Customer Reviews

Carlos Kleiber: Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

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To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Carlos Kleiber, DG has released two ultra-bargain box sets, one of his DVDs, the other of orchestral and opera work on CD. Both are self-recommending, since without a doubt the eccentric Kleiber was a very great conductor. I'm dropping tis note only to list the complete contents.


Beethoven:
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

Wiener Philharmoniker

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

Wiener Philharmoniker

Brahms:
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98

Wiener Philharmoniker

Schubert:
Symphony No. 3 in D major, D200

Wiener Philharmoniker

Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D759 'Unfinished'

Wiener Philharmoniker

Strauss, J, II:
Die Fledermaus

Hermann Prey (Eisenstein), Julia Varady (Rosalinde), Lucia Popp (Adele), René Kollo (Alfred), Ivan Rebroff (Orlofsky), Bernd Weikl (Falke)

Bayerischer Staatsopernchor & Bayerisches Staatsorchester

Verdi:
La Traviata

Ileana Cotrubas (Violetta Valery), Stefania Malagu (Flora Bervoix), Helena Jungwirth (Annina), Placido Domingo (Alfredo Germont), Sherrill Milnes (Giorgio Germont), Walter Gullino (Gastone), Bruno Grella (Barone Douphol) Alfredo Giacomotti (Marchese d'Obigny), Giovanni Foiani (Dottore Grenvil), Walter Gullino (Giuseppe)

Bayerischer Sstaatsopernchor & Bayerisches Staatsorchester

Wagner:
Tristan und Isolde

Margaret Price (Isolde), René Kollo (Tristan), Brigitte Fassbaender (Brangaene), Kurt Moll (King Marke), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Kurwenal), Werner Götz (Melot), Anton Dermota (Shepherd), Wolfgang Hellmich (Steersman)& Eberhard Büchner (Young Sailor)

Rundfunkchor Leipzig & Staatskapelle Dresden

Weber:
Der Freischütz

Gundula Janowitz (Agathe), Edith Mathis (Aennchen), Peter Schreier (Max), Theo Adam (Kaspar), Franz Crass (Hermit), Siegfried Vogel (Kuno), Bernd Weikl (Ottokar), Günther Leib (Kilian)

Rundfunkchor Leipzig & Staatskapelle Dresden

I don't own this set because I have all the recordings except for Die Fledermaus. Kleiber's Tristan und Isolde alone is worth the price: an incandescent reading. La Traviata is, unfortunately, cut (traditional theatre cuts, but inexcusable in a recording) but is still a top recommendation. Everything else is superb and among the very best recordings of any given work. This is a must buy at a ridiculous price.

For the newcomers in music, it's convenient to carve in relief that during the late sixties and early seventies, only two conductors of mature age captivated the great Halls around the world due his undeniable talent and vital energy: Istvan Kertesz and Carlos Kleiber. Pitifully with the sudden and painful departure of Kertesz in 1973 (He was just 45), Kleiber stood aloof as the most brilliant Western conductor of his generation.

Over the years, the figure of Carlos Kleiber has achieved a special place among the second half of the past century. Somehow,Kleiber personified the music by itself. His interpretations were loaded of radiant splendor and amazing vitality.

His charisma, personality and magnetism were always motive of wide acknowledgement around the world. We are very lucky to get his live performances with the renowned Bavarian Orchestra that carried him to an enviable distinction among the greatest conductors of the world.

This package had to be released many years ago. Since his departure in 2004, his absence has been notorious. Listening these legendary recordings you will be able to realize the reason of his diamantine reputation.

This album is part of the enormous musical universe. Don't mis it.