Search - Verdi - Requiem / Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Daniela Barcellona, Julian Konstantinov, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic on DVD

This one and Karajan 1967 are the best on DVD.

Robert G. VanStryland | Denton, TX USA | 05/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic give a powerful and exciting performance. The only other DVD of Verdi's Requiem that is competitive with this one is the 1967 Karajan performance on Deutsche Grammophon. Karajan has the better quartet of soloists (Leontyne Price, Fiorenza Cossotto, Luciano Pavarotti, and Nicolai Ghiaurov), but Abbado's singers are more than adequate, and his more recent performance has the advantage of superior recorded sound. Karajan obtains the more beautiful pianissimos, but Abbado generates bigger thrills, especially in the Tuba Mirum where he projects the rolling momentum that Karajan misses. NOTE: Other (inferior) DVDs of this work, conducted by Abbado and Karajan respectively, are currently available. Don't get mixed up."

Magnificent

Jeffrey Danowitz | Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv Israel | 07/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I have a maximum of 1000 words, only one is needed here: magnificent.
I bought this DVD, got home, and thought I would listen to the beginning to see how it would be. Wrong thought -- there is no way to stop in the middle.
The soloists are unknown to me and they are not the big name performers as in other performances, but this doesn't matter. They set the tone that Abaddo wants.
Abaddo brings out things in the orchestra that I never heard in this requiem. The multiple choirs singing are heavenly.
As I was listening to this recording I could not help but say to myself that this is going to be the recording that everyone will be talking about -- this is an historical legend. This is one of those rare moments in life that you need to cherish. There is no way to put in words the feelings that you get listening and watching this performance. Abbado here is more than a conductor, he is an actor, and a director. He creates an atmosphere.
Give yourself a real treat and listen to/watch this DVD."

A touching document from a conductor who nearly died

atacgene | New York, NY USA | 11/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The hushed solemn opening of the Requiem with the frail, almost unrecognisable Abbado at the podium must be one of the most moving moments in the history of music making. He, who had just recovered from a near fatal illness recently (I haven't found out exactly what illness yet) looked as if he was conducting a requiem for himself, and that all the musicians are singing and playing for him. It is therefore difficult not to imaging that this electrifying and gripping performance is a direct result of Abbado's near-death experience (and I felt the same with his recent DG Mahler No.9 even before I knew about his illness). And what a red-blooded tour-de force performance, especially in the closing pages when Gherorghui sang with such dramatic intensity and with the final, wrenching orchestral climax that Abaddo had to pause for > 10 seconds to allow himself to calm down before he let the audience clap. No need to repeat the praises by other reviewers, except to add that DTS is a superb contribution though it sounds great enough even without it and Alagna is in his greatest form, without any stage fright (as he sometimes get tensed in live performances) All in all, a disc to die for and definitely a short-list for DVD of the year."

The smell of the sweat, the roar of the drums.....

Rodney Hrvatin | Adelaide, South Australia Australia | 08/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An intensly passionate performance of this work by one the world's leading experts on it, played by one of the finest orchestras in world, in one of the finest halls in the world, with 4 of the finest soloists assembled. And all captured on dvd in DTS sound.
If you have ever loved the Verdi requiem and have thought about purchasing a recording of it on dvd then look no further. Not only is this performance comparable to the finest recordings available, it must rank right up there with them.Abbado (who looks disturbingly frail and gaunt- is there any reason for that? Please someone tell me) brings out the fire and brimstone of the climaxes and yet pulls it all back for the more introspective moments. The end of the work sends a chill down the spine.
The soloists are magnificent. Georghiu and Alagna are at their best (for anyone that wants to know how to produce a wonderful tone just look at the mouth formations on one of the many closeups of Alagna). The Bartoli lookalike, Barcellona, is superb, especially in the Agnus Dei. Bass Konstantinov needs to remember to bring a towel when he performs, the sweat just comes pouring off him before the first movement ends- and he doesn't do anything about it for some reason. All that aside though he brings a strong presence to the work and a formidible "Mors Stupebit" especially.
The chorus is wonderful and clear with superb diction and exceptional balance.
This is a memorable performance- one to buy and cherish for years to come."