Review: EMI's Complete Karajan Orchestral Stuff

This 88 CD box is long gone, replaced by the "Remastered Karajan Edition," currently selling for $671 on Amazon (as of 8/23). Bits of that are available in separate boxes, but the only one that really matters is his Philharmonia Orchestra recordings. Most of the rest were remade by DG, often multiple times. Life is short, and the Karajan discography is large and hopelessly duplicative.

[@davidaiken1061]

Whew! Thanks, Dave, for this heroic effort to say something about HvK's official recorded legacy. From my vantage, this EMI box provides the most interesting glimpse into this controversial conductor's career. For one thing it does show that there was some development, at least with some composers and choice of repertoire. What he chose to re-record for DG, and what he chose not to, just reinforces the fascination of this set, which I'm glad I purchased when it was a genuine "bargain box."

[@TheAboriginal1]

Is Karajan really "controversial" as you say?

[@JackBurttrumpetstuff]

The Andre Trumpet Concertos recording was a hit! Andre said he bought a summer home with the royalties from his recording with "Monsieur Karajan"! Haha

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

Gosh, I still have some of those on Angel LPs...I may be old...LOL

[@ud-]

Great stuff Mr.Hurwitz The Karajan boxes are the best ❤

[@richardgoldberg4310]

Thank you for this interesting survey. You make a really important point about the Philharmonia recordings. I listened to the Philharmonia Pines of Rome again today and, as you say, it is a knockout, particularly the pacing of the build up to the brilliant climax in the Via Appia. Funny how it hasn’t received that much attention from reviewers other than yourself in recent times.

[@murraylow4523]

Very thoughtful overview. I used to have this box, but in a necessary fit of clearing out a few years ago, I sold it on. I don’t regret doing this, as I already have so much of the DG Karajan I think it’s quite enough of one person, particularly as so so much repertoire duplication went on… Dennis Brain, lovely, but if you want to listen to the Mozart horn concertos, goodness, you can do so much better nowadays. I’m not surprised Warner doesn’t really know what to do with all this now! And, Dave, many happy returns, hope you’ve been having a great day :)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you!

[@John.B.Ellis27]

I'll wager the original booklet that shipped with the complete EMI set starts falling apart by the end of the video. The glue used to hold the pages together was so, so, low quality. You would think that Karajan's glue would hold up for longer than that....

[@bbailey7818]

EMI cd booklets were impossible early on. I have the Hoffmann cond. Cambreling, Oeser edition which throws in everything including the kitchen sink and is about as long as Meistersinger. The hugely thick booklet began falling apart almost immediately. EMI never bound them properly.

[@mauryq2150]

As I admire your knowledge and criticism Mr. Hurwitz I don't understand your opinion on his Rachmaninoff 2. Weissenberg did extremely big and powerful culmination at the beginning, also nobody did such bombastic climax in the middle of first mvm. Of course it is slow, especially second mvm but it is beautifully played.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Fair enough. I'm glad you enjoy it more than I do.

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

for what it's worth, Glenn Gould also admired this recording as well!

[@nattyco]

It's brilliant the way you can give us so much information. I recently bought the 4 disc EMI Classics compilation of Karajan's Schubert symphonies with the BPO from 1975-78 and I was pleasantly surprised how good they sounded. 8 and 9 were particularly satisfying. I've also been impressed by his earlier 'Unfinished' with the Philharmonia from 1957. It's very similar to Cantelli's excellent recording, also EMI with the same orchestra. On the other hand his 9th with the BPO from 1969 on DG is awful, rushed and superficial, as if he couldn't finish it quickly enough. I don't think it helped his reputation as a poor Schuberterian when he said he disliked his music but the performances are not all poor and some for me are very enjoyable.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

That's very fair. As I said, I also like that EMI 9th, and the rest aren't awful, but it's always a game of comparisons, isn't it? We can do so much better than "pleasantly surprised."

[@nattyco]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Indeed, they do sound very good. The playing of the BPO is a delight in itself and rewards repeated listening. For instance, I listened again to 5 after you pointed out its length. It is certainly expansive, but when I listened a third time it sounded very natural and engaging. I guess the ear/brain adapts! I still prefer Beecham, which is the recording of 5 I grew up with though. He gives more spring and bounce, more levity and Viennese charm.

[@bbailey7818]

Now. When do we get the DG Fricsay box? Waiting for Ferenc...

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

In progress...

[@eliasmodernell3348]

Is 'the room' EMI studio 1? If so it's next door to where The Beatles recorded (I am wearing a tie as I type!)

[@matthewweflen]

Karajan's EMI Sibelius is really good, very hot as you say, throbbing and emotional. 1 and 2 are big fun, and I wish he had completed the cycle with 3! Oh well. The Schubert cycle is very average, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Compared to Blomstedt/Dresden, it's almost note for note, tempo for tempo identical. I love that Four Seasons with Mutter. It absolutely blows away the awful 70s DG version with Schwalbe on violin, which sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom. The EMI is brisk and surprisingly clear, with a forward harpsichord. Probably his best Baroque recording (something that was never his specialty).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

There's more to the music than tempo (re: the Schubert cycles). Much more.

[@bertkarlsson1421]

Dave, have you heard the opera Shintokumaru by japanese composer J.A.CAESAR? It's my favorite opera of all time!!! Turandot by Puccini is my second favorite!!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Haven't heard it.

[@petercable7768]

What is the relevance of this in respect of Dave's review of the Karajan EMI box?

[@bertkarlsson1421]

​@@petercable7768 Have you heard Shintokumaru by J.A.Caesar?

[@ThreadBomb]

Odd, I recall Karajan's EMI Bruckner 4 as being good, apart from that weird thing with strings in the first movement. I didn't notice any problems with the sound. I love Karajan's EMI Sibelius. Great thick sound, thrilling sense of power that you don't get in the DG recordings. The only problem was he didn't understand symphony 2, and to be honest I don't think much of his symphony 5 either. Dull stuff compared to the other symphonies and the tone poems. (As many have lamented, Karajan should have recorded Sibelius 3, because it's potentially much more up his street than 2.)

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

' that weird thing with strings in the first movement.' do you mean the way the 2nd subject is phrased where he ignores the staccato articulation? it seems completely the wrong character ( needs some lilt)

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

3:50 which Beethoven work are people expected to 'wear a tie for'? I'm not aware of this...

[@mr-wx3lv]

Symphony 9

[@john1951w]

Great review. I agree with you that his Philharmonia days were probably his best.

[@JackBurttrumpetstuff]

and Tapiola 4 times!