Search - Tomaso Albinoni, Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach :: Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon

Pleasantly Surprised

badric | 02/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The track selection for this CD reads like a "greatest hits of soothing classical music", but don't be fooled by that, this is Herbert von Karajan at his most vigorous and emotional. The mere fact that he could still infuse so much vitality and inventiveness into such well known and often recorded pieces is solid proof of his immense talent. After a rather contrived rendition of Albinoni's Adagio the CD really picks up with a wonderful version of Vivaldi's La Notte, but the real treats are Bach's Air from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 and Gluck's Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo ed Euridice, both perfectly conducted and sublimely played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Also included are Pachelbel's Canon and Guige (in a refreshingly powerful version) and Mozart's Serenata Notturna. This is a brilliant CD, and I would recommend both to those new to classical music who are seeking a great introduction to these fabulous pieces, and to those who are familiar with other versions of these works and are looking for different, more vigorous ways of presenting them."

Some of Karajan's Best Renditions of Baroque Works

Octavius | United States | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is interesting to see the disparity of opinions on Karajan under reviews for this performance as they do reflect many of the prevailing views of audiences as to this style of symphonic interpretation for Baroque chamber works and Karajan in general. I tend to agree and disagree with both which is the reason why I like these particular performances and find them a treat.



I don't find this 'frost-biting' phenomenon to be unique to Karajan as one reviewer makes it seem as this effect is more a product of romanticizing and symphonizing a chamber piece for more instruments that are almost all entirely modern. It is therefore a phenomenon to all symphonic traditions and particularly those of Mahler and Wagner which means almost every conventional symphony. Talk about frosty, try listening to Baroque with Solti after a short time: fossilizing! It's hard to say which is the best piece here but among the Baroque it is certainly one of the most divine of Bach's 'Air' I have ever heard performed in either symphonic adaptation or traditional chamber performance. The pace is neither hurried or extended and the strings glide majestically. His interpretation of Vivaldi's 'La Notte' is also one of the best renditions I have heard even compared to those by traditional groups in terms of the pacing and performance for the flute. The strings do appear somewhat hurried in parts however but the flute was still divine. Albinoni and Pachelbel, as with Bach, are simply exemplary in tempo and consistency with the strings. Gluck's piece is delicate and spiritual while Mozart's 'Serenata Notturna' has a lot of resonance and clarity than most other performances which makes it less mundane than it usually is.



All of the pieces in my opinion are really well done for the most part and exemplary of Karajan and the old school. The recording quality is relatively good. Again, these are symphonic adaptations and so this is probably not what you want if you're looking for chamber and traditional performances. There are various groups out there that play more within the traditional parameters for these pieces. I Musici, The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trevor Pinnock, Raymond Leppard, and, The English Chamber Orchestra are usually some of the better choices in that area."

The Master at his best

Octavius | 11/20/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the most finest interpretations of the late Karajan. The Adagio has a beautiful rithm that makes you flow. Every piece is both delicate and powerful. Best versions I ever heard."