There Was a Maid

From Rhythm Magazine
There Was a Maid, an historic reissue from Claddagh Records, is the 1978 debut solo album of Irish vocal veteran Dolores Keane. The impressive recording is a mixed bag of traditional song and melody, featuring the Reel Union band on fiddle, flute, whistle, pipes and bodhran. Keane, one of the founding members of the legendary group De Dannan, sings of love's variety-unrequited, false and true-in a strong, rich voice. The opening track, "The Generous Lover," displays Keane's brilliant command of ornamentation, as her voice dips from high to low, with an almost lilting turn at the end of each stanza. A few traditional tracks are free of all instruments, like the sole song in Irish, "Ta mo Chleamhas Deanta." Reel Union performs on every other track, peeling into jigs and reels and softening the mood with a slow air.

There Was a Maid,Dolores Keane,Atlantic / Wea,Celtic/Irish,Int'l & World Music,Irish,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating:

A Gilbert & Sullivan Gala Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000DQVN Release Date: 1990-10-25

Average customer rating:

Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 5 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | 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 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 6 Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 11 Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 7 Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 2 Grieg: Piano Music, Vol. 13 ASIN: B00000147W Release Date: 1995-12-12

Tracks:

1. National Anthem (How We Love Our Fatherland)
2. National Song (How Glorious Is The Land Of My Birth)
3. Norway's Grandeur (There I Live On That High Mountain)
4. Aagot's Mountain Song (Sunset O'r The Mountain Top)
5. I See You From The Cliffs Of Gluggjin. A Folk Song
6. Folk Dance From Vinje
7. Ingrid's Song (And The Fox Laid Under The Red Birch Tree)
8. Margrete's Lullaby (Now I Feel Uplifted)
9. Olav Trygvason (Over The North Sea, Broad Sails Blowing)
10. The Wedding Procession In Hardanger (A Breath Of Sparkling Summer Air)
11. The Student's Song (A Journey For The Bold And Brave)
12. Student's Song (The Happy Wanderers)
13. Young Billy Goat (My Little Kid, My Little Lamb)
14. Norwegian Sailor's Song (All That A Nordic Sailor Should Be)
15. A National Song (Sons Of Norway)
16. Song To The Flag (While The North Sea Swells And Rushes)
17. Onward! (Onward! Onward!)
18. Coastal Song From Bergen (I Rowed Into Troubled Waters)
19. Dairy Maid's Sunday (Basking In The Sun)
20. Resting In The Peaceful Forest (In The Fir Tree Grove At Noon-time)
21. Our Aastrid (And Have You Seen Our Aastrid)
22. Halling From Osterdalen
23. The Mountains Of Norway (Norway's Fortress And Protection)
24. Evening Voices (Be Still, Soft Whispers)
25. In Rosenlund During Saga Times (Under The Spell Of The Sagas...
26. Row, Row, Row Your Boat, To The Fish-Filled Reefs (Child's Song)
27. There Was An Old Woman Who Had An Old Broom (Child's Song)
28. Open Air Ballad (Behold Norway's Flowering Valley)
29. Song Of Norway (To Norway, Land Of Giants)
30. Young Lad From Younder Tistedal'n
31. Land Of My Birth (Wherever In The World I Go)
32. Land Of My Birth (Wherever In The World I Go)
33. The Hunter's Song (In The Heather Behind Us, A Trail Of Smoke)
34. Iceland. A Folk Melody (Farthest North)
35. One Can Never Please Them (From: 'The Heirs')
36. I Know A Wee Lass. A Ballad
37. Halling (Folk Dance) From Aamot
38. A Norwegian Love Song (Beside The Deep, Dark Sea)
39. The Young Birch Tree (The Young Birch Standing By The Fjord)
40. Synnove's Song (Thanks For Everything)
41. The North Sea (How Beautiful The Sea)
42. The Blind Man, Magnus (Oh! If I Could See Just Once)
43. Mountain Settler (Mountain Settlers Watch The Seasons)
44. Purity Or The Wagtail Bird. Folk Melody (Little Brook Winding Throug
45. Sailor's Song (Hurrah For Jonas Anton Hjelm)
46. Springdands (Folk Dance) From Nummedal
47. Patriotic Song (I'll Defend My Country)
48. Three Exalted Words (When The Harp Is Silenced...
49. Old Norway (There Lies The Country)
50. While Shepherding My Goats Last Year
51. Dalebu Jonson (Oh! Can You Hear, Beautiful Maiden)
52. Halling, (Folk Dance) From Telemark
53. Are You Fond Of Me
54. In The Mountains (Hei Ho! Where One Feels Hale And Hearty)
55. Sinclair's Song (Mr. Sinclair Set Out Across The Salty Sea)
56. Ole Glomstulen's Bridal Procession. Folk Song
57. Sunset (Spreading Its Colors Across The Heavens)
58. The Bear Hunter (How Brief A Life The Fir Tree Spans)
59. To The Fatherland (I Lift The Gold Cup Highest)
60. Lullaby. A Child's Song From Valdres (Rock A Bye Baby)
61. The Bachelor Proposing To The Maiden. A Folk Song (How I Should Love To Marry)
62. The Last Saturday Evening. Folk Song
63. A Ballad To Holy King Olaf (Holy Olaf Standing By The Fjord)
64. The Norwegian Parliament (Norway's Solemn Hour Has Come)

