Wagner: Parsifal (Bayreuth 1952) [Box set, Import]

Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Hans Knappertsbusch (Conductor), Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (Orchestra), Erika Zimmermann (Performer), George London (Performer), Gerhard Stolze (Performer), Gerhard Unger (Performer), Hanna Ludwig (Performer), Hermann Uhde (Performer), Hertha Topper (Performer), Kurt Böhme (Performer), Ludwig Weber (Performer), Maria Lacorn (Performer), Martha Mödl (Performer), Paula Brivkalne (Performer), Rita Streich (Performer), Wolfgang Windgassen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Erika Zimmermann, George London, Gerhard Stolze, Gerhard Unger, Hanna Ludwig, et al.
• Orchestra: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
• Conductor: Hans Knappertsbusch
• Composer: Richard [Classical] Wagner
• Audio CD (April 22, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Archipel
• ASIN: B00008ZL5Q
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #783,205 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Vorspiel

2. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. He! Ho! Waldhüter ihr

3. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Toren wir, auf Lind'rung da zu hoffen

4. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Hier! Nimm du! - Balsam...

5. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Recht so! - Habt Dank!

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Vom Bade kehrt der König heim

2. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Zum letzten Liebesmale

3. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Mein Sohn Amfortas

4. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Des Weihgefäßes göttlicher Gehalt

5. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 1. Enthüllet den Gral!

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 2. Vorspiel

2. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 2. Die Zeit ist da

3. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 2. Ach! - Ach! Tiefe Nacht

4. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 2. Furchtbare Not!

5. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 2. Seine Wunde trägt jeder

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 3. Vorspiel

2. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 3. Von dorther kam das Stöhnen

3. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 3. Deinen... Deinen!

4. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 3. Heil dir, mein Gast!

5. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Act 3. Heil mir, daß ich wiederfinde!

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KNA's 52 and 54 Parsifal's, Two Essential's, March 18, 2006

By 

paul best "Eyes that see the *dark things*" (new orleans) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wagner: Parsifal (Bayreuth 1952) (Audio CD)

These are the finest 2 recordings on record. Just a glance at the casting lets you know ehat good is in store.
btw I just noticed there is a 51 KNa, I just ordered it.
Will make note as it arrives.

I will not go into details on either. All things are about equal, with slight changes in casting. Its those slight changes I'll make note of.

In these 3 operas we find Wagner as the very first mondern.
And its for his modern inventions and chromantic colors/feeling is all that interest me. His other operas are a continuation of the classical tradition, a form i'm not at all interested in other than Mozart.

Now with that out of the way we can move on to these 2 greatest of all Parsifal's.
1952Titurel/Kurt Bohme
1954Titurel/Theo Adam
Both very good.

1952Gurnemanz/Josef Greindl
1954Gurnemanz/Ludwig Weber
Again both very good, I "might" slightly prefer Weber

1952Klingsor/Uhde
1954Klingsor/Neidlinger
Again both very good, however as we know Neidlinger was the greatest bass in Wagner, and thus give the nod to Neidlinger.

Now we come to a critical consideration.
Casting of Amfortas.
1952 Amfortas George London
1954 Amfortas Hans Hotter
Both are outstanding and is impossible for any review to choose one over the other.

Now with Wolfgang Windgassen as Parsifal in both 52 and 54, outstanding and the the second finest tenor in Wagner.... Suthaus, who was the greatest tenor in Wagner.
Then with Martha Modl cast as Kundry in both 52, 54, the greatest soprano in Wagner, here you have the 2 greatest Parsifal's.
KNA's conducting is about equal on both.
He has not fallen prey to odd tempos as yet, this came later in his career, starting in 1956.

Wagner was far ahead of anyone of his day, and for 40 yrs thereafter. The first modern and offers some of the greatest operas ever penned, in Parsifal, Tristan, the Ring cycle.
Please refer to all my other reviews in Wagner.