These 1977-78 recordings are Karajan's best Brahms--better than his somewhat mannered digital set. The Berlin Philharmonic, as ever, is amazingly smooth and accomplished, playing with great class without losing any power--as an example, just listen to the finale of the second symphony. DG's engineers have turned this always-good recording into something truly magnificent to hear, and, at the price, this is a sure bet. --Robert Levine

• Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
• Brahms: The Piano Concertos; Fantasia
• B000001GY8
• Beethoven: 9 Symphonies (1963)
• B001DCQI8W