Recordings That You Are Considering

[PSmith08]

In my opinion, yes. Karajan's is a superb Walküre with my favorite Siegmund and Sieglinde (Vickers and Janowitz). I've written my defense of the Karajan Ring so often, I'm relunctant to do it again. Yes, Patrick is right: there is something chamber like about it but that gives it all the advantages of chamber music: the detail, the clarity, the delicate beauty...and this is the most sheerly beautiful Ring ever recorded. And I like the fine balance DG achieved between the voices and the orchestra: it's damn near perfect (Solti's recording favors the orchestra, and the live Bayreuth recordings favor the voices--which is, I admit, what Wagner intended).

But I'd argue too that when the music needs power and drama, it's there in spades and often trumps even Solti: the end of Act I Walküre, for instance. Or the end of Rheingold. Those Berlin horns outshine even the fabled Vienna--the moment is even more ecstatic. Karajan's Ring is nothing like the emotionally constipated Boulez Ring.

Karajan's Rheingold is superb (I prefer his cast too) and so is Götterdämmerung. I admire Nilsson's Brünnhilde (Solti, and even better for Böhm) but I love Dernesch. She brings a femininity, a vulnerability to the part that is lacking in Nilsson. The achilles heel of this Ring is Siegfried. I've grown accustomed to Jess Thomas, and can even appreciate his youthful voice, but he is one of the least impressive Siegfrieds on record.

Whether Karajan is a good first choice, though, is debatable. It was my third Ring and I'm glad I came to it after Solti and Böhm. Knowing the other cycles, I think I was better able to appreciate what Karajan brings to the music. When someone asks me which Ring, I usually suggest Solti. That is considered by almost everyone (every poll I've seen) the classic Ring for its combination of great sound, conducting, and singers. In other words, that's the safe bet. Of my eight Rings, though, Solti comes in number seven. I prefer Böhm, Furtwängler, Krauss, Barenboim, Moralt, and above all, Karajan. I want you to know, though, that my opinion about Karajan's Ring isn't shared by many (although I wonder how many of Karajan's detractors have actually listened to it closely, and without prejudice).

Sarge

But it's such a great defense. I'm almost inclined, based on the good Sergeant's fondness, to like Karajan's Ring myself. I don't dislike it, but I prefer Keilberth's 1955 Bayreuth set above all others, at this point. Karajan was, when he was inclined, no slouch of a Wagnerian. His work at the 1951 Festspiele, particularly his famous Rheingold and Walküre (esp. act 3), is pretty solid stuff - even if the sound could be better. I suppose, though, someone should articulate the case for the "prosecution" beyond noncommittal and glib dismissals. First, the singers: Karajan switched the casts around, and tended to favor lighter (fresher, though, might be a better word) voices. There were some mistakes, too, like Fischer-Dieskau as Wotan in Rheingold and Jess Thomas as Siegfried. Then, out of left field, there were some really inspired choices, like Karl Ridderbusch as Hagen in Götterdämmerung. Gerhard Stolze's Loge is probably, and this could be debated for days, one of the top two or three on disc. His "foreshadowing" monologue at the end seems like he's becoming genuinely unglued, and then all smiles and slick charm for the rest of the way. Graham Clark, for Barenboim, might be the best, but that's another discussion. I'll put it like this: in too many cases, Karajan picked singers who really didn't have the necessary Wagnerian experience or even the necessary voice. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it brings another flavor to the performance, but that flavor isn't necessarily echt-Wagnerian.

As to the orchestra, I called it "chamber-Wagner," which is probably the most common pejorative hurled at Karajan's set. It's smooth, transparent, and very lyrical. Conservative Wagnerians tend to prefer a dense, heavy orchestral palette - thick strings and muscular brass and all that. Karajan, like Böhm, Boulez, and Janowski, eschews that and reveals Wagner's orchestration in its fullness and technical brilliance. That's fine, but it's also probably not what Wagner wanted. In fact, I'd say that as soon as you start to worry about making sure the audience understands how it works, you're outside Wagner's intentions. That's another issue for debate, though. Karajan's Ring is very beautiful, though some of the singers could be better, and the Berliners knew how to produce a creamy orchestral texture. Still, one should be mindful of intent - especially when the composer was as controlling and obsessive as Richard Wagner. I just don't think Karajan matches with Wagner's desires in some key places (singers, orchestral textures, so on-so forth).

Karajan's Ring is the best second-choice there is. You can draw straws between Solti, Keilberth, and Böhm - they're equal in roughly the same ways, though there are important differences. Karajan's, though, needs to be in your collection - once you understand an echt-Wagnerian approach - so you can see what he does better than anyone and what you should seek elsewhere.

[PSmith08]

Sarge, thank you for taking the time to write your opinions on the Karajan Ring. I have actually heard the Siegfried from Solti, Keilberth (Testament) and Karajan. I must say that I liked all these Siegfrieds for different reasons - Solti for the sound and excitement (but sometimes "drowning" the voices"), Keilberth for the most classic Wagner singing and Karajan for an orchestral sound/playing that I liked the most. However I know all of these Rings have high-points and low-points, and I would prefer to start with a Ring with a top-notch Walkure. Price also matters. Karajan could definately be an option. Maybe I find it cheaper in Poland (where I'm going on Saturday).

Böhm's Walküre has been long considered one of the, if not "the," best readings of the score. I tend to consider Barenboim's Walküre my favorite, but Böhm sure has a long list of merits. His Ring would be comparable in price to Karajan, maybe even a bit cheaper.

[Tancata]

Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Christie



I've heard good things about this - can anyone comment on it?

Or, alternatively, suggest another good DVD rendition of this work?

[George]

That, and I'd walk a thousand miles for Sarge's Wagner collection.

