DVD + Blu-Ray:
Ein Deutsches Requiem

Christian Thielemann, Wiener Philharmoniker and Wiener Singverein present an unforgettable Brahms' Requiem from Salzburg Festival.

When Brahms composed his German Requiem, he thought little of the salvation of the deceased. With his music, Brahms wanted to give comfort to the bereaved, so he decided against the usual Latin text of the Roman Catholic Church and chose German texts from Luther’s Bible instead. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, the work thrilled the audience and made it a triumphant success for Brahms.

In this performance Christian Thielemann, doubtless one of the leading conductors for the romantic symphonic music, at the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker, together with the Wiener Singverein, the choir that first performed the first three movements of the Requiem in December 1867, and a duo of outstanding singers, “conjures unforgettable moments” (BR Klassik).

Soloists of the evening were French-Danish soprano Elsa Dreisig (“delicate”, Der Standard) and German baritone Michael Volle. Thielemann’s “differentiated conception finds a harmonious balance between intimacy and archaic moments and transports Brahms’s core message of consolation to the audience’s delight in an immediate way.” (Salzburger Nachrichten).

“A musical highlight” (Kurier)
“Beautiful to cry” (BR Klassik)

Original title Ein Deutsches Requiem
Composer Johannes Brahms
Conductor Christian Thielemann
Orchestra / Band Wiener Philharmoniker
Soloist Elsa Dreisig, Michael Volle
Choir Wiener Singverein
Recording location Salzburg Festival, Großes Festspielhaus
Recording date August 2023
Duration 77 mins
Producer A co-production of ORF, Unitel and BR in cooperation with Arte, Wiener Philharmoniker and Salzburg Festival