Norbeone (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Maybe it would capture, more, the sound of a military march, but it just wouldn't be as much bloody fun! :)

zorrell (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

agreed all around. It IS a bit too quick. However it does have that necessary sense of urgency. And the first movement IS DYNAMITE. The opening trumpet lick is the most perfect i've ever heard. Also 1:42 in this movement always makes me laugh. The best music always has a touch of humor.

HiroshiMizushima (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

The ammount of energy in this movement is just incredible, and I think Karajan conducted it superbly. I love how it builds up and just keeps going until the end.

VonRichter (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

RE: zorrell:This is faster than Karajan usually takes. He's normally in the perfect pocket for this movement. Nobody besides Tchaikovsky has ever understood this movement better than Karajan. Too many conductors seem to ignore the score and perform this thrilling movement as a dainty little trifle... to do it right, you have to go balls-to-the-wall and Karajan does it. But yeah, I agree it's a notch quick in this particular performance. BTW, the 1st movement in this performance is DYNAMITE.

wefasdf23 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I heard this played faster, and I like it like that, even though it doesn't correlate to the march tempo that it's suppose to match. Oh well, makes it more dramatic.

gimaru1 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

this is abusing.. for Tchaikovsky and for orchestra players too..

IvanTheCat (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Violinists on speed.

johnbaptistlulu (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

YES!! the best i have ever heard! great, o GREAT KARAJAN!

enemyofbohemia (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Indeed it is, now I'm trying to find the dvd and my collection will be complete!

darkprose (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I have never seen him with a score, but he his later performances are often eyes wide open. Choral works, too, he keeps his eyes on the chorus and soloists. Beethoven's 9th, Verdi's Requiem, Respighi's Pines of Rome are all on here somewhere with Karajan's pale eyes.