Klemperer conducts Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123

Klemperer conducts Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123

Klemperer conducts Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123

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CD Details

Conductor: Otto Klemperer
Orchestra: Kolner Rundfunk Sinfonie
Performer: Anneliese Kupper
Performer: Sieglinde Wagner
Performer: Rudolf Schock
Performer: Josef Greindl
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-08-25
Music Label: Medici Masters
Soundtracks:

Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra in D major ('Missa Solemnis'), Op. 123: 1. Kyrie: Assai sostenuto. Mit Andacht
Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra in D major ('Missa Solemnis'), Op. 123: 2. Gloria: Allegro vivace
Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra in D major ('Missa Solemnis'), Op. 123: 3. Credo: Allegro ma non troppo
Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra in D major ('Missa Solemnis'), Op. 123: 4. Sanctus: Adagio. Mit Andacht
Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra in D major ('Missa Solemnis'), Op. 123: 5. Agnus Dei: Adagio

Music reviews of Klemperer conducts Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123

Music Review: Historic Recording of a Beethoven Masterpiece
Rating: 5 Stars

This recording dates from 1955, a pivotal year for Klemperer, then 70 years old, who was reestablishing himself as one of the world's great conductors. In fact, with Arturo Toscanini having recently retired, Klemperer at that time perhaps shared with Bruno Walter the laurel as the most important active conductor, especially for the great symphonic repertoire from Beethoven through Mahler. At the time of this recording, Klemperer had only recently begun his historic tenure as conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London. (This recording of the Missa Solemnis, however, was with the Kolner Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester.)

In 1955, Klemperer had not yet adopted the slower tempos that characterized his performances in later years; so this recording provides an interesting comparison with the much-loved Klemperer recording of the Missa Solemnis (on EMI) of 1966.

Klemperer was especially effective as a conductor of large works for orchestra and chorus. Where other conductors emphasize tempo and dynamic changes for dramatic effect, Klemperer strives to harness massive forces to achieve subtlety, precision and clarity. His control of such details is always subordinated, however, to capturing the architectural structure of great works, something he accomplishes to a unique degree. Accordingly, the monumental power of the Missa Solemnis is presented in this recording to an extent that is perhaps matched among currently available recordings only by his own recording of 1966.

Aside from the tempos, the most noteworthy difference between this performance and the one from 1966 is in sound quality, with a decided edge to the later recording. Nevertheless, this recording is, overall, a great and important version of the work that Beethoven himself said on at least one occasion was his best.

Description of Klemperer conducts Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123

Otto Klemperer, particularly well known for his interpretation of Beethoven, conducts the Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester in this 1955 rendition of Beethove's Missa Solemnis. He is joined by soloists Annelies Kupper, Sieglinde Wagner, Rudolf Schock and Joseph Greindl in a concert which was Klemperer's first public performance of the work for 22 years. It is sourced from the original WDR master tapes and captures the intensity of a live occasion and the wonderful choral singing of the Kölner Rundfunkchor.

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