Here's something you might be interested in.
When I’m talking to someone about classical music and they mention Carlos Kleiber, the level of conversation automatically goes up.
His recording of Beethoven’s Fifth and Seventh Symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic are considered the best ever pressed to vinyl.
To be the conductor of the best Beethoven Fifth is a massive feather in the conductor cap. However, it was one of only fourteen official recordings he made.
Carlos Kleiber is one of classical music’s enigmas.
Born Karl Kleiber, his name changed to Carlos when his Austrian father and American mother moved to Argentina in 1935.
His father was the famous, early 20th century conductor Erich Kleiber.
Much to his father’s chagrin, Carlos showed musical talent early and went into music after studying chemistry.
From 1958 to 1973, he had conductor posts in Dusseldorf, Zurich, and Stuttgart. Stuttgart was his last permanent post.
As his international career began, he conducted frequently at the Bavarian State Opera.
There’s nothing enigmatic about that.
What is odd is that Carlos Kleiber rarely conducted once he was established as an international talent.
He made his Bayreuth debut in 1974 with Tristan and Isolde but didn’t conduct there again.
He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1988 conducting La Boheme with Pavarotti and returned three more times for La Traviata, Otello, and Der Rosenkavalier but that was it.
When von Karajan died in 1989, The Berlin Philharmonic offered him the position of chief conductor. Kleiber declined.
He conducted the Chicago Symphony in 1978 and 1983 and those were his only orchestral appearances in the U.S.
In spite of his limited public appearances and even fewer recordings, Kleiber is considered one of the great conductors of the 20th century.
Why he limited his appearances is unknown—he never gave an official interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1qAWcd4rr0
When I’m talking to someone about classical music and they mention Carlos Kleiber, the level of conversation automatically goes up.
His recording of Beethoven’s Fifth and Seventh Symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic are considered the best ever pressed to vinyl.
To be the conductor of the best Beethoven Fifth is a massive feather in the conductor cap. However, it was one of only fourteen official recordings he made.
Carlos Kleiber is one of classical music’s enigmas.
Born Karl Kleiber, his name changed to Carlos when his Austrian father and American mother moved to Argentina in 1935.
His father was the famous, early 20th century conductor Erich Kleiber.
Much to his father’s chagrin, Carlos showed musical talent early and went into music after studying chemistry.
From 1958 to 1973, he had conductor posts in Dusseldorf, Zurich, and Stuttgart. Stuttgart was his last permanent post.
As his international career began, he conducted frequently at the Bavarian State Opera.
There’s nothing enigmatic about that.
What is odd is that Carlos Kleiber rarely conducted once he was established as an international talent.
He made his Bayreuth debut in 1974 with Tristan and Isolde but didn’t conduct there again.
He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1988 conducting La Boheme with Pavarotti and returned three more times for La Traviata, Otello, and Der Rosenkavalier but that was it.
When von Karajan died in 1989, The Berlin Philharmonic offered him the position of chief conductor. Kleiber declined.
He conducted the Chicago Symphony in 1978 and 1983 and those were his only orchestral appearances in the U.S.
In spite of his limited public appearances and even fewer recordings, Kleiber is considered one of the great conductors of the 20th century.
Why he limited his appearances is unknown—he never gave an official interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1qAWcd4rr0