| Mike Flemmer said:
Highly recommended! This video is 57 minutes of pure Bach joy from beginning to end.
Karajan conducts and plays from the second harpsichord that is facing the orchestra and chorus. (Yes, there are two harpsichords in the center of the orchestra!) Karajan has not recorded very much Bach, but you wouldn't know it from this performance. This artistically magnificent live concert is a total success. It's a rare, top-notch live Bach concert from Karajan and company that is worth the purchase. All the musicians are superb. Karajan uses no baton and is very refrained. Liner notes are true: "with calm attentiveness...he allows the musicians to lead the way, visibly admiring their performances". It's a superb, non-HIP modern performance that has real moments of power, spirit and grace.
Anne-Sophie Mutter has become a world-class recording artist and violinist. Here she is in one of her earlier performances, and she plays just as beautifully and intelligently then, as she does now. Her performance of Concerto No. 2 is everything I could ask. A bright, energetic, beautiful performance. Wonderful deep tones from the violin.
The Magnificat in D: prepare for some otherworldly beautiful music! From the orchestra, the woodwinds and brass are far above average. The flutes are simply unbelievable- out of this world beauty. I've never heard more beautiful flutes. Pipe organ is utilized and is well balanced. The soloists are outstanding. Bass Robert Holl only has one solo, but what a beautiful voice!
This high quality Sony production is in Dolby stereo surround sound and the audio is excellent. A very fine addition to your music collection. A short concert, but this is quality over quantity. | 
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