen
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von der grossen Sehnsucht - Of The Great Longing
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften - Of Joys And Passions
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Das Grablied - The Song Of The Grave
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von der Wissenschaft - Of Science And Learning
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Der Genesende - The Convalescent
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Das Tanzlied - The Dance-Song
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Nachtwandlerlied - Song Of The Night Wanderer
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Op. 28 - Nach alter Schelmenweise - In Rondeauform: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks - After An Old Picaresque Legend - In Rondeau Form
Don Juan Op. 20: Tondichtung nach Nikolaus Lenau - Tone-poem After Nikolaus Lenau
Salome: Tanz der sieben Schleier - Dance Of The Seven Veils

Amazon.com essential recording

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. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

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. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Strauss representative in a modest collection.......2007-05-03

This is another example of 'big' music, major works by Strauss by THE major post WW II German conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. I probably would have never bothered to spend much time listening to Richard Strauss if it were not for the fact that the first few bars of 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' was the opening music for Stanley Kubrick's '2001'. And, I believe it was this version (or one sounding extremely similar to this one) which was used by Kubrick. As a fan of liturgical music, I have to say that Strauss' 'Zarathustra' may be thought of as 'anti-liturgical' music, since it takes its title and temper from the philosopher Friedrich Nietsche's most famous work, a distinctly anti-Christian, existential source document. The other works on this recording are also 'high' Strauss, especially 'Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche', a celebration of classic German folklore.

There must be hundreds of 'Zarathustra' recordings, but if you must have at least one, this one is a winner, especially at the price.

Great, But Karajan's Digital Zarathustra is even better!.......2005-12-24

Herbert von Karajan recorded the great Strauss tone-poem Also Sprach Zarathustra three times, each time it was exceptional and each record ranks at the top of the mountain, so to speak. The first record was in 1959 with the Vienna Philharmornic. That was the version used by Stanley Kubrick in 2001: A Space Odyssey. This version that I'm reviewing here is from 1974 with the Berlin Philharmonic and there is a final version from 1983, also with Berlin. This 1974 account is probably the second best ever, only the later digital version is superior. It's not a superior interpretation, ( Karajan was always inspired in this music ), it's just that the later version has a deeper bass sound which adds greatly to the awesome experience. The later version, coupled with the tone-poem Don Juan is on the Karajan Gold disc, catalog number 439 016-2. Make sure you get that Gold disc. If you're a fan of this work, you might want to get them both as there are a few, albeit, slight differences in the 2 recordings.

On this 1974 record I'm reviewing, track 2, Of the Backworldsmen is tremendously powerful, such sweeping string sound unlike in any Zarathustra you've ever heard, it's better than Karajan's later version in this part. However the later version is more significant in the opening and later parts like Of Joys and Passions and as well as the rich, deep restatement of the Sunrise theme.

As for the music itself, Zarathustra is one of the most evocative and fascinating of the orchestral works of Strauss, from the famous opening to the transcendent fury to come to the hushed, meditative polytonal ending, contrasting the two keys representing man and nature. I want to pay particular attention to a couple of passages that display Strauss' strengths and weaknesses in this work. Listen to track 6, subtitled Of Science and Learning. Strauss composes a fugue based on all 12 tones of the chromatic scale, years before Schoenberg's shenanigans. The fugue is great, a dark sound rumbling from the bowels of the orchestra and then it grows and grows and wham, you get this ultra sweet sound on high violins! What's up with that? Strauss schmaltzing it up! Well, you can't have everything. Later in the work, Strauss uses the Viennesse waltz to convey the dance of Nietzsche's Superman. This is Strauss being at his ironic and humorous best and worst! Later the orchestra expands and explodes with unrelenting force in the part just before the Midnight Bell and then the music closes beautifully in the Song of the Grave. All in all, the tone-poem is a stunning display of orchestral wizardry and power and no composer in history could utilize the modern orchestra to the farthest range of it's capabilities like Richard Strauss. ( Gustav Mahler, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Maurice Ravel and Ottorino Respighi are four challengers. )

The other works on this CD are quite a success as well, Karajan loved the tone-poem Don Juan and played it many times, Till Eulenspiegel is played well too, I might prefer Haitink's version here. The dance of the seven veils from Salome is highly sensual, but I prefer the power and sexual excitement of Solti's recording for this Salome excerpt.

