Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem)

Hakan Hagegard (Artist), Sylvia McNair (Artist), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Kurt Masur (Conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Kurt Masur
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (November 7, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000SR1
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,971 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Selig sind, die da leid tragen

2. II Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras

3. III Herr, lehre doch mich - Hakan Hagegard/Westminster Sym Cho

4. IV Wie lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen, Herr Zeboath

5. V Ihr habt nun Traurighket - Sylvia Mcnair/Westminter Sym Chor

6. IV Denn wei haben hie deine bleibende Statt - Hakan Hagegard/Westminter Sym Chor

7. VII Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herren sterben

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tempos, November 17, 2000

By 

Bryan Park (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) (Audio CD)

I have to agree that this recording has the best tempos of the Brahms Requiem I have heard on CD. Most of the other recordings, including Robert Shaw's, and surprisingly, even John Eliot Gardiner's, clock in at around 70 minutes. This means that #2 ("Denn alles Fleisch") especially tends to be sluggish. Masur takes a tempo that is just fast enough not to be plodding, but not so fast that the movement loses its inherent dignity.

Another movement that tends to be sluggish in most recordings is #4 ("Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen"). Here, it lilts. It never feels rushed, yet it still has room to breathe.

This recording is almost exactly 60 minutes long. There is still, however, a wide variation of tempo. #6 ("Denn wir haben hie") is especially masterful. It actually starts slower than some of the 70-minute recordings. Then when the fast section comes ("Denn es wird die posaune schallen"), the contrast is remarkable. This is definitely one of the better recordings available of this work, if not the best.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant and Peaceful, April 15, 2000

By 

Brett A. Kniess (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) (Audio CD)

This was my first recording of the Brahms Requiem and has remained so after years of hearing many versions.

The soloists are truly sensitive singers. Hagegard is now my favorite baritone soloist. He is able to make any piece of music dramatic. Sylvia McNair, a silky voice, demonstrates a lot of restraint and power in her interpretaion of this masterwork.

What I truly love is the tempos. As I listen, Masur takes it at exactly what I want to hear. The New York Philharmonic is able to do anything that Masur wishes: they caress, swell, and climax in such a way as to send chills.

The true stars in this recording is the Westminster Choir. The diction is fresh, crisp and clean. The vowels are truly Germanic, and the dynamics are very flexible. This recording is out and out good. This is the best in the series of Masur's live recordings. The coughs and digital watches are non-existant. Try this one out!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best versions of Brahms' Requiem available, October 19, 2002

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) (Audio CD)

I must admit that this is one of the fastest versions of Brahms' "Ein Deutsches Requiem" I've heard but it is also among the best. Masur's choice of tempi seem absolutely right and his command of the New York Philharmonic is as splendid as always. Under his baton the orchestra gives one of its finest live recordings during his tenure as the orchestra's music director. Sylvia McNair's solos are exquisite, replete with much lyrical phrasing and warmth. However, the true stars of this recording are most definitely the Westminister Choir. Those interested in a splendid recent recording of this work will not be disappointed.