Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

Edward Elgar (Composer), Gustav Holst (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Pierre Monteux (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan, Pierre Monteux
• Composer: Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst
• Audio CD (July 15, 1997)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000042EN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,548 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 17-JUN-1997

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first-rate Planets, July 16, 2001

By 

Larry Olson (Corona, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations (Audio CD)

Although this is a non-digital recording from the late 60's, it far out-classes Karajan's newer digital recording for DGG, both musically and sonically. A comparison of the two reveals the newer recording to sound harsh and the brass occasionally sound out of tune. This older recording has all the power one could ask for, along with a warmth sadly lacking in the newer. Plus, it has a fine recording of the Elgar Enigma Variations to boot. A highly recommended addition to any CD library.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Perfect, October 26, 2005

By 

Wayne A. (Belfast, Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations (Audio CD)

I get a lot of folks asking which of the several thousand recordings of The Planets I prefer. If they have tin ears and expensive stereos I steer them strait to any expensive recording with slick graphics made within the last 15 years. If they love the piece deeply and want a recording that portrays its extraordinary range of moods flawlessly, this is the one I suggest (second choice would be Steinberg's on DGG). Strangely, the same situation happens with the Enigma, although there are are a few more second choices.

The sound is not digital top-drawer but the "sound" of this orchestra at that time and with this conductor is unapproachable. Believe me, you won't notice the years any more than many women "noticed" that 58-year-old Cary Grant was teamed up with gals half his age in his films.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid & Magnificent Recordings of Enigma & Planets, June 1, 2007

By 

Scriabinmahler (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations (Audio CD)

Monteux's renowned 1958 stereo recording of Enigma Variations still sounds fresh today. His reading is deceptively simple at first, but this is a kind of performance that leaves vivid impression and warm poetry deep into your heart after repeated listening. Karajan's earlier stereo recording of Planets is equally outstanding. Both recordings have very open and expansive sonority of early stereo era, beautifully remastered without losing warmth of the original.