Average customer rating: Good bargain.

56 Favorites Manufacturer: Prism Leisure ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury The Pirate Queen (2007 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000068ZTB Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

1. Hark the Hour of Ten Is Sounding [From Trial by Jury]
2. Judge's Song [From Trial by Jury]
3. We Sail the Ocean Blue..... Buttercup's Song [From H. M. S. Pinafore]
4. My Gallant Crew... I Am the Captin of the Pinafore [From H. M. S. ...]
5. When I Was a Lad [From H. M. S. Pinafore]
6. Never Mind the Why and Wherefore [From H. M. S. Pinafore]
7. He Is an Englishman [From H. M. S. Pinafore]
8. Pirate King's Song [From the Pirates of Penzance]
9. Oh Is There Not One Maiden Breast? ...Poor Wandering One [From the ...]
10. How Beautifully Blue the Sky [From the Pirates of Penzance]
11. I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General [From the Pirates of ...]
12. When the Foeman Bears His Steel [From the Pirates of Penzance]
13. When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold [From the Pirates of Penzance]
14. Ah! Leave Me Not to Pine Alone [From the Pirates of Penzance]
15. Policeman's Lot Is Not a Happy One [From the Pirates of Penzance]
16. With Catlike Tread [From the Pirates of Penzance]
17. March and Entry of the Peers [From Iolanthe]
18. Law Is the True Embodiment [From Iolanthe]
19. When I Went to the Bar [From Iolanthe]
20. When All Night Long [From Iolanthe]
21. When Britain Really Ruled the Waves [From Iolanthe]
22. Oh Foolish Fay [From "Iolanthe"]
23. Nightmare Song [From Iolanthe]
24. If You Go In [From Iolanthe]
25. Finale: Soon as We May [From Iolanthe]

Tracks:

1. If You Want to Know Who We Are.... a Wandering Minstrel I [From ...]
2. Our Great Mikado [From the Mikado]
3. Behold the Lord High Executioner [From the Mikado]
4. I've Got a Little List [From the Mikado]
5. Three Little Maids from School [From the Mikado]
6. Braid the Raven Hair [From the Mikado]
7. Sun Whose Rays [From the Mikado]
8. Here's a How-De-Do [From the Mikado]
9. More Humane Mikado [From the Mikado]
10. Flowers That Bloom in the Spring [From the Mikado]
11. Tit Willow [From the Mikado]
12. There Is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast [From the Mikado]
13. Is Life a Boon? [From the Yeomen of the Guard]
14. Where I Thy Bride [From the Yeomen of the Guard]
15. Hereupon We're Both Agreed [From the Yeomen of the Guard]
16. Strange Adventure [From the Yeomen of the Guard]
17. Man Who Would Woo a Fair Maid [From the Yeomen of the Guard]
18. When a Wooer Goes a Wooing [From the Yeomen of the Guard]
19. For the Merriest Fellows Are We [From the Gondoliers]
20. We're Called Gondolieri [From the Gondoliers]
21. From the Sunny Spanish Shore [From the Gondoliers]
22. In Enterprise of Martial Kind [From the Gondoliers]
23. I Stole the Prince [From the Gondoliers]
24. When a Merry Maiden Marries [From the Gondoliers]
25. Regular, Royal Queen [From the Gondoliers]
26. Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes [From the Gondoliers]
27. There Lived a King [From the Gondoliers]
28. In a Contemplative Fashion [From the Gondoliers]
29. Small Titles and Orders [From the Gondoliers]
30. I Am a Courtier Grave and Serious [From the Gondoliers]
31. Finale: Once More Gondolieri [From the Gondoliers]

