In 1955 Herbert von Karajan was appointed music director for life of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. However, Karajan continued his close association with the Philharmonia Orchestra during the rest of the 1950s and with the orchestra’s founder and legendary EMI Producer, Walter Legge. EMI remained (on their Columbia label) Karajan’s record company until 1959 when he signed a contract with Deutsche Grammophon. Hence, this recording was made towards the end of his contract with EMI, although he would return to the label in future years for occasional projects (like the Beethoven Triple Concerto on HIQLP006).
Recorded in Berlin’s Grunewaldkirche on 18, 19 & 20 May 1958. Produced by the legendary Walter Legge, assisted by Fritz Ganss and engineered by Horst Lindner.

Cut at Abbey Road Studios from the original stereo analogue master tapes with the Neumann VMS80 lathe fed an analogue pre-cut signal from a specially adapted Studer A80 tape deck with additional playback head. Pressed on 180g vinyl to audiophile standards and features the original album artwork.

In the original 1959 review WSM of the GRAMOPHONE wrote:
“...Karajan’s version retains the more glamorous...account...The sound is rich and well placed...” Of the re-issue in 1983 Robert Layton of the GRAMOPHONE was even more effusive: “In this fresh-sounding transfer, it still remains competitive – no, highly competitive! The balance is most musically judged and the perspective natural, for it comes from the vintage years of stereo. The merits of the performance and also that of “Vltava” are well known...”

"One of a handful of early stereo recordings Karajan made with the Berlin Philharmonic while still under contract to EMI, this was produced in the pleasing acoustic of the Grunewaldkirche by Walter Legge, with sessions in Nov '57, Jan and May '58. It first appeared in mono on Columbia label [33CX1642], the stereo following a few months later in 1959. It subsequently remained in the catalogue at full price right through to 1977, when an SQ remake appeared [asd 3407]. The LP exemplifies Karajan's phenomenal ear for balance, his profound musicianship and a trait of unleashing great power at climaxes. An ageless disc." - Sound Quality 95/100!!! - www.hifinews.co.uk