Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem

The choral and instrumental performance is exemplary. I have no complaints. But I have to deduct a star because the sound quality is lacking. When the orchestra swells, the sound becomes a bit muddy, a bit pinched and a trifle harsh. As I write this review, I am listening on an audiophile system using McIntosh and Marantz components, and I am using top-end $1000 Grado headphones and I hear a clipped muddiness in the orchestra and it is distracting. This seems to be a problem when recording huge orchestral ensembles. If you are listening to this on non-audiophile equipment, this problem probably won't be noticeable.

I searched everywhere I could to find Robert Shaw's rendition of one of the most moving and emotional requiems in the world. I have sung with Robert Shaw and of course, I am emotional when hearing his rendition of anything. I just bemoan the fact that he never recorded Bach's Mass in I believe it's B minor. This disk is very good quality as well.

I am a big fan of the numerous Karajan recordings, and I found many similarities in this reading. This performance has a rich, thick romantic feel that can really overwhelm you. Shaw's tempos are a little brisker, though, but overall the lush atmosphere is pure Karajan.Arleen Auger has a gorgeous voice, but I felt she was holding back. Richard Stilwell, on the other hand, really let loose with plenty of dramatic verve. He has a wonderful sound that reminds me of operatic bass Donald McIntyre.The chorus displays their skillfully done German diction in Movement 2. I loved their work in Movement 4's "Die Loben dich immer dar", done with a fantastic legato approach. The tenors really shone in their few solo appearances in the finale.Another reviewer had reservations with the recorded sound. However, I didn't find any problems with it.Timings of Brahms' Requiem range from Bruno Walter's brisk 63" to Fritz Lehmann's 79" epic. Shaw compromises at 70'24" (almost identical to the famed James Levine recording).Recorded in Nov 1983 in Atlanta. Texts and translations included.

Hubby likes it. I got it for him as a gift.

For a long time I had difficulty with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta SO. I even once sold my copy of the Verdi Requiem with Shaw at a disc trade shop in Tel Aviv.Times Change, and people change.I have since rebought the Verdi with Shaw and I recently aquired this recording as well. While there are performances where the orchestra is more domineering, there is no performance where the vocal music both from the soloists and from the choir are so outstanding. The second movement is often played much more energetically -- but in this performance it is played correctly. The 3rd movement is breathtaking the fugue at the end is uplifting. The 6th movement with the solo by Auger is just the best 6th movement in any performance of this Requiem to date. She puts so much into it,and the interpretation by Shaw is the best I have heard. The last movement with its deep orchestral basses and rich choral harmony is played perfectly here.I own many recordings of this work: Masur and the NYPO, Leinsdorf and the Boston Symphony, Sinopoli and the Czech Philharmonic, and the famous Klemperer with the Philharmonia. Some of these recordings are considered "the" recordings, however, THIS will be the recording that I will take with me when I travel, THIS will be the recording that I will listen to over and over again because this recording really touches me and really moves me in a way that other recordings just did not do.If you like this requiem, then you need to hear this performance to get a new and fresh interpretation. If you don't like this requiem, then please listen to this performance. You now might just change your mind.Don't hesitate to purchase this performance. When you hear it you will only wish you were there to see it live.

I have listened to this CD on 3 players, and on each player the CD is kind of fuzzy. The orchestra is more of a musical noise than a musical contribution. The chorus is fine. Not having heard other CDs of this work, I don't know if anything exists that would be more distinct.

Tremendous value

Shaw's rendering of this masterwork is clean and unambiguous. The clear, beautiful singing of the soprano soloist and strong work by the Baritone soloist were icing on the cake. Shaw is one of the 20th century's greatest choral conductors. The tone quality and vocal diction were splendid. His orchestral work was very clear. It was a delight to listen to and to use as a study guide for my own work.

I confess that I bought this version principally to hear Arleen Auger sing the "Traurigkeit" solos. Hers is a really clear and beautiful voice and her singing gives great pleasure. The baritone also sings clearly and strongly. The choir sings very well too, while the orchestra accompanies the singing most effectively. The recorded sound is, if anything, a little "soft" - I find I need to play this CD with the volume increased from my normal setting, to get full impact. But the internal balance between solo voices, the choir and the orchestra is very well judged. This is not the only way to play this great choral work, but it's definitely a very valid one that brings out the glorious lyricism of Brahms' writing as well as its beauty of tone. Recommended.

普段はカラヤンやヘレベッヘなどのCDを好んで聴いています。ショウの当盤を購入して、やはりこの曲は合唱の出来が音楽全体を生き死にさせると感慨を新たにしました。録音も大変良く、オーケストラも当たり前のことですが、鑑賞の合格点だと思います。そういう条件の中で、合唱は流石にロバートショウだと感嘆させる秀逸な美しさです。抑制と解放のバランスに、思わず鳥肌が立ってしまうような聴きどころがあります。そういう展開をテラークの録音技術陣はよく捉えています。ドイツレクイエム好きの方にお薦めします。

ママさんコーラスとか、やってる単なる合唱好きの人なら気に入りそうなディスクである。《ブラームス交響曲全集》を何セットも持っているような、コテコテのブラームス好きは、聴くとガッカリするだろう。せっかく、アーリン・オジェーまで呼んでおいて実に惜しい演奏…ショウの指揮もマーラー《8番》のような神懸かった燃焼と推進力に欠け、アトランタの皆さんもイマイチ元気がない。