Wagner: Parsifal

Wagner: Parsifal

Wagner: Parsifal
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Music CD Cover

Composer: Richard Wagner
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Performer: Claes-Haakan Ahnsjo
Performer: José Van Dam
Performer: Anne Gjevang
Performer: Victor Van Halem
Performer: Marjon Lambriks
Edition: Music CD
Format: Box set, Original recording reissued
CD Release Date: 1990-10-25
Music Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
  1. Parsifal: Act One: Prelude
  2. Parsifal: Act One: ',,He! Ho! Waldhuter ihr'
  3. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Recht so! - Habt Dank! - Ein Wenig Rast'
  4. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Nicht Dank! - Haha! Was wird es helfen?'
  5. Parsifal: Act One: ',,O wunden-wundervoller heiliger Speer!'
  6. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Titurel, der fromme Held, der kannit'ihn wohl'
  7. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Weh! Weh!...Wer ist der Frevler?'
  8. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Nun sag! Nichts weibt du, was ich dich frage'
Music CD 2
  1. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Vom Bade kerht er Konig heim'
  2. Parsifal: Act One: Transformation Music
  3. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Nun achte wohl und lab mich seh'n'
  4. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Mein Soh Amfortas, bist du am Amt?'
  5. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Enthullet den Gral!'
  6. Parsifal: Act One: ',,Wein und Brot des letzten Mahles'
  7. Parsifal: Prelude - ',,Die Zeit ist da. - Schon lockt mein Zauberschlob den Toren'
  8. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Ach! - Ach! Tiefe Nacht!'
  9. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Hier war das Tosen! Hier, hier!'
Music CD 3
  1. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Komm, komm, holder Knabe!'
  2. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Parsifal! - Weile!'
  3. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Dies alles hab' ich nun getraumt?'
  4. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Ich sah das Kind an seiner Mutter Brust'
  5. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Wehe! Wehe! Was tat ich? Wo war ich?'
  6. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Amfortas! - Die Wunde! - Die Wunde!'
  7. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Grausamer! Fuhlst du im Herzen nur and'rer Schmerzen'
  8. Parsifal: Act Two: ',,Vergeh, unseliges Weib!'
  9. Parsifal: Act Three: Prelude
  10. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Von dorther kam das Stohnen'
Music CD 4
  1. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Heil dir, mein Gast!'
  2. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Heil mir, dass ich dich wiederfinde!'
  3. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,O Herr! War es ein Fluch, der dich vom rechten Pfad vertrieb'
  4. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Nicht so! -- Die heil'ge Quelle selbst erquicke unsures Pilgers Bad'
  5. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Gesegnet sei, du Reiner, durch das Reine!'
  6. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Du siehst, das ist nicht so'
  7. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Mittag. -- Die Stund' ist da'
  8. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Geleiten wir im bergenden Schrein den Gral zum heiligen Amte'
  9. Parsifal: ',,Ja, Wehe! Wehe! Weh' uber mich!'
  10. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Nur eine Wafe taugt'
  11. Parsifal: Act Three: ',,Hochsten Heiles Wunder!'

Free Music Notes for Wagner: Parsifal

Free Music Review: In my opinion, the greatest Parsifal on record
Hit: 5 Stars

Parsifal, one of Wagner's three great Schopenhauerian works, requires a conductor who has a cohesive vision for the entire stage drama that not only brings the entire story together, but engages the audience in a philosophical atmosphere which makes you think about the several psychological nuances experienced by the characters. It is not very hard to play for the orchestra, despite the fact that it is still Wagner, but to bring the truth out of Parsifal takes more than just whipping some baton around to get a note-perfect performance. You need a sense of spirituality and sacredness, and the drama must be there too. I believe that besides the recently released "forgotten" recording by Rafael Kubelik with the late James King, Kurt Moll, and Yvonne Minton, only Herbert von Karajan and his Berlin Philharmonic and the well-selected cast was able to achieve this vision.

Most reviewers accuse Karajan of smoothing over the music of Parsifal at the expense of the drama. I would beg to disagree, as I believe that musically, Karajan's dynamics are perfect for the opera, and his choice of rubato is so well-placed that he brings a sense of spirituality to the opera. It's as if the magnificent string playing of the Berlin Philharmonic along with the brass ensemble and the percussions could easily transport you to the mythical realm of Montsalvat. The Verwandlungsmusik is played to perfection, the Prelude sublime and rapturous, and the character leitmotif's are without a doubt...done just right. Orchestra wise, this Parsifal is played to perfection.

As for the cast, well, it is true that Karajan could have chosen better singers, but these seasoned Wagnerians have done nothing but achieve the vision that he sought for in his recording. Jose Van Dam is simply the best Amfortas I've heard on record. He may not have George London's large voice, but his singing is so sensitive that you can easily feel the anguish and torture Amfortas is feeling. Karajan's excellent ear for balances allows the orchestra to enhance all the pain and longing that Amfortas yearns for. As for Gurnemanz, I don't think anyone can beat Hans Hotter when it comes to authority, but Kurt Moll sings the role most beautifully and so naturally, with an excellent sense of drama to boot, that I could easily place him beside Hans Hotter. Only Hotter's Act III could slightly be ahead of Moll's, but Moll's achievement is simply outstanding in this one.

The Kundry and Parsifal in this recording are often the subject of many a Wagnerian's debate regarding K's choice for casting. Dunja Vejzovic was one of the greatest Slavic sopranos of the past century, with a range that extends from a mezzo to high soprano. Alas, her top is shrill to some listeners' tastes, but for a Callas fan such as I, this isn't much of a problem. I think she brings such a demented and pitiful, yet seductive quality to her Kundry whenever such characteristics are needed. Dramatically, hers is an intense performance, with only Christa Ludwig's achievement exceeding hers. Still, others do appreciate her performance, and I would put it second behind Christa Ludwig's great Kundry. Peter Hofmann, on the other hand, sings a most young and convincing Parsifal. And once again we come to the subject of the wobble. I never heard an absurd one in this recording, and I think his achievement in this recording is equalled only by Jess Thomas. Not even Placido Domingo, whose Wagnerian interpretations are known for their bel canto qualities, touched the young fal parsi that Hofmann and Thomas brought to their performances. A great Parsifal indeed. One would wish that the voice were firmer, but I think we could overlook that and see such a fresh and young interpretation given to the role.

For the supporting cast, I think Siegmund Niemsgern gives an excellent Klingsor. It's not an Alberich Klingsor, but a sorcerer Klingsor, just right. The Flower Maidens are sung beautifully, and the Stimme from Above is sung by none other than the great mezzo Hanna Schwarz. Luxurious casting, great orchestra, and a conductor who knows the ABC's of Wagner conducting, plus a most sacred atmosphere created by the recording, and I think you have a Parsifal for the ages. Highly recommended.
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