Re: Re: Re: Mendelssohn&Smetana-Great Recordings


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Posted by K on July 23, 2003 at 06:06:46:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Mendelssohn&Smetana-Great Recordings posted by Chuck Jackson on July 23, 2003 at 00:56:35:

Karajan had his way with the mediae, so while he was alive, we had several BPO features in the papers as well as in radio and TV. And then the BPO was transmitted in German TV more often back then, which I caused by improved antennae have been able to follow for 20 years or so.

Karajan was no bully, when it came to brashness and contrasts in the BPO sound. One prominent music journalist wrote, that Karajan transformed the orchestra into a very big chamber music unit. That journalist even criticised, that the BPO timpani were so integrated in the overall BPO sound, that they downright lacked contrast.

However Karajan liked a full and fat sound very much. String sections were (Still are) huge, and all woodwinds are doubled. So are the brasses (once heard/saw the BPO with 8 horns in Beethoven 5, which only has 2 horn parts). Only one exception to that rule: The BPO never doubles the tuba, unles the score calls for more tubas. This goes with live performances as well with recordings.

I don't think the DG should be blamed for the lightness in tuba sound. Karajan generated immense sums for DG and he could have every single detail exactly his way. Musically and business-wise.

Klaus


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