{"product_id":"4997184113359","title":"Rudolf Kempe - Wagner: Lohengrin, Opera in 3 Acts (with Japanese translation) - Japan 3 SACD Hybrid Limited Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRudolf Kempe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA special project commemorating the 110th anniversary of Kempe’s birth. This iconic recording—featuring the Vienna Philharmonic at the height of its artistry and the finest lineup of the era—has been restored to outstanding condition! World-first SACD release! Includes new liner notes and a bilingual lyric translation. Newly remastered from the original analog master tapes in Germany\n\nRecorded by Kempe with the Vienna Philharmonic from 1962 through 1963, this is one of the definitive recordings of this work. Alongside legendary singers of yesteryear such as Jess Thomas and Elisabeth Grümmer, the superb performances by Fischer-Dieskau and Christa Ludwig are a highlight. Furthermore, Kempe’s masterful sense of tempo and the Vienna Philharmonic’s exquisite tone are outstanding. In terms of sound quality, it is packed with highlights worthy of an SACD, including the reproduction of fine details, the overwhelming sense of scale in the tutti passages, and the fresh, vibrant voices. Aiming for the highest possible sound quality available today, this release uses a master digitized at 192 kHz\/24-bit from the original analog master tapes in Germany, with the SACD and CD layers mastered separately. Includes new liner notes and bilingual libretto translations. This is a collection worthy of permanent preservation.\n\nThe recording took place in 1962, the year after Kempe assumed the position of Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It also coincided with the period when he was performing the complete “Ring” cycle at the Bayreuth Festival—where he had made his debut in 1960—through 1963. Although Kempe did not make many opera recordings for major labels, this production of *Lohengrin* features not only Jess Thomas at the peak of his career and Grünmer, who already had an impressive track record, in the leading roles, but also the then 37-year-old Fischer-Dieskau as Friedrich, whose performance is superb. As for Christa Ludwig as Ortrud, despite being only 34 years old, her remarkably robust vocal quality and rich expressive range are truly astonishing. Furthermore, the Vienna Philharmonic’s rich, nuanced sound from that era is deeply captivating. With a sound distinct from that of DECCA at the time, this recording was previously considered rather unremarkable; however, this latest reissue fully restores its precision and sense of scale, allowing listeners to appreciate every remarkable detail.\n(1\/2)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TOWER RECORDS DEFINITION SERIES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53595611332897,"sku":"4997184113359","price":8999.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/4997184113359.jpg?v=1790481918","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/4997184113359","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}