Classical music reference recording 119,589 views 4. Buschs conducting, while very fine, may not be a match for hans knappertsbuschs kna, but it is definitely in the top tier, in my opinion. But while parsifals subversions may be blasphemous for atheist german philosophers and dogmatic christians, for devout wagnerians, parsifal is heaven on earth. There are recordings available from ten different bayreuth seasonsmost in multiple iterationsincluding two highly regarded commercial releases, a mono version from 1951 and this 1962 stereo account. Remastered for philips 50 great recordings series, the orchestral image in hans knappertsbuschs 1962 bayreuth parsifal seems brighter, more forward than. Shmsacd 3disc set features hans knappertsbusch conducting this 1962 recording of parsifal by wagner. Recordings of parsifal taken from the 1951 and 1962 festivals have already been issued on disc and are among the finest available, but this version dates from august, 1964 whether it is. Parsifal bayreuth 1962 by hans knappertsbusch on slacker radio, where you can also create personalized internet radio stations based on your favorite albums, artists and songs. The conductor hans knappertsbusch had an unmatched way with wagners parsifal.
The cast in 1962 was, on balance, even finer than the one in 1951 and by then knappertsbusch had reached a deeper understanding of the opera, which is saying something. Download recordings of all of wagners mature works free. Hey everyone, i have the knappertsbusch 62 parsifal one of my favorite recordings and was wondering which of his other parsifals i should listen to. Download recordings of all of wagners mature works free written by the wagnerian on saturday, 10 august 20 3. Textures have lightened, tempos are faster, and wagners long arcs soar instead of sag. This isnt just music, its not just another recording of wagners parsifal. As is also well known, the 1962 knappertsbuschbayreuth production was the second commercially recorded parsifal, and the first in stereo. Krauss has the same gurnemanz, ludwig weber, as knappertsbusch on his earlier decca lp set nla, here singing with even more sympathy and eloquence and rotund, warm tone, but he yields to hotterknappertsbuschs 1962 gurnemanzin both musical accuracy and verbal pointing. Parsifal bayreuth 1962 hans knappertsbusch on allmusic 1964 nietzsche may have been the first, but he was by. Hans knappertsbusch was the conductor of parsifal ax. Gerhard stolze t and georg paskuda t, 3rd4th esquires. Hans knappertsbuschwagner parsifalshm single layer sacds.
Explore releases from hans knappertsbusch at discogs. Wagner, r parsifal bayreuth knappertsbusch 1951 naxos. The reference recording for many is his 1962 bayreuth recording, which among a plethora of. Nov 10, 2012 knappertsbusch s expansive and dedicated 1962 reading is caught superbly in the philips set, arguably the finest live recording ever made in the festspeilhaus at bayreuth, with outstanding singing from jess thomas as parsifal and hans hotter as gurnemanz.
Hans knappertsbusch bio, albums, pictures naxos classical. Download torrent parsifal fast and easy torrent search. As a result, the stage noises gain amplitude along with a tiny buzz in the original recording. As is also well known, the 1962 knappertsbusch bayreuth production was the second commercially recorded parsifal, and the first in stereo. Now two important recorded documents of that mastery have reappeared in the record stores. Parsifal 1962 knappertsbusch london, hotter, thomas. Compared with his parsifal of 1951 one of the most spacious on record this 1962 recording very near the tempi of the first performance under hermann levi has a sense of architecture that is almost seamless in its structure. Parsifal bayreuth 1961 to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Richard wagner, hans knappertsbusch parsifal amazon.
Wagners festspielhaus in bayreuth reopened in 1951 with a performance of beethovens ninth symphony led by wilhelm furtwangler followed the next day by a performance of wagners parsifal led by hans knappertsbusch. Act i prelude and opening knappertsbuschbayreuth 1962. Studio recordings followed in profusion from the 1970s onward solti 1972. Richard wagner, hans knappertsbusch, anja silja, dorothea. George london wagner parsifal knappertsbusch music. Compared to knappertsbusch s stodgy, lethargic bayreuth parsifals from the 50s, this 1964 performance, knappertsbusch s last, is quite different.
The to date 11 released recordings of hans knappertsbuschs parsifal performances at bayreuth between 1951 and 1964 constitute a unique record of one conductors work on a favoured score in. Knappertsbusch s philips live parsifal is one such recording. Of course, insofar as this conductor and this opera go, they were a perfect artistic match regardless of era yes, even the 1962 studio recording is good, but to be honest i find his conducting less. Solti cant punch parsifal up with excitement as he did the ring, given the nature of the music, which is mostly slow and lacking in vocal set pieces there are famous episodes, of course, like the grail knights marches, the good friday spell, and the climactic ceremony when parsifal returns with the holy spear. Jul 11, 1993 the conductor hans knappertsbusch had an unmatched way with wagners parsifal. I think this might be the best overall recording of parsifal. Parsifal bayreuth 1962by hans knappertsbusch on slacker radio, where you can also create personalized internet radio stations based on your favorite albums, artists and songs. Wagner parsifal thomasdalishotter knappertsbusch 4 cds. Parsifal 1951 knappertsbusch london, weber, windgassen. Wagner parsifal hans knappertsbusch, bayreuth 1964 691 mb wagner parsifal hans knappertsbusch, 1962 1. Wagner parsifal knappertsbusch bayreuth 1951 decca 5 lp box na 25045d15 nm. Remastered for philips 50 great recordings series, the orchestral image in hans knappertsbuschs 1962 bayreuth parsifal seems brighter, more forward than before, and i detect more color and presence to the voices. I have this in every incarnation vinyl, the original eighties cd release, the philips 50 cd release and this. Hans knappertsbusch 12 march 1888 25 october 1965 was a german conductor, best known for his performances of the music of richard wagner, anton bruckner and richard strauss as well as his unique public persona and conducting style.
