Erich & Carlos Kleiber page: BBC Radio 3 : Who Was Carlos Kleiber?

BBC Radio 3 broadcasted "Music Feature : Who Was Carlos Kleiber?" yesterday.

Music Feature - Who Was Carlos Kleiber?(in English)
broadcasted September 26th, 12:15 on BBC Radio 3.

URL of this program on BBC web site.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mvd9n

Ivan Hewett explores the musical enigma of the late conductor Carlos Kleiber. Despite huge demand and adulatory critical praise for his work, he gave very few perfomances and never granted an interview, increasing speculation about his art and personality. Ivan talks to some of the few who knew Kleiber well and attempts to explain his mercurial and electrifying genius.
While most great conductors have strongly-defined profiles, views and attitudes, Kleiber, the son of an equally feted conductor was and remains an enigma, with rumours about him circulating far more freely than facts. Primarily a recluse, he could only be persuaded into the public arena, at least since the late 1980s, by the combination of a momentous event, long rehearsal times and a huge fee. These performances, though, were nothing less than life-changing: concerts with the impact of religious events. Kleiber was also one of the few maestros who, although very demanding at rehearsal, was adored by the musicians who played for him - and by other conductors.
But why did he give so few performances? Why his obvious insecurities? Did he really only make records 'when the freezer ran out of food'? And what about Kleiber the man - his life, his friends, his loves, his obsessions?

7 Comments

Charles Barber said: | September 27, 2009 11:35 AM

This terrific documentary may be down loaded -- for free -- at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mvd9n
until the end of September 2009.

It features interviews with four people who knew Carlos Kleiber well: Placido Domingo, Sir Peter Jonas, Christine Lemke-Matvey, and Dr Charles Barber.

It goes some distance toward illuminating the personality behind the greatest podium of our time.

Tommy said: | September 28, 2009 1:01 PM

Mr.Barber, how can I see your Kleiber letters, it's very interesting for me! Look my blog!

Charles Barber said: | September 30, 2009 3:30 AM

Hi Tommy:

CK's letters re music, literature, politics etc will be in my book, 'Corresponding With Carlos', coming out early next year. (I am withholding the purely personal ones, as they have nothing to do with his art.) There are about 200 letters, postcards, faxes, cartoons etc etc, and perhaps half will be incorporated.

The book is a biography, and a memoir. About 400 pages.

Carlos' points of view, as the BBC 3 programme made clear, are original and fascinating in every way. He was one of the most rare and unusual people I have ever known, a great teacher and above all as great a musician as our time has ever offered. Lucky, lucky us.

Bob Reith said: | October 1, 2009 10:30 PM

Some listener posted the interview at

http://www.mediafire.com/?wn4lnykyqkk

Bob

Tommy said: | October 3, 2009 3:32 PM

Many thanks, Mr.Barber, God bless you!

John said: | October 9, 2009 12:37 AM

Does anyone what the closing music was on this program?

Thanks,

John.

webmaster said: | October 9, 2009 7:38 PM

The closing music is Prelude to Act.III "La Traviata".