Otto Klemperer was one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century, along with Wilhelm Furtwängler, Bruno Walter and Arturo Toscanini. His period in Cologne from 1954 to 1959 was considered to be one of the most fruitful and exciting of his career, and it was during this time that EMI’s classical producer Walter Legge signed him to the company following the departure of Herbert von Karajan.

His critically acclaimed recordings with the Philharmonia followed. This live studio recording from the WDR in Cologne has never been issued before.

Klemperer’s conducting of Brahms’s Requiem , one of the cornerstones of the choral repertoire, achieves true greatness. Both Elisabeth Grümmer (soprano) and Hermann Prey (baritone) were internationally renowned and highly respected.

The CD contains two interesting ‘extras’ – Mozart’s delightful Serenata notturna from 1954 and a rare rehearsal sequence of the Requiem, both issued for the first time.

WDR’s remastering is of very high quality, aided by the excellent preservation of the original tapes.

Contents:
Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem
Elisabeth Grümmer/Hermann Prey
Kölner Rundfunkchor
Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester
Saal 1, Funkhaus, Cologne, 20 February 1956

Mozart: Serenade in D, ‘Serenata Notturna’
Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester
Saal 1, Funkhaus, Cologne, 25 October 1954

Mono recording.