Legendary conductor Carlos Kleiber was born on July 3, 1930. In my view, he was one of the greatest conductors of all time.
Actually the Kleiber family brought to the public two amazing musicians: The father, conductor Erich Kleiber, was revered by the public. During the 1930’s the Kleiber family left Europe and moved to South America.
While Carlos had strong interest in music, his father discouraged him from pursuing a career as a conductor. The father actually said to someone that his son was unmusical. <How absurd that was!>
Years later Carlos Kleiber established himself as one of the totally most amazing orchestral leaders ever to step on stage! His specialties were the music of Brahms, Beethoven, Richard Wagner, and Richard Strauss. Carlos Kleiber also became an astounding conductor of the music of Johann Strauss.
The following recording is an example of the dedication to excellence by Carlos Kleiber:
Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier
Some of the performers are Felicity Lott (Marschallin), Anne Sofie von Otter (Octavian), Barbara Bonney (Sophie), and Kurt Moll (Baron Ochs). Recorded at the Vienna State Opera.
The Penguin Guide wrote:
“Kleiber gets some ravishing sounds from the Vienna Philharmonic, and his reading of the score is as Straussian and as perfect as you are likely to encounter in this world. The sound is very natural and lifelike”
Here is the famous Trio from “Der Rosenkavalier”, with Carlos Kleiber conducting:
