Richard Wagner: Götterdämmerung

1. Die Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d
   Composed by Richard Wagner
   Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
   with Anita Valkki, Gottlob Frick, Helen Watts, Claire Watson, Lucia Popp, Christa Ludwig, Wolfgang Windgassen, Maureen Guy, Gustav Neidlinger, Birgit Nilsson, Grace Hoffmann, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
   Conducted by Georg Solti
   
   

Wagner: Götterdämmerung,Gottlob Frick,Richard Wagner,Georg Solti,Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,Lucia Popp,Anita Valkki,Birgit Nilsson,Christa Ludwig,Claire Watson,Dame Gwyneth Jones,Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau,Grace Hoffmann,Gustav Neidlinger,Helen Watts,Maureen Guy,Wolfgang Windgassen,Polygram Records,Classical,Classical Music,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating:

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung Manufacturer: Testament UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs La Nilsson: My Life in Opera Bellini - Norma ASIN: B000O59Z0C Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

1. I. Beim Schlafengehen
2. II. September
3. III. Fruhling
4. IV. Im Abendrot
5. Prelude
6. Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt
7. Dawn And Siegfried's Rhine Journey
8. Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort

Average customer rating: Wonderful collection and price! Awesome collection! Helicopters? Marines? A great addition to my music collection Quintessential Wagner

Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Overture & Preludes The Best Of Wagner Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words Wagner without Words 25 Thunderous Classics ASIN: B000009ON7 Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

1. The Valkyries: Ride Of The Valkyries
2. Twilight Of The Gods: Siegfried's Funeral March
3. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III
4. The Flying Dutchman: Overture
5. The Flying Dutchman: Sailors' Chorus
6. The Rheingold: Journey Down To Nibelheim
7. The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg: Overture
8. Tannhauser: Overture
9. Tannhauser: Entry Of The Guests
10. Tannhauser: Tannhauser's Pilgrimage
11. Siegfried: Act III Orchestral Interlude
12. Twilight Of The Gods: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
13. Twilight Of The Gods: Finale
14. The Rheingold: Entry Of The Gods Into Valhalla

Tracks:

1. Lohengrin: Prelude To Act I
2. Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus
3. Parsifal: Prelude to Act I
4. Parsifal: Good Friday Music
5. Parsifal: Transformation Scene
6. Tannhauser: Venusberg Music
7. Tannhauser: Pilgrims Chorus
8. The Mastersingers Of Nuremburg: Prelude To Act III
9. The Rheingold: Vision Of Valhalla (Scene II Introduction)
10. Siegfried Idyll
11. Siegfried: Brunnhildes Awakening
12. Tristan And Isolde: Prelude To Act III
13. Tristan And Isolde: Death Of Isolde

Amazon.com

If you like your Wagner served up in bleeding chunks or if you're simply in a hurry to hear the tunes, then this compilation is for you. The performances, drawn from the Polygram (mainly Deutsche Grammophon) back catalog, are for the most part authoritative. They feature the likes of Herbert von Karajan, with the Berlin Philharmonic, and Karl Böhm, with the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (and chorus), in extracts from recordings of complete operas, and conductors Giuseppe Sinopoli, Otto Gerdes, and Antal Doráti in some of the more familiar overtures and preludes. Singing, without which it is impossible to get the full flavor of Wagner's work, is skirted whenever possible: this is an unapologetic tribute to Wagner the orchestral genius. At times the salesmanship is a little overblown--the glitzy packaging includes a cover shot of the helicopters from Apocalypse Now--and the sound, some of it from very good originals, seems to have been juiced with a little added digital reverb, resulting in an overall glassiness. The gaps between tracks are minimized, disco style, so there's no dead air, and the whole thing has an Entertainment Tonight feel to it. Were he around, Wagner would have screamed bloody murder, then happily taken his cut of the action. For today's on-the-go listener, this may well be the most practical way to enjoy Wagner's music, but we won't be happy until it motivates at least one newcomer to seek out a recording of a complete opera. Anyone who does that will find out what "apocalypse" really means. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful collection and price!.......2007-05-11

I found this to be a nice collection of favorites, especially to keep in the car and listen to. It is a variety of well known compilations. Although not encompassing, it is perfect as a review for driving, relaxing, and enjoyment. Plus, the price is right!

Awesome collection!.......2007-01-10

This is a great collection of some of Wagner's most memorable songs for those of you who do not want to buy the whole opera's for some of his works.

Helicopters? Marines?.......2006-12-05

Do those infotainment marketing mavens ever get it right? Talk about Hollywood disconnect! Not only are the helicopters irrelevant, but to quote from the gushy drivel on the jacket, "The gripping power of Richard Wagner's music was demonstrated with spectacular effect in...Apocalpse Now, when the "Ride of the Valkyries' became synonymous with the chilling journey of Marine 'Huey' helicopters into battle..."

Marine? Marine? Them Hueys in the movie was ARMY Air Cav, slick! "First of the ninth--air mobile." If you're going to dally down that primrose path, at least get it right.

Better yet, drop the choppers. Most people who listen to Wagner probably realize that quality of an artistic work has a mystically inverse relationship to the number of helicopters contained in it.

As for the music, it is good, but the operatic equivalent of sound bites, which may be just right for people who are new to Wagner or just can't take very much of him. Hmm...perfect for a helicopter ride, perhaps?

A great addition to my music collection.......2006-07-20

This CD takes the place of all my other Wagner music. VERY well done. Somehow I didn't realize that there were two cds in the package--what a pleasant surprise! Of the two cds, I like the first one best, but they are both good. I listen to this cd daily on my way to work. Stirring! I am so glad that I purchased this. Some purists might have a problem with the fact that some of the selections are not there in their entirety. I have no problem with that though. I recommend this to anyone who loves Wagner.

Quintessential Wagner.......2006-05-15

Okay, so I like Wagner. I LOVE "Ride Of The Valkyries". Do I want to go out and buy every single stinkin thing Wagner did? No. If you are a die-hard Wagner fan you probably will not think much of this collection.

But if you like Wagner and appreciate "Ride Of The Valkyries", and maybe require it in just a little more substance than what is included in "Apocolypse Now Redux", then this is what you want. The extra tracks are bonuses and are quite good. Meets my needs, presentation great, performance excellent. I recommend it for anyone that needs a Wagner fix.

Average customer rating: A "GOTTERDAMMERUNG" and a "RING" for the AGES! Full Circle Which Gotterdammerung to buy, Keilberth or Solti? FINE ENDING TO A GOOD RING The Climax of the Definitive Ring

Wagner: Götterdämmerung Manufacturer: Testament UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Das Rheingold Wagner: Die Walküre Wagner: Siegfried Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer Wagner - Gotterdammerung ASIN: B000J20D6K Release Date: 2007-02-13

Tracks:

1. Prelude (orchestra) PROLOGUE
2. Welch' Licht leuchtet dort?
3. Dammert der Tag? (Drei Nornen)
4. Dawn/Tagesgrauen/Lever du jour (Orchestra)
5. Zu neuen Taten, teurer Helde (Brunnhilde)
6. Mehr gabst du, Wunderfrau (Siegfried/Brunnhilde)
7. O heilige Gotter (Brunnhilde/Siegfried)
8. Siegfried's Rhine Journey (Orchestra)
9. Nun hor, Hagen (Gunther/Hagen) ACT ONE, scene one
10. En Weib weiss ich (Hagen/Gunther/Gutrune)
11. Vom Rhein her tont das Horn (Gunther/Hagen/Siegfried) scene two Heil! Siegfried, teurer Heldi!
12. Wer ist Gibichs Sohn? (Siegfried/Gunther/Hagen)
13. Bergrusse froh, o Held (Gunther/Siegfried/Hagen/Gutrune)
14. Vergass' ich alles (Siegfried)

Tracks:

