Lucerne Festival Historic Performances: Rafael Kubelik

Featuring

Rafael Kubelík
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Irmgard Seefried
Schweizerisches Festspielorchester
Béla Bartók

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Performer Biography

Rafael Kubelík left his home country of Czechoslovakia after the communist coup, stating, "A bird does not sing in a cage."

Performer Biography

Rafael Kubelík held the post of chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1961 until 1979, which German music critic Joachim Kaiser referred to as his "golden age."

Composer's Artistic Vision

Rafael Kubelík believed music had an ethical mission, stating that "music and art generally are only justified if they strive to improve humanity."

Performer Biography

Rafael Kubelík returned to conduct in Czechoslovakia only after the breakdown of communist rule, opening the 'Prague Spring Festival' in 1990 at the invitation of President Václav Havel.

Recording & Production

This recording of Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle, featuring Rafael Kubelík conducting, is a live recording from the Lucerne Festival on August 15, 1962, and is issued on CD for the first time.

Performer Biography

Rafael Kubelík, the conductor, was the son of Jan Kubelík, a world-famous violinist.

Interpretation

Rafael Kubelík replaced the seriously ill Ferenc Fricsay for this 1962 Lucerne concert, performing Bartók's opera just three months after conducting it in Munich.