Klemperer’s Haydn was also superb -- like most conductors of his generation, he stuck to the later symphonies. He left us two marvelous recordings of Fidelio by Beethoven: the one made in Kingsway Hall in early 1962, and the Testament CD of the February 1961 live performance at Covent Garden. The Covent Garden performance has more of the spoken dialogue and stage business than the EMI set, as well as the Leonore No. 3 between the two scenes of the second act. . The interpretation of the character Rocco (in both instances, played by Gottlob Frick) is very different in each version. The casts are different, except for Frick and Jon Vickers (Florestan). For the studio Fidelio, the original Columbia LP and the first CD reissue (EMI) offer the best sound. Klemperer’s version of Kurt Weill’s Kleine Dreigroschenmusik is one of the best, in my opinion. His Mahler No. 2. (ca. 1963) is one of the finest accounts of this striking work. The CD reissue manages to get the whole symphony on one disc!
Great video. One important thing to mention is that Klemperer divided his first and second violins to great effect and so it's really absolutely necessary to have the stereo versions in order to fully enjoy the Kemperer sound. Absolutely love Klemperer even his controversially slow Mahler 7th. Such strength and power.
Agree the Klemperer Bruckner 4 is great, Bruckner needs a conductor who understands the large structures of his symphonies, love the fourth. The Beethoven 5 he does all the repeats and is a result slow, and was not Beethoven’s preference but woodwind excellent . Wunderlich is perfect tenor for the Das Lied….
When I was in undergrad school in mid 80's I had a music history teacher(who was one of my favorite teachers, and after graduation we became good friends) was a huge klemperer fan, and always pushed klemperer. I was young, stupid, and never took klemperer serious. Now I'm much older and have a high respect & admiration for his "stereo" recordings. I am big fan of klemperers winds forward balance...it's a game changer 👍
I had the same aversion to Klemperer when I was young (many, many years ago). I was led to appreciation by recordings like his Bruckner 6 (very personal, but very good). I now consider him tops in Brahms, some Bruckner, and Mozart, especially the newer CD box where all the symphonic Mozart is brought together. Some of his Haydn is especially fine.
Klemperer’s Haydn was also superb -- like most conductors of his generation, he stuck to the later symphonies. He left us two marvelous recordings of Fidelio by Beethoven: the one made in Kingsway Hall in early 1962, and the Testament CD of the February 1961 live performance at Covent Garden. The Covent Garden performance has more of the spoken dialogue and stage business than the EMI set, as well as the Leonore No. 3 between the two scenes of the second act. . The interpretation of the character Rocco (in both instances, played by Gottlob Frick) is very different in each version. The casts are different, except for Frick and Jon Vickers (Florestan). For the studio Fidelio, the original Columbia LP and the first CD reissue (EMI) offer the best sound. Klemperer’s version of Kurt Weill’s Kleine Dreigroschenmusik is one of the best, in my opinion. His Mahler No. 2. (ca. 1963) is one of the finest accounts of this striking work. The CD reissue manages to get the whole symphony on one disc!
Thx for the great overview. All the very best, Anthony
This was a great video Anthony. I learned so much and now have some new things to explore!
Great video. One important thing to mention is that Klemperer divided his first and second violins to great effect and so it's really absolutely necessary to have the stereo versions in order to fully enjoy the Kemperer sound. Absolutely love Klemperer even his controversially slow Mahler 7th. Such strength and power.
Great point, Peter. 👍
Agree the Klemperer Bruckner 4 is great, Bruckner needs a conductor who understands the large structures of his symphonies, love the fourth. The Beethoven 5 he does all the repeats and is a result slow, and was not Beethoven’s preference but woodwind excellent . Wunderlich is perfect tenor for the Das Lied….
Did musicians ever call him Col Klink behind his back?
Nice 👌🏻i have the klemper beethoven cycle on cd but i am going to look for the vinyl box set
You won’t regret it. Legendary 👍
Correction: when Klemperer was born Breslau was a major German City. Today it is in Poland.
When I was in undergrad school in mid 80's I had a music history teacher(who was one of my favorite teachers, and after graduation we became good friends) was a huge klemperer fan, and always pushed klemperer. I was young, stupid, and never took klemperer serious.
Now I'm much older and have a high respect & admiration for his "stereo" recordings. I am big fan of klemperers winds forward balance...it's a game changer 👍
I had the same aversion to Klemperer when I was young (many, many years ago). I was led to appreciation by recordings like his Bruckner 6 (very personal, but very good). I now consider him tops in Brahms, some Bruckner, and Mozart, especially the newer CD box where all the symphonic Mozart is brought together. Some of his Haydn is especially fine.
Hello Audiophilia. Which outer sleeves are you using?
vinylstoragesolutions.ca