1. Gunther, wie heisst deine Schwester?
2. Bluhenden Lebens labendes Blut (Siegfried/Gunther)
3. Was nahmst du am Eide nicht teil? (Siegfried/Hagen/Gunther/Gutrune)
4. Hier sitz' ich zur Wacht (Hagen) scene three
5. Altgewohntes Gerausch (Brunnhilde/Waltraute)
6. Hore mit Sinn, was ich dir sage !(Waltraute)
7. Welch banger Traume Maren (Brunnhilde/Waltraute)
8. Blitzend Gewolk (Brunnhilde)
9. Brunnhild'1 Ein Freier kam (Siegfried/Brunnhilde)
10. Jetzt bist du mein (Siegfried/Brunnhilde)

Tracks:

1. Prelude (orchestra) ACT TWO, scene one
2. Schlafst du, Hagen, mein Sohn? (Alberich/Hagen) scene two
3. Hoiho, Hagen ! (Siegfried/hagen/Gutrune) scene three
4. Hoiho! Hoihohoho!
5. Rustet euch wohl (Hagen/choir)
6. Gross Gluck und Heil (Choir/Hagen) scene four
7. Heil dir, Gunther! (Choir)
8. Brunnhild', die hehrste Frau (Gunther/Choir)
9. Gegrusst sei, teurer Held (Gunther/Choir/Siegfried/Brunnhilde/Hagen)
10. Einen Ring sah ich an deiner Hand (Brunnhilde/Siegfried/Gunther/Hagen)
11. Betrug! Betrug! (Brunnhilde/Gutrune/Choir/Gunther/Siegfried)
12. Helle Wehr! Heilige Waffe!(Siegfried/Brunnhilde/Choir)
13. Glaub', mehr zurnt es mich als dich (Siegfried) scene five
14. Welches Unholds List (Brunnhilde)
15. Vertraue mir, betrogne Frau! (Hagen/Brunnhilde)
16. Auf, Gunther, edler Gibichung! (Hagen/Gunther/Brunnhilde)
17. So soll es sein! (Gunther/Brunnhilde/Hagen)

Tracks:

1. Prelude (Orchestra) ACT THREE, scene one
2. Frau Sonne sendet lichte Strahlen (Woglinde/Wellgunde/Flosshilde)
3. Eine Albe fuhrte mich irr (Siegfried)
4. Siegfried !
5. Ein goldner Ring ragt dir am Finger!
6. Behalt ihn, Held
7. Weialala leia (Flosshilde/Wellgunde/Wogline/Siegfried) scene two
8. Hoiho! (Hagen/Choir/Siegfried)
9. Trink, Gunther, trink! (Siegfried/Gunther/hagen)
10. Mime hiess ein murrischer Zwerg (Siegfried/Hagen/Choir)
11. In Leid zu dem Wipfel (Siegfried/Hagen)
12. Was hor' ich? (Gunther/Hagen/Choir)
13. Brunnhilde, heilige Braut! (Siegfried)
14. Funeral March (Orchestra) scene three
15. War das sein Horn? (Gutrune)
16. Hoiho! Hoiho!
17. Siegfried - Siegfried ershlagen!(Gutrune/Gunther/Hagen)
18. Schweight eures Jammers jauchzenden Schwall (Brunnhilde/Gutrune)
19. Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
20. Wie Sonne lauter strahlt mir sein Licht
21. O ihr, der Eide ewige Huter!
22. Mein Erbe nun nehm/ ich zu eigen
23. Fliegt heim, ihr Raben!
24. Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegrusst! (Brunnhilde)

Amazon.com

Testament's 1955 Bayreuth Festival Götterdämmerung completes their release of that extraordinary Ring cycle. As in the previous operas of the tetralogy, this Götterdämmerung scores on several counts. As part of the first Ring cycle to be recorded in true stereo it has important historical interest. As an example of Joseph Keilberth's revelatory conducting, it reminds us that he was a great Wagnerian. His control of the dramatic narrative is superb, with tempos that were considered fast for his time but now are convincingly apt. And as an example of great Wagner singing, it's nothing less than spectacular. Astrid Varnay is a magnificent Brünnhilde, singing with passion, her big dramatic soprano soaring over the orchestra in the Immolation Scene. Windgassen was the Siegfried of choice in the 1950s, and he fits the bill with his virile tenor and characterization. In Joseph Greindl, Keilberth had a black-voiced Hagen who conveyed real menace.

The rest of the large cast is as close to flawless as we have a right to expect, with perhaps the best Gunther (Hermann Uhde) and Alberich (Gustav Neidlinger) on disc, and in Maria von Ilosvay, a Waltraute who is gripping in her long scene with Brünnhilde. The singers are as strong in the last act as they are in the first, remarkable for this long opera. The orchestra is uniformly excellent and the sonics, if not up to today's state-of-the-art engineering, are natural, accurately depicting the voices and projecting a good sense of space and stage spread. This is a unique Götterdämmerung (and Ring cycle), with an unbeatable combination of great performance and decent stereo sound. --Dan Davis

Album Description

The is the fourth and final release of the first stereo recording of Wagner's Ring Cycle, Gotterdammerung recorded during the 1955 Bayreuth Festival and featuring Astrid Varnay, with Joseph Keilberth, conductor.

Customer Reviews:

A "GOTTERDAMMERUNG" and a "RING" for the AGES!.......2007-06-19

This recording of Wagner's "Die Gotterdammerung" recorded live at Bayreuth in 1955 is a TRUE masterpiece, a testament to the heights that can be reached when "everyone works together" for the sake of the "art" itself, not self-aggrandisement (which we have today, generally). Every aspect of this recording pales every other! It immediately, and solidly, goes to the top of the list of "Die Gotterdammerung" choices on disc. As do the remaining three operas, also recorded at the same time, by the same cast, that make up the "Ring".

Going back over the decades of my life, I remember when you only had one choice for a "Ring"...Solti/Decca, and that was it.

Then, there came the von Karajan, and then the Bohm/Bayreuth. Then, there seemed to be a mini-explosion of "Rings" over the following years, so many that it became/becomes staggering to think about!

Two statements:
1) If you are NEW to Wagner's "Ring" do not become confused with all the choices out there. There are really only two live recordings you need consider...the Krauss/Bayreuth, and this one, Keilberth/Bayreuth, and one studio recording to think about, the Solti/Decca set. You may think this excessive, but you NEED all three of these recordings. Period.
2) If you are FAMILIAR with Wagner's "Ring", then, assumably, you want the Best recording of it. I will assume you already have the Solti set, as most people do. The Krauss set you may or may not have. It is a stunner. And, now, the Keilberth....the most awesome recording, in many ways, you will ever experience.

Think: 1955, live, Bayreuth, the Best Wagnerians of their age, assembled together at the behest of Wagner's grandsons, in Wagner's theater, and the best part....recorded in STEREO! By Decca, of all people, before the Solti studio Ring was ever thought about! Why Decca sat on these magnificent recordings just blows my mind.

Luckily for us, Testament acquired the rights to release these timeless recordings, and we now, after 52 years, can marvel at and enjoy these magnificent performances of four of the greatest musical masterpieces ever written, combining to make up the most monumental work ever written for the stage! Enjoy this (set) of Masterpiece Recordings! ~operabruin

Full Circle.......2007-05-09

The 1955 Bayreuth Ring comes full circle with this excellent GOTTERDAMMERUNG. The cycle is a superb example of music drama at its finest, with golden-age performances caught live, in sound equal to the best of its day. We hear a truly stellar cast, in their prime, with several seasons of RING performances behind them. The conductor, Joseph Keilberth, had been conducting at Bayreuth since the 1952 RING. He knew the house well, and all the singers.

