Search - Carl Maria von Weber, Joseph Keilberth, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Weber: Der Freischütz

MAGIC, like the bullets!

Gregory E. Foster | Portland, ME, USA | 06/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, folks. I will herewith give you a piece of very great information to give your opera collection a "step up"!



Already read other opinions and reviews of "Der Freischutz"?



Well, FORGET Eric and Carlos Kleiber, Davis, Furtwangler, Heger, Sawallisch.....hold on to Kubelik, and definately rush out and grab a copy of this fabulous recording with Keilberth at the helm! Wow! First Place is not an option for this recording...it's an inevitable necessity!



All soloists in this effort shine like the stars. Particularly the lovely (as always) Elisabeth Grummer...my God this lady was wonderful, and is, I am sure, greatly missed by all the great German opera houses today. Hermann Prey...truly one of the greatest German singerss of the recent past. Is there anything that this man could not sing and truly make it his own!? Gottlob Frick...just look at his output in the realm of "German" operatic recordings! Truly the man stands at the top of the pile, approached perhaps most closely by George London. Joseph Keilberth...what was it that this man had! And how wonderful that he is having a golden rebirth with the release of his truly stupendous "Ring" this past year, and the re-issue of so many of his truly benchmark recordings! Let's not kid ourselves, this man ranked up there with Knappertsbusch.



As in so many cases, we owe EMI many thanks for the foresight to preserve these artists' efforts for us to enjoy forever. There are MANY good recordings of "Der Freischutz", and a FEW great recordings of it, and ONE top-notch (Kubelik) recording of the work. Then, there is this recording...the SUPREME testament to Carl Maria von Weber's great masterpiece!



As I said in the title of this review, this is the MAGIC recording of this wonderful work, concerning magic bullets, and redemption, the First great example of German national opera.......carried on later, of course, by the supreme master, Richard Wagner.



Pick up this recording, and allow it's supreme greatness to wash over you, and delight your heart with the lovely efforts of all the participants...a benchmark, desert island disc. Do Enjoy! ~operabruin"