Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Wagner: Orchestral Music from Der Fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, etc.

Karajan's Phenomenal Wagner

dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains the exact same performances and the exact same remastering as the EMI "Great Recordings of the Century" release. The only difference is that the tracks are reordered. I have reviewed that Karajan CD and my review stands for this CD too, since it is the same thing in different packaging.



These are some of the most passionate, romantic and utterly thrilling performances of Wagner orchestral music you can hope to hear. Herbert von Karajan was the greatest conductor alive at the time these recordings were made and the Berlin Philharmonic was the greatest orchestra in the world. United in Wagner's music, they send chills up the spin. The sound is great, for such a cheap price you can't be without this recording whether you buy it here in the "Karajan Collection" or the "Great Recordings of the Century"."

Karajan at his best

Kromme | 10/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Karajan's artificial,outworldly almost inhumane music making seems to be very suitable for Wagner.He is at his most inspired and passionate.His mighty Berliner Philharmoniker plays with sheer excitement.What i am most surprised about is Karajan's special pacing;he shows his genius and creates an excellent mood.It is very surprising because his Ring cycle at Deutsche Grammophon suffers from ordinary pacing and slack tempos;thus it is sometimes boring.However these excerpts are simply superb.



Although i can not agree with the statements of earlier reviewers such that "This cd is unsurpassed in postwar era." -Klemperer's account springs to mind.It is both as fine as artistically if not even finer and filler;also has some excerpts from Ring- or "Karajan was the best Wagner conductor of his generation." -Karl Böhm,who achieves wonders in every Wagner note he conducts with his fast ferocious ways,springs to mind.- or "Karajan was the best conductor alive when these recordings were made." - This is such a silly statement.He is the best for whom,according to which criteria?I like Karl Böhm way better.-,the thought of giving this magnificent account of Wagner excerpts four stars is absurd."