Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 - 8 (2007/1982-1984)
Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 - 8 (2007/1982-1984)
PAL 4:3 (720x576) VBR | (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 5 ch) | 6.99 Gb (DVD9) | 126 min
Classical | Sony Classical
PAL 4:3 (720x576) VBR | (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 5 ch) | 6.99 Gb (DVD9) | 126 min
Classical | Sony Classical
Sony has released all of its von Karajan performances of the Beethoven symphonies on five DVDs. They are all very good performances, created for film (rather than concert performance) in the early 80s. Von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, his personal orchestra, and the performance is as much von Karajan as Beethoven. Musically, these are very fine performances, with von Karajan in absolute control of the orchestra which plays very precisely. These are the performance as he wanted to present them – smooth, well thought-out, and note-perfect.
There is probably no right way to put symphonic music onto film – these productions (made by conductor's own film company) spend most of their time focused on the conductor with cut-away shots to both individual and groups of instrumentalists, usually focusing on the instruments themselves rather than the players.
It is fascinating to watch von Karajan – his authority in the music and with this orchestra are clear thoughout each performance. He conducts without a baton and uses his whole body to conduct, though not in a distracting way.
The sound and picture on these DVDs are excellent; the sound is truly comparable to a well-recorded CD. The soundtrack is available both in stereo and also an excellent 5.1 Dolby mix. (Dan Sherman)
Cast:
Berliner Philharmoniker
Conductor - Herbert von Karajan
Track List:
Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67
01. I. Allegro con brio
02. II. Andante con moto
03. III. Allegro
04. IV. Allegro
Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 -"Pastoral"
05. I. Allegro ma non troppo
06. II. Andante molto mosso
07. III. Allegro
08. IV. Allegretto
Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92
09. 1. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
10. 2. Allegretto
11. 3. Presto
12. 4. Allegro con brio
Symphony No.8 in F major, Op.93
13. 1. Allegro vivace e con brio
14. 2. Allegretto scherzando
15. 3. Tempo di menuetto
16. 4. Allegro vivace
Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 - 8 (2007/1982-1984)
Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 - 8 (2007/1982-1984)
Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 - 8 (2007/1982-1984)
