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Rating: 
Summary: Impeccable Performance
Review: A Karajan style. Top quality video and magnificent sound by the ochestra's flawless performance . Technically, this video is void of demerits of concert recordings: audience noise. A good collector's item.
Rating:
Summary: Quantitative Evaluation
Review: Audio Merits:8/10; Video Merits:8/10; Cinematographic Merits:8/10; Musical Merits:10/10;Overall Artistic Performance:10/10;DVD Extras:10/10;Recording Total Quality:9/10. Professor's Recommendation: Unique reference including Dvorak scores on DVD medium.
Rating:
Summary: Music for the Eyes
Review: I am writing of the Dvorak Sy 9 in particular, but also am reflecting upon the entire series under the Sony label, as I now own nearly the complete offering.
I was first drawn to this particular DVD if only because of my love of the work and of HvK's previous recordings of it available through the years on vinyl and CD during his long career. In an age which has come to favor orchestras and conductors for their ability to play loud (the Solti trend), I continue to relish older performances which permit the inner parts to bleed through the sonic wall of brass. (Not all of us are donors to the annual fund who must be hit over the head with heavy noise.) The best way I can put this is to recall Dryden's line, "the soft complaining flute." This said, HvK was always of that school to let us hear all the parts, and in that sense followed in the tradition of Reiner and his type, whom I worship.
I certainly have been rewarded by this DVD in getting the visual confirmation of what my ear always has heard of the interplay of the soloists and sections in those portions of the fantasies on Indian and Slavic tunes. The shots are so intimate that I've practically gotten into the players' heads. If you know the kind of control reed players must have, for example, this is extremely rewarding. Given Telemondial's decades-long expertise in this technique, you know you can't be disappointed. And isn't it nifty how you can see the water droplets jumping up and down on the tympani heads (there for the musical purpose to set up the vibrations)?
Also, then, to comment on another release in the series, featuring works of Debussy and Ravel. For the novice such as myself, the inner parts have never been quite as obvious to me as, say, the Dvorak and its dependable, near strophic style of writing. What a rewarding experience this is. I've got to admit, though, that the complete Daphnis & Chloe would have been even more rewarding, including the choral portion. I can't believe those folks in Berlin and Vienna go to concerts only 54'16 long. (I'm biased, as I was among the chorus in the old Jean Martinon CSO recording from the '60s.)
Given the latter experience, one can only wish that HvK would also have offered some of the symphonies of Shostakovich for the musically deprived, such as myself. I've come to relish those works, but have difficulty understanding their instrumental nuances.
On a personal level, my son comes home from university for his Christmas vacation tomorrow. As we're thick as mud, I'm anxious for him to enjoy the Dvorak, as he's always wanted to get into this work - and others - and I think this will be just his cup of tea. I'm no music educator, but I think one of the best ways to get into the music is to get into the musicians. Here, again, the Telemondial technique rewards us.
As I am in the spirituality trade, so to speak, I should also reflect that this DVD series, especially these two cited, go from the hearts and souls of their composers into ours. And HvK having long gone to his rest, I say it's time to put down any animus we may have had about his politics, to appreciate and receive his work. As they say, go for it.
Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: The DVD medium and the Dvorak piece serve each other well in this performance. 5.1 sound allows for greater articulation of instruments, despite the 448 kbs bandwidth. The film's editing reinforces this articulation by focusing on individuals or groups of performers during key passages. This is accomplished at the loss of a wider perspective and 'wall of sound' that devotees of a traditional concert might relish. What is gained, in the fusion of audio and video detail, is an appreciation of the roles played by the instruments and a better sense of the structure of the composition.The power and dynamics of this piece highlight the capabilities of a good system. Properly reproduced, the horn sections are sweeping and the lower register strings and percussion are tightly focused.
Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: The DVD medium and the Dvorak piece serve each other well in this performance. 5.1 sound allows for greater articulation of instruments, despite the 448 kbs bandwidth. The film's editing reinforces this articulation by focusing on individuals or groups of performers during key passages. This is accomplished at the loss of a wider perspective and 'wall of sound' that devotees of a traditional concert might relish. What is gained, in the fusion of audio and video detail, is an appreciation of the roles played by the instruments and a better sense of the structure of the composition. The power and dynamics of this piece highlight the capabilities of a good system. Properly reproduced, the horn sections are sweeping and the lower register strings and percussion are tightly focused.
Rating:
Summary: The indian spirit
Review: This another example of fenomenal late Karajan. He really got into the inner aspects of this symphony. My most favorite part is the intentional delay in the low string notes just before the first crescendo in the opening movement. It really gets the american indian spirit like no other version does. The performance is magnificent, almost I would like to see it with the Berliner instead of the Wiener. It seems that at the time Karajan was having problems with the Berliner because of his favoritism to a female clarinetist while the orchestra member said she didn't match (she can be seen performing some Beethoven symphonies in other DVDs of this series). But, coming back to this performance, the Wiener philharmoniker is wonderful and the sound is rich and pure. I you already know this piece, you'll rediscover it in this version. I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: The late inner world of Karajan is well served here.
Review: This DVD should have been made twenty years earlier, with a zesty, energetic Karajan at work. However, it is a great display of his later years, in which he explores more the inner worlds of his composers. The orchestra's sound is fabulous, and the photography, typical great coordinated effort to emphasize the inner works of this great ensemble. A good buy !
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