Verdi Requiem

A Verdi Requiem with a dream line-up of soloists and the forces of La Scala, Milan, directed by one of the greatest maestros of our time. Preceding acclaimed performances at the Lucerne and Salzburg Festivals, Barenboim and his magnificent partners recorded this masterpiece around a live performance at La Scala, Milan, in 2012. This marks the first audio recording by Barenboim in his role as La Scala’s Music Director.

The early 2010s have seen a profusion of good performances and recordings of Verdi's Requiem mass. This may be because the work offers operatic singers and conductors a chance to strut their stuff in a one-shot deal, without the expense of mounting an entire operatic production. Whatever the explanation, the situation is a boon for listeners, and the present album takes its place among the very best. The Requiem is the towering work of sacred music in the late 19th century, full of social resonances that are explored in the booklet of this release with conductor Daniel Barenboim leading the Orchestra and Chorus of the La Scala Theatre.

A Verdi Requiem with a dream line-up of soloists and the forces of La Scala, Milan, directed by one of the greatest maestros of our time. Preceding acclaimed performances at the Lucerne and Salzburg Festivals, Barenboim and his magnificent partners recorded this masterpiece around a live performance at La Scala, Milan, in 2012. This marks the first audio recording by Barenboim in his role as La Scala’s Music Director.

Abbado's Verdi recordings are some of the finest available and this Requiem recording is no expection. Abbado takes a less ferocious approach than say Muti, or Barenboim, balancing the dramatic moments effectively against the more introspective aspects of the score. Ricciarelli is in fine form here, singing with a fine sense of line and intense emotional declamation. Her intonation is perfect. Verrett blends seamlessly with Ricciarelli, making the most of their duet and capturing the intense sadness of much of the writing quite well. Domingo, in his first recording of the part, provides a steady stream of golden tone, effortlessly produced. His emotional temperature runs about right here - not overly dramatic - after all, this is not Aida - but strong feelings kept on a tight rein. Ghiaurov is phenomenal. His gigantic bass somehow anchoring the entire quartet and chorus into an imposing yet gorgeous Verdian soundscape. There are many excellent Verdi Requiem recordings - this is surely one of the very best.

Karajan - Verdi- Requiem - DVD 23/24 -His Legacy for Home Video
Classical | DVD | with scans | 3,81 Gb (DVD5) | DVD´s FULL No compression
All Videos of this collection (except one) are DVD5, yet complete, without taking anything from the original.
Release: May 27, 2008 | Publisher: Sony Classical

Herbert Von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video: Verdi Requiem presents Von Karajan performing Verdi's "Messa Da Requiem with the Wiener Philharmonic Orchestra in 1984 at the Grosser Musikvereinssaal in Vienna. Featured performers include Anna Tomowa-Sintow and Agnes Baltsa.