Mozart Requiem - Herbert von Karajan Berlin Philharmonic

Recorded in Berlin during October 1961, this monumental interpretation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626, pairs the peerless orchestral mastery of the Berliner Philharmoniker with the visionary, dramatic direction of conductor Herbert von Karajan. Moving far beyond a standard liturgical reading, Karajan frames the sacred score as a universal human drama of immense scale, perfectly balancing searing theatrical intensity with moments of transcendent, ethereal peace.
Featuring an exceptional ensemble of vocal soloists, soprano Wilma Lipp, contralto Hilde Rössel-Majdan, tenor Anton Dermota, and bass-baritone Walter Berry, alongside the magnificent choral backing of the Wiener Singverein, the performance captures the harrowing terror of divine judgment and the ultimate solace of eternal light. From the solemn shadows of the Introitus and the fierce urgency of the Dies Irae to the heart-wrenching plea of the Lacrimosa, Karajan’s meticulous shaping yields a continuous warmth and profound emotional depth, ensuring this legendary collaboration remains a timeless benchmark in sacred choral art.

Artist(s): Conductor – Herbert von Karajan
Orchestra – Berliner Philharmoniker
Soprano Vocals – Wilma Lipp
Bass-Baritone Vocals – Walter Berry
Choir – Wiener Singverein
Contralto Vocals – Hilde Rössel-Majdan
Tenor Vocals – Anton Dermota
Organ – Wolfgang Meyer
Recording Info: Recorded October 1961, Berlin, Church of Jesus Christ
Sourced from a DGG Original Pressing
Components used for Transfer:
This transfer leverages precision analogue playback and mastering-grade digital conversion. The signal path begins with a VPI HW-40 Anniversary turntable paired with an Ortofon MC Anna cartridge, fed through a Custom Phono Pre-amp designed by Victor Khomenko of Balanced Audio Technology for accurate RIAA equalisation. The analogue signal converts via a Merging Anubis converter, powered by a Teddy Pardo Linear Power Supply, synchronised to an Antelope Audio 10MX atomic clock for temporal accuracy. All components receive isolated power conditioning through a Shunyata Research Everest X with Sigma-X cords, while grounding infrastructure utilises Shunyata ALTAIRA hubs to minimise noise floor and preserve sonic detail throughout the transfer chain.