Carlos Kleiber

Quite possibly the definitive studio recording of Verdi’s opera masterpiece, this stunning performance, brilliantly conducted by Kleiber, features multiple Grammy-winning tenor Plácido Domingo and the legendary soprano Ileana Cotrubaş. Originally recorded in 1977, this new high-definition release lends an unheard clarity to this already essential recording.

Legendary conductor Carlos Kleiber leads the Vienna Philharmonic through masterful, impassioned performances of two of the greatest masterpieces of the classical repertoire. Critics used words like "masterpiece" and legendary" to describe these two vintage Beethoven performances, recorded in 1974 (the Symphony No. 5) and 1975/1976 (the Symphony No. 7).

Legendary pianist Sviatoslav Richter delivers a compelling and lyrically-beautiful performance of Dvorak’s Piano Concerto. Richter’s playing is filled with passion and empathy. His triumphant effort is supported by Carlos Kleiber leading the Bayerisches Staatsorchester. The enchanting album is one of the finest displays of virtuosity.

Vintage symphony “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat), conducted by the charismatic conductor Carlos Kleiber, who continues to fascinate audiences even today.

Der Freischütz is one of the great milestones in the history of opera. The resounding success of its premiere in 1821 practically made it a manifesto for German Romantic opera, one that would become a significant formative influence on Wagner. Although it has its roots in the Singspiel tradition exemplified by Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Der Freischütz cut new ground with its potent mixture of supernatural elements, dreams, folk melodies, evocations of nature, and symphonic tone painting. Here, von Weber exploited his brilliant orchestral imagination–using, for example, carefully divided string tremolos and a gleaming choir of four horns–to maximum effect.

"For sheer thrills, no one has yet outshone Kleiber’s swashbuckling 1973 Der Freischütz. True - for scrupulous textual honesty, there are strong rivals … but if you can hang in with his tempi (contrast Davis’s granite Philips version), Kleiber win hands down. The Staatskapelle is putty in his fingers. Janowitz’s melting Agathe, Schreier’s assertive Max, Mathis and Adam remain my dream cast.

"For sheer thrills, no one has yet outshone Kleiber’s swashbuckling 1973 Der Freischütz. True - for scrupulous textual honesty, there are strong rivals … but if you can hang in with his tempi (contrast Davis’s granite Philips version), Kleiber win hands down. The Staatskapelle is putty in his fingers. Janowitz’s melting Agathe, Schreier’s assertive Max, Mathis and Adam remain my dream cast.

Carlos Kleiber's bat from 1975 is a discographic highlight. Inspired by an unforgettable production at Munich's Staatsoper, where Kleiber conducted almost all the performances of this bat production up to 1988, the recording from the Herkulessaal presents an unrivalled degree of presence and stage magic, also in the dialogues.

"For sheer thrills, no one has yet outshone Kleiber’s swashbuckling 1973 Der Freischütz. True - for scrupulous textual honesty, there are strong rivals … but if you can hang in with his tempi (contrast Davis’s granite Philips version), Kleiber win hands down. The Staatskapelle is putty in his fingers. Janowitz’s melting Agathe, Schreier’s assertive Max, Mathis and Adam remain my dream cast.

Carlos Kleiber's recordings are rare events, almost invariably worth the wait. This performance of the Unfinished is typical: direct, unfussy, superbly played, and unflaggingly intense.