Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Claude Debussy (Composer), Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Claude Debussy, Modest Mussorgsky, Maurice Ravel
• Audio CD (February 13, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GQH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,151 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top performance, February 5, 2001

By 

P. Christie (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

This has long been one of my favourite performances of "Pictures". The sound quality from the early 60s recording is very good indeed. I find the pacing to be just right for this extraordinary work. I have listened to a number of versions over the years, including more recent recordings - including the Sinopoli version on DG, and a London Symphony version, as well as a few others that I have forgotten - none of them made my spine tingle like this one has. (The Ashkenazy version is a worthy complement to this version). The Bolero on this disc is also excellent. This is an excellent value CD.

27 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There are better recordings of Pictures, December 31, 2000

By 

"drstrangelove84" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

I bought this CD thinking, "Hey, it's the Berlin Phil, it's got to be amazing." Well, it wasn't. If you're looking for "La Mer" or "Bolero", BUY this CD. They are magnificent and hypnotic, demonstrating what the orchestra and its conductor are really capable of. That is why this CD gets 4 stars.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for "Pictures", look elsewhere. The Chicago Symphony under Reiner is the best recording I have found. Next to that, this version just doesn't compare. First of all, the opening Promenade has an uneven sound quality. It almost sounds like the trumpets are switching off on the solo. Not only that, but the trumpet seems to have an unusual buzz in his sound. It's really not pleasant to listen to. This is compounded by Karajan's slow tempos - the opening "Promenade" isn't too bad, but the others just drag. "Gnomus" is played brilliantly in places, but it lacks the twisting, wicked sound of the violins found in the CSO under Reiner. "The Old Castle", however, is one of the CD's strongest tracks. In "Samuel Goldenberg", I was once again displeased with the trumpet. He needs to get control of his tonguing and let some sound out. I know the solo is high and difficult and staccato - I play trumpet myself - but it just sounds ugly. The notes are spit out with little attention to quality and a few bobbles. "Limoges", "Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks", and "Tuileries" all lacked the playfulness found with the CSO, while "Baba Yaga" just was not vicious enough for my tastes. "The Great Gate" some of you may really enjoy. It is more calm and less brassy than the CSO version. However, the trumpet is yet again a problem. Either he's shaking and having trouble controlling the notes, or he's putting way too much vibrato in where it's not needed or wanted.

Most of the problems I have with this "Pictures" are interpretational - the BPO does overall play quite well. Some of you will disagree with my notion of how the suite should sound and for you, this might be an excellent recording. I, however, don't like this version very much. I enjoy much more the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Reiner, and also Ashkenazy's piano and orchestral versions.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Karajan's 1966 "Pictures" is highly overrated, August 3, 2008

By 

Some Guy from Ohio (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

If not for the excellent recordings of "La Mer" and "Bolero" (both worthy of 5 stars) this would be a one star review. The trumpet playing in "Pictures" is unacceptable by modern standards. The "Samuel Goldenberg" track is particularly bad. It is poorly articulated and out of tune. For reasons I can't explain, continental orchestras of this period lagged far behind their British and American counterparts in the area of brass playing. You should still buy this recording for "La Mer" and "Bolero," but look elsewhere for "Pictures." Better choices include (but are by no means limited to) Szell/Cleveland, Reiner/Chicago, and even Mata/Dallas. Karajan's earlier recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra is far superior to this offering on DG, and offers excellent brass playing throughout. It is available as part of the "Karajan 100th" box on EMI.