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Wagner opera on disc......Das Rheingold

17K views 62 replies 23 participants last post by  LeoPiano 
#1 ·
The prelude to the Ring, imo, the most revolutionary opera ever.

A beginning like no other that suggests the aw and mystery of the beginning of the world.

A work that contains a myriad of motives, brilliant transition music, interesting characters all in one continuous stream.

What a prelude!.

There are many recordings of this monumental work

So what's your pick? :tiphat:
 
#49 ·
If you’re a Solti Rheingold fan try and hear his Bayreuth ‘83 performance. Like Karajan he sounds very different in the theatre. Still clearly Solti but more free.
 
#51 ·
The Solti Rheingold was a real shot in the dark for Decca and Culshaw at the time. When they met Walter Legge who happened to be in Vienna he said, "Very nice. Very beautiful. Of course, you won't sell any!" The recording actually got into the USA Billboard charts. It was a sensation.
The first studio Ring was almost certain to sell. However, with the VPO and the superb Decca sound they were on to a winner. Just think what could have been had they had Kna and the Bayreuth 1958 cast!

N.
 
#59 ·
The Solti Rheingold is the most successful Opera of his ring series, the best cast and the best conducted. I have no problem joining others in recommending that as a prime reccomendation. The old met performance is great but not easy on the ear. Krauss 1953 and Keilberth 1952 have very strong casts, even more so than Solti in the lower male voices. Krauss 1953 and Solti both have their merits so it's up to you if you prefer the updated sound of Solti or the extra authority in some of the lower male roles for Krauss.
 
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#60 ·
This is a good survey and glad that you mention the extra authoity of the voices in the Krauss 53, but what about the Keilerth 53? The cast is on a par with Krauss and the conducting is far superior. The only advantage the Solti has over it is the studio sound. Take the Keilberth stereo '55 and the Solti is to forget! (Come on, can you really take Flagstad's wobbly Fricka seriously?)

N.
 
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