Customer Rating : 
List Price : $93.98 Price : $178.90
List Price : $93.98 Price : $178.90
Amazon.com
Those without access to video disc players can now enjoy this 1989 Ring production, although stage noises and singers husbanding their resources come off less forgivingly in an audio-only context. But the recording is surprisingly crisp and vibrant, save for distortion in loud tuttis. Wolfgang Sawallisch has a sixth sense for pacing, proportion, and keeping singers secure. A bargain worth considering, but no texts are included. --Jed Distler
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper Reviews
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper Reviews
| 20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:  a totally involving "real" performance, By This review is from: Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper (Audio CD) From the very first note through to the end of Goetterdaemerung this performance constantly holds the attention. Yes it is a theatre based "real" performance, yes it is not quite as detailed as some broadcasts of the Bayreuth Ring I heard with Behrens in better voice, No I wouldn't part with it. Sawallisch's interpretation and the orchestral playing are simply perfect. You feel the rightness of the tempos which are neither too fast nor too slow, the whole has an organic feel which would defy Mark Twains famous observation on Wagner about waiting 2 hours for 20 minutes of excitement (I paraphrase). The singing seems right though without text it is particularly difficult to distinguish Mime from Siegfried in act one of Siegfried (surprisingly). There are other moments when perhaps a studio might have been better with a different singer. I for one however, think Hale is simply one of the best Wotans I have heard. Behrens is not in perfect voice but... Read more 19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:  A marvelous Ring, By This review is from: Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper (Audio CD) We should all thank EMI for releasing in audio these sensational performances. This Ring is quite simply the best since Bohm's, with superb singers and a great conductor who really understands what these operas are all about. Hale, Behrens, Wlaschiha are all stupendous, but I have to single out the ravishing, glorious singing of Julia Varady as Sieglinde, for her alone I would buy this cycle (and at a sensational price!). No matter how many Rings you own, you should get this one immediately! 13 of 14 people found the following review helpful: "Blut-Bruderschaft schwore ein Eid!", By Eric S. Kim (Southern California) - See all my reviews This review is from: Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper (Audio CD) This live Ring recording might not be as good as the Karajan, Janowski, and Krauss ring, but it's not at all a hopeless wreck. I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) so Bohm has more control in his live bAyreuth recording. Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra. Speaking of singers, they just don't match with other essential casts. I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his "Leb Wohl, du Kuhnes herrlisches Kind" wasn't enough to astound me... Read more |
› See all 9 customer reviews...
No comments:
Post a Comment