[adtsang]

On the event of his's 203rd birthday, I thought I'd pose the traditional "which is best" question with regards to Giuseppe Verdi's 1874 "opera in ecclesiastical robes."

The performance from this past Proms with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment led by Marin Alsop really caught on with me.

 

[Pugg]

My two absolute favourites are:

Verdi:Requiem
Leontyne Price (soprano), Rosalind Elias (mezzo-soprano), Jussi Björling (tenor), Giorgio Tozzi (bass)
Wiener Philharmoniker, Singverein der Gesellscaft der Musikfreunde, Wien, Fritz Reiner on Decca and very close second:


Verdi: Requiem
Renata Scotto, Agnes Baltsa, Veriano Luchetti and Evgeny Nesterenko
Philharmonia Orchestra & Ambrosian Chorus, Riccardo Muti
Formerly on EMI now Warner

 

[joen_cph]

Bernstein/Sony.

Unusual, somewhat historical corner: Markevitch/philips

Reiner is giving the work a broad, "symphonic" reading, but downplaying contrasts somewhat

 

[Azol]

Bernstein/Sony.

Desert island recording!

Arroyo, Veasey, Domingo, Raimondi. Perfection!

 

[hpowders]

If you really care about the Verdi Requiem then you must investigate the Arturo Toscanini performances.

 

[Jerry]

The performance from this past Proms with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment led by Marin Alsop really caught on with me.

Wow.
That's a stupendous performance (and recording).

Thanks so much for sharing the link! :tiphat:

 

[Bruckner Anton]

Karajan and Abbado had several recordings respectively. I thinks they are fantastic. I wont recommend historical recordings.

 

[Becca]

Carlo Maria Giulini - Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus
Elisabeth SCHWARZKOPF (soprano), Christa LUDWIG (mezzo-soprano), Nicolai GEDDA (Tenor), Nicolai GHIAUROV (Bass)

 

[Pugg]

​

Watched this yesterday, it's lonely at the top.

 

[Varick]

Verdi:Requiem
Leontyne Price (soprano), Rosalind Elias (mezzo-soprano), Jussi Björling (tenor), Giorgio Tozzi (bass)
Wiener Philharmoniker, Singverein der Gesellscaft der Musikfreunde, Wien, Fritz Reiner on Decca and very close second:

This is THE one. Many others out there but none so rich, massive, great, and divine!

​

Watched this yesterday, it's lonely at the top.

However, if they ever released this on CD, it certainly would give Reiner's a run for it's money, perhaps surpass it. Why oh why will they not release this on CD, I have no idea!

Pugg, two Home Runs in the same thread. Well done!

V

 

[Heck148]

Verdi:Requiem
Leontyne Price (soprano), Rosalind Elias (mezzo-soprano), Jussi Björling (tenor), Giorgio Tozzi (bass)
Wiener Philharmoniker, Singverein der Gesellscaft der Musikfreunde, Wien, Fritz Reiner on Decca

This is one of my favorites, also - others:

Toscanini/NBC/1951
Solti/CSO - 6/77

 

[Pugg]

This is THE one. Many others out there but none so rich, massive, great, and divine!

However, if they ever released this on CD, it certainly would give Reiner's a run for it's money, perhaps surpass it. Why oh why will they not release this on CD, I have no idea!

Pugg, two Home Runs in the same thread. Well done!

V

I do wish they filmed it better though, the staging is absurd.

 

[TxllxT]

Karajan 1972, because of the rhythmic crescendo build up with big drums.

 

[Pugg]

Karajan 1972, because of the rhythmic crescendo build up with big drums.

Like this one also, bit "opera" like performance.
( for me that is )

 

[DavidA]

Versions I have:

Toscanini - 1939 and 1952

Fricsay - tremendous performance in mono

Guilin - given at a Prom. Much better than his studio version

Gardiner - period instruments - really top notch

Muti - height of drama

Morani on Naxos - really, really good

Toscanini's have authenticity but you really need good sound for this work.

 

[shadowdancer]

As already pointed out, I would like to echo the Toscanini recommendation. If for nothing else, at least for cultural purpose.
Another personal favorite is:
Rec 1967
Sir Georg Solti & Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Note: together also with a very young and strong Pavarotti

 

[hpowders]

The Robert Shaw performance is very good. One should also listen to any Toscanini performance available.

 

[CVM]

Interesting oddball version?

I just ordered this one - hasn't yet arrived. 1961 radio performance with a strong customer review on Amazon, and with Nicolai Gedda doing the tenor part and a conductor I absolutely adore - but with no idea how he handled this music! I look forward to hearing this in about ten days....

 

[amfortas]

I just ordered this one - hasn't yet arrived. 1961 radio performance with a strong customer review on Amazon, and with Nicolai Gedda doing the tenor part and a conductor I absolutely adore - but with no idea how he handled this music! I look forward to hearing this in about ten days....

View attachment 89954

From what I hear, that Christa Ludwig may amount to something, too.

 

[CVM]

Weird! Yes, you're right, and I had her name typed in the message but somehow edited it out while correcting my notoriously abysmal typing. Too busy getting the hang of posting photos, to pay attention to my text! Sorry, and thanks!