Customer Reviews:

Good bargain........2004-08-25

The performances are good--this is the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, after all--and you get 2 full CDs, with 2 selections from "Trial by Jury", 5 from "HMS Pinafore", 9 from "The Pirates of Penzance", 9 from "Iolanthe", 12 from "The Mikado", 6 from "The Yeomen of the Guard", and 13 from "The Gondoliers". The booklet is a bit skimpy, and only lists recording dates for the first CD (1929-1949). But the sound is good, and the music is great, and at this price it's a great "greatest hits" collection.

Average customer rating: A Second Collection of Rarely Heard Russian Opera Music

Russian Opera Arias 2 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Russian Opera Arias ASIN: B00007FKQA Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Sadko's Melismatic Song (Ah, You Dark Oak Grove!)
3. Danse Des Cosaques
4. Vakula's Aria (Does Your Heart Not Hear My Terrible Grief?)
5. Men's Dance
6. The Young Gypsy's Romance (See, Beneath Yon Firmament)
7. Prince's Cavatina
8. Gypsy Dance
9. Bayan's Song (There Is A Deserted Land)
10. Krakoiak
11. Sobinin's Aria (Brothers. Into The Snow Storm!)
12. Likov's Arioso (Act I) (It's All Different)
13. Likov's Arioso (Act III) (The Thundercloud Has Scurried Past)
14. Entr'acte (Act II)
15. Vaudemont's Romance (No! The Charm Of A Feisty Beauty's Embraces)
16. Polovtsian March
17. Vladimire's Aria

Customer Reviews:

A Second Collection of Rarely Heard Russian Opera Music.......2005-10-05

Naxos has released a second collection of Russian tenor arias by Vladimir Grishko. Like the first volume, we have a beautiful tenor voice treating us to some rarely heard arias from operas not often performed outside of Russia. Grishko has good control of his voice which is a somewhat light and agile one that is free from strain. Probably the only familiar pieces to non-Russian listeners would be the brief orchestral excerpts from Glinka's A LIFE FOR THE TSAR and Polovtsian March from Borodin's PRINCE IGOR so listening is a treat in and of itself.

The two strengths of this recording are similar to those of the first volume: there is a variety to the music on the disc and Grisko's overall performance. While this is a good disc, it is not quite as strong as the first collection. The orchestral performances are somewhat inconsistent. Also the selections themselves do not have a great impact, at least in comparison with those of the first set. Still, this recording at a price that is more than reasonable will add variety to any operatic library.

Average customer rating:

Jean Sibelius: Songs Manufacturer: Finlandia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000005IGN Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

1. Vilse, Op.17/4
2. Souda Souda Sinisorsa
3. Var Det En Drom, Op.37/4
4. Sav Sav Susa, Op.36/4
5. Flickan Kom Ifran Sin Alsklings Mote, Op.37/5
6. Lastu Lainehilla, Op.17/7
7. Illalle, Op.17/6
8. Romeo, Op.61/4
9. Nacken, Op.57/8
10. Langtan Heter Min Arvedel, Op.86/2
11. Den Forsta Kyssen, Op.37/1
12. Kyssens Hopp, Op.13/2
13. Drommen, Op.13/5
14. Demanten Pa Marssnon, Op.36/6
15. Narciss
16. Varen Flyktar Hastigt, Op.13/4
17. Sangen Om Korsspindeln, Op.27/4
18. Teodora, Op.35/2
19. Och Finns Det En Tanke, Op.86/4
20. Pa Verandan Vid Havet, Op.38/2
21. Marssnon, Op.36/5
22. Norden, Op.90/1
23. Hostkvall, Op.38/1
24. Svarta Rosor, Op.36/1