I've heard many Zarathustras, two versions by Solti, the 1954 and 1960 Reiner versions as well as Kempe, Sawallisch, Boulez and others, but it's Karajan I return to. This 1974 is top of the line but make sure to add the digital 1983 recording to your collection as well, turn it up loud and be swept into ecstasy while sending all your neighbors into a fury!

Til Eulenspiegel is the reason I have this C.D.!.......2005-10-19

Herbert Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic did a splendid job on one of my personal favorite classic pieces, Til Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks. It's 15 minutes worth of wonderful music put together in this C.D. along with Also Sprach Zarathustra! Enjoyable listening with this c.d.!!

The greatest recording of Zarathustra ?.......2005-09-13

Karajan and his beloved Berlin Philharmonic have been accused of "over indulgency" (for example, in the complete recordings of the Beethoven Symphonies, also available on Deutsche Gramaphon). However, the same cannot be said for this recording. Lustrous strings, powerful brass and clear and concise woodwinds, all combined under the virtuosity of probably, at the time, the world's greatest conductor with the world's greatest orchestra !

The opening of Zarathustra (made famous to the point of boring repetition from the movie 2001, a space odyssey), is easily susceptible to over emotional interpretation from the conductor; not so here.It is delivered with subtlety and combined with the awe inspiring power one would expect from the combination of the reputation of such a conductor and such an orchestra.

This almost "hands-off" interpretation of the work extends to the other Richard Strauss works also on the CD; Til Eulenspiegel, Don Juan and Salome, Dance of the Seven veils. For ANYONE interested in the works of this German composer, this CD is an absolute MUST!!! In over 35 years of listening to classical music, I would say this superbly re engineered recording from the original of 1974 represents the geatest interpretation ever made on vinyl (or in this case, digital)media of Strauss' best music.

An absolutely wonderful CD demonstrating the technical AND musical skills of an orchestra that during the 1970's and 80's was regarded as the world's best, being conducted by a conductor who, for over 30 years, was regarded as the world's best!

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan.......2005-08-09

Excellent items! Fast delivery. Thanks.

R. Strauss: Zarathustra; Don Juan; 4 Last Songs, etc.

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL!!
Good remasterings of Karajan classics
Karajan's Greatest Strauss hits?`

R. Strauss: Zarathustra; Don Juan; 4 Last Songs, etc.

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008CLNW
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Introduction
Of The Backworldsmen
Of The Great Longing
Of Joys And Passions
The Song Of The Grave
Of Science And Learning
The Convalescent
The Dance-Song
Song Of The Night Wanderer
Tone Poem After Nikolaus Lenau
Fruhling - Anna Tomowa-Sintow
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Im Abendrot - Anna Tomowa-Sintow

Tracks:

Night
Sunrise
The Ascent
Entering The Forest
Wandering By The Brook
By The Waterfall
Apparition
Flowery Meadows
In The Mountain Pasture
On The Wrong Track Through Thickets And Undergrowth
On The Glacier
Precarious Moments
On The Summit
Vision
Rising Mists
The Sun Gradually Dims
Elegy
Calm Before The Storm
Thunderstorm, Descent
Sunset
Epilogue
Night
After An Old Picaresque Legend - In Rondeau Form
Tanz Der Sieben Schleier

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL!!.......2007-03-02

Strauss bajo la batuta de Karajan por lo general logro un sonido solido y preciso, este album doble no es la excepcion, la Filarmonica de Berlin inmaculada gracias al trabajo arduo del director austriaco, que por cierto en la actualidad pareciera que va perdiendo un poco ese sonido preciso y caracteristico.
Recomiendo este cd para quien quiera tener su primera aproximacion a Strauss, excelente interpretacion y muy buena remasterizacion.
VERY GOOD!!!

Good remasterings of Karajan classics.......2006-01-20

Half of this bargain two-fer comes from the Sevenites (Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan, Till Eulespiegel), and the other half from the Eighties (Four Last Songs, Alpine Sym.). The significance has to do with recorded sound. The later digital recordings have sounded nasty and shrill but are now much better thanks to the current remastering. The earlier analog ones sound increidbly good, particularly the Zarathustra. Critics tend to prfer Karajan's version of the Four Last Songs with Gundula Janowitz, but that recording isn't in as good sound as this one, and Tomova-Simtov lets us hear the poetry more clearly. I am happy to own both and even happier that the early digital-era problems have been solved.

