Tag: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Title: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Op.40 (1959) [Japanese SHM-SACD 2014]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Say what you want about the egomaniacal Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan, he was far & away the best postwar interpreter of German composer Richard Strauss’ megalomaniacal Ein Heldenleben. In this 1959 Deutsche Grammophon recording with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Karajan approaches the work as a portrait painted in sound of the artist as a young world conqueror. Though Karajan draws playing of tremendous fire & daring out of the Berlin musicians & though Deutsche Grammophon captures the performance in immediate stereo sound, the real hero of this Hero’s Life is Karajan himself. He has the measure of the score, knows when to apply pressure & when to pull back, when to let the brass go & when to reign them in, when to let the harmonies bloom & when to cut them off. But more importantly, Karajan believes in the music. Other postwar conductors could give convincing performances of Ein Heldenleben — one thinks, of course, of Fritz Reiner & the Chicago Symphony’s high-powered 1954 RCA recording — but Karajan isn’t performing the work: he’s living it. The sweep & swagger of the opening theme, the imperious power of the battle music, the expansive monumentality of the closing pages: this isn’t an act for Karajan; this is life itself.

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Title: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Mozart: Serenade No.13 / Divertiment No.15 (1965/2015) [Japanese SHM-SACD 2015]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade #13 for strings in G major), K. 525, is a 1787 composition for a chamber ensemble by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The German title means “a little serenade,” though it is often rendered more literally but less accurately as “a little night music.” The work is written for an ensemble of 2 violins, viola, & cello with optional double bass, but is often performed by string orchestras. On this release, Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic for a performance of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik & Divertimento KV 287.

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Title: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Bruckner: Symphony No.7 in E major (1972) [Japan 2012]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

The reissue of classical music masterpieces by ESOTERIC has attracted a lot of attention, both for its uncompromising commitment to recreating the original master sound, and for using hybrid Super Audio CD (SACD) technology to improve sound quality. This series marks the first hybrid SACD release of historical recording selections that have been mainstays of the catalog since their initial release on LP, until the present digital age of CD. These new audio versions feature ESOTERIC’s proprietary re-mastering process to achieve the highest level of sound quality.

The criterion of re-mastering is to faithfully capture the quality of the original master tapes. ESOTERIC’s flag ship D/A converters, model D-01VU, Rubidium master clock generator model G-0Rb and ESOTERIC MEXCEL interconnect cables and power cords, were all used for this re-mastering session. This combination of highly advanced technology greatly contributed to capturing the high quality sound of the original master tapes.

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Title: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Bach: Orchestra Suites Nos. 2 & 3 (1964) [Japan 2014]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Cardboard sleeve reissue from Herbert von Karajan features SHM-SACD format for the first time. Japanese original release. Recorded in August 1964 in St. Moritz.

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Title: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Adagio (1972) [Japanese SHM-SACD 2011]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Sound becomes visible! It pulsates! A quality beyond compare, heard by the world for the very first time. The body employs SHM material, renowned for its exceptional transparency and fluidity. Furthermore, adopting the single-layer (2ch) format that truly brings out DSD’s inherent characteristics, this is the ultimate Super Audio CD series! Whilst period instruments and period performance practice are now mainstream for Baroque music, performed by smaller ensembles, Karajan’s interpretation is richly expressive, fully utilising the singing qualities of a large orchestra. DSD conversion from DG’s analogue master by EBS in August 2011. A Japan-exclusive project.

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Title: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Herbert von Karajan Invitation To The Dance (1972) [Japanese SHM-SACD 2011]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for this recording of music by Weber, Berlioz, Liszt, Smetana and Dvorak. Catalog: UCGG-9037 Mastering: Emil Berliner Studios Engineer [Recording] – Günter Hermanns Producer – Dr. Hans Hirsch Recording Supervisor – Hans Weber Previously — Deutsche Grammophon, LP 2530 244 

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