I would not want to be without the Clemens Krauss RING of 1953, another great cycle from Bayreuth, but the quality of sound, good as it is, cannot match the 1955 cycle, concluded with this recording. The only real problem the Decca team encountered was with the 'infernal' smoke and fire machine that runs through the Nibelheim scene of DAS RHEINGOLD.

There is no such technical problem with GOTTERDAMMERUNG. This, and its companion dramas of the Cycle, surely must be the benchmark in terms of cast, sound quality, conducting, and orchestral execution. It may be outpointed in certain areas, but overall this GOTTERDAMMERUNG completes a RING that ought to be the first choice, if cost is not an issue.

It is expensive. The cost for the vinyl version is staggering, though I suppose purists will insist on having that incarnation. I am very happy with the CDs, which I purchased one set at a time as they emerged. It took a while, but the wait has been worth it.

Which Gotterdammerung to buy, Keilberth or Solti?.......2007-04-21

I was prepared not to find this Gotterdammerung superior to, or even equal to, the receding Siegfried, but one listening tells me that all is well. Whereas there are few impressive sets of Siegfried on disc, Solti's Gotterdammerung is one of the recordings of the century (I believe I read one poll where it was voted THE recording of the century). Yet for overall dramatic effect, Keliberth also leads an inspiring performance. Since Testament is asking a dear price for this historic set, it might be worthwhile to compare the two rivals.

Solti: The overwhelming element here has always been the Vienna Phil, recorded in sumptuous grandeur by Decca. For sweep and epic proportion, no one has ever come close to matching them. The next freat thrill comes from Nilsson, a Brunnhilde of incomparable power and gleaming penetration. Solti gives us his best effort in Wanger, and among the supporting roles Christa Ludwig (Waltraute), Gunter (Fischer-Dieskau), Alberich (Neidlinger) and Hagen (Frick) cannot be faulted. Windgassen's voice had become worn and leathery over the years, and his Siegfried, although highly experiened and musical, isn't a pleasure to listen to for beauty of voice or youthfulness. (It sounds considerably more taxed in the live Bayreuth set under Bohm on Philips.)

It must be remembered that the stereo era hadn't seen a complete Gotterdammerung before this pioneering effort, which stunned the classical music world in the early Sixties. After four decades, it remains undiminished and sells for reduced price is various reissues. ONe should seek out the latest remastering since the original ADRM version from the early Eighties sounds thin and shrill compared to the original LPs.

Keilberth: Decca also recorded this 1955 live Gotterdammerung, which would be the standard to this day if they hadn't rejected it and moved on to record Solti seven years later. The decision made sense at the time. Although the sonics are fine for a live performance, we hear considerable audience noise and the occasional fluff in the orchestra, which in any event isn't the equal of the Vienna Phil. by a long stretch. Keilberth does one of his best jobs coducting, but he is proficient rather than inspired. I like the opening of the opera, which he keeps from dawdling, but at times Keilberth is too anxious to move forward, and the great set pieces of the Rhine Journey, Funeral March, and Immolation Scene lack the grandeur of studio recordings.

In the cast the standout is Astrid Varnay as Brunnhilde, who sings with passion and commitment, and whose voice is heroic and gleaming enough to encompass the role (she doesn't get tired by the end but is even ore resplendent in the Immolation Scene). Windgassen is nearly as good--he and Varnay were frequently paird and had made DG duet recordings of Wagner). HIs voice is fresh, and he shows stamina during the Act 1 love duet. In the end he was an almost-Heldentenor, but we haven't seen his like as Siegfried since, so I can't complain. The supporting cast is nearly as strong as for Solti, with Neidlinger repeating his signature Alberich. Decca's microhones capture the voices onstage quite realistically and with minimal fade-out due to stage movements.

Overall, Keilberth's interpreatation goes for momentum and propulsion, which is fine in such a long evening, while Solti gives us richness, epic sweep, and the incomparable beauty of the VPO. I am not aobut to make recommendations between the two sets. Many of us who love Gotterdammerung have owned the Solti forever, so it's wonderful to get a second bite of the apple. We'll own both and be greateful.

FINE ENDING TO A GOOD RING.......2007-02-23

I have been more critical than most of the other parts of this Ring Cycle, frequently lauded by others not just as the first stereo Ring, but as the Ring to have over all the rest. To be fair, all 4 parts offer performances that would have been thrilling to have experienced in the theatre, certainly compared to anything you're likely to hear anywhere in the world these days. Standards in Bayreuth in the years following the reopening of the Festival in 1951 and throughout the 50's were impressively and consistently high. But there's the rub. From this one opera house and in that one decade alone there is a range of alternative performances of the Ring, often with a very similar cast, many of which can lay claim to match or even surpass this one, depending on your taste in performance style for this monumental work. Certainly Clemens Krauss from the year before Keilberth is for many people including myself the most satisfying performance of any. Knappertsbusch a couple of years later is patchy but, when he finds his focus, overwhelming - his is a Ring on the grandest scale. These were all in Wieland Wagner's groundbreaking, almost minimalist production from the reopening year of the Festival. Kempe in 1960 (in Wolfgang's first deconstructed dish production) is at the opposite end of the scale; more intimate, more subtle, very much alive to the ebb and flow of the entire cycle. Bohm a few years after that in Wieland's second, much more claustrophobic and primitive production is again a first choice Ring for many connoisseurs, intensely theatrical and with a cast similar to that of Solti's spectacular studio performances, here excelling themselves in live performances. Beyond that, you have Boulez, blowing some fresh air into the textures, cleaning the patina of age off the picture, but less than profound in the great moments, and Barenboim, following in the footsteps of his idol, Furtwangler, in his flexible approach to tempi, but not quite matching his broad architectural control. Neither has a cast to approach those of the 50's.

Having said all that, I must admit that this Gotterdammerung is the finest part of Keilberth's cycle. The urgency of his conducting carries the narrative along on a wave of inevitability to its tragic (if, indeed, it can be called tragic) and glorious end. This works to best effect in the taut, urgent and intense arch of Act 2. In the grandest moments of Act 3, however, you may feel something more is needed. For a Funeral March and an Immolation that carry the full grandeur and weight of the destruction of a whole civilisation (which is what they ultimately are), perhaps you need to turn to Kna, to Goodall or to Furtwangler.

The singers throughout the lifespan of this first Wieland Wagner production were remarkably consistent and uniformly of a far higher standard than we are forced to accept these days. Varnay never sang with less than 100% commitment, here more than ever. Hers is a white-hot performance: the voice has more warmth and darkness (if that's not oxymoronic) than a Nilsson, less mumsiness than a Flagstad and she uses it with bold abandon in the Dawn Duet and the Oathtaking of Act 2. Windgassen is truly a youthful hero (compared to his outings for Solti and Bohm) and brings real poetry to the Narration and Death. I'm inclined to think Neidlinger the definitive Alberich and here, as throughout the cycle, he gives his definitive performance. Uhde, too, is near enough the definitive Gunther, but his performance for Knappertsbusch in '51 perhaps shades this one for penetrating depth of characterisation. I've always found Greindl's voice a bit unattractive compared to the rich blackness of a Frick or an Andresen, but it certainly has the size to dominate a Wagnerian orchestra in full cry in his summoning of the vassals. Rhinemaidens, Norns and a superb Pitz-trained chorus are all worthy of their colleagues.

This is undoubtedly a very fine performance, one that does not deserve to have lain gathering dust on the shelves for so long. The finest Ring on disc, though? For my money that accolade would go to Krauss or, in Gotterdammerung alone, Knappertsbusch in 1951 - a concentrated, intense and profoundly moving performance on the grandest scale. The sound on these new `First Ever Stereo' recordings is good, too, giving an excellent impression of the unique Bayreuth acoustic, but Culshaw and Solti in Vienna are undeniably in a different class. To sum up, this is a Gotterdammerung well worth hearing, owning even, alongside other Bayreuth versions. But to say it sweeps all before it is perhaps overstating the case.