Average customer rating:

The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Albany Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. 1 The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. 3 The Complete Songs, Vol. 4 Charles Ives: Three Quarter-Tone Pieces; Five Take-offs; Hallowe'en; Sunrise 114 Songs by Charles Ives ASIN: B0000049ML Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

1. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: I Travelled Among Unknow Men
2. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Allegro
3. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Feldeinsamkeit
4. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Harpalus
5. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: The Light That Is Felt
6. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Du Alte Mutter
7. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: God Bless And Keep Thee
8. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Du Alte Mutter
9. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Slugging A Vampire
10. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Tarrant Mass
11. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Karen
12. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Dreams
13. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: The World's Highway
14. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Because Of You
15. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Romanzo Di Central Park
16. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Because Thou Art
17. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: I Knew And Loved A Maid
18. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Her Gown Was Of Vermilion Silk
19. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Flag Song
20. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Spring Song
21. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Ich Grolle Nicht
22. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Widmung
23. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: We Melodien
24. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: There Is A Lane
25. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Elegie
26. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Evidence
27. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Berceuse
28. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Rough Wind
29. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: South Wind
30. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: No More
31. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: On Judge's Walk
32. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: A Night Thought
33. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Song Of The Dead
34. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Where The Eagle
35. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Tolerance
36. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: The Love Song Of Har Dyal
37. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Omens And Oracles
38. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Those Evening Bells
39. The Complete Songs Of Charles Ives: Fruhlingslied

Average customer rating: early works by an Irish master musician

There Was a Maid Dolores Keane Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004R8RU Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

1. The Generous Lover
2. The Bantry Girl's Lament
3. My Match Is Made
4. Lord Gordon's Reel/The Laurel Bush
5. Johnny And Molly
6. The Shaskeen Reel
7. Lament For Owen Roe O'Neill
8. Seven Yellow Gypsies
9. Tommy Coen's Reel
10. There Was A Maid In Her Father's Garden
11. The Carraroe Jig Whelan's Jig
12. The Bonnie Bunch Of Roses O

Customer Reviews:

early works by an Irish master musician.......2002-09-01

She looks so stern on the album's cover, yet the music is so lovely! Emerging in the late 1970s from her native Galway, Keane swiftly established herself as one of Ireland's best interpreters of traditional song, with a lovely voice that retains a hint of historical menace. These early recordings, with sympathetic but somewhat minimal backup instrumental accompaniment, aren't quite as incandescent as her 1981 album, "Broken Hearted I'll Wander" or "Sail Og Rua", from 1984... Still, it's pretty lovely stuff. The CD liner notes don't list the artists in the Reel Union band; John Faulkner wrote the liner notes, but I'm not sure if he also played on the album. At any rate, this is certainly worth picking up, particularly if you are already one of Keane's many fans.

Average customer rating:

There Was a Maid Dolores Keane Manufacturer: Claddagh Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001LQI Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

1. Generous Lover
2. Bantry Girl's Lament
3. To Chledmhnas Dta [My Match Is Made]
4. Lord Gordon's Reel/Laurel Bush
5. Johnny and Molly
6. Shaskeen Reel
7. Lament for Owen Roe O'Neill
8. Seven Yellow Gypsies
9. Tommy Coen's Reel
10. There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden
11. Carraroe Jig/Whelan's Jig
12. Bonnie Bunch of Roses O

Average customer rating:

A Celebration of Christmas: Carols Through the Ages Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stoltzer | Stoltzer, Thomas | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B0000023F9 Release Date: 1994-01-04

Tracks:

