If I Could Choose Only One Recording By...CARLOS KLEIBER

It Would Have To Be....Weber: Der Freischütz (DG)
With a glorious cast and the Staatskapelle Dresden in the pit, this is by any standard a major recording of one of the most iconic operas in the repertoire, and one still too little known outside of Germany.

[@robhaynes4410]

Yes! 👍 On balance, Kleiber's best recording. It's truly wonderful. Colin Davis also made a great Freischütz for Philips. A little slower & heavier. But just as gorgeous, in no small part because Davis also had the Staatskapelle Dresden! They own this opera.

[@johannesrotter5125]

In fact - this IS the only Kleiber-Recording I own. Best „Freischütz“ ever. Even the Dialoges are performed well.

[@mirkoeinhorn09]

I would have picked this one too, even if I like Jochums bavarian Freischütz (not at least for the Samiel) better. But Jochums has so many great recordings that it has to be Kleiber.

[@federicobindi122]

Thank you for this. I agree with each word. I love Carlos Kleiber, but I think most of Kleiber lovers are…one way only (is it correct in English?). This recording is outstanding and present a somehow neglected work in a truly stunning performance, which resembles to me, for the vibrant sound, something of the old masters of the first half of the XX century. Great choice.

[@s.k.angyal3768]

German dialogue is not a problem to put up with that stuff, if one understands and speaks German. I hope I don’t get blocked for that.

[@murraylow4523]

I think, when I was an early teen, this was my favourite opera for various reasons. I believe it was Jochum I was listening to back then but this recording is truly excellent (except maybe Peter Schreier as Max, not in the end quite right, needs to be a bit more young and dumb…). Some recent recordings, for sure, so hasn’t vanished, by why oh why don’t we see/ hear it more?

[@bbailey7818]

I agree, this is the one. I think I have every Freischütz out there but this is close to or at the top, though I also love the EMI set with the great Elisabeth Grummer.

[@ericleiter6179]

The Kleiber recording is the one that I have for this great masterpiece, too. It is truly an amazing rendering!...I must point out, though, that you have not even included Carl Maria von Weber in the original composer list for this Cancrizan series...I assume this opera would be the one work to save by Weber, and so does this video kill two birds with one work, or would you possibly put forth a different piece by Weber??? Maybe the 1st Clarinet concerto, or the Invitation to the Dance???

[@gislimagnusson7152]

Hi David. Alway a lot of fun listening to you. I agree with you that Carlos Kleiber's "Freischütz" is the best version ever done: It is simply eletrifying. But I do think that Carlos made valuable contributions as an orchestral conductor also. Beethoven's 4th with Carlos on Orfeo is IMHO one of the very best. The orchestra does not sound as polished as his 5+7 with VP, but all of his Beethoven has this riveting quality. But thank you for highlighting his "Freischütz". It really deserves it.

[@marknewkirk4322]

I confess that I am not a fan of Weber for the most part, but this recording makes such a compelling case for the music that it has won me over, and I listen to it often (in fact, I'm going to put it on right now). It is certainly one of the greatest opera recordings of all time.

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

I have that one. YAY me!! Thanks for your insights.

[@catmjein2859]

I fell in love with the Behrens one, but gonna give this a go since you've recommended it!

[@ElliottSalmon-ox5gp]

Nailed it. Thanks, Dave!

[@graserclassical]

Great opera, best recording, and an outrageous version of the Hunter's Chorus Was gleicht wohl auf Erden dem Jägervergnügen? where the Dresden horns are turned loose! Love it

[@timbakerbartholomew]

Dave, you preach to the converted. I was awarded this glorious box of LPs as a school music prize in 1975 and I have been in love with it ever since - that is, for nearly half a century now - and find any other recording or performance an utter letdown! Even the Colin Davis one.

[@danielgreineder1456]

I don’t always see eye to eye with you, but I felt a sense of relief when I first heard your appreciative but sceptical views of Carlos Kleiber’s legacy. I was not alone and with you all the way.

[@peacearchwa5103]

Kleiber was one of those West German citizens who was welcome to conduct in the DDR, while Rudolf Kempe was a DDR citizen who was welcome to conduct not only in the Federal Republic but in the UK and elsewhere.