The Climax of the Definitive Ring.......2007-02-16

After having bought Rheingold, Walkure and Siegfried, I had high hopes for this last Ring opera. If anything, they were surpassed. Conductor Keilberth reveals a mastery of this richest and most complex of Ring scores in a way that boggles the mind. Every bit of pacing and phrasing is simply perfect, and it fits together so well that singling out examples won't do it justice. This is a true symphonic entity. anyone who thinks that Gotterdammerung is an overlong opera should listen to the concentration and intensity of Keilberth's interpretation. As for the cast, they really outdo themselves. Windgassen's Siegfried is if anything more secure and heroic than in Siegfried, and his Narration and Death are heartbreaking. Uhde's Gunther is perfect in its blend of heroism and cowardice. Brouwenstyn's Gutrune is perfect as an innocent seductress, von Illosvay's Waltraute is very urgent and really convincing, and Greindl's Hagen is perhaps the most polished and malevolent on recording. Neidlinger remains the classic Alberich, better than on another other cycle, because his portryal is multidimensional, embittered and downtrodden as well as spiteful. As for Varnay's Brunnhilde, well, she is the best, period! Vocally, she combines Flagstad's warmth with Nilsson's high notes, and goes through the metamorphoses of ardent lover to vengeful harpie to transfigured and resigned figure of wisdom more convincingly than any other. The sheer strength that she musters in the Immolation has to be heard to be believed. There is no question about it: GET THIS RING CYCLE AND LISTEN! BAYREUTH RULES FOREVER!
I would like to clarify something here. I fully appreciate other ring recordings in existence. I would never want to be without the Kempe or Krauss Bayreuth Rings, or the great 1951 Knappertsbusch Gotterdammerung. Each has something to contribute to our knowledge and appreciation of this, one of the greatest works of western art. But again, I must say that if I prefer this Keilberth Ring above others, it is merely because this is one Ring in which everything has gone right and fits so perfectly together. Plus, Keilberth seems to unite all the best qualities of the aforementioned conductors and makes this such a compelling experience for this listener. As for the recorded sound, I do not agree that it is behind in quality to the Solti/Decca. Wagner intended for there to be a BALANCE between singer and orchestra, not a predominance of orchestra over singer, something that happens in the Solti at times. This is not to belittle that achievement, but rather, that to my mind and ears, this is more what the composer wanted us to hear. The contrapuntal yextures are simply clearet in this recording; the Rhine Journey could almost be a Bach Brandenburg Concerto! REAL power comes from clarity, subtlety, light and shade, and tension, rather than from sheer muscle and brute force. I feel that Keilberth, like Krauss, Kempe and (at times) Knappertsbusch, offers us these qualities in greater portions than does Solti (again, not to in any way belittle his great concept). It is fortunate that, as I had said in the Rheingold review, there is a richness of great Ring recordings to offer us thought.

Average customer rating: A well-kept secret Essential Wagner Excellent Wagner from a surprising source ... or maybe not! Go For Boult Memorable and dramatic- A must have for Wagner fans

Wagner: Overtures & Preludes Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser The Best Of Wagner Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition ASIN: B000002S08 Release Date: 1992-09-29

Tracks:

1. Tannher: Overture
2. Tannher: Grand March
3. Der Fliegende Holler: Overture
4. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 1
5. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 3
6. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Overture
7. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude to Act 3
8. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 1

Tracks:

1. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 3
2. Parsifal: Prelude to Act 1
3. Parsifal: Act 1 Transformation scene
4. Parsifal: Prelude to Act 3
5. Parsifal: Good Friday Music
6. Das Rheingold: Entrance of the Gods
7. Die Walkure: Ride of the Walkyries
8. Siegfried: Forest murmurs
9. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
10. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Funeral March

Customer Reviews:

A well-kept secret.......2007-05-18

Everyone wants to have a crack at the "bleeding chunks" eventually, and while I love the flashier Stoky and Furtwangler approach, I wouldn't want to be without the Boult. He's a great Wagnerian, strange as it may seem. Who could blame him for not wanting to go down in history merely as the finest Holstian? As long as this stays in print, Ormandy will still be considered the least sexy conductor. (I heard CBS researchers found an Ormandy fan once!)

Essential Wagner.......2006-06-17

As a child, this set was my first experience of Wagner's music, and it made quite an impression on me. However, as I grew older and began to collect the full operas I felt I could surely do better than Adrian Boult and the British for a collection of the preludes, overtures, and orchestral music from the operas. I was wrong. I have yet to here any recordings that can match the power and intensity as demonstrated in these discs from Boult and the LSO (and LPO). The Meistersinger prelude alone is worth the price, and the only version of the prelude to Tristan which outdoes the one here is Bohm's live 1966 Tristan. The Solti, Karajan, and Klemperer highlight discs have their moments (and truthfully, I do prefer Solti and Karajan for the "Ring" highlights), but their contributions are greatest in the full operas, and overall, they simply can't muster the power and intensity that Boult brings to these preludes, overtures, etc.

Even if you have other compilations of Wagner's music in "bleeding chunks", I can assure you they don't come close to this one; and with two discs (the second containing mostly music from Parsifal and the "Ring") at 14 bucks, there is absolutely no excuse not to have this essential recording. So go ahead and buy this disc, never buy another Wagner compilation again, and with the money you save get started on the more important task at hand: the full operas.

Excellent Wagner from a surprising source ... or maybe not!.......2004-09-27

Does Sir Adrian Boult conjure up of images of Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughn Williams, but not Wagner? You're not alone! Nevertheless, this is a double CD set not to be missed! Many years ago, I was listening to a classical radio music station in NYC that was playing the music of Wagner. The performance was so good, that I wouldn't leave the radio until I found out the name of the conductor. When the announcer said the conductor was Sir Adrian Boult, I was quite surprised. I had recordings of English music from Sir Adrian on Angel/EMI, but I never associated that conductor with Wagner. Having been blessed with a friend who had knowledge of classical music way beyond his years, I gave him a call to find out more about the recording. He told me that, Boult had solid expertise in the area of Germanic music, but, in England, had been overshadowed in that repertoire by Otto Klemperer. He told me not to be surprised about Boult's very fine Wagner, it was an excellent recording to purchase and, indeed, search out Sir Adrian's wonderful performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (now available on Vanguard). Fast-forward many years and I find myself browsing through Amazon for a recording of Wagner's Overtures and Preludes. Like everyone else I know, I foolishly jettisoned my LPs in the 1990s and have been "back-filling" ever since. Well, I was able to obtain this splendid set for less than $7 per CD! There are a total of 18 selections covering most of Wagner's operas including five excerpts from the Ring Cycle. The performances are excellent coming from no less than three British orchestras, and the sound is top-shelf EMI. Sir Adrian's pacing is measured and his vision is broad and sensitive, highlighting the beauty and grandeur --rather than just the fire-- of this glorious music. I heartily recommend this two-CD set, and at this price, I think it's a steal.

Go For Boult.......2003-07-08

Sir Adrian Boult is best known for his recordings of the British repertoire, and his performances, particularly of Holst's "The Planets" and Elgar's Symphonies and Orchestral Works, are legendary. But Boult was also an excellent conductor of Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner, and this 2-CD set collects the Overtures and Preludes of the latter German titan. These stereo recordings from the early to mid-1970s with the New Philharmonia Orchestra, and London Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras are truly first rate. EMI's set compares nicely in terms of price, quality and musical offerings with competing sets by DG (Bohm, Kubelik, et al) and Sony (Ormandy & Szell). You might have reservations about getting German music conducted by a Brit, but you really can't go wrong with Boult.

