Search - Mozart, Stader, Topper :: Mozart: Requiem K. 626

Inspired and full of life

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 12/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"though not one of the newer or better known CDs of the magnificent Requiem, this 1961 recording is nevertheless my favorite.
The brilliant organist/conductor Karl Richter (1926-1981), who was a master interpreter of baroque music, and famous for his renditions of Bach, assembled the Munich Bach Choir and Orchestra with mostly amateur musicians and singers, with astounding results. He used professionals in the predominant parts, like soprano Maria Stader, contralto Hertha Topper, tenor John van Kesteren, bass Karl Christian Kohn, and trombonist Franz Eder, who solos in the "Tuba Mirum" section of the "Sequentia".It is a dramatic, intense performance, as noted in the liner notes: "Karl Richter, the pastor's son, was intent on underlining the mysticism of death and sacred dignity. He knew that Mozart was the only great composer who had written a Requiem while looking into the face of death himself".The sound, which has been digitally remastered is good, and total time is 51'14.
I have had this recording (in different formats) for decades, and it has a fervor that I find missing in many others. The love and passion that went into this recording lives on every time we play it, as does Richter's legacy of excellence."

A powerful religiously moving "Requiem"

Alejandra Vernon | 10/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A fine recording from 1961, while K.Richter was still at his peak. His performance of Requiem conveyed such a strong emotion of religious faith and solemnity, brought great intensity and depth to this work. And the artists, all of vocal soliosts, the chorus, and the orchestra, comes as a strong unity. The chorus is metallic, dark and firm, yet sang with clear cut and clean tone, though never sounded transparent. Every part of the chorus is clearly audiable, thus the fugal part at the beginning is most winning! And through out the performance, they made great contribution, though sometimes lack of sensitivity. The quartet of soliosts is also fine. All of them are clean toned and is very suitable for religious works. Stader brought the most detailed reading, sounded agile at once. The boyish pure tone at the beginning are most moving. But unfortunately the recording made her high voice a little dry and old, apparently in ¡§Recordare¡¨. Topper is fruity and modest, Van Kesteren is fresh. It is Kohn that brought the most magnificent singing in ¡¨Tuba mirum¡¨, wonderfully accompanied by the horn player¡I The orchestra played with alert and security. The dramatic point stood out, owe to Richter's marvelous conducting and pointing. The recording is full and immediate, but is a little dark, quite suitable to Mozart's ¡§Requiem¡¨! Overall, it is a good recording of "requiem" for its fine performance and depth. Really moving! Recommandable!"