The Legendary Rafael Kubelik, returning to The Chicago Symphony in 1980 with a concert of music by Mozart, featuring Soprano Lucia Popp, mezzo-Soprano Mira Zakai, tenor Alexander Oliver and bass Malcolm King with the Chicago Symphony Chorus in a performance of Mozart’s Coronation Mass.
The Orchestra opens with Masonic Funeral Music and concludes the first half with the Symphony Number 41 “Jupiter”.
The second half of the concert is devoted to the Coronation Mass. The concert was broadcast on November 8, 1980.
Kubelik, it should be remembered, was the one-time Music director of the CSO – from 1950-1953. During that time he recorded some of the first Mercury “Living Presence” albums to come out in the early days of the lp. They were benchmarks in sonic reproduction and Kubelik’s work with the CSO was widely admired by critics and audiences. Those early mono recordings have stayed in record (and later CD) catalogs almost since they were recorded. They have occupied shelf space along with an enormous recorded output over the years, with many pieces recorded more than once. Kubelik’s recordings have won numerous awards and garnered critical praise constantly throughout his career.
Rafael Kubelik had a stellar career beginning with the Czech Philharmonic when he was 19 and continuing until his final years with the Bavarian Radio Symphony along with countless guest conducting appearances with every major orchestra throughout the world.
Joining him in the Coronation Mass is Soprano Lucia Popp, mezzo-Soprano Mira Zakai, tenor Alexander Oliver and Bass Malcolm King. With the exception of Popp, who had performed and recorded frequently with Kubelik over the years, the other singers were appearing with the CSO for the first time. They are all joined by the Chicago Symphony Chorus.
A nice dose of Mozart for a Wednesday – certainly qualifies for Anti-Road Rage Music.
Time to hit the play button, relax and turn your mind off.
no first movment in symphony no 41
It’s fixed. Thanks for pointing that out.