Karajan/Forever

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

영원한 카라얀 (2003 DG) Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) 1. Introduction - Prelude (Sonnenaufgang)

Album Title: Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits [Original recording remastered] Performer: Horst Gobel, David Bell [Organ], Pierre Cochereau, Wolfgang Meyer, Wolfgang Sebastian Meyer [Keyboard], Lazar Berman, Eberhard Finke, Karlheinz Zoeller, Michel Schwalbe Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) Composer: Antonio Vivaldi, Tomaso Albinoni, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Antonin Dvorak, Franz Schmidt, Georges Bizet, Maurice Ravel, Giuseppe Verdi, Camille Saint-Saens, Richard Strauss, Pietro Mascagni, Johann II [Junior] Strauss, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jules Massenet, Jacques Offenbach, Gustav Mahler, Sergey Prokofiev, Remo Giazotto, Christoph W. Gluck Audio CD (June 10, 2003) SPARS Code: ADD Number of Discs: 2 Recorded in: Stereo Format: Original recording remastered Label: Deutsche Grammophon (DG-USA) Copyright: (C) 2003 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg Total Length: 2:34:36 Genres: Classical.

CD 2 : Total Playing Time [1:18:07]

   Conductor   Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989)
   Orchestra   Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Berliner Philharmoniker

1. Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zoroaster), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 30 (TrV 176): Introduction - Prelude (Sonnenaufgang)  (1:41)
   Composer   Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949)
   Period   Post-Romantic
   Country   Germany
   Date Written   1895-1896; Germany
   Date of Recording   09/1983
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording.

2. Cavalleria Rusticana, opera (melodramma) in 1 act: Intermezzo sinfonico  (3:28)
   Common Name   Intermezzo Sinfonico, Cavalleria Rusticana Opera Melodramma In 1 Act
   Composer   Pietro Mascagni (1863 - 1945)
   Performer   Wolfgang Sebastian Meyer (Organ)
   Period   Post-Romantic
   Country   Italy
   Date Written   Italy
   Date of Recording   09/1967
   Venue   Jesus Christ Church, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   Composition written: Italy (1888). Composition revised: Italy (1889).

3. Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik"), K 525: Ⅰ. Allegro  (5:37)
   Common Name   Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Serenade, Serenade 13 For Strings
   Composer   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
   Period   Classical
   Country   Austria
   Date Written   1787; Vienna, Austria
   Date of Recording   02/1981
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording.

4. The Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a: Ⅰ. Scène (Swan Theme): Moderato  (2:44)
   Common Name   The Swan Lake Suite A
   Composer   Peter Il'yich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   Russia
   Date Written   1875-1876; Russia
   Date of Recording   01/1971
   Venue   Jesus Christ Church, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is an ADD recording. (Different version)

5. An der schönen, Blauen Donau (On the Beautiful, Blue Danube), waltz for orchestra (with chorus ad lib), Op. 314 (RV 314)  (11:45)
   Composer   Johann Strauss II (Junior) (1825 - 1899)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   Austria
   Date Written   1867; Vienna, Austria
   Date of Recording   12/1980
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording. (Different version).

 

6. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Ⅰ. (Allegro)  (6:34)
   Common Name   Brandenburg Concerto 3
   Composer   Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
   Period   Baroque
   Country   Germany
   Date Written   1711-1713 (03/24/1721); ?Weimar, Germany
   Date of Recording   07/1978
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is an ADD recording.

7. Thäïs: Acte Deux - Méditation, for violin & orchestra (or other arrangement) (from opera "Thäïs")  (6:02)
   Composer   Jules Massenet (1842 - 1912)
   Performer   Michel Schwalbé (Violin)
   Period   Post-Romantic
   Country   France
   Date Written   1894; France
   Date of Recording   09/1967
   Venue   Jesus Christ Church, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is an ADD recording. (Different version)

8. Suite for Orchestra No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Ⅶ. Badinerie  (1:23)
   Common Name   Badinerie, Orchestral Suite 2
   Composer   Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
   Performer   Karlheinz Zöller (Flute)
   Period   Baroque
   Date Written   1738-1739; Leipzig, Germany
   Date of Recording   08/1964
   Venue   St Mortiz, Hotel "Reine Victoria"
   Notes   This selection is an ADD recording. Composition written: Leipzig, Germany (1738 - 1739).