Memorable and dramatic- A must have for Wagner fans.......2000-03-20

I bought this cd for the following reasons: 1 I'm a Wagner fan, 2 the cover looks exquisite and 3 I wanted to hear a "prelude" since it sounds fancy and never heard one. The result is great cd. The Tannhauser overture, Tristan and Isolde prelude and Lohengrin Prelude to act 3 are all very excellent. Excerpts from the Ring of the Nibelunge aren't as good as I had anticipated but are still enjoyable. The music speaks the tales of Wagner's operas. Just hear it, as slow and irksome as they maybe, these preludes make you feel the tragic love of Tristan and Isolde, the epic odyssey of Lohengrin and the holy, heavenly spirit in Parsifal as he discovers the Holy Grail. Buy this CD and you won't regret it. Except that one bit from Gotterdammerung, Siegfried's Funeral March. It does'nt quite have the feel of grand disaster as it did in John Boorman's film Excalibur. If you're hoping to find that version(which is better) stick with the Classics Go To The Movies Vol 2 cd. But all the other pieces on this CD are excellent. Go and buy this CD- now !

Average customer rating: A disappointment "The Ring without Words" is really "The Ring without Pauses . . . " The best synthesis of orchestral music from the Ring Could have been a fun ride, but... Decent, though not ideal; fulfills the original intent

Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Wagner without Words Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection Wagner: Overture & Preludes Verdi without Words: Grand Opera for Orchestra The Best Of Wagner ASIN: B000003CUJ Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Thus, We Begin In The 'Greenish Twilight' Of The Rhine
2. Float Up To The Home Of The Gods (Entrance Of The Gods Into Valhalla)
3. Fall Amongst Hammering Dwarfs 'Smithying' Away
4. Ride Donner's Thunderbolt, Crawl With The Thirst-Crazed Siegmund To The Haven...
5. In The Sound Code, We 'See' His Loving Gaze
6. Their Flight
7. Wotan's Rage
8. The Cavalcade Of Brde's Sisters, (Ride Of The Valkyries)
9. Wotan's Farewell To His Favorite Daughter, (Wotan's Farewell And Magic Fire Music)
10. Mime's Fright
11. Siegfried's Forging Of The Magic Sword
12. His Wanderings Through The Forest, (Forest Murmurs)
13. His Slaying Of The Dragon
14. The Dragon's Lament
15. Day Breaking 'Round Sigfried's And Brde's Passion
16. Siegfried's Rhine Journey, (Dawn And Sigfried's Rhine Journey)
17. Hagen's Call To His Clan
18. Siegfried And The Rhinemaidens
19. His Death And The Funeral Music, (Siegfried's Death And Funeral Music)
20. Immolation. (Immolation Scene)

Customer Reviews:

A disappointment.......2007-04-20

Being a Wagnerite is sometimes a little difficult. Wagner's music is demanding on practically all levels, and especially demanding to the casual listener. The music can sometimes be too sugary, way overblown, or deceptively muted. This can definitely present problems, and that is why there are those who can detest Wagner's works to the degree that others love it. There is little middle room: Love or hate, Wagner's music is unique...and difficult.

This CD brings out another difficulty: The attempt to tone down Wagner and make his work more generally acceptable. On the good side, this CD is a rather good compilation of some of the Ring's most important melodies. Its symphonic structure allows good flow between the rather disjoint work, and the idea works to a significant degree.

But Maazel's approach is to create a uniformity of interpretation on a work that took more than 20 years to complete. This uniformity saps the Ring of much of its musical strength. The standard pieces are played almost the same as the other selections; little differentiation is evident and as a result only minor aspects of the drama in this incredible music drama are revealed.

While it is possible to play Wagner's music poorly, I always thought it was equally possible to at least grasp its passion. Unfortunately, Maazel's approach proves me to be wrong.

Yes, being a Wagnerite can be very difficult.

"The Ring without Words" is really "The Ring without Pauses . . . ".......2006-07-25

Even Wagner had the good sense to construct his monumental "Ring" Cycle as four distinct operas! So when Loren Maazel got the idea to record a "Ring without Words," what was so important about making it one long movement? No one knew better than Wagner the emotional impact of a well-placed fermata or a crash-bang finale, but this spark of genius seems to have eluded Maazel in his obsession to keep the musical Rhine flowing from beginning to end non-stop for 67 minutes. What seems at first to be a really novel idea starts to break down early on when we begin to anticipate the throbbing final pages of "Das Rheingold," only to discover that for the sake of seamlessness, the whole dramatic passage is skipped over by an awkward leap from Donner's thunder into the depths of "Die Walkure!" Other cuts can be forgiven considering time limitations, although there is still room for ten more minutes of music on the CD. Edo de Vaart gives us something more on his "Ring" recording, since he has no fear of finales. Otherwise, Maazel's handing of the score is quite exciting, and the Vienna Philharmonic is totally responsive to his every gesture. Here's a good idea for some future recording, one I'd certainly buy and which would appeal to thousands of other "Wagnerites" like myself: why not a four-movement "Ring Without Words" across two CDs, with every possible voiceless note from the pen of the Master, one opera after the other?

The best synthesis of orchestral music from the Ring.......2006-07-12

If you're looking for a single CD of orchestral music from Wagner's Ring, I'd like to recommend this one. Here's why.

Wagner's tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen contains some of the most magnificent, most stirring, most imaginative music ever written (along with some that's pedestrian and dull; there are glorious moments, splendid peaks, and there are arid stretches, longeurs that make one wish that Wagner the supreme egotist had submitted his work to the judgment of a good editor). The four operas comprising it are Das Rheingold (1869), Die Walkure (1870), Siegfried (1876), and Gotterdammerung (1876). Taken together they form the towering masterwork and crowning achievement of Wagner's maturity. They are also immensely long: about 17 hours.

The problem has always been to extract the best parts of the Ring for satisfactory concert presentation. The Ring does not make this easy: it contains no conventional overtures or preludes, no conveniently extractable bits. Thus various hands ever since Wagner's day have carved out "bleeding chunks," with mixed results, and the practice has always been controversial.

This CD presents a different approach. In order to make this recording---to quote the Wagner expert in Third Ear: Classical Music: The Listener's Companion (ed. Alexander J. Morin, 2002; an excellent book, by the way)---"Maazel decided to create his own vast symphonic suite from the Ring, and he has toured with it around the world. . . . If you want to hear the best parts of the Ring without sitting down to 17 hours or so, this is your best bet." I agree. Maazel's 70-minute symphonic synthesis of the best music from the Ring has a consistency, an integration and seamless flow, an organic rightness lacking in other Ring orchestral-highlights programs, with their "bleeding chunks" approach. Also, Maazel's suite gives a better idea of the scope and variety of the Ring, of its full range of colors and sonorities, than the standard orchestral excerpts.

Let Maazel describe his priorities in putting his suite together: "I was intrigued by the challenge: could a symphonic synthesis of the Ring reveal the essentials? I bolted the following list of criteria to my drawingboard: One: the synthesis must be free-flowing and chronological, beginning with the first note of Rheingold and finishing with the last chord of Gotterdammerung. Two: the transitions must be harmonically and periodically justifiable, the pacing contrasts commensurate with the length of the work. Three: most all of the music originally written for orchestra without voice must be used, adding those sections with a vocal line essential to a synthesis . . . . Four: every note must be Wagner's own. . . . Though no conscious attempt was made to include all the Ring's motifs, most of them do surface in one form or another."

The result as represented on this CD is eminently satisfactory. Maazel is a seasoned Wagner conductor, and has conducted the complete Ring at Bayreuth and elsewhere. The Berlin Philharmonic is one of the world's great orchestras. Both it and Maazel are in top form here: the performance is idiomatic and assured, sweeping and eloquent, played to the hilt, bristling with authority and conviction. I hope I'm not being fanciful in finding that listening to the whole suite straight through yields a kind of catharsis. The sound is robust, full-bodied, with wide dynamic range, with solid weight and impact. Telarc's engineers have done a commendable job of coping with the problematic acoustics of Berlin's Philharmonie; this is probably just about the best sound that can be extracted from that vexed venue.

