Although associated mainly with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan was effectively (though never officially) the chief conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra (which EMI Producer Walter Legge had founded in 1945) from 1948 to 1954 and built the orchestra into one of the finest in the world. Although Karajan signed to Deutsche Grammophon in 1959, he would return to EMI in future years for occasional projects (like the Beethoven Triple Concerto on HIQLP006 and Mozart Symphonies on HIQLP023).

Recorded on 14, 15 & 16 January 1958 at the Kingsway Hall, London. Produced by the legendary Walter Legge and engineered by Douglas Larter.

Cut at Abbey Road Studios from the original stereo analogue master tapes with the Neumann VMS82 lathe fed an analogue pre-cut signal from a specially adapted Studer A80 tape deck with additional ‘advance’ playback head, making the cut a totally analogue process.

Pressed on 180g vinyl to audiophile standards at the Vinyl Factory, Hayes, using the old EMI Records presses.

Featuring the original album artwork

In the original September 1959 review of the stereo release Thomas Hearns of the GRAMOPHONE wrote:

“…this Karajan performance is in… the highest class…Karajan gets beautiful and brilliant performances, superb playing from the Philharmonia and a first-rate recording…”