Karajan's Greatest Strauss hits?`.......2004-10-22

This recoupling of Strauss masterpieces is probaby Herbert von Karajan's greatest existing CD set of Richard Strauss, for whose music he was an unquestioned master. This set is headlined by Karjan's remarkable 1974 performance of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and his top of the line digital recording of "Eine Alpensinfonie" from 1981. It includes a number of popular Strauss tone poems and Karajan's elegant collaboration with Anna Tomowa-Sintow of the Four Last Songs.

The remastering on this set is somewhat uneven. "Also Sprach Zarathustra" sounds about the same here as it did on the DG Strauss Panorama two-CD set where it last appeared. The Alpine Symphony is the 21-track version from the Karajan Gold CD and is a major improvement over the earlier single track and 11 track versions DG distributed. The performance in this set sounded wonderful on my home stereo.

I paid an Amazon.com vendor about $9 for this set new, making it an outstanding bargain box of most of Karajan's best Strauss recordings. His EMI "Ein Heldenleben" is not included, of course. Still, this set is a major improvement of the DG Strauss Panorama that included Karajan's 1959 recording of "Ein Heldenleben".

With the addition of Karajan's recordings of "Don Juan", "Til Eulenspiegel" and Salome's "Dance of the Seven Veils", this now becomes the preferred collection of Strauss orchestral music by this conductor.

Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan

Average customer rating:

Karajan's Best Zara?
A Magnificient Zarathustra for the Ages!
Ignore the pan--this is great Strauss
Good Interpretation, Technical Limitations

Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GK1
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Intro
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Backworldsmen
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Great Longing
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Joys And Passions
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: The Song Of The Grave
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Science And Learning
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: The Convalescent
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: The Dance-Song
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Song Of The Night Wanderer
Don Juan, Op.20

Customer Reviews:

Karajan's Best Zara?.......2007-03-25

Karajan was almost obsessed with R.Strauss Symphonic Poems trying ever to achieve higher level of perfection both artistically and technically (including recording technology). He recorded Don Quixote 4 times, Til Eulenspiegel 6 times, Tod und Verklarung 3 times, Metamorphosen 3 times and so on, excluding many unofficail live recordings.

Also sprach Zarathustra was recorded three times officially; Decca, DG 1973 and this digital version which is grandest and best recorded of all. As to which one is best, opinions are divided depending on personal tastes for interpretation and sound quality. I have an impression that Karajan was more interested in representing the richness and intricacy of Strauss' orchestration with the last digital version, while other two readings are more or less straightforward. Only weakness of the digital version is the opening which is not as spectacular as the other two.

A Magnificient Zarathustra for the Ages! .......2005-12-24

This last recording of Zarathustra by Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic is truly stunning. As pure sound it's heavenly, the recording is rich and the interpretation has a depth and otherworldliness that other versions lack. Some might prefer the leaner, faster Reiner version from 1954 but it's kind of cold and efficient and doesn't embrace the human as much as Karajan does in this performance. Karajan certainly embraces the human and the superhuman in this luscious, grandiose tapestry of sound. If you want to buy several versions, this Karajan version is number 1, number 2 would be the Karajan 1974 version and third place would be either Reiner 1954 or 1962, Karajan 1959, Solti in the 1990's with Berlin, Haitink in the 1970's, or whatever other interpretation you prefer. Just make sure you have this Karajan Gold disc in your possession if you care about Also Sprach Zarathustra.

The Don Juan is also terrific here and together makes this a must purchase for the fan of Strauss, Karajan or classical music in general. I agree with other people that Karajan's recordings in the 1980's were not always the finest when compared to his previous versions of the same music, however in this case an exception must be made, this performance is one of his best from the 1980's. Make sure you are purchasing this recording in it's remastered form, the label is Karajan Gold, catalog number 439 016-2.

Ignore the pan--this is great Strauss.......2005-09-05

Comparing them side by side, I also prefer the earlier analog versions of these pieces under Karajan, but he didn't exactly slack off in the digital era. This is superlative, blockbuster Strauss of the kind Karajan did without rivals.

