Customer Reviews

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, etc / Herbert von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is quite remarkable that Also Sprach Zarathustra was originally recorded in March, 1959, the digital remastering makes it sound like a brand new recording. The percussion here and in Till Eulenspiegel is very crisp. The performances are pretty well self-recommending. On Track 7 there is a glissando by the Vienna Philharmonic strings that makes you shake your head in disbelief. This recording is also enhanced by the excellent documentation, including the Herculean efforts by the engineers some 40 years ago to dub the organ parts, which were played at a nearby church (there was no organ at the Sofiensaal). The organ had to be re-tuned to the VPO's pitch. Quite fascinating reading indeed.

I won't go so far as to say this is the one to have for this music, as Karajan's 1974 recording with the BPO of all 4 of these items is pretty great in its own right. I think Michel Schwalbe's solo violin contribution in the latter recording might tip the scales in its favour, but that's admittedly splitting hairs. Fritz Reiner's famous recording in Chicago, and Haitink, and Kempe in Dresden - just to name a few - can rub shoulders with either of the Karajans. Nonetheless, this record is very welcome indeed and can be strongly recommended, especially at medium price.

If you've ever wondered what recording was actually used in 2001 A Space Odysee, look no further. Herbert von Karajan made a recording of this piece when this piece wasn't popular. It was a risk, but now tends to be one of the defining pieces of music by Richard Strauss. Although there is considerable hiss on this recording in the softer passages, the music is beautiful and never overshadowed by the hiss. The remastering by the folks at Decca have made sure that all the pianissimos are still wonderful. Karajan was a master of the quieter moments in a score, and teamed with the Vienna Philharmonic doing Strauss, you have a great combination. For example, listen to all of track 2 and you'll know what I mean. Of course, that isn't to say that the louder more powerful parts aren't noteworthy. Karajan was a master of those too. Perhaps that's why he was the 20th Century's greatest conductor (that's an opinion, not a fact). It's all captured well in this recording. Decca has long had a tradition of fine recordings. This remastering is superb.

This is simply a document of just how high a standard an orchestra can achieve. Recorded before the disastrous fall out between the Vienna State Opera and Karajan. This is simply the finest recordings of this set of tone poems from Richard Strauss..bar none! For Horn players this is a special treat and nowhere on earth will you hear such incredible horn work.

Somehow with other orchestras these pieces can come off either as vulgar or sloppy. Karjan and Vienna worked in these John Culshaw/DECCA productions towards a goal of utmost perfection..AND ACHIEVE IT!

If you compare with Szell, these recording easily bypass Cleveland's foray into these repetoire by sounding human and even in places WARM...something the CBC Szell recordings possessed little of.

Save the waste and get Karajan...these are splendid transfers with excellent playing in all departments.

I have three performances of Zarathustra symphonic poem:

A. Decca, Wiener Philhamoniker / Herbert von Karajan, 1959, Decca CD (24-bit transfer) - this reviewed CD
B. CBS, New York Philharmonic / Zubin Mehta, 1980, Hungaroton (Hungarian) Press (Analogue Vinyl)
C. RCA, Chicago Symphony / Fritz Reiner, 1954, BMG SACD

Short result:

My list as musical performance: A-B-C
My list as technical performance: C-B-A

Explanation:

As a "musical indulgence", Karajan & Wiener Philharmoniker is absolutely on the top, no doubt. This is the most mystical, the most emotional, well balanced sounding without too harsh brasses and "artificially modified" tempo.
I am absolutely amazed when I am listening this record from its very fist note until the last one. I feel I am "one with the music"... This is "my" Zarahustra.
At the same time, this analogue master tape is quite noisy. The background rumbling is obvious during the whole symphony. I think professional sound engineers could re-master this tape on the highest quality level and they did a great job but, unfortunately, this record cannot be as clear and transparent as a demanding audiophile record nowadays...

Mehta's conducting is another wonderful masterpiece. This is also very good and enjoyable record. Without Karajan CD I would be highly satisfied with this vinyl but Karajan could surpass Mehta in "feeling". On the other hand, surprisingly, this analogue record from 1980 is very-very demanding from technical point of view too. I also really like it very-very much (on my OrtophonMC-Rega-Rotel-B&W chain). The sound of both the strings and timpani are fantastic. I could hear the best timpani sound from this old vinyl...!!!

As a musical performance, Reiner's Zarathustra is a kind of disappointment for me. But I do not want to describe my subjective feelings because, maybe, someone else can enjoy this kind of interpretation with over-emphasized brass section but this is not mine.
At the same time, technically, this is a very good record (playing on Marantz SA-KI Peral Lite) with wide and deep stage and low level analogue rumbling from the analogue source, in spite of the very old master tape.

Attila Madai
Hungary, Europe