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Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Just a short review There really isn't much to say. Yes, this is an "old recording" and it shows the technology of its age with a slight lack of bright crispness, but DON'T LET THIS PUT YOU OFF. There are some performances that are genuinely special and even if they were recorded in 1964, before the advent of digital recording techniques, they remain special nevertheless. This performance has gravitas, power, majesty and sublime magnificence. Yes, I'd accept that Lucia Popp could have done with being a bit more... more info
Wonderful flute, gorgeous singing Bohm, Toscanini, Karajan, Christie, Mackerras, Beecham and Fricsay all had a go at Zauberflote, but the only one who really struck the right balance was Otto Klemperer. Many people consider his tempi just too slow, but I find them very logical and enjoy them.
The casting is absolutely masterful.
Janowitz, while not perhaps an ideal Pamina, tries very hard, and is much better than Lear on Bohm's "benchmark" recording.
Gedda is much better suited to his role, and sings admirably throughout.... more info
A heavenly Flute I discovered The Magic Flute through this recording. I have come to consider it a precious, precious gift from the Gods. It is so good, and I love it so much that I am apprehensive about listening to any other. I suspect I never shall. Klemperer's tempi, never square and always elastic where necessary, feel divinely ordained, the ensemble playing, the balance, all is perfection. The voices are sublime and there are so many spine-tingling moments - Janowitz at the end of her duet with Gedda, the strings'... more info
WOW!!...Almost! I think this recording of Die Zauberflote is just fantastic! There is not a single weak link in the cast except Frick as Sarastro who in my opinion is not quite convincing and a little shaky on the sonorous low notes required for the part, but oh well, you can't have everything in life! The cast bond well and you can believe the emotions resulting from the events between the characters. My one and only major qualm with this recording is the tempo of "Der Holle Rache," which is the Queen's famous Vengeance... more info
