Customer Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Comment: Buying this album was a pure accident, and I thank my lucky stars that I did! this recording is absolutely brilliant. I had played Mendelssohn before in Symphony, but I had never heard these particular compositions and they have made him one of my favorite composer! I love it!
Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite recording of these symphonies..
Comment: In response to the last reviewer - I would agree that the Berlin is a bit raucous at times, but, c'mon! It's Romantic music! What's wrong with some unrestrained emotion?!?
I find these performances very moving, especially the 3rd symphony (I rate it neck and neck with Maag's version with London Symphony Orchestra). I have no need to defend the music, you've all heard it (especially the Italian). This is Karajan at the height of his powers. In short, at this low price, with this much music on it and with a newly remastered and cleaner sound, it's worth the purchase.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Powerful Scottish + Other Things of Merit
Comment: BBC Radio 3 broadcasted the Scottish symphony earlier this year. At the time I was utterly unfamiliar with the work but even during that first exposure--for I was listening--I decided to update my collection as soon as possible. Which I did by buying this CD. (Later I also bought Peter Maag's interpretation of this symphony, but not because I was dissatisfied with the CD I now review. Far from it; both are excellent.)
As illustrated from the Radio 3 example above, I was immediately struck by this music. I can't say if that will also be the case with you (because the value of art is often of a personal nature), but do find an opportunity to find out for yourself. As usual, music of this caliber becomes better over time, certainly if you really focus on it (my opinion).
Considering the other reviews, I think indeed that the orchestra is massive here. Some nuance may be lost in some instances but the overall effect of "wild winds roaring down mountains" (not exactly a quote) adds to the (*my*) experience.
I do very much recommend this CD, because even if you aren't stunned by The Scottish, there's also The Hebrides (great) and The Italian symphony.
--You may also want to check out Peter Maag's Scottish (on Decca Legendary Performances).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Mendelssohn and Karajan
Comment: These symphonies find Karajan in a positive mood. Even thirty years later, they still sound new and give pleasure. Both works have been lucky on record, so there is little reason to recommend this CD over those by Abbado, Solti, Blomstedt, or Maag. But it is good Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic play exceptionally well - a safe buy.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: two Scots and an Italian
Comment: When I first fell in love with classical music it was generally the more accessible "show pieces" like Mendelssohn's overture "The Hebrides" that stirred my soul. In fact, one of the first discs I purchased was Dutoit's recording of the incidental music from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Besides the great Scherzo and the Wedding March, the disc also features three of Mendelssohn's overtures-"The Hebrides" included. It has remained one of my favorite discs. I never thought I would a more moving version of "The Hebrides" than Dutoit's icy masterpiece.I stand corrected. In this repackaged collection from Deutsche Grammophon's "The Originals" series, conductor Herbert von Karajan proves himself to be an adept interpreter of Mendelssohn's musical vision. Included are Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic's versions of "The Hebrides" overture and of Mendelssohn's Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4.
Karajan's and Dutoit's recordings of "The Hebrides" are really as different as apples and oranges. Dutoit (with his own forces from Montreal) makes the piece into a chilling, highflying affair. Karajan's version is warmer, a little more delicate (though it does thunder at times). I find both approaches valid and pleasing. I would not want to be without either; but if forced to choose would take Karajan's.
Karajan gives the Scottish Symphony (No.3) a somewhat psychologically dark, romantic yet precise reading. It starts prettily enough, but there are some dark shadows in Herbert's Highlands.
Karajan lacks a little of the Italiante style needed for a definitive rendition of Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony (No. 4), yet this does not stop this recording from being merely great. He does let his orchestra get carried away by the Presto of the finale (as all too many recordings do). Instead, Karajan's grasp of the work as a whole is evident throughout.
Overall, these recording are about as good of presentation to be found of Mendelssohn's more popular works. I recommend this disc without reservation to anyone who loves music.
