Wagner: The Valkyrie [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Reginald Goodall (Conductor), Ann Howard (Performer), Sarah Walker (Performer), Shilagh Squires (Performer), English National Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), Anne Conoley (Performer), Anne Evans (Performer), Elizabeth Connell (Performer), Helen Attfield (Performer), Katie Clarke (Performer), Margaret Curphey (Performer), Rita Hunter (Performer), Alberto Remedios (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Ann Howard, Sarah Walker, Shilagh Squires, Anne Conoley, Anne Evans, et al.
• Orchestra: English National Opera Orchestra
• Conductor: Reginald Goodall
• Composer: Richard [Classical] Wagner
• Audio CD (November 28, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B00004YU6Z
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible, January 29, 2001

By 

Clinton D. Davis (Norman, OK United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wagner: The Valkyrie (Audio CD)

I have never been a fan of opera in translation, but I must say that Andrew Porter's rendering of The Ring in English is amazing. He uses modern, not archaic, English, and the word choice is so very earthy and Germanic that the noble yet somewhat severe atmosphere of the Teutonic myths is conveyed perfectly. The sound, in other words, is an elegantly Germanic, and totally appropriate for the music and the Story it tells. It is not true that you can't understand the English anyway, because you can understand if you care to pay any attention at all. The translation is lucid, and so it the marvelous singing that conveys it.

Goodall's sense of music drama is lush, and takes some getting used to after the crash-and-burn Solti set, but after a time or two it seems just right. Goodall is not always slower than the rest, either; for example, the famous Ride of the Valkyries that begins Act III is quicker than Solti's surprisingly slow and heavy account. It is the most exciting that I have heard--and I have heard quite a few--but it is not so fast that the power is lost in favor of urgency.

This is not an urgent Die Walkure, and it is all the better for it. Goodall takes the time to actually tell the story, and is sensitive to the drama's needs over what could be called convention. For example, Wotan's Farewell doesn't thunder out after Brunnhilde's final declamation, like in so many recordings; rather, Goodall's interpretation is more dreamy, mysterious, and appropriately trance-like, in keeping with the action on stage.

I own the complete Solti Ring, but I must say I will be the first in line to get each new installment of this remarakable Ring as soon they hit the shelves. If you are new to Wagner, and are willing to make the plunge into a complete Ring, then start with this one and see if you want to continue. This recording is definitely one of the great Rings, and the superb translation will open up the work in ways that following the libretto just won't. I promise that you won't be able to put this one away easily. Get it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Breathtaking!, September 12, 2002

By 

gellio "gellio" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wagner: The Valkyrie (Audio CD)

I had long cringed at the thought of this magnificant masterpiece recorded in English. Even after reading several rave reviews on this cylce that I've read by authoritive Wagnerites and critics, I was still skeptical. Finally, I decided to add Goodall's 'Ring' as my third complete cycle (after Solti & Bohm) for one reason: because it was in English and I felt it would enhance my understand of 'The Ring.' In fact, after achieving that "higher understanding" I was planning on selling this set on Ebay. That was, of course, before I heard this magnificant recording.

During the course of my research on 'The Goodall Ring' most of the praised seemed to heighten around 'Siegfried,' which is my absolute favorite of the cycle. That also helped to seal the deal. As the critics said, 'Siegfried' under Goodall is excellent, but not as monumental as Solti's reading, which IMHO is the greatest recording of 'Siegfried.'

The set that stands out, to me, in 'The Goodall Ring' is this recording; The Valkyrie. It is absolutely breathtaking. Not only is it my favorite of this set, it is my favorite Valkyrie recording period (I am very familiar with Boehm's, Solti's, Karajan's, Furthwanglers, Levines, and others). Alberto Remedios (Siegmund here and Siegfried in the last two operas) is truly magnificant. It is the best Siegmund I have heard on disc (and his Siegfried rivals Windgassen). Coupled with Margaret Curphey (Sieglinde), you get the most beautiful and moving duo I have heard on record. The duet in Act I is simply glorious. You also get the bonus of Norman Bailey's triumphant Wotan (and Wanderer too). He has such command and prescene. He sounds like a God. Throw in Rita Hunter, who holds her own as Brunnhilde, Goodall's miraculous conducting, and excellent playing by the orchestra and it all adds up to a stunning recording.

I can only say that in a way it's a shame this set is in English. Were it not, I believe Goodall's 'Ring' would be one of the most talked about, popular, and sought after complete recordings of the cycle. I can only say that I am so happy that I finally opened up to opera recorded in a different language than written.

I have fallen completely in love with Goodall's entire cycle. And, I have fallen in love with 'The Ring' all over again.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Alternative Valkyrie, December 26, 2000

By 

J. Bevan (Park City, UT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wagner: The Valkyrie (Audio CD)

This album was recorded in 1976; back then I owned this entire Ring on vinyl and saw the Porter translation live on stage in Seattle. The CD transfer is outstanding and it is wonderful to revisit this unique recording.

Unique...not just because it is in English but because of the conducting of Reginald Goodall. Yes the tempos are broad...my are they broad!! The recording is assembled from three nights in London and is thus "live".

Porter's English is easier to take than most of the translations you may find in German/English parallel librettos. In fact, it was rather revolutionary at the time for being true to Wagner and almost conversational.

The recording seems excellent in the brass, winds, and lower strings -- but somehow less than totally focused in the upper string registers. The singers are excellent to adequate. Remedios is no Melchior, but who is? Bailey's Wotan is somewhat reminiscent of Hotter. Hunter's Bruenhilde seems to be highly regarded by some, but she would not be my preference in this role.

As to Goodall -- well you either love him or you hate him. The tempos are broad, as mentioned; sometimes this allows us to hear orchestral detail that leaves one in awe of Wagner all over again. ...and, alas, sometimes it gets too slow, too often.

I wouldn't buy this for the English -- you won't understand most of it without libretto in hand, anyhow. I'd buy it as an alternative (or 2nd set) to Solti, Karajan, Boehm, or even Janowski.