Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This reissue has come out under the "Great Conductors" banner so, inevitably, our attention is directed to the performance rather than the composition. The German conductor Rudolf Kempe (1910-1976) made his conducting debut at the Leipzig Opera before the Second World War and after served as Musical Director of the Staatskappe Dresden until increasing difficulties with the Communist authorities forced him to relocate to Bavaria in 1952. From then on he never looked back, at least professionally, conducting in concert halls and opera houses around the world and gaining a reputation as a musician's conductor. This recording of Brahm's beloved German Requiem was made in June 1955 in Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin and first issued on the Electrola label and here lies the problem. Despite the best efforts of Reissue Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer Mark Obert-Thorn the recording is not up to contemporary standards. I tried listening on my bog-standard car CD player and found that I had to spend so much time fiddling with levels that I feared I would become a hazard to other road-users and so had to listen to the radio instead. However, once I had got the settings right on my much better than standard hi-fi system at home it was nearly acceptable, once we get used to the way the balance moves between choir, orchestra and soloists depending on who is taking the lead at any given point. I was particularly impressed by the tenor Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau although I do not think the soprano soloist, Elisabeth Grummer, comes over quite as well but concede that this may be more to do with the original recording than her own undoubted abilities. As an historical curiosity this has some merit although I do not think it has the same significance as von Karajan's version in the same series; as a definitive take on the piece it cannot be recommended although the budget price means it may still be worth a try.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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