In the 1960s, Karajan crafted a Mozart of absolute plastic perfection, standing far apart from fleeting trends. Eschewing Rococo daintiness, he infused the great symphonies with a Beethovenian nobility, sustained by the Berlin Philharmonic’s legendary legato and sonic opulence. This monumental approach extends to the concertos, where Karajan engages in a seamless dialogue with the 'princes' of his own orchestra—legendary principals like Karl Leister, Lothar Koch, and James Galway. Blending orchestral luxury with a deep musical bond, these recordings celebrate a golden age where every player was a world-class soloist in their own right.