Knappertsbuschs conducting is very slow, granted, but it has a spiritual quality to it that barely anyone else can match. The originals parsifal gesamtaufnahme thomas, dalis, hotter. Kubelik 1980, although it wasnt released till 2003. This is, of course, an inherent weakness in any recording of any live performance. For the first 30 years of its existence, parsifal was forbidden to be performed outside of the bayreuth festival, as commanded by the composer richard wagner himself. Of course, insofar as this conductor and this opera go, they were a perfect artistic match regardless of era yes, even the 1962 studio recording is good, but to be honest i find his conducting less mannered here, more direct and just as eloquent.
However, it is knappertsbusch who really carries this performance. Parsifal 196208 knappertsbusch bayreuth wagner discography. The knappertsbusch parsifal discography is staggering. There are also many unofficial live recordings from bayreuth, capturing virtually every parsifal cast ever conducted by knappertsbusch. Now two important recorded documents of that mastery have reappeared in.
His parsifalis spiritual experience first, drama second. Barbro ericsons kundry is a little more aloof and mysterious than irene dalis approach in act i and the beginning of act ii but as her character goes through its transformation when she witnesses parsifals pity of amfortas, she begins to reveal kundrys inner life making the character seem more human. However, it seems worse in this recording than others e. Knappertsbusch also enjoys the benefits of a greatly superior recording. Review by graham clark generally speaking, if there is such a thing as definitive wagner recordings, this might well be one. I narrowed it down to 51, 54, and 64, but still need a little help. Knappertsbuschs expansive and dedicated 1962 reading is caught superbly in the philips set, arguably the finest live recording ever made in the festspeilhaus at bayreuth, with outstanding singing from jess thomas as parsifal and hans hotter as gurnemanz. To this day, his interpretations of the works of wagner, especially parsifal, are regarded by many as among.
Shop for vinyl, cds and more from hans knappertsbusch at the discogs marketplace. Among them, hans knappertsbusch was the last of the great prewar wagner conductors, and his postwar bayreuth performances of the canonical operas have always been regarded as among the. While still at school he conducted various orchestras, but as a result of paternal opposition to a career in music he studied philosophy at bonn university. Barbro ericsons kundry is a little more aloof and mysterious than irene dalis approach in act i and the beginning of act ii but as her character goes through its transformation when she witnesses parsifal s pity of amfortas, she begins to reveal kundrys inner life making the character seem more human. I suspect that knappertsbuschs superb guidance was the answer. Oct 18, 2007 recordings of parsifal taken from the 1951 and 1962 festivals have already been issued on disc and are among the finest available, but this version dates from august, 1964 whether it is. Hans knappertsbusch was born into a prosperous family whose wealth was gained from manufacturing. Bayreuth after the war, and the present live recording of 1951 and that of 1962 are landmarks in the history of wagner on record. Knappertsbusch recorded the opera again for philips in 1962 in stereo, and this release is often considered to be the classic parsifal recording. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. London is still the amfortas, jess thomas is wonderful.
Knappertsbusch wagner parsifal decca lxt 26516 uk 6xlps. Over the next 15 years, knappertsbusch led the same work 55 times at bayreuth, and this fourdisc set from orfeo documents. Richard wagner, hans knappertsbusch, hans hotter, gustav neidlinger, irene dalis. The prelude has fluidity like a rolling river, the. Check out parsifal by hans knappertsbusch on amazon music. Classical music reference recording 23,582 views 4. Knappertsbuschs expansive and dedicated 1962 reading is caught superbly in. But while parsifal s subversions may be blasphemous for atheist german philosophers and dogmatic christians, for devout wagnerians, parsifal is heaven on earth.
Remastered for philips 50 great recordings series, the orchestral image in hans knappertsbusch s 1962 bayreuth parsifal seems brighter, more forward than before, and i detect more color and presence to the voices. The to date 11 released recordings of hans knappertsbusch s parsifal performances at bayreuth between 1951 and 1964 constitute a unique record of one conductors work on a favoured score in. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. These qualities characterize knappertsbusch s official 1962 philips parsifal, but 1964 has a better cast. A discography of complete recordings of wagners parsifal. Windgassen is a credible parsifal and weber is a highly some might say, too highly dramatic gurnemanz. Parsifal bayreuth knappertsbusch 1951 by richard wagner. Knappertsbusch bayreuther festspiele 1962 live recording. Knappertsbuschs tempi are a bit more fluent than in 51 fantastic. Though broadly the same interpretation as before, there is a degree more dramatic bite to the key moments of wagners story and even greater sense of ensemble. Knappertsbuschs philips live parsifal is one such recording. Download torrent parsifal knappertsbusch fast and easy.