Rudolf Kempe

Rudolf Kempe: Master Conductor

A few days ago I picked up second-hand this bargain 2-CD set of Kempe, and the subtitle "Master Conductor" IMHO cannot be more befitting of this greatly neglected conductor.

Kempe was always the second-line conductor of EMI, one of those lesser known central-European super musicians who seemed to have found the UK congenial to their temperaments. Others like Jascha Horenstein and Klaus Tennstedt come readily to mind.

Kempe Biography(wikipedia)

Rudolf Kempe Society (Biography and more)


EMI has surprisingly recorded quite a bit of Kempe but, aside from some operas (little rivalled Wagner for example), has shamefully not kept them in circulation. One indispensible set that is likely still available is the super-bargain set of the complete (or nearly so) Strauss orchestral works, with the resplendent Dresden Staatskapelle. Just this set is enough to immortalize Kempe's name. The performances are fully all top-drawer, and yield nothing to more famous recordings of Reiner or certain Karajan and Bohm. There is opulence, drama, as well as tight control in all these works, never once lapsing into vulgarity. e.g. I have never heard a better Also Sprach Zarathustra. EMI has several incarnations for this set. It is also now avilable on Brilliant Classics. For a glimpse into Kempe as accompanist, ther is the super-bargain Encore issue of Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 with Bruno-Leonardo Gelber, one of the best versions ever. What about all the other great recordings? It is left to specialty labels to re-dress the problem.



No Kempe fan would want to be without his magnificent Bruckner and Brahms. Scribendum has issued quite a few of these. The Brahms 4 Symphonies and Bruckner Symphonies 4 and 5 are all with the Munich PO. These again show Kempe's control of architecture and the way he patiently builds climaxes of considerable power. He is not a flashy conductor, but the more you listen to him the more you like the sound of the orchestra. Great attention paid to chording (like Karl Bohm's VPO Beethoven).



Testament has issued quite a few of Kempe's recordings. Quite a few are available in the library and they are superb in musicianship as well as sound. One of the very best is a tightly controlled Scheherazade, with the RPO, thrilling down to the last bar. this is the same performance that is in the much cheaper Disky issue (oop) pictured at top. This performance joins Reiner at the very top. I also like very much hid Brahms 4 with the BBCSO on BBC Legends.

There are much much more. These are just some personal favorites. For a great discography:

Kempe Discography (Part I), Kempe Discography (Part II)