Karajan: Brahms 4 Symphonies, G Requiem, Violin Cto - DG SKL 133/139 (7LP box)

Box NM / Booklet EX* / LPs NM-

On offer here is a superb copy of Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker’s 1963/64 Brahms cycle on Deutsche Grammophon (7LP box set: SKL 133/139, German pressing, AH tulip label, stereo, booklet, insert, and original inner sleeves included).

This is now, after the passage of nearly 50 years, something of a collector's copy. Though it constitutes one of the most widely sold Brahms Symphony cycles on LP, this is the absolute original issue – in stereo – from Deutsche Grammophon (SKL 133/139), a numbered subscription copy from 1964 of Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra's first Brahms Symphony cycle, recorded in the fabled acoustics of Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin during the winter of 1963/64. In fact, this was the only – of Karajan’s 3 Brahms cycles in Berlin – to be recorded at Jesus-Christus-Kirche, and the richly glowing sound reflects this.

This is subscription copy No. O 210. The certificate of authenticity was pasted by DG on the inside of box front panel – images are provided. The booklet states the publication date as 10/64. 

* There is a bit of writing to one page of the booklet; otherwise, it grades as NM.