This must be by far the best recording I have heard of Kleiber in this extraordinary piece. He, by 1976, had stabilised his view of the piece and the Bayreuth orchestras has become accustomed to his fantastically seductive and impassioned podium activities! Compare this with, for instance, the Vienna 1973 shambles, where the sloppy orchestra and conductor are often at odds, the cast sounds under-rehearsed, especially Neidlinger and Hopf, who all but ruins the performance with his stolid, pasty singing. Ligendza for me is always something of a liability to be honest - what would we have done for the Brünnhilde of that 1976 festival as Isolde - Gwyneth Jones, with whom Kleiber worked really well on 'Rosenkavalier'. I totally agree that Wenkoff is at his very best here. I saw this extraordinary singer as a frenzied an possessed Tannhäuser in the theatre. He is amazing here in Act 3 especially. He is at one with what Kleiber is up to at all times, and sings for his life in the last act! McIntyre as ever a sensitive and terribly moving Kurwenal. This must be among the greatest bits of operatic conducting ever to have been immortalised on tape. Thank heavens for Bavarian Radio!!

What is they to say? This is splendid in every way. And probably the best of the Tristans during the time of Carlos Kleiber.

If this had been around when I bought my first recording back in the early 1970s (Bohm's recorded in 1966 in Bayreuth) I doubt I would ever have felt a need to seek out any other recordings. It is a truly magnificent performance. I read recently that Kleiber spent much time before the initial run in 1974 studying the score in minute detail as well as exploring every aspect of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus familiarising himself with the sound of the place. It shows. Act 2 has a miraculous stillness to it contrasting the amazing tension in Act 1 and the desperation in Act 3. Wenkof in Act 3 is unequalled by anyone anywhere and Ligendza unleashes a gloriously full, bright, unforced sound in the Liebestod. It's a must have.

Exciting, surprising, at lengths leaving you breathless, but always extremely thought-through orchestrally (after listening to a recording Kleiber's 1974 Tristan and Isolde in Bayreuth, even if soundwise much poorer than this one, I threw Böhm's Bayreuth recording away).

I was fortunate to actually have attended this performance. It was a thrill to hear it again in all its glory. Ligendza and Wenkoff were the perfect pair (vocally and physically), and Carlos Kleiber's electrifying conducting of the stellar Bayreuth orchestra was breath-taking. The orchestra sounded glorious. I had never heard of Spas Wenkoff before, but he struck me as a true Heldentenor, with a rich, powerful, almost baritone voice. I was also impressed with his acting ability (the contrast of his beautiful and powerful voice in Acts 1 and 2 to the weakness portrayed in Act 3 while mortally wounded comes across well in this recording). Ligendza was a perfect Isolde, looking and sounding the part. While I loved Nilsson in this role, Ligendza has a more feminine, subtle and vulnerable performance. This recording does that magical day justice. My only critique would be the volume level for the second act seems slightly lower than the other two, but that might just be my playback equipment.One final personal note: I remember being so stunned by this performance that I walked back to my hotel oblivious to the fact it was raining. I enthusiastically recommend this recording! I hope you find it as thrilling as I did.

It's a great and overwelming performance in a excellent sound!

My favourite Wagner opera and I wasn’t disappointed with this 76 Bayreuth performance under Kleiber. He gets everything right and the lead performers are on top form. Wenkoff is outstanding especially in Act 3. You won’t be disappointed. Great purchase.

Terrific performance in Bayreuth’s characteristically clear acoustic. Kleiber is a phenomenon with this score; Ligendza & Wenkoff both brilliantly characterful, vibrantly dramatic & deeply musical.

Great sound quality and a Ligendza Isolde to die for (sorry about the pun), but this is really a unique take of the role and one that many Tristan lovers will enjoy.

It is like a dream.

This is Tristan as a fever dream, as the vehement sforzandi in the Prelude tell us. Throughout the performance the secret ingredient in Carlos Kleiber's interpretation is scrupulous fidelity to Wagner's markings, executing with terrifying passion and precision by the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, in glorious sound. Of the principals, only Yvonne Minton is quite on Kleiber's level and even she finds Einsam wachend a bit high for maximum effect. Donald McIntyre is a rough and ready Kurwenal (emphasis on rough) while Karl Ridderbusch coasts through King Marke on superior vocal endowment. As for our lovers, Caterina Ligendza is more at home in wrath than love: You might say she favors the day side of the opera's day/night symbolic axis. She paces herself well through the role, although any note above the staff glares harshly. Spas Wenkoff's Tristan is virile, more knight than poet, but he stays the course with admirable durability (Kleiber makes no cuts.) A few lines get dropped or bobbled -- live performance, you know -- but the Bayreuth audience is understandably electrified by what they're witnessing.

This is, I believe, my favorite recording of Tristan. The music washes over you in the prelude; the lines are beautifully sculpted. This is a very dramatic orchestra. Ligendza is fully captivating as Isolde. Really a wonderful cast all around.

Excellent. Kleiber mesmerizing, especially in the third act (which shows off the orchestra better than Acts 1 and 2). The supporting cast is first rate and Wenkoff is magnificent--a deeply committed performance and a beautiful voice. Ligenza is very feminine, but her light voice becomes unpleasant under pressure and her top is shrill. Even so, we'd be grateful to hear the part so well sung in the opera house today. Sound is first rate, studio quality.

Excellent version!

#best 1970 cast imanginable; best conductor ever

Top-notch performances, great sound quality

fantastic

Spas Wenkoff and Catarina Ligendza - this stunning duo! Carlos Kleiber - a great expert on Tristan!

A thrillingly dramatic, and theatrical performance. Probably the best of Kleiber's Bayreuth Tristans. Wenkoff a powerful presence more than Brilioth in '74 and'75.

The great Carlos Kleiber conducts Tristan und Isolde. Is a review necessary? That should be enough of a recommendation. Buy it.

Excellent

The reading of Boulez is quite original and some singer as Mc Intyre is not right for the role.

Well - it is great Tristan, I am glad that I bought it.

An electrifying performance with Kleiber at the height of his considerable powers

A must have !

Sublime interpretation in the urgency of a vibrant beauty passion; singers, chorus and orchestra, in clear connection with the will of Kleiber: Absolute unreachable!

This performance is the best all of Tristan ever heard. Kleiber conducted with delicacy and passion, and Wenkoff and Ligendza are best pair of Tristan and Isolde. All Wagnerian should be have this Splendid performance.

Sublime!