Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen--Great Scenes / Solti

Richard Wagner (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Berit Lindholm (Performer), Birgit Nilsson (Performer), Brigitte Fassbaender (Performer), Claudia Hellmann (Performer), Eberhard Wächter (Performer), George London (Performer), Gerhard Stolze (Performer), Gottlob Frick (Performer), Hans Hotter (Performer), Helen Watts (Performer), Helga Dernesch (Performer), Hetty Plumacher (Performer), Ira Malaniuk (Performer), Kirsten Flagstad (Performer), Marilyn Tyler (Performer), Oda Balsborg (Performer), Set Svanholm (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Berit Lindholm, Birgit Nilsson, Brigitte Fassbaender, Claudia Hellmann, Eberhard Wächter, et al.
• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Audio CD (May 12, 1998)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000006P4T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,077 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best!!, October 8, 2000

By A Customer

When I first bought this recording more than 10 years ago under an earlier release, I did not like opera. I had briefly heard excerpts from Solti's orchestral version of the CD and was amazed at the power of the music. I thought I was buying that orchestral version when I bought this recording. I am glad I made that mistake. Solti was not able to re-create the same energy in his orchestral version, which was recorded many years after this CD. Though at first I did not like the singing, it eventually grew on me, and now this CD is one of my favorites of all genres of music. The first track, "Entry of the gods into Valhalla," mesmerizes and shocks as the growing loudness and excitement in the orchestra culminates in a VERY loud anvil strike. I had never heard anything like this before in classical music. I have listened to many other recordings of that section since and nothing has equaled it in effect. It is hard to imagine that the recordings on this disc were made 40 years ago. Though you can hear some of the source-tape hiss on the recording, it's presence is minimized by the wide dynamic range of the performance. Furthermore, the singing is top-rate. Birgit Nilsson's performance during the "Immolation Scene" is nothing less than stellar. It seems effortless for her to produce the power and range to soar above the massive orchestra underneath. If there is any CD to introduce someone to the power and drama of Wagner and opera, this is it!

7 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A so-so performance of Wagner -- You can do better, May 19, 2001

By	Anthony Louis (USA) - See all my reviews

This CD was a disappointment, maybe because the recording technology is rather dated and the excitement and presence of the music does not come through. Birgit Nilsson is, of course, spectacular.

A better selection can be found in the Panorama edition of "der ring des nibelungen" with von Karajan conducting. Karajan's interpretation is great, and Janowitz is the best Sieglinde ever recorded. Tracks 14 - 16 of the 2 CD Panorama set will take your breath away.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solti/Nilsson Ride, November 21, 2007

By	whitley 190 (tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wagner: The Ring - Great Scenes (MP3 Download)

1965 is the release year of the Lps of the Ride.1997 was the year of the remastering to coincide withe Solti having been with Decca for 50 years.1979 was when "Apocalpyse Now" hit the movie screens using this version.