This morning’s conductor of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major is the legendary Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989).
His orchestra is the legendary Berliner Philharmoniker.
The record label is equally as legendary: Deutsche Grammophon, with its famous yellow logo.
And, legendary upon legendary upon legendary, the recording comes from Karajan’s famed 1963 Beethoven cycle.
So with all this legendary afoot, my experience should be magical, to say the least, and life changing, to say the most.
So…
Is it?
I’ll let my ears – and my heart – do the deciding for me.
First of all, I have always wary of Karajan. I believe it’s because of what I call Karajan Worship Syndrome or, alternately, the Cult of Karajan.
There’s something about Herbert von Karajan that requires people to speak his name in hushed, reverent tones, and hold him up as the conductor of the 20th century. Codswallop, I say in reply to that. I’ll be the judge.
From my experience with Karajan – one box set of Bruckner symphonies (144 Days With Bruckner And Me) and now two box sets of Beethoven symphonies – I’d say the jury is still out. Sometimes, I like his performances. Sometimes, I do not.
Of course, I think my opinion may at times be colored by the Cult of Karajan that I’m trying to avoid. I don’t want to join the ranks of those who speak his name in hushed, reverential tones.
Which brings me to today’s recording.
Beethoven wrote his symphonies in four parts (except for the Sixth, which is in five). The time breakdown of this particular one (Symphony No. 2 in D Major), from this particular conductor (Karajan, at age 54) and this particular orchestra (Berliner Philharmoniker), at this particular time in history (December 1961 and January 1962) on this particular record label (Deutsche Grammophon) is as follows:
I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio………………………………………………………………10:16
II. Larghetto…………………………………………………………………………………………………..10:33
III. Scherezo. Allegro – Trio……………………………………………………………………………3:51
IV. Allegro molto…………………………………………………………………………………………….6:18
Total running time: 30:58
My Rating:
Recording quality: 4 (the DG label doesn’t release crap, except for some noticeable tape hiss, and not as much dynamic punch in the opening of Movement I as I like to hear, this is first-rate)
Overall musicianship: 5
CD liner notes: 5 (Nice, thick 54-page booklet with lengthy essays by Richard Osborne about each symphony, translated into English, German, and French, and all pertinent technical info)
How does this make me feel: 5
This is a tight, brisk, colorful, well-played version of Beethoven’s Second. Despite the recording being a half century old, this sounds as fresh and alive as any performance I’ve heard half its age. There’s a depth and breadth to this recording. It has a big sound when it needs to, and a gentle, quiet sound when it doesn’t.
Okay. As much as I hate to say it, this rates a “Huzzah!” from me.
Gee whiz, I hope that doesn’t mean I’m becoming a cult member.