Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem

What could be wrong with this disc--Brahms' beloved Requiem, interpreted by Herbert von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic, sung by José van Dam and Barbara Hendricks? Nothing. Karajan here rejects idiosyncrasies and histrionics, in favor of a straightforward, impeccably balanced, lushly romantic performance that is, in a word, irresistible. And the soloists have seldom sounded better. --Joshua Cody