BEETHOVEN - MISSA SOLEMNIS / KARAJAN / Laser Disc CD Video 1990

UPC 044007223413 

!!! CONDITION OF DISC IS USED - VERY GOOD !!! 

PRINTED IN U.S.A.  

NTSC

Laser disc: a disc resembling a larger CD but able to store video, now generally replaced by the DVD.

This moving performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123 features Michael Gielen conducting the Südwestfunk Symphony Orchestra with Lubomir Matl directing the Prague Philharmonic Choir. Soloist highlights include Bass, Kurt Rydl; Soprano, Phyllis Bryn-Julson; Alto, Marjana Lipovsek; and Tenor Josef Protschka. Added Features Include: Music Analysis in subtitles, Translation of choral text, Glossary, Historical Timeline, Performer Profiles and Liner Notes 5.1 Dolby Digital and original Non-compressed Stereo.

The extreme difficulties inherent in performing Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (which the very first performers complained about at an 1824 Vienna rehearsal) include Beethoven's imposing high notes for both the vocal soloists and members of the chorus. As he did in the final movement of his Ninth Symphony (the "Ode to Joy"), Beethoven was reaching for the Divine throughout his Solemn Mass, and there is no doubt that, in the right hands, true musical divinity is reached.