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Although not the most controversial of postwar Bayreuth Rings -- Georg Solti and Peter Hall's retro-Romantic Ring with naked Rhine maidens wins that prize -- Pierre Boulez and Patrice Chéreau's post-industrial revolution Ring as metaphor for the decline and fall of capitalism is certainly the second most controversial postwar Bayreuth Ring. But more controversial than Chéreau's dramatic conception was Boulez's musical execution. With startlingly clear textures, spectacularly bright colors, and stunningly light tempos, Boulez' obtains a Wagner sound like no other. And for those with ears to hear, it works. Wagner's music doesn't have to be murky to be metaphysical or massive to be overwhelmingly moving and Boulez gets playing from the too-often turgid Bayreuth Festival Orchestra that makes the music crackle and blaze with musical and dramatic meaning. But perhaps most surprisingly, the best thing about this Ring is the singing, or, rather, the singing-acting. From Donald McIntyre's bigger than life but deeply human Wotan to Gwyneth Jones heartbreakingly beautiful Brünnhilde, the leads are magnificently convincing both as singers and as actors. And while Peter Hoffmann's Siegmund and Manfred Jung's Siegfried were less well received at the time, their performances, while perhaps too earnest, are still quite effective in their roles. Philips' 1981 sound is very live -- much of the stage action is plainly audible -- but this only adds to the verisimilitude of the recording. While not for everybody, the Boulez Ring has to be heard by anyone who loves the work.
© TiVo
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Das Rheingold, WWV 86A (Richard Wagner)
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A / Szene I (Richard Wagner)
Norma Sharp, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Ilse Gramatzki, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Marga Schiml, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Norma Sharp, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Ilse Gramatzki, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Marga Schiml, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Norma Sharp, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Ilse Gramatzki, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Marga Schiml, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Norma Sharp, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Ilse Gramatzki, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Marga Schiml, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Norma Sharp, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Ilse Gramatzki, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Marga Schiml, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A / Szene II (Richard Wagner)
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Reppel, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Reppel, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Reppel, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Reppel, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A / Szene III (Richard Wagner)
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Helmut Pampuch, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
DISC 2
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Helmut Pampuch, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Helmut Pampuch, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A / Szene IV (Richard Wagner)
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Hermann Becht, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Reppel, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Ortrun Wenkel, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Reppel, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fritz Hübner, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Martin Egel, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Norma Sharp, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Ilse Gramatzki, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Zednik, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Marga Schiml, Contralto, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
DISC 3
Die Walküre, WWV 86B / Act I (Richard Wagner)
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Matti Salminen, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Jeannine Altmeyer, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Peter Hofmann, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Die Walküre, WWV 86B / Act II (Richard Wagner)
Richard Wagner, ComposerLyricist - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Donald McIntyre, Baritone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gwyneth Jones, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 1981 Universal International Music B.V.
Album review
Although not the most controversial of postwar Bayreuth Rings -- Georg Solti and Peter Hall's retro-Romantic Ring with naked Rhine maidens wins that prize -- Pierre Boulez and Patrice Chéreau's post-industrial revolution Ring as metaphor for the decline and fall of capitalism is certainly the second most controversial postwar Bayreuth Ring. But more controversial than Chéreau's dramatic conception was Boulez's musical execution. With startlingly clear textures, spectacularly bright colors, and stunningly light tempos, Boulez' obtains a Wagner sound like no other. And for those with ears to hear, it works. Wagner's music doesn't have to be murky to be metaphysical or massive to be overwhelmingly moving and Boulez gets playing from the too-often turgid Bayreuth Festival Orchestra that makes the music crackle and blaze with musical and dramatic meaning. But perhaps most surprisingly, the best thing about this Ring is the singing, or, rather, the singing-acting. From Donald McIntyre's bigger than life but deeply human Wotan to Gwyneth Jones heartbreakingly beautiful Brünnhilde, the leads are magnificently convincing both as singers and as actors. And while Peter Hoffmann's Siegmund and Manfred Jung's Siegfried were less well received at the time, their performances, while perhaps too earnest, are still quite effective in their roles. Philips' 1981 sound is very live -- much of the stage action is plainly audible -- but this only adds to the verisimilitude of the recording. While not for everybody, the Boulez Ring has to be heard by anyone who loves the work.
© TiVo
About the album
- 12 disc(s) - 168 track(s)
- Total length: 13:42:47
- Main artists: Bayreuther Festspielorchester Pierre Boulez
- Composer: Richard Wagner
- Label: Philips
- Genre: Classical Opera Full Operas
© 2006 Decca Music Group Limited ℗ 2006 Decca Music Group Limited
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