Wagner

Parsifal

Vinay, Mödl, Greindl, Fischer-Dieskau, Hotter; Knappertsbusch
Bayreuth, 1956

Regular price $34.95
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Parsifal

Ramón Vinay and Martha Mödl were both brilliant performers, but when paired together, they ignited a unique kind of electricity that surpassed even their individual brilliance. Vinay sings with astonishing beauty and power, his Parsifal both heroic and vulnerable. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, in a rare appearance as Amfortas, delivers a deeply anguished portrayal with vocal radiance that few could match. Josef Greindl brings a gruff, grounded bass to Gurnemanz, lending the character a relatable, everyman quality. At the helm, Hans Knappertsbusch shapes the work with his signature breadth and grandeur.

Although the sound is generally good, there is some occasional light distortion.

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Customer Reviews

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4.0 Based on 5 reviews
5 ★ 2
4 ★ 1
3 ★ 2
2 ★ 0
1 ★ 0
David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Fine Parsifal, if not the Greatest

Wieland Wagner and Modl were always experimenting with Kundry in this production and here we have the aural evidence of that. Modl sings the lower alternatives in the last part of her scene with Parsifal (at "Irre! Irre!" and "Dich weih ich ihm zum Geleit!"). Since she sounds in good voice and has little trouble with the high notes earlier in the scene I don't think she was avoiding these notes because she was in vocal trouble. She also doesn't sing Kundry's only two words in the last act, "Dienen. Dienen". Surely she didn't forget them. She does the moans and the scream moments earlier. Unusual and different.The other singers are all terrific and know their roles well. Vinay's bari-tenor suits Parsifal to a T. Fischer-Dieskau gives us a moving, beautifully sung Amfortas. Greindl's excellent diction and ability to tell a long story aids in making him a memorable Gurnemanz. The Flowermaidens are superb. Modl, not so incidentally, sings the alto solo at the end of Act One, surely another Wieland innovation. Knappertsbusch leads an impressive, deeply moving performance. The sound is excellent.
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Horia G.✓ Top Reviewer
Overall rating

ANOTHER GREAT "PARSIFAL"

A "Parsifal" conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch at Bayreuth cannot be but another great one... Highly recommendable!
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Bertrand S.✓ Top Reviewer

France

Overall rating

Mixed pleasure

Knappertsbusch is always a great experience . The treasure is obviously a young Fischer Dieskau, Vinay fully involved, Greindl superb but Mödl not in great form avoids some high notes in the end of act 2 .
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Georg V.✓ Verified Buyer

Germany

Overall rating

Excellent Recording

Excellent Recording of Martha Mödl
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Richard✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

contrast and compare: thus three stars

I am purchasing this after listening to the sample in order to compare with my absolutely favorite recording of Parsifal which I listen to every Good Friday. It is difficult to imagine an overall more robust rendering than the 1951 Bayreuth performance but then there is always the possibility. Will update the review after several comparative sessions.
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