Good Interpretation, Technical Limitations.......1999-05-20

HvK is one the most renowned conductors of Richard Strauss, and also this CD is certainly no exception. HvK is very demanding, he lives the story like it was his own: The music of the BPO is grandiose, where the score of the poetic drama demands it, and it is sensitive and full of feelings, where most likely Strauss himself would have wanted it. This CD however, has to stand up against the highest of standards actually set by no other than the Maestro himself, back 1973 on DG as well. And here, we have the clash of titan against himself, in two different ages, and of course, with two entirely different recording techniques. With this CD, recorded in the early days of the digital age, the dynamic is much more impressive, there are no contortions whatsoever, but typically for digital recordings of the early '80s, the cords are sterile and the sound is lacking much of often desired characteristic warmth, especially with a to-the-point-precise, strictly objective perfectionist conductor like HvK. The old analog recording offers far more loveliness, like an old blue jeans, that you loved a lot and therefore wore so long. However, even a not so perfect digital DG-Karajan recording is still a good one, and like any new pants, it may become comfortable with age, and so it shall be left to each music friend for himself, which of one the ages, which one of the CDs, or shall we say, blue jeans, to prefer. (RURW).

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, etc / Herbert von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Karajan Rules
2001 Music
as expected, it's excellent

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, etc / Herbert von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Manufacturer: Decca
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004C8TF
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

Thus Spake Zarathustra: Introduction (Sunrise)
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of The Backworldsmen
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of The Great Longing
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of Joys And Passions
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Funeral Song
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of Science
Thus Spake Zarathustra: The Convalescent
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Dance Song
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Night-wanderer's Song
Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks
Dance of the Seven Veils
Don Juan

Customer Reviews:

Karajan Rules.......2004-03-29

This is simply a document of just how high a standard an orchestra can achieve. Recorded before the disastrous fall out between the Vienna State Opera and Karajan. This is simply the finest recordings of this set of tone poems from Richard Strauss..bar none! For Horn players this is a special treat and nowhere on earth will you hear such incredible horn work.

Somehow with other orchestras these pieces can come off either as vulgar or sloppy. Karjan and Vienna worked in these John Culshaw/DECCA productions towards a goal of utmost perfection..AND ACHIEVE IT!

If you compare with Szell, these recording easily bypass Cleveland's foray into these repetoire by sounding human and even in places WARM...something the CBC Szell recordings possessed little of.

Save the waste and get Karajan...these are splendid transfers with excellent playing in all departments.

2001 Music.......2000-08-22

If you've ever wondered what recording was actually used in 2001 A Space Odysee, look no further. Herbert von Karajan made a recording of this piece when this piece wasn't popular. It was a risk, but now tends to be one of the defining pieces of music by Richard Strauss. Although there is considerable hiss on this recording in the softer passages, the music is beautiful and never overshadowed by the hiss. The remastering by the folks at Decca have made sure that all the pianissimos are still wonderful. Karajan was a master of the quieter moments in a score, and teamed with the Vienna Philharmonic doing Strauss, you have a great combination. For example, listen to all of track 2 and you'll know what I mean. Of course, that isn't to say that the louder more powerful parts aren't noteworthy. Karajan was a master of those too. Perhaps that's why he was the 20th Century's greatest conductor (that's an opinion, not a fact). It's all captured well in this recording. Decca has long had a tradition of fine recordings. This remastering is superb.

as expected, it's excellent.......2000-04-17

It is quite remarkable that Also Sprach Zarathustra was originally recorded in March, 1959, the digital remastering makes it sound like a brand new recording. The percussion here and in Till Eulenspiegel is very crisp. The performances are pretty well self-recommending. On Track 7 there is a glissando by the Vienna Philharmonic strings that makes you shake your head in disbelief. This recording is also enhanced by the excellent documentation, including the Herculean efforts by the engineers some 40 years ago to dub the organ parts, which were played at a nearby church (there was no organ at the Sofiensaal). The organ had to be re-tuned to the VPO's pitch. Quite fascinating reading indeed.

I won't go so far as to say this is the one to have for this music, as Karajan's 1974 recording with the BPO of all 4 of these items is pretty great in its own right. I think Michel Schwalbe's solo violin contribution in the latter recording might tip the scales in its favour, but that's admittedly splitting hairs. Fritz Reiner's famous recording in Chicago, and Haitink, and Kempe in Dresden - just to name a few - can rub shoulders with either of the Karajans. Nonetheless, this record is very welcome indeed and can be strongly recommended, especially at medium price.

