cbf@allegra.UUCP (10/19/83)
This is a reposting of an item I submitted to net.audio. Since the discussion really belongs here, I thought I'd repeat myself for those of you who don't subscribe to the audio group. CD = available on CD's & NCD = Not yet available on CD's. ******** ... To get the ball rolling, I'll start by making a couple of potentially controversial declarations: - Haitink's recent Philips recording (CD) of Shostakovich's 5th Symphony is one of this year's very best classical records, as well as one of the finest sounding. - Karajan's DG recording (CD) of Holst's "The Planets" is not only the greatest ever recording of that piece, but the CD version is one of the best CD's around. A must for CD collectors. No, I'm not one, yet. - Solti's recent London recording (CD) of Mahler's Ninth is sonically magnificent, but the performance can't hold a candle to Karajan's apocalyptic DG recording (NCD), probably my favorite record. - Frederica von Stade's collection (NCD) of Faure songs on EMI/Angel is a must for any lover of the human voice. - The brand new Mutter/Menesnes/Berlin/Karajan DG recording (CD) of the Brahms Double Concerto is simply awesome. My nomination so far for Record of the Year. Menesnes' first recording! - A while back, "Stereo Review" gave a glowing rave to the soundtrack (NCD) of *Local Hero*. Rightly so. I've been enjoying it a great deal. - Has anyone heard or heard anything about the new Karajan recording (CD) of "Carmen"? What about Bernstein's "Tristan und Isolde" (NCD)? I'll be glad to defend the above statements if asked. Of course, I don't expect to hear from those of you who wouldn't even consider speaking to anyone who'd have anything good to say about Herbert von Karajan. ******** --Charles (decvax!allegra!cbf)