Brahms: German Requiem (2026 Mastering) [Tower Records Exclusive]

Description

***Product Information***
Format: SACD Hybrid
Number of discs: 1
Package: Digipak
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Record Label: TOWER RECORDS DEFINITION SERIES
Product Number: TDSA335

***Product Description***
*SACD Hybrid Disc
*Digipak Specification
*Uses the latest 2026 mastering (High-quality digital conversion at 192kHz/24bit, followed by separate mastering of the SACD and CD layers)
*Mastering Engineer: Kosei Fujita
*Uses original jacket design (Monochrome photos of the artist are included in the liner notes)
*Liner Notes: Noboru Kawase (New Liner Notes), 16 pages total

***Work Information***
Main
Conductor: Otto Klemperer
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
Chorus: Philharmonia Chorus
Soprano: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Baritone: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Other
Composer: Johannes Brahms

***Recorded contents***
Number of discs: 1
Edition: Remaster
[Track Listing] Total time 69:00
1. Johannes Brahms: German Requiem, Op. 45

[Performers]
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Soprano), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Baritone)
Philharmonia Chorus (Chorus Master: Reinhold Schmidt), Ralph Downes (Organ)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Otto Klemperer (Conductor)

[Recording Dates]
2 January, 21, 23 & 25 March 26, April, and 4-6 & 8 May 1961, Kingsway Hall, London

【Original Recordings】
Producer: Walter Legge, Balance Engineer: Douglas Larter

【Original Label】
Warner Classics (formerly EMI)

1. [SACD Hybrid]

***Product Introduction***
Among the many excellent performances of this piece, Klemperer's recording stands out for its exceptionally solemn and profound expression. This masterpiece, recorded in 1961, has been newly restored from the original analog master tapes for this release. Featuring Schwarzkopf and F. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as soloists, this 1961 recording, with new liner notes, is under 70 minutes long. While the tempo is relatively fast for Klemperer's later years, each note carries weight, and the performance itself is profound and austere, resulting in a performance that feels even grander in scale. Klemperer's June 1958 performance of this piece with the Vienna Philharmonic was highly acclaimed, and on this EMI release, Reinhold Schmidt, conductor of the Vienna Singverein Choir, is in charge of the chorus. The original master tapes have been used again, and the sound quality has been reconstructed. We are pleased to present this reissue, which has undergone the latest mastering as the final package. For this release, a master digitized at 192kHz/24bit from the original analog master tapes in the country of origin has been used, and the SACD layer and CD layer have been mastered separately. New liner notes and lyrics translation are included. This is a collector's item. A masterpiece by Klemperer that is given the highest praise alongside his symphony recordings! With the high level of the chorus and the performance of superstar soloists, this recording is a masterpiece among Klemperer's multiple recordings of this piece, including live recordings. Of course, this is largely due to the time and cost spent on the session recording by EMI, the excellent sound quality, and above all, Klemperer's overwhelming leadership stemming from his confidence. Furthermore, the exquisite timing between the slower tempo of his final years and his prime is palpable, making this a once-in-a-lifetime recording that was destined to be recorded. Another notable feature of this recording is the presence of Reinhold Schmidt, who was invited from Vienna as the choral conductor, as mentioned earlier. It is evident that the recording was made with ample time dedicated to the sessions, with a high level of perfection in mind. This Klemperer recording was also the first stereo recording of "A German Requiem" on the EMI label. In that sense, it seems that EMI also actively promoted the recording. For this reissue, we have obtained new digital audio sources from the original analog master tapes in Germany and performed mastering, so we are using a different master from previous releases. With the latest technology, a restoration that evokes the atmosphere and feeling of the time is required, so we have approached this restoration with a musical perspective. Please look forward to this reissue, which is distinct from previous releases. (1/2)
Tower Records (2026/04/17)

In this series, the SACD layer aims for high resolution and a rich soundstage with extended high frequencies and soft nuances, while the CD layer aims for a cohesive and solid sound with a sense of presence. The CD itself has high potential, so please enjoy it as an SACD hybrid disc that allows you to appreciate the best of both worlds. Furthermore, the liner notes include new writing by Noboru Kawase, familiar from his Klemperer commentary in this project. This 74th installment of the Definition Series will release a total of 3 titles. [Sound Source Restoration Concept] In this project, based on 192kHz/24bit WAV data obtained from the original source, the SACD layer is converted to DSD and mastered, and a separate PCM mastering is performed for the CD layer. Therefore, the SACD and CD layers have independent mastering. Instead of combining PCM editing and DSD conversion in a single mastering process, we performed separate mastering for SACD and CD, prioritizing the unique characteristics and sound quality of each format. During this process, we conducted thorough comparisons with previously released recordings, striving for optimal mastering while respecting the original analog master tapes to maximize the musical potential. (2/2)
Tower Records (2026/04/17)

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