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegel; Don Juan; etc. [Germany]
Average customer rating:
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegel; Don Juan; etc. [Germany]
Schwalbe , Karajan , and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005V8YW
Release Date: 2002-01-02

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30
Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche, Op.28
Don Juan, Op.20
Ein Heldenleben, Op.40
Tod Und Verklarung, Op.24

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan

Average customer rating:

Karajan surpasses himself in Strauss

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Introduction (Sunrise)
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Backworldsmen
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Great Longing
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Joys And Passions
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Funeral Song
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Science
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: The Convalescent
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Dance Song
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Night-Wanderer's Song
Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op.28
Dance Of The Seven Veils From Salome
Don Juan, Op.20

Customer Reviews:

Karajan surpasses himself in Strauss.......2005-09-27

Furtwangler headed bot the Vienna and Berlin Phil. for life, and after him Karajan headed both orchestras as well, but his recorded legacy mainly rests in Berlin. It was with them that he made an acclaimed series of Strauss recordings for DG.

But this one with Vienna is very special. All three tone poems are performed with utmost refinement and power, the unique combination displayed by this legendary orchestra. Despite some tape hiss, the recording is excellent--warm and detailed.

But really it's the incredible peformances one returns to. As the greatest Strauss conductor of a generation, Karajan sometimes excelled even himself, and this is one such occasion. I doubt we will hear its like in a long time.

Average customer rating:

Vintage Strauss

Panorama: Richard Strauss

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B00004W3J1
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra: Introduction
Also sprach Zarathustra: Of the Backworldsmen
Also sprach Zarathustra: Of Great Longing
Also sprach Zarathustra: Of Joys and Passions
Also sprach Zarathustra: Funeral Song
Also sprach Zarathustra: Of Science
Also sprach Zarathustra: The Convalescent
Also sprach Zarathustra: Dance Song
Also sprach Zarathustra: Song of the Night Wanderer
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Vier letzte Lieder: September - Gundula Janowitz
Vier letzte Lieder: Beim Schlafengehen - Gundula Janowitz
Vier letzte Lieder: Im Abendrot - Gundula Janowitz

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op. 20 - Thomas Brandis
Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche, Op. 28 - Berliner Philharmoniker
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Adversaries
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Companion
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Battlefield
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Works of Peace
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Retreat from the World and Fulfilment

Amazon.com

Here's a formidable value, with Karajan's towering 1959 account of Ein Heldenleben (the first of three he set down with the great Berlin orchestra) perhaps the jewel in the crown. It's a fabulous performance, with BPO leader Michel Schwalbe unforgettably eloquent in his characterization of Strauss's wife, Pauline. The sound, too, remains pretty stupendous given its early stereo vintage. Karajan's hugely imposing 1972 BPO recording of Also sprach Zarathustra always was something of a show-stopper, and in the Four Last Songs, the same partnership provides a headily opulent backcloth for Gundula Janowitz (in radiant voice throughout, and yet another desert-island display). Norbert Hauptmann makes a velvet-toned, nimble soloist in the easygoing Second Horn Concerto. For Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegel, Karl Böhm takes over at the helm. Both performances show this estimable maestro at his very best; indeed, this 1958 Till is surely one of the most endearingly warmhearted ever committed to disc (wonderfully nimble horn playing at the start), while Don Juan positively surges with thrusting ardor. As Strauss starter packs go, you won't do much better than this. --Andrew Achenbach

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Strauss.......2004-02-26

This DG twofer of Strauss "Panorama" includes important performances batched together at a good price. No "Also Sprach Zarathustra" on this planet exceeds the excitement, playing and passion Karajan coaxes from his Berlin Philharmonic circa 1974, the same year the Horn Concerto 2 was recorded. Karl Bohm's contributions on this set, early 1950s stereo readings of "Don Juan" and "Till Eulenspiegel" are sublime and among the best versions ever recorded. Karajan's 1959 "Ein Heldenleben" cannot match his 1976 reading on EMI but retains a youthful vigor and spirit that eluded him later in his career. Gundula Janowitz sings the "Four Last Songs" with style and conviction, rounding out an excellent program of classics from the past 50 years. If you seek a Strauss collection full of staples and done well, this is an excellent buy.

Average customer rating:

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00008FJBO
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Strauss: Don Juan op. 20, Tod und Verklarung op. 24, Also sprach Zarathustra op. 30 (London)

Average customer rating:

Strauss: Don Juan op. 20, Tod und Verklarung op. 24, Also sprach Zarathustra op. 30 (London)

Manufacturer: London
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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