December 08, 2008.

A Musical Masterpiece.

Rating: 5
This version of Verdi's Requiem has been
reviewed by opera fans much more
knowledgeable than I am, and I agree
with just about all of them. This is an
absolutely stunning performance
with four of the most beautiful operatic
voices of a generation.

While I originally purchased this DVD to
hear a youthful Pavarotti, I have to
agree with Mr. Kay that out of the four
superstars, it is Fiorenza Cossotto,
the mezzo soprano, whose star shines
brightest here. He cites her
performance in "Liber scriptus,"
but I'd like to add "Lux aternum."
The beauty, clarity, and range of
her voice in these pieces is simply
extraordinary.

I once read a music critic describe
her voice as "not really beautiful,
but she colors it in a way that makes
you think it is." I disagree. I think
her voice is simply beautiful without
any qualifiers.

Finally, what makes this Requiem so
special is many of the principals
have passed on...Karajan in the 80s,
Ghiaurov in 2003, and Pavarotti in 2007.

I don't know if Price is still performing,
but Cossotto, now in her 70s, still sings
professionally from time to time and gives
master classes.

It's wonderful to have this treasure on
DVD to be able to see as well as hear
these extraordinarily talented artists
perform one of Verdi's most beautiful
works.

December 28, 2008.

An intense and touching performance!.

Rating: 5
My opinion about this DVD is not at all as technical as the others I've read here. And it shouldn't, it's beyound my skills. But, as a only recently afficionate of classical operatic songs, I must tell that I came across with this DVD almost by chance on the internet and since I bought it I got really "arrested" by it. To my feeling, Karajan's way of conducting without the scores and with passionate movements, just like his whole body is singing the music, seems trully genuine, although certainly not conventional. As I could see in many videos with him teaching and rehearsing, this seems to reflect the way he really thinks an feel about music.
The second remarkable impressions was with Ghiaurov's performance. I heard him for the first time on the Gounod's "Faust" DVD, as as much sounding and full of expression Mephistophelis. I've heard other recordings of Verdi's Requiem, as, for instance, the one with the great Finnish bass Talvella. But I think Ghiaurov's performance in this recording was much better, with a good diction, great interpretation. He, by himself is an impossant figure... I find Talvela's voice more "dense", if I can express this way, but Ghiaurov singing "Confutatis" is awesome.
Pavarotti was for me the greatest surprise, since I had never seen him so young and without his "trademark" beard. After listening to his interpretation of Ingemisco, I can hardly stand the performances recorded by some tenors... A potent voice, clear pronounciation, perfect high-pitch notes. And he was only 32 years-old.
About Cossotto and Price, they were both great also. But Cossotto touched me more deeply, specially in her "Liber scriptus" performance. Summing up, the four soloists were in great balance for my ears, with great individual performances and aso sounding perfectly together.
I can say that this film really opened my mind to many other routes of music. Through it I cultivated and deepened a great respect for Pavarotti, Karajan, Verdi...
I highly recommend it.

December 15, 2008.

A Superlative Verdi Requiem.

Rating: 5
This recording of the 1967 concert of the Verdi Requiem is absolutely
superb. Pavarotti was a comparative unknown at the time and his voice
is young, fresh and thrilling. All the other voices are equally fine:
Leontyne Price, soprano; Fiorenzo Cossotto, mezzo-soprano; and Nicolai
Ghiaurov, bass. Herbert Von Karajan conducts the orchestra of La Scala
in what was obviously a labor of love on the part of the entire cast and
chorus.

December 09, 2008.

CD review Verdi / Price.

Rating: 3
It is a classic recording. Unfortunately the technical quality is a little outdated. This is the reason for my rating.

December 22, 2007.

Wretched sound, but there are compensations.

Rating: 3
I may be a lone voice here, but anyone who considers buying this famous video of the Verdi Requiem should be warned that the sound is wretched by any standard, including historical. The acoustic is cavernous, blurring the syllables of chorus and soloists almost beyond recognition. There is microphone shatter at loud cimaxes, and dodgy intonation at various intervals. As much as I wanted to compensaqte for these defects--after all, this is the only way you can hear Pavarotti and Leontyne Price with Karajan in the Requiem--at least I know now why DG has never extracted a soundtrack for release on CD.

There are other attractions, however. A small one is the sight of the young Pavarotti without a beard. He is barely recognizable. Too bad that the wretched sound robs him of his distinctive timbre; close your eyes and you will have a hard time identifying the voice. For me the major attraction was watching Karajan's podium technique. With floating hands he vaguely outlines and shapes each phrase, and that's it. There's barely a discernible beat and no cueing of individual entrances. Since he also conducted with eyes closed, Karajan seems to be immersed in private reverie. And yet, as we all know, he extracted the utmost in precision, expression, and virtuosity from his musical forces. One comes away feeling that mesmerism was involved.

Clouzot's direciton is straightforward, so there's not much visual enticement here. I suppose every other reviewer has lower standards for DVD sound. For my part, this is a sketchy audio product at best.