Herbert von Karajan - The Very Best of Adagio (2006)

Without a doubt, most of Herbert von Karajan records (usually with Berliner Philharmoniker) stand out as finest among the rest. Not that he turned everything he touched into pure gold, but his recordings of orchestral works are very often peerless. And in slow compositions his abilities are even more applaudable, as he was able to feel the Adagio pieces to the smallest detail.
This compilation brings the cream of a number of orchestral albums he made between 1961 and 1986, many of the pieces had already been released on a set of Adagio CDs, of which this album takes the representative sample.
From Bach and Albinoni, to Ravel and Sibelius, roughly three centuries of music history are covered. Not everyone will like all of these interpretations - as other conductors, Karajan felt each of these pieces in his particular way. But you will hardly find, for example, a better Gluck, Handel, Mozart or Sibelius elsewhere. Mascagni's Intemezzo from Cavaleria Rusticana opera is wonderfully peaceful, Massenet's Meditation (from Thais) oozes inner calm. Mahler' trademark Adagietto is a bit too slow to convey all neccesary emotions with suitable intensity, but again - this is how Karajan perceived it - the tempo makes the orchestra dig so deep at places...
The maestro of Greek Macedonian origin passed away in 1989, but he still is fondly remembered. Of the great body of works he left behind, his adagios set a particularly high standard. This CD is about beautiful classical music and should be hailed as such.