Your recommendable recordings of Parsifal?

[Karafan]

I am on a bit of a Wagner kick at the moment, and have just enjoyed the 1962 Kna Bayreuth recording (Jess Thomas, Hans Hotter and George London), but am very tempted indeed by his valedictory '64 recording on Orfeo for his final thoughts on this long-cherished work. It sounds excellent and the cast is wonderful - John Vickers, anyone!? His '51 recording also needs a dusting-off from my shelves, I think.

I'd be interested to hear your favourite versions and how you first got to know this wonderful work.

Karafan

[DracoM]

Solti / VPO / Kollo / Frick.

Playing of the VPO is sensational and do NOT think that with the name 'Solti' in front of it, it is a feast of melodrama. It is a very reflective, considered and balanced reading, and for me Act 3 particularly is the best on record. Incidentally, it does not have wobbly sops in the very highest reaches of the chorus at the unveilings of the Grail but the Vienna Boys' Choir - makes a real difference.

[Nick Armstrong]

I am on a bit of a Wagner kick at the moment, and have just enjoyed the 1962 Kna Bayreuth recording (Jess Thomas, Hans Hotter and George London), but am very tempted indeed by his valedictory '64 recording on Orfeo for his final thoughts on this long-cherished work. It sounds excellent and the cast is wonderful - John Vickers, anyone!? His '51 recording also needs a dusting-off from my shelves, I think.

I'd be interested to hear your favourite versions and how you first got to know this wonderful work.

Karafan

Karafan: Karajan.

That Berlin trumpet section

(Note that in operas, I am generally more interested in what the orchestra are doing than the singers... )

[Petrushka]

I agree totally with both DracoM and Caliban. Solti and Karajan are both utterly superb and neither will disappoint. I also have Knapperstbusch 1962 and for a live Bayreuth recording it won't be beaten (though the audience is surprisingly noisy).

Incidentally, how many Kna recordings are there both official and unofficial? I do find it bewildering!

Like Caliban, I listen to the orchestra more, especially in Wagner and generally listen to very little opera.

[Tapiola]

I agree totally with both DracoM and Caliban. Solti and Karajan are both utterly superb and neither will disappoint. I also have Knapperstbusch 1962 and for a live Bayreuth recording it won't be beaten (though the audience is surprisingly noisy).

Incidentally, how many Kna recordings are there both official and unofficial? I do find it bewildering!

Like Caliban, I listen to the orchestra more, especially in Wagner and generally listen to very little opera.

Ah, but the Wagnerian orchestra is a character of itself (and sometimes multiple characters), filling in gaps left by the spoken roles.

In Parsifal, Kna 51 and 62 for me. Karajan was the first recording I heard of this work. Apart from the moribund chorus, a climax or two seem, in retrospect, to have been "engineered" by the meisterdodger himself.

[Mandryka]

Solti / VPO / Kollo / Frick.

Playing of the VPO is sensational and do NOT think that with the name 'Solti' in front of it, it is a feast of melodrama. It is a very reflective, considered and balanced reading, and for me Act 3 particularly is the best on record. Incidentally, it does not have wobbly sops in the very highest reaches of the chorus at the unveilings of the Grail but the Vienna Boys' Choir - makes a real difference.

Couldn't agree more: the Solti is the absoloute benchmark recording for this work, I'd say. People who think they've got Solti's number are often surprised when they hear it. I think the typical attention to detail in the Decca recording also helps to give it the edge.

But you need Karajan's 1981 recording, too. Ignore what people say about 'glacial chill': von K really delivers here.

THEn, you might want to think about historical recordings: I've always preferred Knappertsbusch's 1951 version over the '62 remake - a stronger cast, fine mono recording, BETTER BELLS and a less bronchial audience.

I'd avoid Goodall's WNO recording (wilfully eccentric); I've never heard his Covent Garden performance. Many speak highly of it, and I always like to hear Vickers, but I fear Goodall is not for me.

[Tapiola]

But you need Karajan's 1981 recording, too.

Sorry, but, really, I don't.

[Tapiola]

But you need Karajan's 1981 recording, too.

Sorry, but, no. Karajan's recording is a desecration of Wagner's intentions. Look at the score whilst listening to Herbs.

[Nick Armstrong]

Karajan's recording is a desecration

Maybe, but I love the sound it makes

[Tapiola]

Taps' pointy-headed high horse duly knobbled.

It's only Wagner after all.

[Nick Armstrong]

Taps' pointy-headed high horse duly knobbled.

It's only Wagner after all.

[Mandryka]

:If you think he desecrated Parsifal, what word would you use to describe what he did to Die Frau Ohne Schatten?:winkeye

[Tapiola]

Astrid Varnay made me do it.

[Tapiola]

:If you think he desecrated Parsifal, what word would you use to describe what he did to Die Frau Ohne Schatten?:winkeye

Ooooh, Mandryka,

I know nothing of this - do share... is it that noticeable?

(UPDATE: My Membran Siegfried has two discs (6 and 7) the same - please check your copy...)

[Petrushka]

(UPDATE: My Membran Siegfried has two discs (6 and 7) the same - please check your copy...)

Thanks for the warning. I've put my copy away for Christmas so had better get it checked later. Are you able to get the correct CD's?