Good and Bad Klemperer

[Karafan]

I have his Tchaikovsky 4-6 and his quite ponderous survey of the Schumann symphonies (all EMI, OOP).

Shall we say they are an acquired taste but one that is worth acquiring if only for a fresh take on old warhorses....

Karafan

[mathias broucek]

I've just acquired a new 160GB iPod and the Shuffle feature is fascinating when one has multiple version.

I rediscovered the OK Brahms 4 this way and was very impressed. Given how flexible it was, I didn't think it was him on a blind sampling!

I started a thread a while back about his Bavarian RSO live Mahler 2 (Stereo) which is very good indeed.

[BeethovensQuill]

Id just like to add im very keen on Klemperor's Brahms 1, 3 and 4, the 4th is extremely fine and the last movement has never sounded better IMO.

[Mandryka]

I have the 4th Brahms symphony on vinyl, but the pric of the complete set on CD is rather steep, at the moment!

[umslopogaas]

I hadnt realised until I read Norman Lebrecht's recent 'Maestros, Masterpieces and Madness' that Klemperer was a manic depressive. Its a dreadful affliction, a lady who once worked for me had it and it seriously damaged her life. With constant medication she was able to control it and hold down a job, but only just and she had several relapses despite the tablets. Its extremely scary, she would suddenly flip into manic mode and it was as if a completely different person had taken over. The normal medicated person was quiet, withdrawn, cautious. The manic person was noisy, garrulous, indiscreet. Each time this happened she would then have a collapse, need some days off work, then return back in balance.

But none the less, there is a funny side. I cant resist relaying this story about Klemperer from Lebrecht's book.

Klemperer is in New York, seven foot of very worrying German granite in funny mode. He is walking along a street with his agent, who just happens, since it isnt so rare a German name, to be called Mendelssohn. They spot a record store and go in. They decide to ask for Beethoven’s Fifth, conducted by Klemperer.

“Sorry” says the assistant, we’ve only got Toscanini and Walter ...”

“But we want Klemperer”.

“These are the best recordings” says the sales guy. “Why do you want anyone else?”

“Because I am Klemperer”, growls Otto.

“And I guess your pal’s Beethoven”, grinned the assistant.

“No, he’s Mendelssohn” roars Klemperer, in full manic stride.

“Wow”, exclaims the clerk, “you know, I’ve always loved your Wedding March.”


You couldnt make it up.


Lebrecht is often pretty unkind about his subjects, but he gives full praise to Walter Legge for his dealings with Klemperer. By the sound of it Legge could be a monster, but he took Klemperer into Columbia after he had lost his job with Vox and treated him with great consideration, apparently.

[Mandryka]

In Sir Georg Solti's memoirs, there is a tantalising story about Klempere calling the young (and priapic) Solti into his apartment and lecturing him about sexual continence - while, all the while, OK was lying in bed covered in love bites and lipstick traces!

[Ferretfancy]

Sadly, the great Igor Markevitch had similar mental problems, it would be wonderful if there was a more complete discography for him. As it is, he has a fine monument in his set of Tchaikovsky symphonies with the LSO, his Mozart Piano Concertos with Clara Haskill, and his recording of Stravinsky's Apollo.

[scottycelt]

In Sir Georg Solti's memoirs, there is a tantalising story about Klempere calling the young (and priapic) Solti into his apartment and lecturing him about sexual continence - while, all the while, OK was lying in bed covered in love bites and lipstick traces!

Dearie me, I never realised Solti was that gay and desperate ...

[Petrushka]

Sadly, the great Igor Markevitch had similar mental problems, it would be wonderful if there was a more complete discography for him. As it is, he has a fine monument in his set of Tchaikovsky symphonies with the LSO, his Mozart Piano Concertos with Clara Haskill, and his recording of Stravinsky's Apollo.

Tou could also include his Stravinsky Rite of Spring (on Testament) which is as good, if not better, as any.

[Chris Newman]

You could also include his Stravinsky Rite of Spring (on Testament) which is as good, if not better, as any.

Hi Petrushka,
Both his (Markevitch's) recordings on that particular record are better than any other made (IMHO), especially the mono one. They were two of those regular spells when the Philharmonia suddenly pop up as the greatest orchestra in the world, sometimes with HvK, OK, CMG and most recently with Charles Mackerras.

Love the vision of OK covered in hickeys: didn't know he was a violinst/viola player.....

bws
Chris

[amateur51]

Just spotted a set of 'live' recordings from Vienna in 1960 of Klemperer and the (Walter Legge) Philharmonia performing all the Beethoven symphonies at a tempting price:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//ANDRCD9079.htm

Does anyone know these performances?

[Bryn]

Just spotted a set of 'live' recordings from Vienna in 1960 of Klemperer and the (Walter Legge) Philharmonia performing all the Beethoven symphonies at a tempting price:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//ANDRCD9079.htm

Does anyone know these performances?

I suggest you search for the catalogue number ANDRCD9079 at hmv.com. They have the set priced at £14.99 including p&p. According to presto.com, the sound quality is excellent.

[amateur51]

I suggest you search for the catalogue number ANDRCD9079 at hmv.com. They have the set priced at £14.99 including p&p. According to presto.com, the sound quality is excellent.

Cheers Bryn - you are a toff!

A stiff letter from the bank will follow

[Tevot]

Must agree with earlier postings about OK's recording of Das Lied von der Erde. From childhood I remember some of the Beethoven recordings which my dad loved (Karajan was way too fast in comparison!) Other recordings that spring to mind - Mahler 2, Brahms 4 and an interesting compilation - Weill's Dreigroschenmusik, Hindemith's Nobilissima visione, Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements and OK's own "Merry Waltz" - in the series "the Klemperer Legacy" released on EMI Classics back in the year 2000. The Merry Waltz always raises a smile. And of course there is also Ein Deutsches Requiem.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm a fan too and would add the Missa Solemnis recording.

I assume you mean the EMI one. But have you heard the earlier one on Vox with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra - issued on a single LP? This was possible, because Vox had an obsession with cramming more music on to LPs than anyone else, and because Klemperer's slow tempi were less prominent in the 1950s.