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

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It will only be an excerpt or two but it's Boulez at Bayreuth that enthralls me.

- I used to have that on cassette, and keep meaning to get the CD version.



Recent mention on another Thread of Thielemann prompts me to ask if anyone hereabouts has any opinions of the Thielemann DVD.

[Conchis]

It will only be an excerpt or two but it's Boulez at Bayreuth that enthralls me.

I can never make up my mind about that performance - just as I can never make my mind up about Boulez' Wagner, generally.

He makes everything so 'clear' it almost sounds like a different composer; but maybe that was the point.

[BBMmk2]

I played the Karajan set earlier in the week (an act each day) - about to embark on the Kubelik.

My goodness Ferney! I haven't this opera yet!

[EdgeleyRob]

That was two years ago

Still no Parsifals here.

Is it really 3 years,still keine Parsifals

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

My goodness Ferney! I haven't this opera yet!

An oversight, or don't you like the work, Bbm? It turns out I've got five-and-a-bit recordings: three great "K"s - Karajan (twice - the Live recording from the '60s, and the studio set from 1980), Kubelik and Knappertsbusch (the 1950s MONO) ... and the singularly dull Levine set from the Bayreuth box (none of the performances I have are exactly nimble - but Levine draaags along half-asleep: definitely one to avoid). The "a bit" is the two-disc selection/abridgement from Bayreuth in the 1920s.


And I still want Boulez and Barenboim - and wouldn't mind the stereo Knappertsbusch version, too!

[Tapiola]

The "a bit" is the two-disc selection/abridgement from Bayreuth in the 1920s.

...spun here yesterday, well at least the almost complete Act 3 from Karl Muck and the gang. Matchless imho.

[makropulos]

Karl Muck conducting extracts at Bayreuth (http://www.pristineclassical.com/paco103.html). A truly inspiring recording, I think.

[Flosshilde]

There probably is at least one version somewhere here, in a box set, but I have no intention of playing it in a hurry, and certainly not this weekend. Sorry to the Wagnerites around.

I don't think Parsifal is something you play in a hurry. Some of the best performances are on the slow side.

[Barbirollians]

I don't think Parsifal is something you play in a hurry. Some of the best performances are on the slow side.

Life is too short for Parsifal I have decided . I shall stick with Tristan and Die Walkure the rest of Wagner is not worth the effort for my ears.

[Beef Oven!]

Is it really 3 years,still keine Parsifals

[Beef Oven!]

An oversight, or don't you like the work, Bbm? It turns out I've got five-and-a-bit recordings: three great "K"s - Karajan (twice - the Live recording from the '60s, and the studio set from 1980), Kubelik and Knappertsbusch (the 1950s MONO) ... and the singularly dull Levine set from the Bayreuth box (none of the performances I have are exactly nimble - but Levine draaags along half-asleep: definitely one to avoid). The "a bit" is the two-disc selection/abridgement from Bayreuth in the 1920s.


And I still want Boulez and Barenboim - and wouldn't mind the stereo Knappertsbusch version, too!

Totally agree about the Levine. Once, I listened to my friend's Levine Parsifal at his house and listened to Karajan's 1980 recording at my place a few days later and it made the K sound rugged and ballsy!!!

My Kna is the later one on Philips.

I have the Boulez and would recommend it (there's very little that PB does not bring something exceptional to). I would also recommend the Thielemann (I got that for about £13 new off Amazon a few years ago).

I want the Kubelik, but because I passed it over at £15 a few years ago, I can't bring myself to cough up the current £30-odd quid asking price.

[Dave2002]

There probably is at least one version somewhere here, in a box set, but I have no intention of playing it in a hurry, and certainly not this weekend. Sorry to the Wagnerites around.

The situation has not changed in the last year. Indeed, although I did go to one live performance of a Wagner work during the intervening year, I don't recall having played any CDs or downloads of Wagner since 2015. I'm certainly not going to start today - too busy - other things to do. So, as in 2015, I'm still apologising to the Wagnerites - though I don't really feel I should have to.

I might revisit the Mendelssohn quintet in B flat Op 87 which I heard live a few days ago. Apparently Mendelssohn didn't like that one much, but it sounded pretty good to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGLTUdFTMYg

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

So, as in 2015, I'm still apologising to the Wagnerites - though I don't really feel I should have to.

Nor do the "Wagnerites" - although this particular one would be interested to know your reasons why you think you need to do so?

[BBMmk2]

An oversight, or don't you like the work, Bbm? It turns out I've got five-and-a-bit recordings: three great "K"s - Karajan (twice - the Live recording from the '60s, and the studio set from 1980), Kubelik and Knappertsbusch (the 1950s MONO) ... and the singularly dull Levine set from the Bayreuth box (none of the performances I have are exactly nimble - but Levine draaags along half-asleep: definitely one to avoid). The "a bit" is the two-disc selection/abridgement from Bayreuth in the 1920s.


And I still want Boulez and Barenboim - and wouldn't mind the stereo Knappertsbusch version, too!

Well I might avoid the Ks, then, but may plummet for either or both the Bs! (The alpha and omega! :))

(I am not too sure about how MrsBBM will react to this haha! :))

[Beef Oven!]

Well I might avoid the Ks, then.............

Happy chocolate egg day, BBM - I don't think ferney is implying anything to avoid with the Karajan (1980, for sure).