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Wagner operas boxset

22K views 98 replies 20 participants last post by  SixFootScowl 
#1 ·
Hello everyone.
I'm looking for a comprehensive boxset of Wagner operas (not just the Ring). I've found the following options on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Op...=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1343312280&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Oper...=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1343312280&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Co...=sr_1_9?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1343312280&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richard-Wagner-The-Complete-Operas/dp/B000BBQP5C/ref=pd_sim_sbs_m_h__3

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-The-Opera-Collection/dp/B00006469R/ref=pd_sim_sbs_m_h__4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Grea...r_1_48?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1343312360&sr=1-48

I'm looking for a collection with nice sound, although not necessarily state-of-the art.
Which one is recommended, from the above or not? The Barenboim, the Solti and the Decca seem to me the most promising.
Best regards, Luís Martins.
 
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#3 ·
DA speaks the truth. Nothing comes close to this Solti box. NOTHING.
 
#4 ·
Definitely the Solti set. DA do you know if that set is going to be released in the US as well?
 
#6 ·
it includes the 10 major operas.

no budget box includes librettos
 
#10 ·
from what i see Verdi, Strauss, Mozart operas.

and a special edition Ring set.

if the Mozart set includes his first analog recordings its a great set. they're much better than his 2nd digital ones.
 
#13 ·
I wouldnt go for a Wagner boxset if I were you. Unfortunately one size doesnt fit all...

Regarding the Solti, I think his Tannhauser is certainly up there with the best as is his Ring. Parsifal and Meistersingers are very good, but the others I wouldnt recommend if someone wanted a first (or second) recording.
 
#21 ·
DarkAngel, in your opinion WP Meistersinger better or worse than other Solti's recordings of that opera?
Regarding the advice on not starting Wagner with a boxset: I have done it with many of the major composers, starting it a through edition, giving me a overview of the composer works, and I'm quite happy with that strategy :p Beside that, the price of the Solti, with all the major operas, is inferior of the Ring set alone!
 
#23 ·
The Solti set is awesome. all excellent versions. the Chicago Meister wins on points, but you want feel shorted with the WP version. i have both and listen to them for different reasons. the recording and chorus is awesome on the Chicago. so is Heppner. Kollo and Bailey are great on the WP. both versions are worth having.
 
#31 · (Edited)
It should be said... the Solti Flying Dutchmann is also something to be reckoned with. I don't have any other CDs of it but I have never desired any others either. The overture is thrilling.

The Solti Tristan is a bit underrated IMO, for one thing it is a prime recording of Nilsson at the height of her powers. Although Solti definitely doesn't have the intimate understanding of Tristan that Furtwangler, Karajan, and Barenboim demonstrate.
 
#33 ·
The Solti Tristan is a bit underrated IMO, for one thing it is a prime recording of Nilsson at the height of her powers. Although Solti definitely doesn't have the intimate understanding of Tristan that Furtwangler, Karajan, and Barenboim demonstrate.
I'd agree that it's underrated. I'm sure I remember reading that Solti thought he recorded it too early in his career though and was looking at revisiting it before he died as he didn't feel he had the maturity to do it justice in the earlier version.

Saying that, the main reason for many people buying this set would be Nilsson, and she is simply in much better form for Bohm
 
#35 ·
Right now the cheapest price available for the Keilberth/Testament set through an Amazon Marketplace dealer is $150. I've seen it drop to as "low" as $97.

Does anyone have any experience with this set:



I've listened to a bit on Spotify... but not really enough to offer any opinion.
 
#36 · (Edited)
It's strange... I don't exactly know why this is, but although I was thrilled with Solti in my first decade of exposure to Wagner's operas, I don't find myself coming back to them much any more. As a conductor, Solti is mercurial and has endless energy and contrasts, but there's some sort of lyrical quality I find myself looking for In other conductors' work more and more as time goes by.

The clearest example of this I can think of is Solti's Mahler. They're great performances to be sure, but the extreme sturm and drang tends to exhaust me and leave me slightly irritated, rather than fulfilled by an emotional roller coaster ride the way it used to make me feel. Perhaps it's just a function of growing older.
 
#38 ·
The typical modus operandi of these budget price sets is minimal booklet with libretto PDF file on a data disc
If you even get that much.
Presto always put box set info on the last page of the search results - here it is: http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/adv...=decca&page=11
Big thanks for THAT.:)
One mystery solved......new Solti boxset uses the older WP Meistersinger
Great. Another Wagner box-set with Meistersinger as 'the-weakest-link.'
The Keilberth's is also a strong buying option for a near future, perhaps a Christmas present to myself
The Archipel release has the same sound as the Testament one?
Not possible. Different recording. Different year (1952 v. 1955). Different heldentenor(s). Different sound (mono v. proto-stereo). I wouldn't take the chance on the Archipel offering.
 
#41 ·
hmmm, why all this hatin' on Solti here?
 
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