Lauding the phenomenon of Erich and Carlos Kleiber is hardly a new pastime in the opera world, and I must admit I feel a bit intimidated doing so now. Much has been said about the meticulous yet organic touch of Erich Kleiber and the idiomatic (and seemingly intentionally enigmatic) technical style of Carlos. What stands out most to me about these two is their uncanny ability to take well-known works and leave you feeling as if you were hearing them for the first time.

Whether it’s the fleet reading of the elder’s Meistersinger overture or the gut-wrenching ecstasy of Carlos’ Liebestod, both had a way of investing music with a kind of magic that defies analysis. It wasn’t about tempo choices or articulation or any other banal musical considerations—they took notes on the page and turned them into something living and transcendent.

This compilation bears that out, featuring early excerpts conducted by Erich as well as some of Carlos’ rare forays beyond the few operas to which he returned so often.