1. Patapan
2. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
3. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing
4. The Coventry Carol
5. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
6. Good King Wenceslas
7. Once In Royal David's City
8. Rocking
9. The First Nowell
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
11. Wither's Rocking Hymn
12. Silent Night
13. Wassail Song
14. Dormi Jesu!
15. Boar's Head Carol
16. Past Three O'Clock
17. Lullay My Liking
18. Adam Lay Ybounden
19. Herrick's Carol
20. Angelus Ad Virginem
21. The Holly And The Ivy
22. O Little One Sweet
23. Songs Of The Nuns Of Chester
24. Winter-Rose
25. In Dulce Jubilo

Tracks:

1. Deck The Halls
2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
3. Lute-Book Lullaby
4. Ye Shepherds
5. Joy To The World
6. Down In Yon Forest
7. People, Look East
8. Blessed Be The Maid Marie
9. Sir Christmas
10. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
11. O Come, All Ye Faithful
12. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
13. Here We Come A-Wassailing
14. All My Heart
15. Joseph Dearest (Song Of The Crib)
16. I Saw Three Ships
17. How Far Is It To Bethlehem?
18. The Birds
19. The Old Year Now (Greensleeves)
20. A Merry Christmas

Tracks:

1. Gymel Of Guilelmus Monachus
2. Anon.: Nowell, Nowell: Tidings True
3. Roy Henry: Sanctus
4. Anon: Blessed Be Thou, Heavenly Queen
5. Anon: Qui Natus Est
6. Anon: Carol With Burden
7. Anon: Nova, Nova
8. Anon: Angelus Ad Virginem
9. Anon: Hail Mary, Full Of Grace
10. In Die Nativitas
11. Anon: There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue
12. Kyrie
13. Quid Petis O Fili
14. Anon: I Saw
15. Anon: Nowell, Nowell: Out Of Your Sleep
16. Fauxbourden Of Guilelmus Monachus
17. Quam Pulcra Es

Tracks:

1. Anon: De Nativitate Domini
2. Ave Maria
3. Decet Huius Cunctis Horis
4. In Nativitate Domini
5. O Regina, Lux Divina
6. Hodie Christus Natus Est
7. Nesciens Mater
8. Et In Terra Pax
9. Crist And Saint Marie
10. Sancta Maria
11. O Maria Virgo
12. Gloria
13. Puer Natus
14. Foeno Iacere
15. Maria Zart
16. Beata Progenies
17. Alleluya Psallat

Average customer rating: "The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me." Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative Absolutely Breathtaking! A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring. The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible

Wagner: The Valkyrie Manufacturer: Chandos 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) Wagner: The Rhinegold Mozart: The Magic Flute ASIN: B00004YU6Z Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

1. Act I: Prld - English Nat Opr Orch/Reginald Goodall
2. Act I, Scene 1: The Storm Drove Me Here - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
3. Act I, Scene 1: This House And This Wife - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
4. Act I, Scene 1: Evil Fortune's Never Far From Me - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
5. Act I, Scene 2: There He Lay, Feeble And Faint - Margaret Curphey/Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios
6. Act I, Scene 2: Through Field And Forest - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
7. Act I, Scene 2: Friedmund No One Could Call Me - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
8. Act I, Scene 2: The Neidings Raided Again - Alberto Remedios
9. Act I, Scene 2: So The Norn Who Dealt You This Fate - Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
10. Act I, Scene 2: I Know A Troublesome Race - Clifford Grant
11. Act I, Scene 3: A Sword Was Pledged By My Father - Alberto Remedios
12. Act I, Scene 3: Are You Awake? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
13. Act I, Scene 3: My Husband's Kinsmen - Margaret Curphey
14. Act I, Scene 3: Yes, Loveliest Bride - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
15. Act I, Scene 3: Winter Storms Have Vanished (Siegmund's Spring Song) - Alberto Remedios
16. Act I, Scene 3: You Are The Spring - Margaret Curphey
17. Act I, Scene 3: Oh Sweetest Enchantment - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
18. Act I, Scene 3: The Stream Has Shown My Reflected Face - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
19. Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund Call Me, And Siegmund Am I! - Alberto Remedios
20. Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund, The Walsung, Here You See! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey

