Description:

In 1972, the Bayreuth Festival was still presenting Parsifal in Wieland Wagner’s austere and timeless 1951 production—the first mounted in the post-war years. To keep the staging fresh, the administration regularly rotated in prominent conductors and singers, and this season saw Eugen Jochum leading the orchestra, with James King, Janis Martin, Franz Crass, and Theo Adam in the principal roles.

James King is in glorious voice in the title role, capturing both the character’s youthful innocence and eventual spiritual awakening with vocal brilliance and dramatic clarity. Janis Martin offers one of the most beautifully sung Kundrys on record, maintaining control and tonal beauty even in the punishing high B-flats of Act II where many sopranos resort to sheer force. Franz Crass brings warmth and musicality to Gurnemanz, his mellifluous bass emphasizing lyricism over declamation. Theo Adam gives a tormented and vocally compelling portrayal of Amfortas.

Eugen Jochum adopts slightly brisker tempos than usual for Bayreuth, lending the performance an unexpected sense of lightness and momentum that complements the emotional gravity without undercutting it. The sound quality is only fair, but the vocal and interpretive strengths of the cast more than compensate.

In Mono

OD 11404-4