KARAJAN

KARAJAＮ Symphony Edition

Karajan 的 Bruckner 交响曲全集 绝对是最佳版本之一，从来不便宜，最近才变了平价版，本已划算之极...昨天在 Pro Sound, 见到朱先生因即将来临的 DG/Decca/Philips 盒装圣诞大减价提早亏大本把价折了，就 买了才去饮茶。

饭后在 波斯富 赫然见到这盒 38 只 CD 的盒装， 只售 ￥6xx, 遂折回 Pro Sound 定了一套。

Karajan 的 Bruckner, Beethoven, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms 都是顶尖的; Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Haydn 就很难说了， 但无论如何，还用想吗？买来听听吧！

I haven't received my box yet. Mr Chu of pro Sound doesn't stock it yet as he thinks most people will find too much duplication.

In my case, I only truly need the Bruckner symphonies, as I only have 3 of them on LP. I have the complete Schumann, Mendelssohn, 1964 and 1977 Beethoven and 60's Brahms on LP, the 1977 Brahms and Tchaikovsky 4-6 on CD.

Nonetheless, for the small price differential (just acquiring the Bruckner set shall cost you half the price of this box) I'll take this box. A brief note about the content:

Bruckner - Second to none, if not first among equals.

1977 Beethoven - Excellent. Some prefer the 1964. Even so, comparing the 2 versions shall let you see how Karajan strives to evolve (unlike many conductors).

1977 Brahms - Excellent. Again some prefer the 60's.

Schumann - I have not heard a better cycle, and I am a Schumann symphony fan (another favorite is Bernstein)! Among Karajan's best recordings.

Mendelssohn - Excellent.

Tchaikovsky 4-6 - They are very different from our usual Tchaikovsky. Many do not like them, but it's worth listening at least once. Some prefer his 4-6 from EMI.

Tchaikovsky 1-3 - These are nice, and Karajan's only recordings of these.

Mozart - Rather too slick, and not as good as the ones on EMI.

Haydn - Haven't heard them.