Once again, we marvel at the icy and barren declamation that permeates Karajan's
classic Philharmonia account of the Fourth Symphony. Walter Legge's experience
in recording this difficult work ( he recorded it with Beecham in 1939) obviously
paid great dividends and Douglas Larter's studiously balanced recording is
a model of its kind. Sir Anthony Collins' contemporaneous Decca account sounds
almost pallid by comparison.
Most collectors would think that EMI are sorely mistaken in pairing this
classic account with an earlier mono version of the Fifth that is besotted
by technical problems. This is indeed one of the major finds in the Karajan
Edition as it is palpably superior to the 1960 remake which sounds too mannered
and cold-hearted. There is a sense of awe and power about this great music
and the mono recording is fascinating in its crystal clarity although some
rumble has found its way into the mastertape, but that is a small price to
play for such buried treasure.
'Finlandia' was always a major Karajan showpiece and in this 1952
Philharmonia recording it shines out like some majestic sunrise in the Northern
latitudes. I might be a little too enthusiastic about these classic recordings
but sample the playing on this reissue and you will understand what I'm raving
about!
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Performance
Sound
Philharmonia Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan. 