The recording was made in Dec. 1987. Total playing time is 69:40 (broken out as follows: Das Rheingold 14:47, Die Walkure 12:42, Siegfried 6:15, and Gotterdammerung 36:33; if this seems to give short shrift to Siegfried, it has always been musically the weakest of the four operas).

In short, it's hard to imagine a better orchestral introduction to the glories of the Ring. The virtues of this CD move it to the top of its class: highly recommended.

Could have been a fun ride, but..........2005-10-01

Decades ago, Leopold Stokowski popularized opera for the general public through "symphonic syntheses." These included Wagner's Ring, Triastan, and Boris Godunov, to mention those I've heard and enjoyed. I was prepared to enjoy Maazel's modern update and expected a fun ride through the gorgeous sonorities of Wagner's score.

Not much enjoyment resulted, however. Maazel is superficial, often ponderous, and much too roughshod with this pastische. It can't all be crash and bang. So I threw the CD away and hope a few others won't make the mistake I did.

Decent, though not ideal; fulfills the original intent.......2005-04-27

In having read the other reviews of this CD, I think many individuals failed to take note of the original intent behind this CD coming about in the first place. Lorin Maazel was commissioned by the recording company (Telarc) to come up with an arrangement of the prime orchestral excerpts of the "Ring," and his 4-step approach listed in the booklet, makes it abundantly clear that NOT ALL of the music commonly heard on other recordings of the orchestral music from the "Ring," would be heard in this arrangement. Also, it is to be inferred that Maazel knows, and obviously doesn't expect his arrangement to take the place of ANY complete recording of the "Ring."

I heard Maazel conduct his arrangement live with the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, DC last year. Before that concert, I had never listened to this recording, but I knew about it. So I had the advantage of going into the concert with a fresh mind.

I came out of the concert with the feeling that others before me expressed -- that some of the transitions between familiar excerpts were smooth, some so-so, and others rather clunky. I think Maazel would be the first to admit that he was more successful in some areas of his arrangement, and not as successful in others. So be it. Wagner is tough for anyone and everyone delving into the complete operas, whatever their command of German and musical/orchestral principles.

So, my rating and review of this recording is confined to Maazel's task at hand. I give his effort four stars. Most of this "grade" is confined to the arrangement itself. I give the orchestral playing five stars.

Average customer rating: An excellent classical CD A hidden diamond Wagner's Grandeur Ormandy is underrated! Excellent Recordings

The Best Of Wagner Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection Wagner: Overtures & Preludes Wagner: Overture & Preludes Wagner without Words Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser ASIN: B000003F4J Release Date: 1991-06-06

Tracks:

1. Die Meistersinger: Prelude
2. Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries
3. Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus
4. Siegfried: Forest Murmurs
5. Gotterdammerung: Dawn & Siegfried's Rhine Journey
6. Die Walkure: Magic Fire Music
7. Tristan und Isolde: Liebestod

Customer Reviews:

An excellent classical CD.......2007-01-28

Richard Wagner rightly deserves his high reputation as a classical musician. Like many people, I don't care for Wagner's racial or religious views, but don't let that stop you from enjoying his music. The CD starts off with my favorites the Prelude from Die Meistersinger & Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure, followed by a fascinating rendition of the Bridal Chorus (a.k.a. "Here Comes the Bride") from Lohengrin. I won't recite the rest of the list, but there are 4 other compositions, all somewhat varied in style, but very good. Whether you are classical music buff or simply want an introduction to classical music this CD is a good place to start.

A hidden diamond.......2001-10-03

This unassuming budget classic reissue is among the finest of its genre: The Wagner orchestral highlight album, and features the contents of 1973 LP recital the farthest thing from run-of-the-mill, spaciously recorded with the palpable feeling of the presence of the musicians, not merely an amorphously gorgeous orchestral sonority. The music unfolds without self-indulgent pointing, in a free-wheeling manner that is simply right.

The original Ormandy program is supplemented with a track by Robert Shaw doing a luscious rendering of the famous Bridal Chorus from with his divine women's chorus, a version as good or better than any ever anthologized or appearing in complete opera recordings, its 1959 atmospherically recorded sound barely showing its age.

My only caveat is that this stuff really merited more respectful packaging than this ersatz "Best of" series, but at the price, who should complain?

Wagner's Grandeur.......2001-08-24

Wagner was a great composer. His music and use of orchestra are grand and masterful. I am repulsed by his political views, but as an artist he was a genius. This compilation of Wagner is probably the best there is. I listen to it from time to time. The breadth of the orchestral palette, the elevation, and grandeur have been imitated but never duplicated.

Ormandy is underrated!.......2001-02-08

I did a test by listening to Szell, Klemperer, Karajan, Kubelik, Bohm, Jochum, Gerdes, Ozawa, Stokowski, and Ormandy play Wagner overtures and excerpts from "The Ring". My verdict: it's Ormandy. What can I say? I feel as is he's underrated, especially in the annals of Wagner worship. I like Stokowski's energy, but he plays around with scores (horrors!) too much. The Szell was great, but a tad limp. Other conductors have their high points, but Ormandy ranks consistently at the top. His conducting is full and rich and the orchestra always sounds great. I ranked the Szell orchestral music from Wagner at 5 stars, so Ormandy rates 6 stars.

Excellent Recordings.......2000-11-08

The selections performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Ormandy are excellent. One of the best. Highly Recommended.

Average customer rating: Great Cover Szell's Magical And Terrific Wagner Album Fabulous Wagner! Szell has not fallen! Precise, clinical performances in dated sound

Wagner without Words Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection Rossini: Overtures Verdi without Words: Grand Opera for Orchestra Opera without Words ASIN: B000002763 Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Das Rheingold: Entrance Of The Gods Into Valhalla
2. Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries
3. Die Walkure: Magic Fire Music
4. Siegfried: Forest Murmurs
5. Gotterdammerung: Dawn - Seigfried's Rhine Journey
6. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Funeral Music - Final Scene
7. Tristan And Isolde: Prelude - Love-Death
8. Die Meistersinger: Prelude To Act I

Customer Reviews:

Great Cover.......2007-06-06

This same album has had at least 2 identical incarnations except for the cover art. So if you have bought some of his Wagner orchestral suites before, beware and be aware! You just may be making a redundant purchase. This version has by far the best cover artwork.

I have several of Wagner's Orchestral suites lps (Szell, Stokowski, Klemperer, Ormandy, Karajan) They all sound just peachy, so do not ask me to choose based on the music. I like the Stokowski best merely because it is on the great sounding Phase 4 label plus it has art work similar to this Szell cd and it has substantial liner notes. But as far as the music goes, a pair of Klemperers/Szells will just about beat any hand.

If you are new to Wagner, this is a wonderful intro. Then you can rent some of his music drama operas thru Netflix and take advantage of the best thing since sliced bread, English subtitles.

If you are looking for the Wagner symphony section at Amazon, there aint any! These orchestral suites are as close as you will get. Look instead to his disciples, Bruckner for symphonies and Richard Strauss for symphonic poems.

