Haydn: The Seasons [Import]

Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Gundula Janowitz (Performer), Werner Hollweg (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Gundula Janowitz, Werner Hollweg
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Classics Imports
• ASIN: B00000DR2F
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,573 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

CD featuring Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Gundula Janowitz (Performer), Werner Hollweg (Performer).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic 'Seasons', September 7, 2009

By 

Michael J. Cook "Classical audiophile" (Skokie, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Haydn: The Seasons (Audio CD)

This is a digital remastering of a stereo recording from 1973. Herbert von Karajan used two soloists from his 1960's recording of "Die Schopfung" ("The Creation"), Walter Berry and Gundula Janowitz. Both are superb--as is Werner Hollweg.

This is a unique oratorio in that it is both secular and sacred with considerable (I'd estimate almost 50%) dialogue among the solosists. There is of course a big chunk of choral singing--more than in "The Creation". This lends the piece to dramatic or even operatic elements. Von Karajan used the Berlin State Opera Chorus to great effect. Haydn also used a larger, more complex orchestration (tambourine and triangle, plus the trombones he featured in "The Creation") than anything he wrote.

In sum, Haydn wrote an operatic, colorful oratorio which Maestro von Karajan delivered beautifully with great effect. Listen especially to the "Heil O Sonne Heil!" chorus in "Summer" and how von Karajan treats the crescendo--very theatric and blazing.