Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Allegro
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Larghetto
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Gavotta: Non troppo allegro
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Finale: Molto vivace
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Andante
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Adagio
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Allegro giocoso
Prokofiev and Stravinsky were Hardly Among Conductor Herbert Von Karajan Or the Berlin Philharmonic's Specialties Though their Very Personal Accounts Here of These Two Russian Orchestral Staples Are Never Less Than Interes... more »ting. Their Lush, Vigorous Performance of Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony is Thrilling with the Winds and Strings Especially Displaying Exceptional Precision and Clarity. While Lacking the Extrovert Fury the Vast Majority of Conductors Bring to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Karajan's Certainly Unique, Lighter, More Neighbor-friendly Interpretation Will Appeal to Some as Well.« less
Prokofiev and Stravinsky were Hardly Among Conductor Herbert Von Karajan Or the Berlin Philharmonic's Specialties Though their Very Personal Accounts Here of These Two Russian Orchestral Staples Are Never Less Than Interesting. Their Lush, Vigorous Performance of Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony is Thrilling with the Winds and Strings Especially Displaying Exceptional Precision and Clarity. While Lacking the Extrovert Fury the Vast Majority of Conductors Bring to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Karajan's Certainly Unique, Lighter, More Neighbor-friendly Interpretation Will Appeal to Some as Well.
A superb 5th, but get the DG originals version instead
R. J. Claster | Van Nuys, CA United States | 06/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Karajan's performance of the Prokofiev 5th is one of the best available. He imparts a gravitas and nobility to the 1st and 3rd movements, but also brings out effectively the the spiky and percussive qualities of the 2nd and 4th movements. Particularly notable in this recording is that the percussion (cymbals and gong, I think) in the climax of the 1st movement sounds truly explosive, and Karajan builds up the 4th (last) movement to a very powerful climax.
However, don't get this edition (DG galleria), but instead its newer remastering on the DG Originals series. For some reason, this has not been released domestically (but should be available from record outlets that carry imports), for the sound is both more full bodied (no glare, as on the DG Galleria) and dynamic.
Moreover, you get a more generous coupling, for instead of the short Prokofiev classical symphony, the other selection is Karajan's 2nd recording of Stravinsky's the Rite of Spring, which is a very well played performance, lacking only in the ultimate intensity and evocativeness of Bernstein's NY Phil recording, which I have reviewed on my site, but competitive with most others."
A recording full of Prokofiev's wit and energy
R. J. Claster | 04/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While von Karajan was an excellent conductor with the German repetoire of Beethoven, Brahms, ect, it was often with works from of non-German composers that he made his best performances. This CD of Prokofiev's two most popular symphonies is no exception. While the "Classical" symphony does seem a bit heavy for a work meant to be written in the spirit of Haydn, the reading of the fifth is wonderful and I've yet to hear a better recording of it. The tension of of the first and third movements contrasts wonderfully with the light hearted moods of the second and final movements. I highly recommend this performance."
Monumental...A Staggering Achievement!
R. J. Claster | 05/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Karajans recording of Prokofievs Symphony 5 is a masterpiece of recorded music. He leads the Berlin Philharmonic with utter conviction. Never has this symphony sounded so noble and moving. This is a classic reading. The "Classical" Symphony is somewhat heavy, and perhaps a bit to bombastic, but this is still an adequate performance. This disc is priceless, and belongs in every cd collection!"
The Outstanding Serge Prokofiev
Joe Anthony (a.k.a. JAG 1) | Massachusetts, USA | 04/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Prokofiev (1891-1953) was a wonderful composer. These two symphonies are quite remarkable. The first "Classical" is a tribute to Haydn and captures all of the fun and lightness within Prokofiev's brand of modernism. Though he was known as the "Age of Steel" composer, Prokofiev's 5th Symphony is really quite melodic; definately one of greatest symphonies of the 20th century. Karajan and the BPO do a fine job on both of these numbers. Then again, Karajan was really better than most people say within the Russian repetiore.
Comparison of Symphony #1: Bernstein/NYPO
Comparisons of Symphony #5: Szell, Dorati
P.S. If you like Prokofiev, try the orchestral music of Shostakovich, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland and Alan Hovhaness."
A scintillating account
G.D. | Norway | 11/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"May this recording of the fifth symphony never be absent from the catalogue. The later Karajan recordings are in many ways a curious mix - often the almost fanatic search for beauty of sound compromised the overall quality of the performances, yet in between he, without warning, delivered performances that place themselves, without a trace of doubt, among the greatest recordings ever made, and this performance of Prokofiev's fifth symphony is one of them. It is as close as it is possible to get to a "definitive account". It is a magnificently vigorous, truly spirited yet tautly controlled performance; alert, sensitive, with swagger, urgency, power and brilliance and a clarity of argument that is virtually unchallenged. And of course Karajan has the benefit of an orchestra on scintillating form. It leaves worthy accounts from the likes of Koussevitzky and Gergiev far, far behind in all respects - even the sound quality is superb; a once-in-a-lifetime account (and, of course, the work itself is among the towering masterpieces of the symphonic literature).
The coupling is a very good performance of the first symphony with many of the same virtues - clear lines, well-defined thematic developments and superb playing with grace, delicacy, color and lightness of touch, but it lacks the almost frenzied urgency of the spectacular Ancerl recording, for instance. Still, this (or any of the other re-releases of this performance) is an essential addition to any record collection. A must."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
![Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem]](https://nationalbookswap.com/cd//m/23/8723/6058723.jpg)
