Beethoven: Missa Solemnis / Mozart: Coronation Mass

Fritz Wunderlich (Artist), José van Dam / Walter Berry (Artist), Christa Ludwig (Artist), Gundula Janowitz (Artist), Agnes Baltsa / Werner Krenn (Artist), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Vienna Singverein (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Vienna Singverein
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GA2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,408 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Janowitz, Gundula
  • #34 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Ludwig, Christa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best recording of Beethoven's "most accomplished work", December 4, 2002

By 

Derek Lee (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Missa Solemnis / Mozart: Coronation Mass (Audio CD)

I have always thought that Karajan's style was perfectly suited for the mysticism and spirituality of thegreat masterworks of Beethoven's last period; I think this is plainly clear regarding his 1962 performance of the ninth symphony, and is even more obvious here. Every part of this masterpiece (both the composition and the performance) is unforgettable; I particularly am in a state of rapture when I listen to the Benedictus; the violin soloist does a perfect job, along with the entire ensemble. Congratulations are particularly in order for the absolutely first-rate soloists. All of them produce some of the best performances of their mighty careers here. Although if you but this CD you are most likely doing so for the Missa Solemnis, the Coronation mass is wonderful too. Although in scope it is much more restricted than the great Missa Solemnis, it is a delightful work, and even though the soloists may not be of the same calibre as those for the earlier recording, they are still exceptionally good.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mount Everest of Missas Solemnis, February 8, 2003

By 

"miamidietrich" (Miami Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Missa Solemnis / Mozart: Coronation Mass (Audio CD)

Testament to the extraordinary level of achievement the long
tenure of Karajan in Berlin built up. And the 4 soloists are
simply sublime. Janowitz' shimmering soprano irradiates
spirituality, the so lamented Wunderlich shows why he is
considered irreplacible, and the couple Berry/Ludwig are at
their reliable best.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, July 23, 2001

By 

Jeff Davis Maynor "Jeff" (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Missa Solemnis / Mozart: Coronation Mass (Audio CD)

My title sums it all up. This is quite simply the best recording I've ever heard of the great Missa Solemnis. Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonia are at their peak and his interpretation of this great work conveys all of it's majesty as one of Beethoven's most transcendent works. The best part of this fine recording however is the performance of Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, the great Fritz Wunderlich, and Walter Berry. The soloists performance is what transforms this from a great work, to the masterwork that it is.