Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies (Karajan Collection)

Felix Mendelssohn (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (July 3, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GCO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,686 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The finest alternative on the Mendelssohn's Symphonies, June 29, 2000

By 

Javier Luna (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies (Karajan Collection) (Audio CD)

Karajan recorded this cycle in the early 70's when he was at the peak of his conducting career. It is widely considered to be one of his best recordings of this period.

The whole recording sounds surprisingly fresh. The Hymn of Praise brings a captivating, completely full sound... The choral singing is remarkable in its vividness. Both the Scottish Symphony and the Italian one demonstrates why the Berliner Philarmoniker was king of the hill at that point in time: superb playing with displays of geniality that would put a smile on Mendelssohn's face. A must have!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pieces, Conducting and Playing in a Pretty Box, June 2, 2002

By 

Russell J. Grasso (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies (Karajan Collection) (Audio CD)

If any one has any doubt as to whether Karajan is one of the greatest conductors of all time, they should listen to symphonies 1, 4 and 5 on this collection. Even if you despise the large license Karajan takes with unmarked tempo changes, you will still be in admiration of these interpretations for how he chooses which voices receive emphasis in the various passages of Mendelssohn.

Symphony #1 in C Minor opens the collection with unrivaled power and passion and takes us completely by surprise. That such an uncommonly played work comes across with the combined fire of a Beethoven Symphony and the lyricism of a Schubert Symnphony is due to Mendelssohn's genius and Karajan's masterful interpretation. To have in your collection the first and last movements with their powerful codas alone is worth the price of this set (even if you have 3 and 4 already).

Mendelssohn gives the T'bones some theme play in the opening of Symphony #2, which is an enjoyable work for his followers, and possibly Fidelio fans. Unfortunately, performance-wise, Berlin's ten movement Symphony #2 (yes, I said 10 movements) is the disapointment here, because, as expected, Karajan loses grace whenever solo singers were involved. But beyond that, even the instrumental movements were not delivered with the care and fore-thought of the other symphonies rendered in this set. And this was not always Karajan's fault: this is an extremely large and varied symphony to pull off well, a proverbial Bach mega-Cantata or Handel mega-Oratorio. Furthermore, the singing in this symphony is not on the same level of the playing in the other symphonies (particularly with the weak choice for Soprano-I) so the inclusion of this particular Symphony #2 is somewhat of a "mis-match" in the set.

Nevertheless, the balance of the works still makes this set an interpretation of choice for Mendelssohn symphonies. The Scottish's Maestoso is very dramatic; the Italian's Saltarelo is furious, agile and extremely clean-played. Mendelssohn's 5th symphony, although a great work, is not revered for its orchestration, but Karajan and the Berliners summon a full-bodied effect in a majestic reading.

Anyone who enjoys Beethoven, Schubert or Schumann symphonies will be very happy with this set. The recording is the widely-preferred ADD, and is relatively clean and bright, recorded in the early 1970s. In symphonies 3 through 5, the recording engineers mic'd with an emphasis on treble, probably and understandably to show off the Berlin violinists. Subsequently, I find myself playing it back emphasizing the bass to even things out and add more impact.

Several pages of liner notes in English are provided which are both historic and critical of the performances at hand. Additionally, there are German and English lyrics to Symphony #2, one of Mendelssohn's paintings, several Mendelssohn portraits and a photo of the orchestra/conductor in action. And lest I not forget the conductor's signature on the cover.

Although the case is very durable and agreeable, what is remarkable is the outer cardboard cover which has an almost holographic pastel wash ghosted into the glossy white finish, reminiscent of the special printed effects of DG on their circa 1975 vinyl album covers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performances at a bargain price, October 6, 2005

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies (Karajan Collection) (Audio CD)

As other revieweers have noted, this is Karajan from a prime period, the early Seventies, and although there is noticeable tubbiness in some of the bass lines, the sound is fresh and open. The reviewer who complained that these performances are "Beethovenish" is right as to scale. One hears a large orchestra playing in the romantic style. Since Mendelssohn owes more to Haydn than Beethoven, it's equally valid to perform him with a smaller orchestra in classical style.

At the time this set was made, no one thought to subject Mendelssohn to period authenticity, however, and in the large-scale approach, Karajan is a master. These performances are full of life, without a hint of museum mustiness or tip-toeing. Usually it's best with a major composer to buy individual performances of each symphony, but everything in the Karajan cycle is as good as it gets, although the "Reformation" Sym. comes off more solemn than the lively Munch recording. Sample the "Scottish" and "Italian" Sym., which find Karajan and the Berliners in exhilarating form. I won't throw away my Bernstein Scottish from NY or my Guido Cantelli Italian from London, but overall it's difficult to find fault with these marvelous performances at a bargain price.