This celebrated 1964 recording of Lohengrin with Rudolf Kempe and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra still stands the test of time: it's a terrifically exciting performance. Kempe is a superb draftsman, and he keeps the orch... more »estra lively, exuberant, but never strident. Pride of place must be given to the soloists: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is a riveting Friedrich, Jess Thomas a dynamic Lohengrin, Elisabeth Grummer a most moving Elsa. --Joshua Cody« less
This celebrated 1964 recording of Lohengrin with Rudolf Kempe and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra still stands the test of time: it's a terrifically exciting performance. Kempe is a superb draftsman, and he keeps the orchestra lively, exuberant, but never strident. Pride of place must be given to the soloists: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is a riveting Friedrich, Jess Thomas a dynamic Lohengrin, Elisabeth Grummer a most moving Elsa. --Joshua Cody
Paul H. from VESTAVIA, AL Reviewed on 11/8/2009...
Glorious singing start to finish, both solos and ensembles, with an orchestral approach that is precise, stately and lush, and climaxes that will curl your toenails. The sound quality is exceptionally vivid and has no touch of artificiality. A highlight is the prelude to Act III and its transition into the festal bridal scene, but I do not exaggerate to say that the performance feels to me like one long highlight.
The long review attached to this recording compares it to other versions and calls it the best, on balance. I don't know enough other recordings to compare, but I consider myself fortunate indeed to have found this one.
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CD Reviews
A Top Lohengrin
Queen Margo | Arlington | 05/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is probably the best studio recording of Lohengrin ever. It was my absolute favorite until I discovered live-from-Bayreuth recording, conducted by Matacic featuring Sandor Konya as Lohengrin. Still, Kempe is a superb condcutor and few others have been able to convey the atmospfere of medieval romantic chivalry as Kempe and his crew have done in this recording. If you only want one Lohengrin, this is probably the one you should buy."
Combination of sublime music with simple story
Queen Margo | 12/29/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is Wagner's most popular opera at the Met. One listen to it and you will know why. The music is superb, and the theme ancient. Grummer is outstanding as Elsa, Thomas is OK as Lohengrin, and Fischer-Dieskau's power is self-evident. The orchestra and chorus are first-rate, and the interpretation is near-perfect. The most significant drawback is the sound quality: based on the old analog medium, the recording's dynamic range is poor and the sound is not up to par as other analog-to-digital remasterings. Nonetheless, this is a good CD."