Sorry...I heard only fifth disc in this set.
Chung-Whun Chung | Seoul, Republic of Korea | 12/06/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm very sorry because I bought only fifth disc in this set. So, I don't review all of CDs. Bruno Kittel(1870-1948) was founder and conductor of his chorus-Bruno-Kittel-Chor. It was one of very highest vocal groups in German-speaking countries. They achieved many contributions. In 1928, Bruno-Kittel-Chor recorded first complete SP of Beethoven's Missa solemnis(with Lotte Leonard, Elenor Schlosshauer-Reynolds, Eugen Transky, Wilhelm Guttman and the Berliner Philharmoniker) in Deutsche Grammophon. Its SPs were imported to Japan, sold over 17000 sets. Its restored CD set were issued by Japan Polygram in 1998(I seeked this set so far but I have not this set because it was issued only Japan.). And they sung many times Beethoven's 9th Symphony with Oskar Fried(1929), Wilhelm Furtwangler(1937 and 1942) and many other conductors. In Third Reich, Kittel was premiered some of 'political' works include Christoph Muller's Deutsches Heldenrequiem-offered to Hitler-and participated concerts held by Nazi. For that reason, Kittel was buried in post-war German musical scene and chorus were disorganized. In World War II, they recorded for Deutsche Grammophon-Bach's Matthaus-Passion(1942. except 18 numbers) and Mozart's Requiem(1941)-twice. It's a last recordings they sung. In this fifth CD contains complete Requiem and final chorus in Matthaus-Passion(St.Matthew Passion). When I heard this recording first, very surprised. Part of Introitus' soprano solo part and Offertorium's last refrain, verses related 'Jewish' were erased and replaced other Latin words(Sion->coelis, Jerusalem->hic in terra, Abrahae->Domini). It's a Nazi's sensorship obviously. What a cruel purges! But they performed very humanistic-added Romantic a little-this last work by Mozart. In solo parts, soloists-Tilla Briem, Gertrud Freimuth, Walther Ludwig and Fred Drissen-sung very moved with rich German accents. And choral parts-especially Dies irae and Lacrimosa, they performed with fear and tears probably. And they sung in Kyrie and Communio's difficult fugue part very superbly. Certainly, they are very highest chorus in German. I think it's a best of pre-war and wartime Requiem recording with Bruno Walter's live recording in 1937. But, final chorus in Matthaus-Passion is 'too' romantic performance. Bach's taste disappeared 'perfectly' in this recording. For that reason, this recording is not re-issue by CD present day. And this CD contains other two small choral works sung by Thomanenchor Leipzig-Brahms' In stiller Nacht conducted by Karl Straube(1930) and Anonymous Christkindleins Wiegenlied. Restoration quality is not bad. But scratch noise remained in part(very high in Introitus' opening and some other parts). I think Deutsche Grammophon's staff were restored like a original SP added frequency."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1