Wagner One Ring to rule them all...

[karlhenning]

. . .  By way of context, for those so offended by my blasphemy that they fail to get my drift, please note that two of the most effective non-chemical sleep aids I know--the DVDs of Patton and Lawrence of Arabia--are also among the films I most admire.

Excellent point, Dave!  They are great films, and therefore invite repeat viewing . . . and yet, when we've already assimilated them a few times . . . aye, they can get a bit sleepy in the middle.

[Scarpia]

By way of context, for those so offended by my blasphemy that they fail to get my drift, please note that two of the most effective non-chemical sleep aids I know--the DVDs of Patton and Lawrence of Arabia--are also among the films I most admire.

Patton is a film that I have found less and less compelling as I my acquaintance with has become longer.  George C Scott played the character better in Dr. Strangelove.

[DavidRoss]

Patton is a film that I have found less and less compelling as I my acquaintance with has become longer.  George C Scott played the character better in Dr. Strangelove.

Are we now condemned for all eternity to make every thread refer eventually to Teresa's porn thread? 

[Brahmsian]

Of course, any music that is approximately 15 hours in length, is bound to hold some moments that could be zzzzzzz inducing for some. 

[Elgarian]

I may be back later with a corrective.

We urgently need your comments on Act 2 of Walkure, Sarge.

[karlhenning]

Patton is a film that I have found less and less compelling as I my acquaintance with has become longer.  George C Scott played the character better in Dr. Strangelove.

Oh, that's a false comparison, I think.  The fictional character was necessarily a medium in which Scott could be brilliantly spontaneously comedic.  Playing the historical character has a very different set of parameters.

I think he did admirably in both.

But you are right:  'Buck' Turgidson was a shining moment!

[DavidRoss]

But you are right:  'Buck' Turgidson was a shining moment!

Are you saying that Scott rose to the occasion?

[Elgarian]

That's not to say that I think they're bad--far from it.  Only that they're hardly the flawless masterpieces true devotees believe them to be and would probably be much better if only little Dickie had been more craftsman and less "Artiste."

I'm reminded here of the problem of figures in Turner's paintings - a source of controversy for more than 150 years, and still going. By normal standards his figures are atrocious, and for many people (myself included, sometimes) they spoil the landscapes that they're the staffage for. In the later pictures they sometimes become no more than mere bubble-headed blobs. But Turner was perfectly capable of drawing an acceptable figure, so it was clearly a deliberate decision on his part. And the big issue is this: if those figures are taken out, the painting suffers. If more traditionally-accepted figures were to replace them, they clearly wouldn't fit - they'd look all wrong. So what, one asks, could Turner have done about it? I suspect the answer may be 'nothing' - that those figures are required to make the paintings what they are.

This isn't the same as the point I made earlier concerning Ruskin's analysis, but it has the same consequences.  We may protest, but the passages are necessary to the whole, in the same way as climbing the hill may a necessary part of the (full) experience of enjoying the view from its summit. Certainly when I get to the end of Act 2 of Walkure, I feel as if I've earned my ticket to Act 3, and somehow that seems to be important.

[DavidRoss]

Certainly when I get to the end of Act 2 of Walkure, I feel as if I've earned my ticket to Act 3, and somehow that seems to be important.

Indeed.

[Elgarian]

Indeed.

One of the most heavyweight words planted on this forum today, I think, Dave! Years of feeling behind it!

[karlhenning]

Richard Wagner, Dues Collector

[Sergeant Rock]

Of course, any music that is approximately 15 hours in length, is bound to hold some moments that could be zzzzzzz inducing for some. 

My grandfather, the first Wagnerite I ever knew, told me about his theater going days in the 20s in Hannover, acquiring cheap standing room only tickets for Parsifal, and dozing off during Act II (curled up on the floor with other sleepy students) but waking up in time to witness Klingsor's destruction   Yes, even those who love the music can get some rest during it. Wonderfully thoughtful composer, that Wagner 

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

We urgently need your comments on Act 2 of Walkure, Sarge.

I'll put some thoughts together.

Sarge

[Brahmsian]

My grandfather, the first Wagnerite I ever knew, told me about his theater going days in the 20s in Hannover, acquiring cheap standing room only tickets for Parsifal, and dozing off during Act II (curled up on the floor with other sleepy students) but waking up in time to witness Klingsor's destruction   Yes, even those who love the music can get some rest during it. Wonderfully thoughtful composer, that Wagner 

Sarge

  Conductors must require rotator cuff surgery following a Ring cycle. 

[Elgarian]

I'd just like to make the observation that the Solti Ring, which I bought on Amazon UK for £51 last week, and which climbed to £68 a few days ago, is now being offered for £89. Looks like one of those 'the more we sell, the higher the price' sales drives.

[karlhenning]

I'd just like to make the observation that the Solti Ring, which I bought on Amazon UK for £51 last week, and which climbed to £68 a few days ago, is now being offered for £89. Looks like one of those 'the more we sell, the higher the price' sales drives.

Glad for you that you caught it in a down-market, Alan!

[Scarpia]

I'd just like to make the observation that the Solti Ring, which I bought on Amazon UK for £51 last week, and which climbed to £68 a few days ago, is now being offered for £89. Looks like one of those 'the more we sell, the higher the price' sales drives.

Standard marketing tactic.  Hold the price high so the fanatics pay top dollar, then dip it down so cheapskates who perpetually have it in the shopping card finally take the plunge, then raise it again.  That way everyone pays what they are willing to pay.   (No point giving a discount to spendthrifts.)

That reminds me, occasionally Amazon makes big pricing errors.  I remember when the Levine ring was first released on DVD and I was thinking of picking up one.  I went to amazon and saw: 

Rheingold: $29.99
Walkure : $39.99
Siegfried : $39.99
Gotterdamerung : $39.99
Complete Ring Cycle : $29.99

I almost broke my mouse, I ordered it so fast.   I had my fingers crossed until they shipped it the next day, but by then the price was up to what it was supposed to be, I think $129.99.

[Elgarian]

I went to amazon and saw: 

Rheingold: $29.99
Walkure : $39.99
Siegfried : $39.99
Gotterdamerung : $39.99
Complete Ring Cycle : $29.99

I actually laughed out loud when I saw this! Wonderful.

[karlhenning]

Fabulous!

[kishnevi]

Wondering what folks think about the Zagrosek/Stuttgart recordings on Naxos?
Looking through the Ring threads, no one seems enamored of the DVDs, but opinions of the singing seem to be better, and I'm interested in the CD versions.  I already have Rheingold and Walkure, and am now considering getting the remaining pair.  (In case you're interested, I like the Rheingold but am less enthused about the Walkure.)