Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (April 9, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GQT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,717 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General
  • #11 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General AAS
  • #24 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended for Straussians and Strauss Novices, January 1, 2001

By 

Jason - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan (Audio CD)

Recorded in the Jesus-Christus-Kirche in Berlin in 1972 and 1973, Herbert von Karajan's interpretations of these essential Richard Strauss works are among the best available. Although he receives criticism for his interpretations of other composers, Karajan is a near-undisputed master of Strauss (with whom he shared similar musical aesthetics). Although his 1959 and 1960 London/Decca recordings of the same works with the Vienna Philharmonic are also excellent (and also available at a reasonable price), this recording has a bit more atmosphere.

Unfortunately, due to its fame, the very familiar introduction of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" overshadows other wonderful sections of Strauss' grand tone poem, including the waltz-like "Tanzlied." Although the introduction is (of course) played with appropriate grandeur and majesty, Karajan and the Berliners make the rest of this work equally memorable.

This recording also features two of Strauss' most famous tone poems, including the impish "Till Eulenspiegel" and passionate "Don Juan." Although the former runs the inherent risk of forced humor (the chaos Till creates at the marketplace, the "gross grimace" Till makes at self-important scholars), I've found that a less literal listening of the work makes it more enjoyable; one does not feel compelled to laugh, sit-com like, at canned humor. Barring these personal reservations about this aspect of the work, Karajan and the Berliners play wonderfully. They particularly work best in the sections when Till feels full of himself after the merriment, misery, and mischief he has created, followed immediately by his trial and execution; in this recording, the judges all sound like humorless, fascistic bullies next to poor Till's pleas; that he was "having a little fun."

A perennial favorite of Karajan's, and featured in his first-ever professional concert at the age of 20, the Berliners give a rapturous account of "Don Juan." In this work, Karajan has few peers (Rudolf Kempe's unaffected approach, recorded at approximately the same time, provides some of the closest competition). Horns thrust, kettledrums pound, strings sigh sweetly... The orchestra climaxes many times, with moments of profound sensual languor... I can think of no other compelling explanations to recommend this interpretation of Strauss' first major masterpiece. Worth the price of the recording alone.

Also worth the price of the recording is the "Dance of the Seven Veils" from Strauss' infamous opera "Salome," another favorite of Karajan's. This is a work lodged firmly between syrupy Romanticism and cruel Modernism, a dichotomy that melds into a truly special musical experience. For those unfamiliar with the rest of Strauss' revolutionary opera, this dance that Salome performs for her stepfather may whet the appetites of potential lovers of the opera (as it did for me). Karajan's sinewy interpretation of this orchestral piece builds to a wondrously frenzied climax, though with less feline sensuality than his 1960 recording with the Vienna Philharmonic.

The combination of Karajan and Strauss creates a dangerous magic. So, without reservation, I highly recommend this recording to hardcore Straussians, as well as novices to the composer's aural wonders.

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I guess Richard Strauss would be proud of this one..., June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan (Audio CD)

This is surely the best performance of Strauss' Zarathustra I've ever listened to. Karajan, as always, is no less than perfect, and Schwalbé plays a marvelous violin solo. This original analog recording is even better than Karajan's later digital recordings of the same title.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest recording of Zarathustra ?, September 12, 2005

By 

Englishman In the USA (Lincoln, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan (Audio CD)

Karajan and his beloved Berlin Philharmonic have been accused of "over indulgency" (for example, in the complete recordings of the Beethoven Symphonies, also available on Deutsche Gramaphon). However, the same cannot be said for this recording. Lustrous strings, powerful brass and clear and concise woodwinds, all combined under the virtuosity of probably, at the time, the world's greatest conductor with the world's greatest orchestra !

The opening of Zarathustra (made famous to the point of boring repetition from the movie 2001, a space odyssey), is easily susceptible to over emotional interpretation from the conductor; not so here.It is delivered with subtlety and combined with the awe inspiring power one would expect from the combination of the reputation of such a conductor and such an orchestra.

This almost "hands-off" interpretation of the work extends to the other Richard Strauss works also on the CD; Til Eulenspiegel, Don Juan and Salome, Dance of the Seven veils. For ANYONE interested in the works of this German composer, this CD is an absolute MUST!!! In over 35 years of listening to classical music, I would say this superbly re engineered recording from the original of 1974 represents the geatest interpretation ever made on vinyl (or in this case, digital)media of Strauss' best music.

An absolutely wonderful CD demonstrating the technical AND musical skills of an orchestra that during the 1970's and 80's was regarded as the world's best, being conducted by a conductor who, for over 30 years, was regarded as the world's best!