Thread: Parsifal Lovers

This forum has been of SO MUCH help in getting me "into" operas I had been struggling with, and Parsifal is next on my list to acquire, so I have to ask here: what is your favorite recording of Parsifal?

My DVD choice:
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Several of my favorite singers: Siegfried Jerusalem, Waltraud Meier, Kurt Moll, and Bernd Weikl

As an alternative, this video from Bayreuth has a younger Jerusalem in the title role:
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My CD choice, with (again) Jerusalem and Meier:
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overall has to be Knappertsbusch 1962 The Originals edition.
best captures the spiritual aspect of the opera , excellent sound.

for a studio version my fav is Solti's.

dvd, i've only seen the Stein version and liked it alot.
the Levine is slower tempo if you prefer that.

Originally Posted by Itullian

overall has to be Knappertsbusch 1962 The Originals edition.
best captures the spiritual aspect of the opera , excellent sound.

for a studio version my fav is Solti's.

dvd, i've only seen the Stein version and liked it alot.
the Levine is slower tempo if you prefer that.

Itullian speaks the truth for me also, Knappy CD and Stein DVD




Klingsor seems to bear a strange resemblence to that evil dude in a Flash Gordon flix....

Try this one in spectacular HD:



You basically can't go wrong with one that has Waltraud Meier as Kundry.

Thanks so much, everyone! I did run out and buy the Levine/Schenck Parsifal ($40 ouch ouch) and the "Kna 61" (as reviewers on Amazon termed it) and we'll have to see. First viewing is scheduled for tonight, wish me luck!

Parsifal is my favourite opera by quite a stretch, my favourite recording is that by Rafael Kubelik, though I fear im too late..

Hey Emiel,

I'm sure if I learn to love it, as I certainly INTEND to do, I'll eventually get the Kubelik. Got a list of about 6 different recordings that people swear by. Kubelik, Solti, Karajan, Knappertsbusch, and Barenboim.

Originally Posted by guythegreg

Hey Emiel,

I'm sure if I learn to love it, as I certainly INTEND to do...

If you are successful tell me what worked. Still not there...

Originally Posted by Couchie

Try this one in spectacular HD:

i'll second this choice for video.

Seconding the Kubelik.

I definitely plan on getting the Kubelik (his Meistersinger is fabulous), and one of the DVDs in future.

But for total inclusiveness, there's still the '51 Knappertsbusch from Bayreuth to consider--this is the performance/staging that re-opened the Festival to Wagner's music after the war. Broader in approach than the '62 stereo Kna, but with Windgassen in the title role and Martha Modl in a signature role for her as Kundry (as well as a younger George London as Amfortas and the amazing Hermann Uhde as Klingsor), it is still a touchstone performance in many ways. The recording was done by the Decca team, so it's better than your usual radio-transcription quality--in fact it was already issued on LPs by the following year, as I have a 1952 Met Opera program of Parsifal that has an advertisement for this performance.

Thanks! Yes, I've got the "51 Kna" in my list - we'll see, I got a little sick last night and couldn't watch the whole thing. Not a good omen, I know ...

I will say, Gurnemanz does an AWFUL lot of exposition, in the first act ... on the other hand, the overture was pretty enchanting, and I do think I now understand the Wagnerian ideal of voices as "lanterns, shining over the orchestra" ... voices as part of the orchestra, an orchestra section of their own ...

Knappertsbushch <sic> is often mentioned as conductor of a fine PARSIFAL, though I've never heard it. Several months ago I purchased an equally celebrated recording of the work conducted by Rafael Kubelik:

Wagner: Parsifal [Box Set]
Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Rafael Kubelik (Conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Sinfonie-Orchester des Bayersichen Rundfunks (Orchestra), Bernd Weikl (Performer), Franz Mazura (Performer), Marga Schiml (Performer), Yvonne Minton (Performer), Carmen Reppel (Performer), Marianne Seibel (Performer), Suzanne Sonnenschein (Performer), James King (Performer), Norbert Orth (Performer) | Format: Audio CD
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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I will say that this performance stands far above any others I have heard - the pacing and completeness of every act and scene is really quite marvelous, as Kubelik has done his work and puts forth a gleaming, spiritual Parsifal that is very powerful. Highest recommendation.

Originally Posted by guythegreg

This forum has been of SO MUCH help in getting me "into" operas I had been struggling with, and Parsifal is next on my list to acquire, so I have to ask here: what is your favorite recording of Parsifal?