The Golden Ring
4853364 (Decca Classics, CD)
FIRST RELEASE (30 September 2022)
Playing time: 66'
Tracks: 14
℗ 2022 Universal Music Operations Ltd
© 2022 Universal Music Operations Ltd
Main country of recording: Austria
Reviewer: Gerald Fenech
Review of The Golden Ring published on 2 January 2023
Kirsten Flagstad
Birgit Nilsson
Hetty Plümacher
Oda Balsborg
Ira Malaniuk
Vera Schlosser
Berit Lindholm
Brigitte Fassbaender
Helen Watts
Helga Dernesch
Vera Little
George London
Set Svanholm
Eberhard Wächter
Waldemar Kmentt
Hans Hotter
Wolfgang Windgassen
Gerhard Stolze
Roland Berger
Gottlob Frick
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Georg Solti, conductor
Richard Wagner (1813-1883):
Das Rheingold, Scene IV
1 Heda! Heda! Hedo! Zu mir, du Gedüft!
2 Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge
3 Rheingold! Rheingold!
Die Walküre, Act III
4 Hojotoho! Heiaha!
5 Leb wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind
6 Denn einer nur freie die Braut
7 Loge, hör! Lausche hieher!
Siegfried, Act I
8 Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede, mein Hammer, ein hartes schwert!
Siegfried, Act II
9 Meine Mutter, ein Menschenweib!
10 Siegfried's Hornruf
Götterdämmerung, Act III
11 Trauermarsch
12 Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
13 Mein Erbe nun nehm' ich zu eigen
14 Fliegt heim, ihr Raben!
Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sir Georg Solti's death (5 September), Decca Classics is proud to announce a new high-definition transfer of the original master tapes of his most celebrated recording: the first stereo studio production of Wagner's complete Ring Cycle. Recorded in Vienna between 1958 and 1965, and masterminded by Decca's pioneering producer John Culshaw, this recording has always been regarded as the perfect marriage of art and technology and boasted a cast including Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter, and Kirsten Flagstad. These new transfers of the 38 original stereo master tapes have been made at 24 bit/192kHz resolution, allowing greater detail and dynamic range than ever before. The transfers have allowed the original recording to be remastered for Dolby Atmos; the spatial audio technology which recreates a multi-dimensional experience true to Culshaw's vision of a 'theater of the mind'. Dominic Fyfe, Decca Classics Label Director and Audio Producer of this reissue, says, 'Back in 1966, producer John Culshaw expressed the hope that this Ring would set a benchmark for years to come. Half a century later it is still the artistic and technical gold standard. Culshaw was above all an iconoclast and a visionary who rejoiced in new technology. I have no doubt he would approve of our efforts to utilize Dolby Atmos and the latest suite of remastering tools to make this new HD transfer the most immersive and vivid yet.' The remastered Ring will be available in the most extensive suite ever of deluxe physical and digital products including: - The first vinyl releases of the recording in thirty years. Half-speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios and pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl. - The first international release of the recording on Hybrid SACDs, allowing listeners to hear the enhanced resolution of these new transfers and playable on all CD players. - The first and only complete Wagner Ring cycle available in Dolby Atmos. The physical products will be accompanied by lavish booklets including facsimiles of the original conductor and producer scores, rare session photographs, newly discovered curios, and full libretti. The four operas of the Ring Cycle will be released in installments between November 2022 and May 2023.