Ungarische Fantasie · Ungarische Rhapsodien Nr. 4 Und Nr. 5 / Ungarische Tänze Nr. 17·18·19 Und 20

Released in 1982 by Deutsche Grammophon under the catalog number 2535 175, this recording is part of the label's budget-friendly 'Privilege' series. The collection compiles performances of works by Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms, featuring the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan. The inclusion of Shura Cherkassky as a soloist for the Liszt Fantasia highlights the label’s strategy of reissuing high-quality orchestral and concerto recordings from their extensive archives to reach a wider audience during the early eighties.

The album reflects the mid-century tradition of Deutsche Grammophon’s curation, emphasizing the synthesis of Romantic-era Hungarian influences found in the works of both composers. Herbert von Karajan’s tenure with the Berlin Philharmonic was defined by a polished, lush sound, and the selection of these specific Hungarian Rhapsodies and Dances serves as a showcase for the orchestra's technical precision. Critics and listeners at the time appreciated these reissues for making legendary performances accessible, cementing the status of these recordings as standard interpretations of the nineteenth-century European canon.