Carlos Kleiber: Tribute to a Unique Artist

I recently picked up Carlos Kleiber: Tribute to a Unique Artist. I was excited about this recording because I have found that Carlos Kleiber was one of those great conductors, along with Otto Klemperer and Jascha Horenstein, whose work I really enjoy. I certainly enjoy other conductors but those three really stand out for me.

Kleiber lived from 1930-2004 and conducted some of the world's greatest orchestras. Kleiber was a perfectionist and considered by many the greatest conductor of his age but he never consented to take a permanent position with an Orchestra even though he was courted to replace Karajan when he retired. He also did not like to record, so there are only a few of his works that were recorded. The last a recording of the opera Tristan und Isolde in 1980. This is a tribute album and contains some great recordings that he did.

On the CD is Schubert's Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished" recorded with the Wiener Philharmoniker. It is a wonderful performance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Next is Brahms Symphony No. 4 also with the Wiener Philharmonkier. I love this symphony and this is an excellent performance. Both of these performances moved me, the sound is excellent, and you will be enriched by listening to them. The last pieces on the CD are from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde recorded with the Staatskapelle Dresden. This is opera, and I'm not a huge fan, but these pieces are enjoyable. I highly recommend this recording along with Kleiber's recording of Beethoven's fifth and seventh symphonies which are also considered classics.

5 stars out of 5