Herbert von Karajan: Verdi: Requiem (1967)

Acknowledged to be the finest Karajan recording of this overwhelming sacred masterpiece — “electrifying ... with the Italian chorus and orchestra singing and playing their hearts out ... a his-toric document” (Gramophone). This 1967 performance features four of the 20th century's greatest Verdi singers — Price, Cossotto and Ghiaurov were at the peak of their careers, while the young Pavarotti was still comparatively unknown (though not for long).