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Label:
  Deutsche Grammophon - http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/
Serial:
  471 639-2
Title:
  Mozart: Requiem - Karajan
Description:
  Mozart: Requiem in D minor K.626

Anna Tomowa-Sintow (soprano)
Agnes Baltsa (contralto)
Werner Krenn (tenor)
Jose van Dam (bass)
Rudolf Scholz (organ)
Wiener Singverein 
Berlin Philharmonic 
Herbert von Karajan (conductor)
Track listing:
  Total time: 53:08
Genre:
  Classical - Vocal
Content:
  Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
  Analogue
Recording info:
 

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Reviews: 7 show all

Review by canonical December 27, 2009 (8 of 15 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
This is a 1975 analog recording converted to DSD. The booklet states that the SACD layer is 96 kHz / 24 bit PCM Stereo and 96 kHz / 24 bit PCM 5.1 Surround Sound; I am not sure what is meant (in this context) by the 96 kHz / 24 bit claim ... presumably it means that it was re-mastered from analog at 96 kHz / 24 bit?? I am also uncertain what relevant source there would (or could) have been for 5.1 surround sound ... presumably the surround layer is artificial?

In any event, the sound quality (stereo) is surprisingly good: there is some noticeable distortion, and lack of clarity in the louder passages, but generally it is quite natural. The vocal soloists are fine ... Jose van Dam is a splendid base. The real problem, however, is the performance. The problems take two forms: First, Karajan's rendition somehow lacks any sense of real drama - it lacks suspense and angst, and is heavy and unwieldy. Second, the choir (the Vienna Singverein) are, on average, appallingly awful. I don't know how Karajan put up with them, and I am surprised that he allowed this to be released: their intonation is shonky, their tone is screeching and unrefined, and the performance as a whole is ruined. Very disappointing.

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Review by PureAudio August 23, 2005 (6 of 6 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
Finding a satisfying performance of Mozart´s Requiem took me some research. There are several discs on the market and I want to spend my money well. The local musicstore could offer me 2 different performances: The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Karajan.
Whilst listening to the first I noticed good sonic quality and a steady performance. Good but nothing spectacular. Karajan, however, delivered the essence and the music went straight through my spine. For me goosebumbs are the ultimate music experience and I get it with this disc.

Because the original material is recorded some decades ago, the quality of the recording is not the best. But the engineers did well and what remains is a very enjoyable mix with natural spacing. The sound is warm and the instruments can pretty much be distinguished. Choir is powerful yet not too dominant.

PRO: Drama, feel the emotion => goosebumbs
CON: Some may wish engineers could do magic to the original tape

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Review by jtcod January 19, 2004 (6 of 7 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
This was one of my first Super Audio purchases and I was moved from the first spin. I deliberately waited before posting a review as I wished to study other SACD's in order to be objective. Having bought and listened to more than 20 SACD's over the last 4 months, I still keep coming back to this one and it has lost none of it's special atmosphere in that time.

Apart from being a beautiful rendition of a beautiful piece of music, the original recording captured the performance brilliantly. Who ever 'miked' this one up on the day, knows how to record an orchestra. (I hope he got a royalty).

The transfer to SACD has been successful. Just close your eyes and imagine you are there. (The soundstage is that clearly defined).

I wouldn't hesitate to choose this SACD in order to demo my HiFi system to a friend. But let's not get away from the music itself: Atmospheric and emotional in every way. I particularly like tracks 1 and 4

Well done again to the original sound engineer on this recording. Whoever he/she was. They captured a special performance.

A well deserved maximum points.

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Works: 1  

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem in D minor, K. 626