9. Gaîté parisienne, ballet - Les contes d'Hoffmann: Barcarolle  (3:32)
   Common Name   Barcarolle, Gaite Parisienne Ballet Music By Offenbach Arranged By Manuel Rosenthal
   Composer   Jacques Offenbach (1819 - 1880)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   France
   Date Written   1881; Paris, France
   Date of Recording   09/1980
   Venue   Jesus Christ Church, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording. (music by Offenbach arranged by Manuel Rosenthal)

10. Concerto for Piano No. 1, for piano & orchestra (or 2 pianos) in B flat minor, Op. 23: Ⅰ. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito  (3:47)
   Common Name   Piano Concerto 1
   Composer   Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
   Performer   Lazar Berman (Piano)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   Russia
   Date Written   1874-1875; Russia
   Date of Recording   11/1975
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is an ADD recording.

11. Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor: Ⅳ. Adagietto (Sehr langsam)  (11:52)
   Common Name   Adagietto For Orchestra From The Symphony
   Composer   Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   Austria
   Date Written   1901-1902; Vienna, Austria
   Date of Recording   02/1973
   Venue   Jesus Christ Church, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is an ADD recording.

12. Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 ("Classical Symphony"): Ⅳ. Finale, Molto vivace  (4:15)
   Composer   Sergei Prokofiev (1891 - 1953)
   Period   Modern; 20th Century
   Country   Russia
   Date Written   1916-1917; Russia
   Date of Recording   1981
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording.

13. Orfeo Ed Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Melody), arrangement (from "Orfeo ed Euridice") (Act 2)  (6:45)
   Composer   Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714 - 1787)
   Performer   Karlheinz Zöller (Flute)
   Period   Classical
   Date Written   1762/1774; Vienna, Austria
   Date of Recording   09/1983
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording.

14. Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: No. 3, Dance of the Sugar-plum Fairy (Danse de la Fée Dragée)  (1:38)
   Composer   Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   Russia
   Date Written   1892; Russia
   Date of Recording   09/1982
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording. (Different version)

15. Nutcracker Suite, suite from the ballet, Op. 71a: No. 13, Act 2 - Ⅲ. Waltz of the Flowers (Valse des fleurs)  (6:57)
   Composer   Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
   Period   Romantic
   Country   Russia
   Date Written   1891-1892; Russia
   Date of Recording   09/1982
   Venue   Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany
   Notes   This selection is a DDD recording.

CD 2 Track

1. 리하르트 슈트라우스: 짜라투스트라는 이렇게 말했다 Op. 30 중 서곡 Prelude (Sonnenaufgang)
2. 마스카니: 오페라 '카발레리아 루스티카나 (시골기사도)' 중 1막 서곡 Intermezzo sinfonico
3. 모짜르트 세레나데 13번 사장조 소야곡 K. 525 중 1악장 알레그로
4. 차이코프스키: 백조의 호수 Op. 20, 1막 (Swan Theme): Moderato
5. 요한 스트라우스 2세: 아름답고 프른 도나우, Op. 314
6. 바흐: 브란덴부르크 협주곡 3번 사장조 BWV 1048 중 1악장 알레그로
7. 마즈네: 타이스 명상곡 Acte Deux - Méditation
8. 바흐: 관현악 모음곡 2번 나단조 BWV 1067 중 7악장 익살 Badinerie
9. 오펜바흐: 쾌활한 파리인 (Gaîté parisienne) 중 뱃노래 Barcarolle
10. 차이코프스키: 피아노 협주곡 1번 내림 나단조 Op. 23 중 1악장 Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
11. 말러: 교향곡 5번 올림 다단조 중 4악장 Adagietto (Sehr langsam)
12. 프로코피에프: 교향곡 1번 라장조 Op. 25 '고전 (Classical)' 중 4악장 Finale, Molto vivace
13. 글룩: 오페라 오르페오와 에우리디체 중 2막 정령의 춤 Dance of the Blessed Spirits
14. 차이코프스키: 호두까기 인형 Op. 71 중 3번 별사탕 요정의 춤 Dance of the Sugar-plum Fairy
15. 차이코프스키: 호두까기 인형 Op. 71 중 13번 2막 3악장 꽃들의 춤 Waltz of the Flowers

 

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

by Corie Stanton Root

In a city of rich cultural and artistic history, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is the most outstanding of Berlin's three excellent orchestras. A democratic, self-governing organization, members choose the resident conductor, orchestra manager and new orchestra members (after a one-year probation) by vote of the membership at large. Members with ten years' seniority are eligible for pension benefits. Performing approximately 100 concerts a year, the Berlin Philharmonic tours internationally and generates most of its operating capital through ticket sales and revenue from its extensive broadcasting and recording contracts. Several significant ensembles including the Brandis and Westphalian string quartets, the Philharmonic Octet and the Twelve Philharmonic Cellists are made up from the Berlin Philharmonic's one hundred fourteen members. Internationally acclaimed for its polished performances and the high standard of musicianship among its members, the Berlin Philharmonic is one of Europe's most distinguished ensembles.

