Hindemith: Mathis der Maler (1979)

Although Hindemith's 1935 opera Mathis der Maler is widely recognized as one of the most significant and profound operas of the 20th century, it is rarely performed and is scantily represented on disc, so the composer's fans waited eagerly for the first studio recording of the complete opera with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the title role when it was originally released in 1979. Rafael Kubelik leads Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks. Besides Fischer-Dieskau's outstanding ... Read More

Although Hindemith's 1935 opera Mathis der Maler is widely recognized as one of the most significant and profound operas of the 20th century, it is rarely performed and is scantily represented on disc, so the composer's fans waited eagerly for the first studio recording of the complete opera with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the title role when it was originally released in 1979. Rafael Kubelik leads Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks. Besides Fischer-Dieskau's outstanding performance, among the many solo parts, tenors James King and William Cochran and bass Peter Meven make especially strong impressions. The composer's fans are likely to want to take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear the complete opera. Fans may also want to seek out a 1961 recording of excerpts featuring Fischer-Dieskau, Donald Grobe, and Pilar Lorengar, with Leopold Ludwig leading the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (available along with a superb recording of the composer's... Read Less