If you could walk on water, you could do just that. 

[PerfectWagnerite]

Böhm's Walküre has been long considered one of the, if not "the," best readings of the score. I tend to consider Barenboim's Walküre my favorite, but Böhm sure has a long list of merits. His Ring would be comparable in price to Karajan, maybe even a bit cheaper.

If I have to choose I'd choose HVK over Boehm. HVK's performance is crafted, prepared, and allows for great luminosity in the score. His choice of lighter voice singers force the BPO to tone down it's huge sound so you hear a lot more of the orchestral detail. In short HVK really have something to say about the Ring. Boehm is just way to fast and insensitive to me. A Ring Cycle is not the Kentucky Derby, you don't have to be the quickest one out there. And Boehm at 13.4 hrs delivers by a healthy margin one of the quickest Ring Cycles on disc. If you like it fast you should invest in Clemens Kraus' newly remastered 1953 cycle on Opera D'oro which is just as speedy but 10x more exciting than Boehm.

If price is a major concerned you should know that Barenboim(not my favorite cast but features some absolutely stunning orchestral playing) and Levine (a tat slow but a very lean and alert orchestra plus some real good diction from Hildegard Behrens) and Janowski (whom I personally would avoid just because Reno Kollo is well past his prime here) are all cheaper and in fabulous sound. The Brilliant Classics Ring is available for under $20 if you look at Ebay from time to time and is an overall very good set.

[PSmith08]

If I have to choose I'd choose HVK over Boehm. HVK's performance is crafted, prepared, and allows for great luminosity in the score. His choice of lighter voice singers force the BPO to tone down it's huge sound so you hear a lot more of the orchestral detail. In short HVK really have something to say about the Ring. Boehm is just way to fast and insensitive to me. A Ring Cycle is not the Kentucky Derby, you don't have to be the quickest one out there. And Boehm at 13.4 hrs delivers by a healthy margin one of the quickest Ring Cycles on disc. If you like it fast you should invest in Clemens Kraus' newly remastered 1953 cycle on Opera D'oro which is just as speedy but 10x more exciting than Boehm.

If price is a major concerned you should know that Barenboim(not my favorite cast but features some absolutely stunning orchestral playing) and Levine (a tat slow but a very lean and alert orchestra plus some real good diction from Hildegard Behrens) and Janowski (whom I personally would avoid just because Reno Kollo is well past his prime here) are all cheaper and in fabulous sound. The Brilliant Classics Ring is available for under $20 if you look at Ebay from time to time and is an overall very good set.

René Kollo had a prime? 

Böhm is marginally faster than Boulez in every installment except, IIRC, Götterdämmerung; I mention that as Boulez' Ring tends to be held up as an example of a blindingly fast performance, though his 1970 Parsifal seems faster still. Böhm is fast. Böhm, however, is pretty darned dramatic in a nervous, excitable way. Keilberth gets the "quick-but-powerful" title, however, before Böhm  - taking something like 4 h 17 m to get through Götterdämmerung, as opposed to Böhm's 4 h 08 m. Still, Böhm uses speed to create a dramatic tension, and he is largely successful. Still, it's a matter of preference.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

[Harry]

Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Christie



I've heard good things about this - can anyone comment on it?

Or, alternatively, suggest another good DVD rendition of this work?

This is for my eyes and ears a very good performance.

[Harry]

Why considering. This is one of the highlights in my collection, and will find favour with you I am sure.

[MishaK]

Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Christie



I've heard good things about this - can anyone comment on it?

Or, alternatively, suggest another good DVD rendition of this work?

Excellent performance. Truly well played, well directed and with attractive young singers who can act the part. Marijana Mijanovic and Kresimir Spicer are outstanding. I had the pleasure of seeing this production live a few years ago.

[rubio]

Would you consider this one a must-have (it seems like some people think it can compete with his studio versions):

[Scriptavolant]

They were already in my hands, but then I preferred Sammartini's Sacred Cantatas, a world premiere recording which I was curious to listen to.

[Florestan]

Would you consider this one a must-have (it seems like some people think it can compete with his studio versions):

I have it. These are live recordings and the audience is at times quiet and well-behaved, at times rather noisy. The performances themselves are indeed outstanding. So, all in all, it's worth having.

[rubio]

I consider buying the Bach Cello Suites by Fournier. How does it compare to other hailed performances like Casals, Starker (the one I have already) or Rostropovich?

[Harry]

I consider buying the Bach Cello Suites by Fournier. How does it compare to other hailed performances like Casals, Starker (the one I have already) or Rostropovich?

I have it, and I do not know how it compares Rubio, but after hearing this, I had no need to buy more interpretations.

[rubio]

I have it, and I do not know how it compares Rubio, but after hearing this, I had no need to buy more interpretations.

That sounds like a firm recommendation! 

[Lilas Pastia]

Fournier's is the most hailed of all hailed interpretations. He also recorded the cycle in the fifties IIRC. Anyone has that?

[MishaK]

I consider buying the Bach Cello Suites by Fournier. How does it compare to other hailed performances like Casals, Starker (the one I have already) or Rostropovich?

Absolutely first rate! A nobility that just lets the music unfold. Wonderful, wonderful performances. Even if you buy the others later, you will not regret buying this and you will keeo returning to it.

[George]

Absolutely first rate! A nobility that just lets the music unfold. Wonderful, wonderful performances. Even if you buy the others later, you will not regret buying this and you will keeo returning to it.

At the least it provides a stark contrast to the Janos reading.

[springrite]

Fournier's is the most hailed of all hailed interpretations. He also recorded the cycle in the fifties IIRC. Anyone has that?

Yes, I do have that and, if you can believe, that recording is even much better than the DG one, I mean, significantly better. That puts it miles ahead of most other interpretations that I have heard.