Szell's Magical And Terrific Wagner Album.......2007-05-21

This was Cleveland's most prominent condutor, the late George Szell's only Wagner album. True, he was at home conducting the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Dvorak and all the brand-name, top classical music, but he was, at the same time, a gifted interpreter of Wagner. While Szell's name is not mentioned in the same sentence as Herbert Von Karajan nor was he a conductor of opera, this album showcases the skill and artistry he achieved while conducting the score to Wagner's most important operas - The Ring of the Nibelungen and Tristan and Isolde. The Cleveland Orchestra is at the height of its powers and the music you will hear on this album overflows with passion, dignity, grandeur and beauty, all the elements that Wagner's larger-than-life operas are made of. The first track is the Entrance Of The Gods Into Valhalla, the final scene in Das Rhinegold, the first of the four Ring operas. Pity this album does not begin with the beautifully mysterious and spiritual Rhinegold Overture, which would have been more appropriate, as the music segues into the Entrance of the Gods. But even as it is, it's wonderful. The music describes the vainglorious Odin, his wife Freya and the other Norse gods ascending into the glittering golden palace of Valhalla, pride and downfall of the gods. The music is bombastic and grand, just like one hears it at the opera, a melage of trumpets and brass. But the music is also composed of melancholy strings (violins) describing the lament of the Rhinemaidens, bemoaning the loss of the Ring and foreshadowing the coming tragedy. Track 2: Ride Of The Valkyries: This famous war march has been heard in films (such as Apocalypse Now) and occurs toward the end of "Die Walkure". It's a militaristic, noisy, ebullient battle cry. In the opera, Brunhilde, Odin's immortal daughter, has rebelled against him and takes to the air on winged horses with her fellow Valkyries. This interpretation is quite different than others you'll hear because Szell discovered an additional bit of music that Wagner intended to be played but for the most part is not heard. If you're quick, you'll catch it. It's a repetition of the battle cry "Hojo-to-ho" on the trumpet, occuring toward the last portion of the piece. 3: Magic Fire Music: This "magical" music, mostly for strings, serves as the score to the final scene in "Die Walkure" in which Odin has cast a sleeping spell on Brunhilde and puts her in the middle of a ring of fire, where she will await the kiss of the hero Siegfried. The tristesse of the piece represents a father's grief for the loss of his most belove daughter. Track 4 and 5 Forest Murmurs and Siegfried's Journey: This music is taken from various moments in the opera "Siegfried" which relates the hero's adventures. He awakens the sleeping Brunhilde who has become mortal, slays the fearsome dragon Fafnir and wields as magical sword. The Forest Murmurs takes place in the immense forest where Brunhilde lies sleeping. Endowed with the gift of communicatin with nature, a bird tells Siegfried where he can find Brunhilde. If one does not overanalyze the music, merely strings and flutes, one can clearly feel the word-painting and characterization in the piece. The flute is the bird or birds and the forest itself, the more powerful chords represent Siegfried and the brief "Valkyrie" motif stands for Brunhilde. In "Rhine Journey" we hear the strings become the flowing river and we can see Siegfried journeying to a dangerous adventure, one which costs the hero's life. In "Siegfried's Funeral March" Siegfried has been betrayed and is slain by the Giants. The funeral music is dark, primal and powerful in its depiction of nobility and downfall. As it ends, we hear Brunhilde's love theme which then appropriately takes us to the Immolation Scene. Brunhilde, distraught over the death of her beloved, summons her horse and leaps over Siegfrie'ds burning funeral pyre, a grand act of love and sacrifice, the first hint of humanity and compassion in otherwise dark drama filled with greedy and wicked characters. This leads to Valhalla's demise by fire and water and the world ends. Only the Rhinemaidens remain, taking back the ring which had long been stolen from them. Though these are only portions of music from the supremely lengthy score, it is enough to entice the listener to seeing the Ring, the biggest feast of opera one can ever undertake. The Overture to Tristan and Isolde summarizes the work itself. It's a high romantic tragedy concerning the knight Tristan, the King he serves and Isolde the Queen, whom he falls in love with. Their love is doomed but the magic and transient bliss is perfectly captured in the luminescent Overture, which begins softly and mysteriously with the "Tristan Chord" and culminates with a ravishing rush of strings. The Liebestod, the Love Death, is Isolde's swan song, as she dies of love for the fallen knight. Szell does not play this too fast or too slow. It's done right, and it's heartbreaking, ethereal and magnificent, perhaps even at the level of Karajan's famous interpretations of it. The final track is the grand overture to Die Mastersanger Von Nuremberg, a lengthy paean to Mediveal chivalry, all grandeur and pomp.

Five Stars Well Deserved. Make this your first intro to Wagner. The music will seduce you into watching Wagner operas. Dreamy, romantic, grand, sad, larger than life, Szell has captured the essence of Wagner in a single album. Buy it now. It's cheap and affordable. It's highly recommended. Enjoy.

Fabulous Wagner!.......2006-10-07

This is certainly very good music-making, falling just a little short in the colors department - for which the Berlin under Karajan or the Philadelphia under Ormandy are the ticket. But that aside it's difficult to accept all this Szell bashing. People still listen to the Cleveland recording of the Dvorak Slavonic Dances and will for years to come. And unless you have to have original instruments it's tough to beat Szell and the Cleveland orchestra's brio and attention to detail in Mozart and Haydn.
Of course some of this carping may be the result of a little bit too much self-esteem and not enough appreciation for just what it takes to lead an orchestra at such a level. I remember in college I happened to be at a small gathering of literary people including a few novelists and poets and one critic,the august Edmund Wilson. Not knowing any better I walked right up to a stern-looking older man looking every bit the serious 'Dean of American Critics' and blurted out how much fun I had reading his story "The Man who Shot Snapping Turtles." Apparently this gushing adolescent accolade softened him a bit, and he talked with me for a couple of minutes. The last question I asked him was what did he consider the most important thing in writing criticism. Mr. Wilson blurted out bluntly, "Get it right!"
Over the years I have always thought there was a world of truth in that rather journalistic maxim. The reviews here are a perfect example. One could write and gush about this and that, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter how many names you drop, or airs you put on, if you cannot recognize quality you're no better than the crook in Gatsby whose idea of a small town where one could safely pass counterfeit bonds over the counter was Detroit.
In the Great Gatsby the crook passing false currency for real is picked up by the police. Unfortunately Amazon readers are easily mislead by glowing praise or, in the case of some of the reviews of the Wagner here, cold dislike. People react to harsh words, and especially when they are well written and sound based on experience. Let me assure you - no one is always right, and there are some people who, for whatever reason, have skewered taste.
The Szell Cleveland Wagner CD here is a series of showpieces, played very very well by the Cleveland orchestra. What sets this apart from many Wagner collections is the astonishing orchestra playing. Szell's orchestra, supreme in Dvorak, brings to Wagner's music a clarity rarely achieved by other orchestras. Superbly balanced, the virtousity of the players is on full display. It's a joy to actually hear all the myriad instrumental sounds in Wagner's score - Wagner played in tune, what a shocking concept. And particularly Wagner devoid of bathos! Tovey used to cite Wagner as perhaps the best of all orchestrators; here we have the Cleveland at the pinnacle of their glory days, a wonderful momento. Writing nasty dismissive words about performances of this caliber says more about the reviewers than it does about the recording.
This has been remastered for SACD and if you have a machine that will play SACDs then that is the one to purchase.

Szell has not fallen!.......2006-01-14

I quote from a previous review: "Perhaps no eminent conductor has fallen so far after his death as George Szell". To this comment, I say "Baloney". One great thing about Amazon is their sale of deleted CDs by independent sellers. When George Szell/Cleveland Orchestra CDs suddenly disappear, their price by the independent sellers skyrockets. As for the present CD, I have bought it on LP, cassette and CD and cherished it for years. The playing is sensational, the performances have plenty of passion and the sound is great. The Die Meistersinger and Tristan excerpts were recorded earlier than the Ring and have a little more spontanaiety but the Ring excerpts are also outstanding.

