Classical Companion

JS Bach: St John and St Matthew Passions
BPHR140031 & BPHR140021 (2DVDs + Blu-ray)
Staged performances – 2014/2010 directed by Peter Sellars: two highlights of Sir Simon Rattle's Berlin tenure. Orchestra's own label.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 1-9
DG 479 3442 (five CDs + Blu-ray audio)
Reissued many times, the first of Karajan's three Berlin cycles. Costly limited edition vinyl released last Oct: 483 5622.

Debussy: La Mer/Ravel: Daphnis Suite No 2
DG 479 5887 (180gm LP)
Arguably the best of Karajan's French music LPs remastered – includes Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune too.

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet (20 excerpts)
DG 453 4392
A real 'demonstration' CD of 20 excerpts in stunning performances recorded in 1996; tracks are in order of the storyline.

R Strauss: Four Last Songs
DG 447 4222
Gundala Janowitz, at the time a Karajan favourite, accompanied in 1974. Couplings are Metamorphosen and Tod und Verklärung.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6
Naxos 8.110865
The 1938 Furtwängler recording is coupled with Wagner's Tristan Prelude and Liebestod, also from 1938 (one of various alternatives).