Tracks:

1. Act II, Scene 1: Go Bridle Your Horse, Warrior Maid! - Norman Bailey
2. Act II, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Brunnhilde's Battle Cry) - Rita Hunter
3. Act II, Scene 1: The Usual Storm, The Usual Strife - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
4. Act II, Scene 1: Pretend That You Don't Understand! - Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
5. Act II, Scene 1: Now It's Come To Pass! - Norman Bailey
6. Act II, Scene 1: So This Is The End Of The Gods And Their Glory - Ann Howard
7. Act II, Scene 1: You Never Learn What I Would Teach You - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
8. Act II, Scene 1: What Must I Do? - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
9. Act II, Scene 1: Hiaha! Hiaha! Hoyotoho! - Rita Hunter/Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
10. Act II, Scene 2: Fricka Has Won The Fight - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
11. Act II, Scene 2: When Youth's Delightful Pleasures Had Waned - Norman Bailey
12. Act II, Scene 2: She Refused To Reveal More About It - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
13. Act II, Scene 2: There's More To Tell - Norman Bailey
14. Act II, Scene 2: Yet One Can Accomplish What I May Not - Norman Bailey
15. Act II, Scene 2: But The Walsung, Siegmund - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
16. Act II, Scene 2: Then Siegmund Must Fall In His Fight? - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
17. Act II, Scene 2: I Give You My Blessing, Nibelung Son! - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
18. Act II, Scene 2: No, Have Mercy - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

1. Act II, Scene 2: So I Obey His Command - Rita Hunter
2. Act II, Scene 3: Rest Here For A While; Stay By My Side! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
3. Act II, Scene 3: Away! Away! - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
4. Act II, Scene 3: Where Are You, Siegmund? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
5. Act II, Scene 4: Siegmund! Look At Me! (Announcement Of Death) - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
6. Act II, Scene 4: And If I Come - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
7. Act II, Scene 4: Then Greet For Me Walhall - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
8. Act II, Scene 4: Woe! Woe! Sister And Bride - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
9. Act II, Scene 4: Two Lives Now Lie In Your Power - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
10. Act II, Scene 5: Charms Of Sleep Are Sent To Still - Alberto Remedios
11. Act II, Scene 5: I Hear Your Call - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
12. Act II, Scene 5: Wehwalt! Wehwalt! - Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

1. Act III, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Ride Of The Valkyries) - Katie Clark/Anne Evans/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Shelagh Squires/Anne Conoley
2. Act III, Scene 1: Shield Me And Help - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
3. Act III, Scene 1: Hear While I Tell You - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
4. Act III, Scene 1: Pray Suffer No Sorrow For Me - Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne...
5. Act III, Scene 1: Fly Him Swiftly, Away To The East! - Rita Hunter
6. Act III, Scene 1: O Radiant Wonder! (Parting Salute) - Margaret Curphey
7. Act III, Scene 1: Stay, Brunnhild! - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
8. Act III, Scene 2: Where Is Brunnhild? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
9. Act III, Scene 2: Weak-Spirited, Womanish Brood! - Norman Bailey
10. Act III, Scene 2: Here I Am, Father - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
11. Act III, Scene 2: No More Will You Ride From Walhall - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
12. Act III, Scene 2: Did You Not Hear What I Decreed? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
13. Act III, Scene 3: Was It So Shameful - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
14. Act III, Scene 3: I Know So Little - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
15. Act III, Scene 3: You, Who This Love Into My Heart Revealed - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
16. Act III, Scene 3: You Indulged Your Love - Norman Bailey
17. Act III, Scene 3: Unworthy Of You This Foolish Maid - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
18. Act III, Scene 3: You Fathered A Glorious Race - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
19. Act III, Scene 3: In Long, Deep Sleep - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
20. Act III, Scene 3: Farewell, My Valiant, Glorious Child! (Wotan's Farewell) - Norman Bailey
21. Act III, Scene 3: These Eyes So Warm And So Bright - Norman Bailey
22. Act III, Scene 3: Loge, Hear! Come At My Call! - Norman Bailey
23. Act III, Scene 3: Magic Fire Music - Norman Bailey

Customer Reviews:

"The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me.".......2007-06-12

Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Goodall, Boulez, Janowski, Levine, Haitink, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:

TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Boulez's Ring: 13 hours, 40 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Haitink's Ring: 14 hours, 10 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes

CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.

Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.

Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.

Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: nothing is faster than andante. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.

Boulez: Here it is, folks - the controversial Centennial Ring. To fit the Ring Cycle in the industrial age, Boulez gives it a very Schoenbergian, Bartokian atmosphere. Much of his tempi are very quick, very Bohm-like, though they're still not as fast as Bohm. Keep in mind, though, this live Ring works only if you hear AND see it (the DVD's work best).

Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".

Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.

Haitink: This might be seen as a disappointment. If you want great conducting, then this is for you. If you want a persuasive array of singers, look somewhere else. Haitink's conducting saves this work from being a total flop. There is nothing quite like his Rheingold & Gotterdammerung ("Siegfried's Rhine Journey" is a bit forced, but magnificent nonetheless).

Sawallisch: 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) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.

ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.

Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.

Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.

Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act Two Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.

Boulez's Bayreuth Festival: While it doesn't really pack the same punches as Bohm's Bayreuth, it still delivers a stunning performance. Orchestral interaction between characters (Ex. Siegfried's motifs mixed in with Mime's motifs) fares better than Berlin's and English National's. Rhine maiden motifs are given more wit, while the Dragon motifs are played with less eeriness. Beauty makes up for the irritatingly quick "Wotan's Farewell".

Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Boulez's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are heard clear in this Ring. The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.

Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.

Haitink's Bavarian Radio Symphony: This may very well be like Metropolitan, only this sounds much more poignant. The strings sound better and the percussion sound clearer. The leitmotivs are almost never screwed up. First scene of Rheingold will take one's breath away.

Sawallisch's Bavarian State: 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.

SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).

Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.

Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".

Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.

Boulez: If you watch Donald McIntyre on the Centennial Ring production, then you can tell that he's a fine "industrial" Wotan. If you just hear him on CD, then you'll be disappointed. His diction is weak, his emotions are forced, and his voice sounds robotic. The DVD's will do.

Levine and Haitink: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's and Haitink's Ring.

Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.

-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.

Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).

Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."

Boulez: How can anyone not be impressed by the Brunnhilde of Gwyneth Jones? One can almost feel her excitement during Siegfried Act Three, and her fear in Walkure Act Three. Her weakest point is probably during her Gotterdammerung Prologue (a bit too stressed).

Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.

Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).

Haitink: Hmph. I was hoping that Eva Marton would do well here. I was seriously let down by her strained singing. She does okay in "Annunciation of Death", but she is at her worst in "Immolation".

-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm, Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Peter Hoffman for Boulez, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, Reiner Goldberg for Haitink, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jeanine Altmeyer for Boulez, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, Cheryl Studer for Haitink, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Three exceptions, though: Goldberg and Schunk don't sound heroic enough, and Norman for Levine doesn't sound young and innocent enough.

-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.

Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.

Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.

Boulez: Is Manfred Jung a good tenor? Yes. Is he a good Heldentenor? NO. He doesn't have that heroic voice like Windgassen and Remedios. Again, the DVD's are your safest bet.

Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.

Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. Levine should've chose Kollo or Jerusalem when he recorded his studio Ring.

Haitink: Have you ever seen Siegfried Jerusalem on the Levine/Metropolitan DVD? Well, here he is again, and this time, he sings with more valor and enthusiasm. Bravo!

-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").

Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.

Boulez: What we have here is the weak Alberich of Hermann Becht. When he's in Nibelheim, the authority isn't there. When he's in the Neid-Hohle forest, the creepiness isn't there. And when he's near the Gibich house, the misery isn't there. Even on DVD he's unsatisfactory.

Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.

Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.

Haitink: No offense, but Theo Adam as Alberich? Come on . . .

-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.

Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.

Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.

Boulez and Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent Mime, VERY fun to listen to. There is much humor and eccentricity in his voice, and that's what makes his dwarf much more compelling than Dempsey's dwarf. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. He is equal to Zednik when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.

