Sibelius ① Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 ② Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82 Conductor: Herbert von Karajan Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Recording: 1976 Karajan's Sibelius, recognized by the composer himself as "one of the best interpreters of his own works." This album features Symphony No. 4 and No. 5, recorded from a collection that draws out the transparent Sibelius sound from the Berlin Philharmonic, known for its rich sound. A masterpiece of Karajan's Sibelius symphony performances. It is probably one of the best recordings among Karajan's symphony recordings. It's a rare and excellent recording for EMI, and I think its value as a masterpiece, with its grand scale, the orchestra's superb technique, and the high degree of matching with the musical characteristics of Sibelius, has not diminished. Its beautiful and large-scale performance is simply breathtaking. The sound of the Berlin Philharmonic is also truly wonderful. The cold, polished string sound of the 4th Symphony perfectly captures the essence of the piece. The 5th Symphony is also finished with a similar sound, flowing and brilliant. The late symphonies are often called "introspective," but the 4th Symphony (the strings, especially the cello part, are irresistible), as if wandering through the dark forests of the north (or the forests within the heart), and the 5th Symphony, as if sunlight shines on the frozen earth, both deserve to be called masterpieces. The performances by Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic in 1965 and 1976 were both superb, but I recommend the 1976 performance, which was thoroughly polished as a crystallization of the aesthetic of Karajan's aestheticism. The UK press EMI version has a truly gorgeous sound. When listening to a live orchestra performance in a concert hall, the impression of the sound changes greatly depending on where you sit, but when comparing Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic's Sibelius, both the 1960s recordings of Deutsche Grammophon and the 1970s recordings of EMI, the impression of the sound also differs greatly. Generally, there are many opinions that evaluate the Deutsche Grammophon recordings, which delicately express individual instruments, but the EMI recordings, which allow you to feel the massive power of the entire orchestra, also have an irresistible charm. Of course, it will also depend on the compatibility with the audio and the space & environment in which you listen to it. Please experience the incredible, overwhelming scale of this album. Early import (UK pressing) No scratches on the disc 11 * Discount for bulk purchases (please comment in advance)