Which Parsifal will you play this weekend? There are no wrong answers!

[Dave2002]

None. Could that be a wrong answer?

[Madame Suggia]

It's Knappertsbusch 1962 for me too.

[Beef Oven]

Cheap download here (no advice about the download quality, but worth a punt of any impecunious Wagneria's hard-earned dosh, I'd've thought).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Parsi...4328773&sr=1-9

Just played most of act one. I have to say that the singers have a poor grasp of German and the accents are terrible.

[gurnemanz]

Cheap download here (no advice about the download quality, but worth a punt of any impecunious Wagneria's hard-earned dosh, I'd've thought).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Parsi...4328773&sr=1-9

Callas doing Kundry or a pint of bitter? Decisions, decisions....

[Julien Sorel]

I shall be listening to the new Marek Janowski conducted recording http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Pentatone/PTC5186401

I don't know how the cast will match up to earlier versions, but I've always enjoyed Janowski's fleeter-footed Wagner and I'm singer tolerant except in cases of absolute disaster. (It's a good reason to listen to it: I hadn't planned to but it's been sitting in the wrapping accusingly looking at me for some time ).

[teamsaint]

No wrong answers? I'll have to Pars on this one then.

[gradus]

I too used to listen to Parsifal or chunks from at Easter, invariably the Boulez live Bayreuth performance which I still like.
It seems to be one of those pieces that is performance-proof and any version is capable of giving great pleasure. I heard Horst Stein conduct it live at Bayreuth and although he is rarely mentioned his performance stays with me. Can't recall seeing a recording of the complete work conducted by him.

[LHC]

I too used to listen to Parsifal or chunks from at Easter, invariably the Boulez live Bayreuth performance which I still like.
It seems to be one of those pieces that is performance-proof and any version is capable of giving great pleasure. I heard Horst Stein conduct it live at Bayreuth and although he is rarely mentioned his performance stays with me. Can't recall seeing a recording of the complete work conducted by him.

The Bayreuth production conducted by Horst Stein has recently been released on DVD and is available for a pretty reasonable price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parsifal-Bayreuther-Festpiele-Stein-DVD/dp/B000PC1N4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1364389984&sr=1-1

I remember when this was shown on BBC2 at Easter. The production is fairly straightforward, but the cast with Hans Sotin, Siegfried Jerusalem and Eva Randova is very good indeed.

[Mahler's3rd]

Hi Beefoven I'll be playing The WNO Parsifal with Goodall

[Karafan]

Kna - but 1964 for me!! Jon Vickers is wonderful and even Hotter sounds more on fire. This was to be Kna's last outing conducting the opera and the longeurs are nowhere near as apparent - superb in every respect.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Parsifal-Gustav-Neidlinger/dp/B000UJC7WU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364392481&sr=8-1

If you have £40 doing nothing and an Amazon Prime account, why not join me this Easter?!

[Beef Oven]

I too used to listen to Parsifal or chunks from at Easter, invariably the Boulez live Bayreuth performance which I still like.
It seems to be one of those pieces that is performance-proof and any version is capable of giving great pleasure. I heard Horst Stein conduct it live at Bayreuth and although he is rarely mentioned his performance stays with me. Can't recall seeing a recording of the complete work conducted by him.

I have Horst Stein's Parsifal on DVD

[Beef Oven]

Hi Beefoven I'll be playing The WNO Parsifal with Goodall

[umslopogaas]

#18 Beef Oven, "... the singers have a poor grasp of German ..." Er ... on my Virtuoso 3 CD set they are singing in Italian. Are we talking about the same performance? Mine is Callas, Panerai, Modesti, Baldelli, Christoff and Lopatto, Orch. and Chorus of Radio Italiana, Rome, cond. V. Gui in 1950. The CDs were released in 1989.

[Madame Suggia]

I've got that wonderful Horst Stein Parsifal on DVD too

Does anyone have the Sinopoli Parsifal DVD ? I'd like to hear your thoughts.. His Tannhauser on DVD is fantastic!

[Beef Oven]

#18 Beef Oven, "... the singers have a poor grasp of German ..." Er ... on my Virtuoso 3 CD set they are singing in Italian. Are we talking about the same performance? Mine is Callas, Panerai, Modesti, Baldelli, Christoff and Lopatto, Orch. and Chorus of Radio Italiana, Rome, cond. V. Gui in 1950. The CDs were released in 1989.

I was joking! I'm part Italian