Haitink: Peter Haage sounds like he's entertaining young kids. His version of Mime is a bit childish, and the dark humor that the dwarf brings out sounds-over-the-top here. Nonetheless, he is still entertaining to listen to ("Wer halfe mir?" has never sounded better).

Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.

-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on during the Trilogy.

Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Again, another Loge that's marred by lack of cunning.

Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. He has the wit, the craftiness, and the untrustworthiness that the character deserves. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.

Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.

Boulez and Haitink: I can summon Heinz Zednik's performance in just three words: Brilliant Beyond Belief!

Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt and Zednik depend only on vengeance and deviousness, Stolze only imagination and deviousness, Windgassen and Svanholm only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.

Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.

Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.

-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings. Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). Anja Silja is the most memorable Freia (Bohm), while Kurt Moll makes the most fabulous Hunding yet (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm, Goodall, and Boulez. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.

CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation, Neuhold's Badische version, and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss, etc.), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the industrialized Boulez, the truthful Janowski, the unhurried Levine, the abnormal Haitink, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.

The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
The Rhinegold (Part 1): Wagner: The Rhinegold
Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative.......2005-05-03

This is one of three Walkure's in my collection: the very underrated Leinsdorf, the thrilling Boehm and this one with Goodall. I believe Goodall is right up there with the best of them. Remedios, Hunter and Bailey sing beautifully and with sufficient drama. I'll go out on a musical limb and say I believe Bailey is one of the finest Wotan's on disc. Many will disagree but I think he has the measure of the role, the power to pull it off and a burnished timber that never becomes coarse under powerful climaxes... Remedios may well be the star of the trilogy along with Hunter and Bailey. His Siegmund is beautifully sung and his Siegfried by the way, is no mean stint either. Would that we had tenors that could sing Siegfried without sounding stretched beyond their limits. I am continually puzzled by the bad reviews that the orchestra playing receives from ARG, Classics Today and a few others. The ENO is not a Concertgebouw or Vienna Philharmonic but I think they play beautifully, a few clinkers notwithstanding. For a live show, they do a pretty d..... good job. THe sound from both orchestra and singers is exceptionally fine. This set belong in your collection if you like Wagner and, Die Walkure, in particular. If I had been at the performance in the 1970's I would have come home very happy, satisfied and richer for the experience.

Absolutely Breathtaking!.......2002-09-13

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.

A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring........2001-08-30

This performance of *Die Valkure,* the second and most popular opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, is musically splendid. Its special significance, however, is that it is sung in English. An English performance of the Ring is perhaps more important than that of any other opera(s), because Wagner's libretti are suffused with his ideas about society, fate, justice, and love. Even if (at times) you need to read along to understand what the singers are saying, *hearing* the lyrics in English is truly stirring in a way that performances in your non-native language cannot match.
A particular stand-out on this recording is the Wotan. His timbre, diction, and delivery perfectly embody the troubled god who tries desperately, and in vain, to keep the world under his control. His angst and wrath are utterly convincing.

The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible.......2001-01-30

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!

World Music:

1. To Gen Kyo [Import]
2. Toulouse [Import]
3. Ultimate Collection [Import]
4. Un 15 Aout En Fevrier [Import]
5. Veleno [Import]
6. Wanda Sa & Bossa Tres [Import]
7. When My Dream's Dream Is Done
8. Women's Songs from India
9. Yal
10. 15 Greek Classics [Import]

World Music

world music

World Music

Blue Rodeo - Greatest Hits [Import]

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas, Opp. 24 'Spring' & 47 'Kreutzer'

Bartok: Piano Music

National Geographic: Destination New Orleans

Dream Dance, Vol. 25 [Import]

Comfort Woman [Enhanced]

Celebrate Christmas with the real king charles

Can't Stop Dreaming

Cats Under the Stars [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]

Bartok: Complete Solo Piano Music

Carnival of Light

Anthology [Import]

A Bailar La Quebradita

The Cries of London [Hybrid SACD]

Bound for the Promised Land: The Best of Andy Griffith Hymns