Austrian conductor Carlos Kleiber (1930–2004) only released nine studio recordings over the course of his fifty-career.He was famous for his elusiveness, often canceling concerts on short notice and appearing in only 96 orchestral concerts as well as about 620 opera performances.
Each of Kleiber’s recordings became critically acclaimed in its own right, with those of Beethoven’s 5th and 7th symphonies hailed as among the greatest classical music recordings ever made.
Kleiber is also remembered by 75 live audio and 18 live video recordings, of which those of Der Rosenkavalier and the Vienna New Year’s Concerts have been especially praised.
Kleiber’s contributions in the studio and stage secured his place as not only one of the most important 20th century conductors, but as one of the greatest of all time.
In my view, Kleiber’s conducting the music of Johann Strauss is particularly noteworthy, so let me end by showing you why this is so:
