40 years on, a major maestro’s widow finds her rest
mainWe have been notified of the death of Harrietta Krips, widow of the much-recorded Josef Krips, who died in 1974.
Harrietta was co-author of a recent books of memoirs titled, ‘Pas de musique sans amour’ – there’s no music without love. She died on January 12, aged 76.
Krips conducted the Vienna hilharmonic and Salzburg Festival in the immediate post-war years. He went on to serve as principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Symphony and San Francisco, wibding up as chief of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
He recorded copiously for many labels – chiefly for Decca and Philips and, perhaps most notably, a Beethoven cycle for Everest. Harrietta stayed well out of the limelight. She is buried beside him at the Neustift cemetery in the Vienna Woods.
The 5 CD set of Beethoven’s symphonies by Josef Krips just happens to be the last addition to my collection. It was less than $10 at a discount supermarket that doesn’t know it’s Beethoven from the Beatles. Wonderful playing by the LSO. It was in a tin with CDs in a fibreboard folder. Produced by Madacy in Canada in 2008 .The folder was printed in China, where were the CDs made? Photo credit: Lebrect Music & Arts. Fame at last!!!
I paid too much. Now it is only $2.48. Beethoven, Krips & Lebrect for Less!
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Nine-Symphonies-Tin-Can/dp/B000JMK6G2/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1422194397&sr=1-2&keywords=krips+beethoven+symphonies
Read the reviews on Amazon, they are excellent all about the remastering of the original tapes.
I too have this Beethoven set – picked up in a local market for peanuts years ago. Very highly recommended CDs which I frequently return to for pure enjoyment and appreciation, there’s so much vitality in these performances – one of the best buys I’ve made when it comes to recordings. Great conductor.
I don’t know this Beethoven set, but there is the supreme set of Mozart symphonies with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.