Karajan: Bach Orchestral Suites Nos. 2 & 3 (r. 1964) - DG SLPM 138 007, NM

Jacket NM / LP NM

This beautiful LP from Deutsche Grammophon (SLPM 138 007, German pressing, tulip label, stereo) features Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s magnificent accounts of Bach’s Orchestral Suites No. 2 in B minor BWV 1067 and No. 3 in D Major BWV 1068, both warmly recorded at the Victoria-Saal, St. Moritz, in August 1964.

Incidentally, in the Orchestral Suite No. 2 BWV 1067, the exquisite flute playing is by BPO principal Karl-Heinz Zöller. This is “big-band” Bach, but vibrant and vital – a tremendous achievement in every way. This particular issue is somewhat elusive. Originally released as part of a box set, the separate disc of the Suites BWV 1067 and 1068 did not enter the catalogs until 1967.

This album was produced by Otto Gerdes, supervised by Hans Weber, and engineered by Günter Hermanns. The striking cover art was executed by Eve-Maria Zimmermann and the reverse side of the jacket carries informative liner notes by Walter Kaempfer – provided in German, English, and French.