Yes, here it is folks--that irritatingly catchy chorus you first heard in the film Excalibur, or as the background music to the HBO Boxing Specials, and in zillions of other places. What it's not is the music from The Omen, which it clearly inspired. All pieces of music that feature choruses chanting in Latin are not the same (in fact, Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms is much closer to The Omen than this). Orff actually wrote a lot more music, but here's a case where his reputation as a "one work" composer really is justified, for nothing else comes close in musical or popular appeal. This performance was authorized by the composer himself, and that's recommendation enough. --David Hurwitz

Gundula Janowitz had a very beautiful voice that critics like to describe as "creamy," whatever that means. Strauss had a life-long love affair with the soprano voice. He even married one--not just the voice, the whole woman, of course. His Four Last Songs constitute his dying tribute, and they are probably the most hedonistically gorgeous vocal works in existence. Herbert vo Karajan was a Strauss specialist, as was Janowitz, and together they contrive to perform the songs about as perfectly as they ever have been. The couplings, two orchestral works from the beginning and end of Strauss's career, are quite appropriate: the last of the Four Songs quotes the "Transfiguration" theme from the tone poem. --David Hurwitz

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Disc: 1
01 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
02 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
03 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
04 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
05 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
06 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
07 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
08 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
09 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
10 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
11 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
12 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
13 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
14 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
15 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
16 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
17 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
18 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
19 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
20 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
21 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
22 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
23 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
24 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
25 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
26 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
27 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492

Disc: 2
01 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
02 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
03 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
04 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
05 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
06 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
07 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
08 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
09 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
10 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
11 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
12 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
13 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
14 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
15 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
16 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
17 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
18 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
19 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
20 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
21 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
22 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
23 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
24 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
25 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
26 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
27 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
28 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
29 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
30 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
31 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
32 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492

Disc: 3
01 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
02 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
03 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
04 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
05 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
06 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
07 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
08 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
09 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
10 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
11 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
12 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
13 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
14 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
15 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492
16 Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492

Disc: 1
01 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 1 Einleitung: Largo Vivace
02 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 2 Chor: Komm, Holder Lenz!
03 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 3 Rezitativ: Vom Widder Strahlet Jetzt
04 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 4 Arie: Schon Eilet Froh Der Ackersmann
05 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 5 Rezitativ: Der Landmann Hat Sein Werk Vollbracht
06 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 6 Terzett Und Chor: Sei Nun Gnädig, Milder Himmel!
07 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 7 Rezitativ: Erhört Ist Unser Flehn
08 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 8 Freudenlied: O Wie Lieblich
09 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 9 Chor Mit Solisten: Ewiger Mächtiger, Gütiger Fott!
10 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 10 Rezitativ: In Grauem Schleier Rückt Heran
11 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 11 Arie: Der Munt're Hirt Versammelt Nun/Rezitativ: Die Morgenröte Bricht Herv
12 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 12 Terzett Und Chor: Sie Steigt Herauf, Die Sonne
13 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 13 Rezitativ: Nun Regt Und Bewegt Sich Alles Umher
14 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 14 Rezitativ: Die Mittagssonne Brennt Jetzt
15 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 15 Javatine: Den Druck Erlieget Die Hatur
16 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 16 Rezitativ: Willlkommen Jetzt, O Dunkler Hain
17 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 17 Arie: Welche Labung Für Die Sinne!
18 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 18 Rezitativ: O Seht! Es Steiget In Der Schwülen Luft
19 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 19 Chor: Ach, Das Ungewitter Naht!
20 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 20 Terzett Und Chor: Die Düstren Wolken Trennen Sich

Disc: 2
01 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 21 Einleitung: Allegretto/Rezitativ: Was Durch Seine Blüte Der Lenz Zuerest Ve
02 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 22 Rezitativ: Den Reichen Vorrat Fährt Er Nun
03 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 23 Terzett Und Chor: So Lohnet Die Natur Den Fleiss
04 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 24 Rezitativ: Seht, Wie Zum Haselbusche Dort
05 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 25 Duett: Ihr Schönen Aus Der Stadt, Kommt Her!
06 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 26 Rezitativ: Nun Zeiget Das Entblösste Feld
07 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 27 Arie: Seht Auf Die Breiten Wiesen Hin!
08 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 28 Rezitativ: Hier Treibt Ein Dichter Kreis
09 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 29 Chor: Hört, Hört, Das Laute Getön
10 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 30 Rezitativ: Am Rebenstocke Blinket Jetzt
11 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 31 Chor: Juchhe! Der Wein Ist Da
12 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 32 Einleitung: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
13 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 33 Rezitativ: Nun Senket Sich Das Blasse Jahr
14 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 34 Kavatine: Licht Und Leben Sind Geschwächet
15 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 35 Rezitativ: Gefesselt Steht Der Breite See
16 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 36 Arie: Hier Steht Der Wand'rer Nun
17 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 37 Rezitativ: So Wie Er Naht
18 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 38 Lied Mit Chor: Khurre, Schnurre, Knurre
19 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 40 Lied Mit Chor: Ein Mädchen, Das Auf Ehre Hielt
20 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 41 Rezitativ: Vom Dürren Osten Dringt
21 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 42 Arie Erblicke Hier, Betörter Mensch/No. 43 Rezitativ: Die Bleibt Allein Und
22 Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), oratorio, H. 21/3: No. 44 Terzett Und Chor: Dann Bricht Der Grosse Morgen An

CD

Fifty years ago, in 1958, the 19-year-old French model Eliette Mouret married Herbert von Karajan, who celebrated his fiftieth birthday that year. Their loving partnership ended only with the conductor’s death in 1989.
Now, accompanying the publication of Eliette von Karajan’s new autobiography Mein Leben an seiner Seite (My Life at his Side) (Berlin: Ullstein Verlag, 2008), here are two specially-priced CDs featuring a personal selection of her favourite Deutsche Grammophon recordings made by her husband, “in grateful remembrance of Herbert”.
The first CD comprises selections from symphonic and orchestral works – including Debussy, Ravel and Honegger – and the second vocal repertoire, featuring soloists like Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig and Thomas Stewart.
In her introduction, specially written for the CD booklet (German only), Eliette von Karajan evokes pleasant memories of her musical life with her distinguished partner, whose 100th anniversary is internationally celebrated in 2008.