#210 The Smell of Attack

This music goes straightly to its point. Intention and destination are clear; no time to wait, no time to explain. It attacks you completely, subjugates you, violates you.

Mutter is able to achieve almost agonizing sound when you cannot breathe anymore. BPO is second to none.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Violin concerto, III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace – Poco più presto
Recording: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

#139 The Smell of Bread and Butter

I can smell a slice of bread in front of me. The music is spreading soft butter on it, the knife goes forth and back in flowing moves.

Karajan goes for fast tempo and shine. The recording is energizing and joyful.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Hungarian Dance No 5
Recording: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

#92 The Smell of Reaching Out

These are strong musical waves and a great example of  big architecture. The forces are in motion and one does need to dance high to keep up with them.

Berman does not try to shine, he's not pushing the romantic line. His account is both bold and subtle–and very compact; the same goes for BPO. The evil essence Karajan is able to extract from the orchestral playing at 2'17'' or at 6'16'' is blood-stopping.

Composer: Petr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Work: Piano concerto No 1, I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso
Recording: Lazar Berman, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan

#23 The Smell of Natalie Portman

For me, the finale of Swan Lake was never beautiful. It's a nervous, fragile, unstable piece of music. The main theme goes too fast, the pauses in harmonies are scary, the harp rhythm is perverse.

After watching the film Black Swan, the demons are even worse and darker. The dreadful, lethal music cries for help but the rising sun is black.

Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Work: Swan Lake Suite, IV. Finale
Recording: Wiener Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan