Mozart Requiem

[Gatorchong]

Hey guys, (girls too, if any are here)

I'm looking for a really high quality recording of Mozart's Requiem. I actually already have two, but one was recorded in a cathedral and the other is just old, so I was wondering if anybody knew of a recent high quality recording of this. Even better would be a link to where I could buy it since I haven't found what I'm looking for locally. I really just want to hear it evenly, since the live recording is so uneven and has too much echo. If anybody has one to recommend I'd appreciate it.

[Rip Van Woofer]

Great work. Don't have any specific suggestions since I don't have a recording myself but see which recordings get good user and/or editorial reviews on amazon or arkivmusic.com.

There's a classical music forum out there somewhere that's been mentioned before by another Audioholic (AVivaldi, I think - where's he been lately?), too, but alas I never bookmarked it. No doubt there are informed (and otherwise) opinions to be had there. Do some Googling and let us know if you find it.

There's also a Penguin guide to classical recordings (an actual book made from dead trees) that might help and be worth buying; I should do the same, actually.

[hlesser]

Check out Channel Classics 2002 SACD recording of the Mozart Requiem (CCS SA 18102) with Jos van Veldhoven conducting the Netherlands Bach Society. It's a beautiful performance and a superb recording.

[Pat D]

I have a couple on CD I like.

Colin Davis conducting the John Alldis Choir and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Philips 420 353-2. This is the one I actually listen to, and I have sung the work enough times to have memorized a good bit of it. The 1967 sound is perhaps a bit reverberant, but it's pretty good. The performance is fabulous, full of life and vigour (is that a paradox?).

Peter Schreier conducting the Rundfunkchor Leipzig and the Staatksapelle Dresden. Philips 411 420-2. The is is a more recent digital recording (I don't know the date) and sound is somewhat clearer and brighter. I still prefer the Davis one.

[Unregistered]

If you have DVD capability - please try the Mozart Requiem recorded by Sir Georg Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic - with, among other singers, Cecilia Bartoli and Arlene Auger (in her last public concert before she died of cancer)
The sound is awesome and the picture near-perfect. I often listen to this at night - not even bothering to fire up the TV set for the pic. For me, this is just plain stunning - and would be hard to beat!

[Dessayfan]

Oh, yes - the Solti recording is superb! I highly recommend it - I think it just came on the market about three months ago.