Thread: Gergiev vs. Janowski, Parsifal

Posts: 8

Post by tream April 3, 2012 (1 of 8)
Sort of the Parsifal on SACD wars, although I haven't heard the van Zweden, which has received mixed reviews, at least the ones I've read.

To me, if you are looking for a Parsifal on SACD (and it is Easter time, so why not), there is no contest between Janowski and Gergiev.....it is Janowski all the way, despite Janowski's inability to properly float the melodies in the last part of Act I (listen to Knappertbusch to see how this can be done - and there are other examples from many other conductors as well). From the outset, Gergiev conducts in a nerveless fashion, completely without intensity as though he is unaware of the passion and significance in this music. I have listened to it several times, and there is just no understanding, IMHO, of what is going on....I might as well be listening to background music. Parsifal for the elevator. FWIW, Janowski is marvelous in Act III. I do think he is too fast in Act I, but he is not boring and he does understand the music.

I see on this site that there is quite a different opinion from the site reviewer....it feels like we are listening to a different performance.

I'd like to hear van Zweden - one reviewer I respect indicated that Acts 1 and III were terrific, Act II a let down.

My first recommendation for Parsifal would still be Bayreuth 62 conducted by Kna on LP. My seccond might be the Kubelik, which has grown on me. And you have to hear Karl Muck in Act III. I have not heard Boulez nor Karajan.

Post by Esacede April 3, 2012 (2 of 8)
My first recommendation for Parsifal would still be Bayreuth 62 conducted by Kna on LP.
That recording is also available on 4 Philips CD's.

Post by tream April 3, 2012 (3 of 8)
Esacede said:

That recording is also available on 4 Philips CD's.

Yes....sounds better on LP, though. :-)

Post by nucaleena April 3, 2012 (4 of 8)
tream said:

Sort of the Parsifal on SACD wars,...

tream, have you heard the Nagano on Blu Ray? Am trying to decide between it and the Janowski.

Post by beardawgs April 4, 2012 (5 of 8)
Janowski's Parsifal got a rather like-warm review in the Guardian few days ago. I haven't heard it yet, and my biggest concern are Janowski's fast tempi - I do like like my Parsifal on the slow side. Guardian's reviewer didn't like Franz-Josef Selig's Gurnemanz and preferred Rene Pape for Gergiev. I got Gergiev and I enjoyed it very much. But for real depth of understanding one has to go back to Kna's '62 Bayreuth recording. Still my favorite Parsifal is with Karajan. Dunja Vejzovic's Kundry for me is unsurpassed in her blend of scary evilness and sleazy seduction. Bayreuth recording from 1964 with Kna conducting features Thomas Stewart, the best and most eloquent Amfortas I've ever heard.

Post by tream April 4, 2012 (6 of 8)
nucaleena said:

tream, have you heard the Nagano on Blu Ray? Am trying to decide between it and the Janowski.

I have not, unfortunately.

Post by tream April 4, 2012 (7 of 8)
beardawgs said:

Janowski's Parsifal got a rather like-warm review in the Guardian few days ago. I haven't heard it yet, and my biggest concern are Janowski's fast tempi - I do like like my Parsifal on the slow side. Guardian's reviewer didn't like Franz-Josef Selig's Gurnemanz and preferred Rene Pape for Gergiev. I got Gergiev and I enjoyed it very much. But for real depth of understanding one has to go back to Kna's '62 Bayreuth recording. Still my favorite Parsifal is with Karajan. Dunja Vejzovic's Kundry for me is unsurpassed in her blend of scary evilness and sleazy seduction. Bayreuth recording from 1964 with Kna conducting features Thomas Stewart, the best and most eloquent Amfortas I've ever heard.

The Bayreuth 64 also has Jon Vickers as Parsifal, if I am not mistaken. This is a performance I need to hear.

Post by manticore4 April 4, 2012 (8 of 8)
tream said:

The Bayreuth 64 also has Jon Vickers as Parsifal, if I am not mistaken. This is a performance I need to hear.

Yes, the 1964 Bayreuth/Kna Parsifal is with Vickers. It is definitely one worth owning, but make sure to get the Orfeo release from a few years ago, as it's an "official" archive release and as such uses a radio archived tape (in glorious mono sound). The Orfeo version has much better sound than all of the previous releases.

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