This was the recording which ignited my love of classical music, more years ago than I care to remember - how could I not buy it? For a recording nearly 60 years old, it still sounds remarkably good - slightly opaque and hollow at times, but with more bass than I remember from the original LP. I have heard modern recordings which sound worse. The performance is excellent, if without the extra warmth and lilt Karajan gives it. And the Chicago SO were certainly a great orchestra at the time.