Precise, clinical performances in dated sound.......2005-10-29

Perhaps no eminent conductor has fallen so far after his death as George Szell. He was treated with enormous respect during his long tenure with the Cleveland Orchestra, and he couldn't appear in Carnegie Hall without getting raves from the New York critics (his reviews were much better than Bernstein's). On the evidence of this cold, unfeeling CD of Wagner excerpts, mostly from the Ring, one wonders why. Every excerpt is treated to the same strict, unyielding approach; there is no rubato or romanticism. In addition the sound is thin and full of hiss (Szell's LPs on Epic were infamous for their bad sound, and Sony hasn't bothered to improve things on their digitual reissue.)

I will remember Szell fondly from my formative years in the Sixties, but he has become a dead letter in the intervening decades.

Average customer rating:

Story Of Wagner In Words And Music Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Story Of Verdi In Words And Music Stories Of Schumann And Grieg The Story Of Brahms Story Of Dvorák In Words And Music Mendelssohn In Words And Music ASIN: B000001KD3 Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

1. The Mastersingers: Prelude
2. Lohengrin: Prelude To Act III
3. Faust: Overture
4. The Mastersingers: 'Awake!'
5. The Mastersingers: 'Mad, All The World Is Mad'
6. The Fairies: Overture
7. Siegfried: Forest Murmurs
8. The Mastersingers: Act III Quintet
9. Rienzi: Overture
10. The Flying Dutchman: Overture
11. Tannhaeuser: Pilgrim's Chorus
12. Tannhaeuser: Overture
13. Gotterdammerung (Twilight Of The Gods): Siegfried's Rhine Journey
14. Tannhaeuser: Song Of The Evening Star
15. Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus
16. Tristan und Isolde: Love-Death
17. Tannhaeuser: Venusberg Music
18. Lohengrin: Prelude To Act I
19. The Mastersingers: Prelude
20. The Mastersingers: Prize Song
21. The Mastersingers: Beckmesser And Sachs Duet In Act II
22. The Valkyrie: The Ride Of The Valkyries
23. Gotterdammerung: Siegfred's Rhine Journey
24. Siegfried: Siegfried Idyll
25. Parsifal: Good Friday Spell
26. Gotterdammerung: Siegfred's Funeral Music
27. Tannhaeuser: Overture
28. Lohengrin: Preludes To Act I And III, And Bridal Chorus

Average customer rating: Wagner's best music Stoki's greatest recordings ever. Magnificent performances of Wagner masterpieces.

Wagner Weekend - The Ride of the Valkyries Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best Of Wagner Wagner: Orchestral Works 25 Thunderous Classics Debussy: Nocturnes No1-3; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune Wagner without Words ASIN: B0000041T7 Release Date: 1989-09-20

Tracks:

1. The Ride Of The Valkyries
2. Dawn And Siegried's Rhine Journey
3. Siegfried's Death And Funeral Music
4. Entrance Of The Gods Into Valhalla
5. Forest Murmurs
6. Prelude

Customer Reviews:

Wagner's best music.......2007-05-25

This is real music by a real genius. One wonders how he and other classical composers could envision all of the instruments interacting together to produce the desired outcome.

Stoki's greatest recordings ever........2004-04-05

These orchestral works from the Ring and Die Meistersinger are some of the most thrilling interpretations on record. Stokowski was very passionate about Wagner and it is obvious. The writer usually does not agree with the conductor's style but admits that he was blown away here. Conducting the London Symphony, Stoki forces the "Stokowski Sound" out of the flood gates immediately. The color of the recordings is amazing yet it never gets excessive. The "Ride of the Valkyries", "Rhine Journey", "Funeral March", and "Entrance Into Valhalla" are equally impressive for all of the above reasons. The crown jewel of this CD however, is the "Forrest Murmurs." Combining all of the emotions and ideas associated with the opera (wonder, mysteriousness, joy, and triumph) is a monumental task. Stokowski and the LSO pull it off in dramatic fassion. It has never been bested. The live performance of the prelude to Die Meistersinger is electric and has adrenaline that is common with such recordings but it is very interesting to know why. Stokowski and the orchestra performed the overture without fully rehersing it! During rehersal, they began and after a few bars of music Stokowski stopped the orchestra and said, "We don't need to do this. You all know it!" He was right.

Magnificent performances of Wagner masterpieces........2000-09-19

Like many people, I find most of Wagner's operas somewhat difficult to listen to from start to finish. But each of Wagner's operas contains sections that are simply gorgeous. This CD collects five such pieces from his "Ring" cycle. Each is magnificently conducted by Leopold Stokowski who, in my view, was the greatest Wagner conductor -- and, possibly, the greatest all-around conductor -- of the 20th century. If you think you don't like Wagner's music, please try this CD. I think it will convert you.

Average customer rating: Good starter collection of Wagner This is the better of the two Wagner Greatest Hits CDs

Wagner: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Greatest Hits Tchaikovsky: Greatest Hits Bach: Greatest Hits Vivaldi Greatest Hits Beethoven: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000003F6C Release Date: 1991-09-06

Tracks:

1. Die Meistersinger: Prelude To Act One
2. Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus
3. Siegfried: Forest Murmurs
4. Grderung: Dawn And Siegfried's Rhine Journey
5. Die Walkagic Fire Music
6. Trstan And Isolde: Liebestod
7. Tannher: March
8. Lohengrin: Prelude To Act III
9. Tannher: Pilgrim's Chorus
10. Die Walkide Of The Valkyries

Customer Reviews:

Good starter collection of Wagner.......2006-10-02

This selection of Wagner's "Greatest Hits" is a great CD, with a good selection, overall, or Wagner's most representative work, and very good sound quality. The recordings are all by famous orchestras and conductors--including Eugene Ormandy, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops--and the sound is terrific. Listen to this CD on a good stereo.

The tracks themselves represent some of Wagner's best work. "Chor der Pilger" from the opera Tannhäuser is sung in an English translation, but this doesn't detract from the power of the music itself. Of course, there are the requisite tracks of "Siegfrieds Rheinreise" and the "Walkürenritt," or "Ride of the Valkyries;" both of which are very good, and having both on the same CD is nice.

Highly recommended for anyone who likes Wagner or classical music in general. Again: listen to this on a good sound system.

This is the better of the two Wagner Greatest Hits CDs.......2001-08-08

It is certainly hard to appreciate Richard Wagner's musical genius through a Greatest Hits collection since his greatest strength was in achieving a heightened dramatic and musical unity in his operas through the use of leitmotifs, i.e., themes that presents the different characters and moods of the musical drama. So if you truly want to appreciate Wagner, you want to listen to Tannhauser or make your way through the entire Ring Cycle. Still, this CD offers you a decent introduction to Wagner's music offering up the "Bridal Chorus" from Lohengrin and "The Ride of the Valkyries" from Die Walkure. Furthermore, of the two Wagner Greatest Hit collections this is the superior one because it includes the "Pilgrim's Chorus" from Tannhauser, which may be the second most famous piece by Wagner after the Bridal Chorus because of a certain Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd cartoon. These things are important.

Meditation Music:

1. Richard Wagner: Lohengrin
2. Richard Wagner: Parsifal
3. Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser
4. Romanzas
5. Rossini: Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (The Barber Of Seville) / de los Angeles
6. Rossini - La Cenerentola / Valentini-Terrani · Araiza · Dara · Trimarchi · Ravaglia · Schmiege · Corbelli · Ferro
7. Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila / Domingo, Meier, Chung
8. Schubert: Der vierjährige Posten
9. Smetana: The Bartered Bride
10. Strauss: Elektra

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Orange Island [Explicit Lyrics]

Sonor Ensemble

Prokofiev, Poulenc: Chamber Music

Music: Virðulegu Forsetar [Enhanced]

Perfecto Presents: Lee Coombs [Import]

Outline [Import]

Qawwali Jam: Islamic Gospal

Songs We Sing

Singles 1984-2004

Santana [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Opuses

Relembrando O Passado [Import]

S.I. Riders, Vol. 2: Back in Tha Hood [Explicit Lyrics]

Things Sho Done Changed

Booker Little and Friend