Walter Gieseking, Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan - Mozart, Beethoven: Philharmonia Wind Quartet (1996)

Walter Gieseking is joined by stellar wind players, including the great hornist Dennis Brain; and the Quintets have a gleaming, robust quality that make them irresistible. They were recorded in the mid- 1950s, a time when Gieseking sometimes operated on automatic pilot, but here he sounds involved and fluent; the keyboard part played with aristocratic grace and, where appropriate, sparkling high spirits. The filler is one of Herbert von Karajan's few successful Mozart recordings, aided immeasurably by the expert first-desk soloists of the Philharmonia. Fans of Gieseking and Dennis Brain will want this disc, but anyone will enjoy this happy combination of fine playing, music that's lovely if not profound, and excellent mono sound. -- Dan Davis