Great - no spectacle: a reference recording

The planets are a "dangerous" work. You can tempt them perform as a spectacle (see the comparisons with movie music). This is one of the finest skills of Karajan: not a superficial burn and effektheischendes fireworks in catchy tunes, but to go into the depths. So he plays the planet with both thrilling drama and in the appropriate places immensely lyrical of tranquility and sophistication. This is connected with phenomenal sound quality, in which the then-new possibility of digital recording is maxed out (added after 1980).

Beautiful music in a unique interpretation and with excellent sound - what more could you want?