Wagner: Parsifal [Original recording reissued, Box set]

Richard Wagner (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Claes-Haakan Ahnsjo (Performer), José Van Dam (Performer), Anne Gjevang (Performer), Victor Van Halem (Performer), Marjon Lambriks (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Claes-Haakan Ahnsjo, José Van Dam, Anne Gjevang, Victor Van Halem, Marjon Lambriks
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Original recording reissued, Box set
• 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: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001G53
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,476 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In my opinion, the greatest Parsifal on record, December 23, 2005

By 

The Cultural Observer - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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

Parsifal, one of Wagner's three great Schopenhauerian works, requires a conductor who has a cohesive vision for the entire stage drama that not only brings the entire story together, but engages the audience in a philosophical atmosphere which makes you think about the several psychological nuances experienced by the characters. It is not very hard to play for the orchestra, despite the fact that it is still Wagner, but to bring the truth out of Parsifal takes more than just whipping some baton around to get a note-perfect performance. You need a sense of spirituality and sacredness, and the drama must be there too. I believe that besides the recently released "forgotten" recording by Rafael Kubelik with the late James King, Kurt Moll, and Yvonne Minton, only Herbert von Karajan and his Berlin Philharmonic and the well-selected cast was able to achieve this vision.

Most reviewers accuse Karajan of smoothing over the music of Parsifal at the expense of the drama. I would beg to disagree, as I believe that musically, Karajan's dynamics are perfect for the opera, and his choice of rubato is so well-placed that he brings a sense of spirituality to the opera. It's as if the magnificent string playing of the Berlin Philharmonic along with the brass ensemble and the percussions could easily transport you to the mythical realm of Montsalvat. The Verwandlungsmusik is played to perfection, the Prelude sublime and rapturous, and the character leitmotif's are without a doubt...done just right. Orchestra wise, this Parsifal is played to perfection.

As for the cast, well, it is true that Karajan could have chosen better singers, but these seasoned Wagnerians have done nothing but achieve the vision that he sought for in his recording. Jose Van Dam is simply the best Amfortas I've heard on record. He may not have George London's large voice, but his singing is so sensitive that you can easily feel the anguish and torture Amfortas is feeling. Karajan's excellent ear for balances allows the orchestra to enhance all the pain and longing that Amfortas yearns for. As for Gurnemanz, I don't think anyone can beat Hans Hotter when it comes to authority, but Kurt Moll sings the role most beautifully and so naturally, with an excellent sense of drama to boot, that I could easily place him beside Hans Hotter. Only Hotter's Act III could slightly be ahead of Moll's, but Moll's achievement is simply outstanding in this one.

The Kundry and Parsifal in this recording are often the subject of many a Wagnerian's debate regarding K's choice for casting. Dunja Vejzovic was one of the greatest Slavic sopranos of the past century, with a range that extends from a mezzo to high soprano. Alas, her top is shrill to some listeners' tastes, but for a Callas fan such as I, this isn't much of a problem. I think she brings such a demented and pitiful, yet seductive quality to her Kundry whenever such characteristics are needed. Dramatically, hers is an intense performance, with only Christa Ludwig's achievement exceeding hers. Still, others do appreciate her performance, and I would put it second behind Christa Ludwig's great Kundry. Peter Hofmann, on the other hand, sings a most young and convincing Parsifal. And once again we come to the subject of the wobble. I never heard an absurd one in this recording, and I think his achievement in this recording is equalled only by Jess Thomas. Not even Placido Domingo, whose Wagnerian interpretations are known for their bel canto qualities, touched the young fal parsi that Hofmann and Thomas brought to their performances. A great Parsifal indeed. One would wish that the voice were firmer, but I think we could overlook that and see such a fresh and young interpretation given to the role.

For the supporting cast, I think Siegmund Niemsgern gives an excellent Klingsor. It's not an Alberich Klingsor, but a sorcerer Klingsor, just right. The Flower Maidens are sung beautifully, and the Stimme from Above is sung by none other than the great mezzo Hanna Schwarz. Luxurious casting, great orchestra, and a conductor who knows the ABC's of Wagner conducting, plus a most sacred atmosphere created by the recording, and I think you have a Parsifal for the ages. Highly recommended.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the glories of Karajan's discography, September 28, 2005

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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

Some disappointed reviewers have piled on to this recording, but I feel that it is unsurpassed among modern performances on disc. Karajan had conducted a live Parsifal from the Vienna State Opera (on BMG) that has the incomparable Hans Hotter as Gurnemanz and Christa Ludwig singing Kundry in Act 2 magnificently (strangely, Karajan asked for two Kundrys, each given her own act).

Despite those advantages in Vienna, Karajan grew musically with this opera and here gives a performance of astounding depth and virtuosity. The orchestral playing is miles ahead of that achieved in the pit by Knappertsbusch in his various live performances from Bayreuth, and the digital sound, though not perfect, is very good for the Eighties.

Kurt Moll sings with authority as Gurnemanz, besides his rolling deep bass, there is a feeling of enormous sorrow mixed with spiritual gravitas. Only Hotter exceeds him on CD. For many listeners the Kundry of Dunja Vejkovic will be too Slavic--at loud volume the voice turns shrill and squawky--but dramatically she is fierce with anguish when needed. Don't expect eroticism in Act 2, however.

Which brings us to Peter Hoffmann as Parsifal. This is not a long role vocally, and by no means does he spoil the set. His career was a flash in the pan, and his Tristan for Bernstein was a disaster despite the fact that his Siegmund for Boulez in the famous Chereau production had been a triumph. Here he is in as good form as he ever achieved. To his credit Hoffman is intense and dramatically believable, but the role puts vocal strains on him, and it shows. I have seen raves at Amazon for Wagner singing that is equally strained--see Ludwig Suthaus on the classic Furtwangler Tristan.

In the end, Karajan's conducting is the element that sweeps this Parsifal to the heights. His vision is so musical, virtuosic, and passionate that I cannot understand any rating but the highest.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Karajan's finest Wagner, March 16, 2001

By 

Gerardo Cabrera Munoz (México) - See all my reviews

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

Even though many love his Dresden Meistersinger, I think this Parsifal is Karajan's greatest Wagner recording. He challenges the Berlin Philharmonic to the most sublime sounds imaginable, the orchestral performance is nothing short of superhuman, but Karajan's conducting is also very humane and humble, he may not be as stirring as Knappertsbusch, but in his own sound-world he is fantastic. His cast is far more satisfying than in his Ring or Tristan recordings. Top honors go to the towering Gurnemanz of Kurt Moll, who sings so beautifully he could be singing Mozart. Jose van Dam is every bit as good. The Parsifal and the Kundry are not in that class, but they are very acceptable. All in all, this is the finest Parsifal recording since Knappertsbusch Bayreuth recording. As for the competition, I can't recommend Levine's DG recording with Placido Domingo, it's much too slow and soporiphic; good as the Met Orchestra is, they are nowhere near the Berlin Philharmonic. On the other hand, Baremboim is much better, and he also has the BPO in resplendent form. His trump card is Waltraud Meier as Kundry, the best Kundry of the last 50 years, but his Gurnemanz is not in Moll's class.