Founded in 1862 by Benjamin Bilse under the name Bilsesche Kapelle (Bilse's Band), the original sixty-member ensemble gained popularity and played more than 3000 concerts during the next twenty years. Renamed and reorganized under the financial management of Hermann Wolff in 1882, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra chose Ludwig von Brenner as principal conductor. Although von Brenner made significant improvements in the group's musicianship, it was Hans von Bülow who set the ensemble on its course of artistic excellence. Beginning his five-year tenure as principal conductor in 1887, von Bülow concentrated on classical and romantic repertoire and insisted on the highest musical standards. He also attracted world-renown guest conductors such as Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Strauss and supervised the renovation of the orchestra's home venue; a converted roller skating rink. Due to ill health, von Bülow resigned his position in 1892. The Philharmonic played at his funeral ceremony in February 1894.

Over the next several years, Wolff engaged a series of popular guest conductors including Hans Richter and Richard Strauss. Then in 1895, Hungarian-born Arthur Nikisch was chosen as resident conductor and led the Berlin Philharmonic to its well-earned reputation as the most respected touring orchestra in Europe. His choice of romantic repertoire and his expressiveness on the podium brought out the lyrical qualities for which this ensemble became famous.

Soon after Nikisch's death in 1922, the reins of leadership were given to Berliner Wilhelm Furtwängler who continued in Nikisch's musically romantic footsteps even in the face of the difficult times brought about World War I, the Weimar Republic and the rift between the romantic and avant-garde schools of composition. He devoted a large portion of the orchestra's concerts to the works of Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Richard Strauss with his interpretation of Beethoven's Eroica receiving special acclaim. Over the next two decades, Furtwängler debuted works by the likes of Debussy, Stravinsky, Prokofiev and Schoenberg. The orchestra toured extensively during his reign and welcomed world-famous guest conductors such as Bruno Walter, Oskar Fried and Otto Klemperer. Important soloists were also a regular feature during this period and included such luminaries as Paul Hindemith and Yehudi Menuhin who made his professional debut with the Philharmonic at the age of twelve.

Difficult economic times came after the world-wide financial crash in 1929 but the ensemble was able to survive through subsides from the city of Berlin, the German government and the Berlin Radio Network. More problems came with Hitler's rise to power. Furtwängler's public support of Hindemith brought him in direct conflict with Georges Goebbels, Propaganda Minister for the new regime. As a result, Furtwängler resigned his post as principal conductor but returned to the podium in March 1935, taking a stand for artistic excellence over political rancor. Further hardship was visited on the Philharmonic when its home venue was destroyed by a bomb in January, 1944. Performing in borrowed spaces, the orchestra continued even after the beloved Furtwängler was detained during the political vindication proceedings which took place after Hitler's fall in 1945. Leo Borchard was named resident conductor in May 1945 but was shot and killed by an Occupation soldier three months later. Sergiu Celibidache was chosen to follow Borchard and was widely acclaimed for his inclusion of contemporary repertoire, much of which had been banned during Hitler's reign. When Furtwängler was finally released in 1947, he and Celibidache shared the Berlin Philharmonic's podium until Furtwängler's death in 1954.

Despite Celibidache's considerable abilities as a conductor, the members of the Philharmonic chose Herbert von Karajan as resident conductor in 1955. This was due, in large part, to von Karajan's well established reputation as the conductor of the Symphony Orchestras in London and Vienna and to his openness to the recording industry. Celibidache had refused all recording offers during his tenure and this did not sit well with many of the orchestra's members. The musical foundation of von Karajan's long and illustrious association with the Berlin Philharmonic was based on the major Classical and Romantic symphonies but was liberally peppered with significant twentieth-century works. Under his leadership, the orchestra toured and recorded extensively which brought the ensemble world-wide recognition. At home, the Philharmonic began construction of a new concert hall in1963. Designed by architect Hans Scharoun, the orchestra's home venue near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate seats two thousand audience members and contains an impressive Schuke organ. Von Karajan also began the orchestra's tradition of committing five performances each season to twentieth-century music which has given the Berlin Philharmonic the honor of premiering dozens of important contemporary works.

Herbert von Karajan died in 1989, ending his nearly thirty-five year tenure as the Philharmonic's beloved resident conductor. Late in that same year, Claudio Abbado was chosen to continue the Berlin Philharmonic's tradition of musical excellence and polished performance and lead this world-renown orchestra into the twenty-first century.