Like another reviewer here, I wish this (radio?) performance had survived in its entirety. The sound is often amazingly transparent and there're very few instances of overload. The crowd scenes are congested, but not unduly so. The orchestra is astoundingly good (barring a few horn slips) and Klemperer shapes phrases beautifully. The opening of the final scene brims with joy and everyone seems to be caught up in the festivities. Hungarian is not a beautiful language but the singers here make it sound lovely. I'm familiar with Osvath and Simandy. Osvath is often over-miked, a bit out of tune and a tad shrill - but not a deal-breaker. Simandy is a revelation compared to his early 60's wobbly, effortful self: his voice is clear, bright, youthful and soaring. (I do not hear any resemblance to Windgassen.) Sachs is in the same mold as Karl Ridderbusch or Ferdinand Franz, but with more secure high notes. The David is a joy and Beckmesser often sings beautifully, demonstrating why he is a mastersinger. This pedant sounds more frustrated and embarrassed rather than mean and spiteful.I listened to this recording immediately after listening to the MET broadcast of 1953 under Reiner. Almost everything about the Klemperer is, to me, better than the MET performance: the tempi, the orchestra, the involvement of the cast... even Osvath might be preferable to the lovely, but somewhat bland, de los Angeles.This is one of those "must hear" performances.

My only regret about this performance is that it hasn't survived complete. I've heard Meistersinger in German (obviously), English, French, and Italian so hearing it in Hungarian is rather a pleasure. Klemperer is much swifter here than one would expect after hearing some of his studio recordings from twenty years later. He propels the comedy onward to a joyous conclusion. The singers are all very good, more comfortable singing in their native language than in German. The only excerpt I really missed was the Eva /Sachs scene ("Guten Abend, Meister!") from the second act. I also would love to have heard more from the Beckmesser who is funny without going overboard. The sound is very good. Klemperer and Wagner fans will really enjoy this set!

Those who know Otto Klemperer as conducting Hohe Messe, Don Giovanni, Walküre I a.s.o in the very majestic style of his late recordings will be surprised! This Meistersinger is full of compelling energy and speed but welcomes you nonetheless into one great construction, where the conceptual frame is seamlessly integrated in. Mark for instance the Baptism and the Quintet, often just the apotheosis of the shoemakers workshop, here the culmination of one big arch of tension.Great cast with a powerfull Evchen, a lyrical Walther and a tireless Sachs. Note that we have just highlights here, in Hungarian and a lighty increasing a natural.