Herbert von Karajan - Beethoven: 9 Symphonies, Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 5, Missa Solemnis - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Herbert von Karajan's first cycle of Beethoven's symphonies with the Philharmonia Orchestra on EMI has always been something of an ugly duckling when compared to the various Berlin Philharmonic incarnations on Deutsche Grammophone. Now reissued in a bargain 5 CD box, this is part of the truckload of Karajan 100th anniversary releases, which will no doubt raise controversy in some quarters and be welcomed in others. For me, if it's nicely produced and cheaper than a box of quasi half-decent cigars then 'bring it on' as they say, and this box is certainly no slouch when it comes to presentation. Recorded from November 1951 to July 1955 in Kingsway Hall, London, except for Symphony no. 9, recorded in the Musikvereinssaal, Vienna. The 4th movement of the 1st work sung in German. Previously released as a compact disc; Originally released 1954-1956.

The combination of Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic playing Mozart and Bruckner drew a Inchpacked and raving audienceInch according to the Guardian of the April 6, 1962 concert at the Royal Festival Hall. The Bruckner symphony received great acclaim with critic Donald Mitchell writing, InchLondon has not heard a Bruckner performance of this quality for years.Inch He went on to add that the music-making was Inchundoubtedly touched by interpretative genius.Inch This 2-CD set preserves the exact concert, including the British and Austrian national anthems.

One of country's new crop of modern traditionalists, Warner Music Nashville artist Randall King grew up on the endless plains of West Texas - and his sound is steeped in their timeless beauty, both gritty and graceful at the same time. He grew up singing in the back of a '93 Chevy Suburban, mimicking the pure-country vocals of stars like Keith Whitley, George Strait, Alan Jackson and John Anderson and over the years became drawn to the electrifying energy of modern stars like Eric Church, Dierks Bentley and Jason Aldean. After years of hustling and a road-warrior's diet of 150 shows each year, King produced and released the defiant 2016 EP, Another Bullet, then followed up with a 2018 self-titled album. Now produced by traditional torchbearers Bart Butler and Ryan Gore (Jon Pardi), King is bringing an organic, timeless sound to country's mainstream with his major tag debut album Shot Glass. The 11-song collection, seven of which co-written by King, centers around a night out at a bar, with each track representing a different point of view of those in the room. With over 120+ million career streams to his name, the Pandoraand Country Now 2022 Country Artist to Watch is looking to the anywhere-and-everywhere future with music that captures the essence of a Western poet who's never been afraid to be himself.