Carlos Kleiber: Conductor
with: Wiener Philharmoniker,Hermann Prey, Julia Varady, Lucia Popp, René Kollo, Ivan Rebroff, Bernd Weikl, Bayerischer Staatsopernchor, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden,
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 / Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 Schubert: Symphony No. 3 in D major, D200 / Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D 759 'Unfinished' J. Strauss II: Die Fledermaus 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) Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Margaret Price, René Kollo, Brigitte Fassbaender, Kurt Moll, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Werner Götz, Anton Dermota, Wolfgang Hellmich & Eberhard Büchner Weber: Der Freischütz - Gundula Janowitz, Edith Mathis, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Franz Crass, Siegfried Vogel, Bernd Weikl, Günther Leib
Wholenote Discoveries - October 2010
The late Carlos Kleiber was one of the most esteemed and enigmatic conductors during the last quarter of the last century. He was an uncompromising perfectionist who demanded accuracy in even to the smallest details that might have passed unnoticed by others. Every one of his recordings bears witness to his preoccupation with perfection. He worked only when he needed money, demanded and was given extra rehearsal time and like his father, the illustrious Erich, was easily offended and would walk out of costly recording sessions. Not surprising then that he made comparatively few recordings. It was DG that issued more of his performances than any other label and the each and every one remains a top choice in a crowded market. To celebrate his 80th anniversary DG has issued two sets, a complete collection of CDs and a package of his complete Unitel videos. The CD set contains Beethoven’s Fifth and Seventh, Schubert’s Third and Eighth, and Brahms’ Fourth Symphony all with The Vienna Philharmonic. The remarkable perfection of these blazing performances has never been bettered. I recall listening with a colleague to the LP of the Brahms Fourth when it was first issued trying, unsuccessfully, to find one wrong note, one wrong entry. There are also four complete operas: Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, Tristan und Isolde, and Der Freischutz. Featured singers include Hermann Prey, Lucia Popp, Rene Kollo, Julia Varady and Ivan Rebroff (Fledermaus); Ilena Cotrubas, Domingo and Milnes (Traviata); Kollo, Kurt Moll, Margaret Price, Fischer-Dieskau, and Anton Dermota (Tristan); Peter Schreier, Gundula Janowitz, and Theo Adam (Freischutz). These classic versions, very well reviewed at the time, retain their freshness and each would be a prime choice. Bruce Surtees 80th Anniversary Limited Edition. 12CDs at a super value price: 3CDs of orchestral works, 4 complete operas, many rare photos in booklet.
One of the most charismatic of conductors, Carlos Kleiber would have been 80 on 3 July 2010. Here, in celebration of a great artist, are his Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon: each is a classic, and presented here in the best sound-quality. A companion box set of his complete UNITEL/DG DVDs, in a special limited edition, is also being released to mark the occasion.
The present box comprises the three CDs of orchestral works by Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert as well as his four complete opera recordings (Der Freischütz, Die Fledermaus, La Traviata and Tristan und Isolde). Here is a unique chance to offer Kleiber’s Complete Recordings in a single box set at a bargain price.
Each of these recordings is a classic, each has been in the catalogue since the time of recording, all still selling amazingly well after more than 30 years. The Beethoven symphonies and the Verdi La Traviata are classics of the gramophone - two perennial bestsellers.
Orchestral recordings: Beethoven symphonies 5 and 7, Brahms symphony No.4 and Schubert symphonies 3 & 8 – all currently in The Originals, DG’s premium reissues series, with top remastering quality.
Operas: Weber: Der Freischütz; Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; Verdi: La Traviata; Wagner: Tristan und Isolde – all currently in The Originals, DG’s premium reissues series, with top remastering quality.
Packaging: classic capbox, with strikingly modern cover and booklet including full tracklists, new booklet article by Andrew Clements, and many rare photos of Kleiber and other artists at recording sessions.
