Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The virtues of Decca's 1958-1965 recording of Wagner's Ring are well-known. Later stereo recordings have their advocates, but this is the standard against which all are judged. A classic, and pretty much beyond criticism. This is the third time this recording has been remastered for CD - and the second time this particular 2012 remastering has been issued on CD. Contemporary with this, a Blu-Ray remastering was also created. It has also been issued twice. Decca/Universal has issued the Solti Ring in six different packages, though only three CD remasterings are involved: [hint: for ease of navigation, read the review though to the end, then come back and click on the links.] 1) 1984 remastering: Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, Gotterdammerung 2) 1997 remastering: Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) or 1997 remastering: Wagner: The Operas (part of a 36 CD box of ten Wagner operas) 3a) 2012 remastering on CD + Blu-Ray: Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (Super Deluxe) 3b) 2012 remastering on Blu-Ray only : Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Blu-ray Audio] 3c) 2012 remastering on CD only: Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen [16 CD/DVD Combo] reviewed on this page SOUND QUALITY: The overall consensus view is that Version 3 (2012) is the best-sounding remastering. There are dissenters (read the other reviews). That being said however, there is not a great deal of difference between the three CD remasterings. But Version 3a also included a separate Blu-Ray Audio remastering: the entire Ring on one Blu-Ray (versus 14 CDs). Version 3b is the Blu-Ray, but no CDs. Version 3c is 14 CDs, but no Blu-Ray. It's not uncommon to find ordinary CDs remastered at "24-bit/96 kHz", but the CD medium is incapable of accurately reproducing everything on the master. Compromises are made in the conversion to CD. You need SACD or Blu-Ray Audio to realize the full potential of the original master tape. The only real advantage of Blu-Ray Audio over the older SACD technology is a longer playing time - The single Blu-Ray Audio disc of Solti's Ring plays for fifteen hours. You don't need a special Blu-Ray Audio player.. Blu-Ray Audio plays on any Blu-Ray Video player. Keep the video output connected to your TV to read the disc menu. Connect the audio to your Hi-Fi system. The 14 standard CDs sound fine. Blu-Ray Audio is almost certainly an improvement, but it's hard for me to judge. My landlord won't allow concert hall realism in his building. Playing Blu-Ray Audio with the volume turned down is self-defeating. CD RECOMMENDATION: If you want Solti's Ring on CD, you have a choice between Version 1, 2, 3a or 3c. Version 3c (reviewed on this page) is your best buy: Most critics prefer this CD remastering, plus it costs less than the others. + Libretti and translations in CD-ROM format. + 2 CDs devoted to Deryck Cooke's "Introduction to Der Ring Des Nibelungen". + Excerpts from John Culshaw's 1967 book 'Ring Resounding'. If you have a lot of money and want the Deluxe Edition, buy Version 3a. The CD remastering is identical, plus you get a lot of extras (including the Blu-Ray, just in case you are curious). BLU-RAY RECOMMENDATION If you want Solti's Ring on Blu-Ray, you have a choice between Version 3a or 3b. Version 3a is the Deluxe CD + Blu-Ray Edition: 14 CDs + 1 Blu-Ray + 3 bonus CDs + 1 DVD + Libretti and translations in book format. + John Culshaw's 1967 book 'Ring Resounding'. + 2 CDs devoted to Deryck Cooke's "Introduction to Der Ring Des Nibelungen". + 1 DVD of "The Golden Ring", the 1965 behind-the-scenes BBC documentary about Decca's Ring project. + 1 CD devoted to Solti's Vienna Philharmonic recordings of orchestral Wagner + "Kinderkatechismus" + a selection of contemporary advertising material (32 pages) from Gramophone Magazine, recording session photos, and Solti's annotated score of The Ride of the Valkyries. Version 3b is the Basic Blu-Ray Edition: 1 Blu-Ray + Libretti and translations in book format. If you are under age 50, I recommend you look into one of the Blu-Ray versions (3a or 3b). If you are over age 50, your hearing is not as good as it used to be, and 3c is good enough. One exception: I am 66 years old, but obsessive compulsive. I need to know that I am listening the best possible version even if I can't tell the difference. Aargh. Two drawbacks to Deluxe Edition 3a: 1) It's expensive 2) It's big and bulky - practically the same size and weight as the 1960s LP mega-box. It won't fit on my CD shelf, It barely fits on my bookshelf. EXTRAS: The "extras" included with Deluxe Edition 3a are all very nice, but if you are willing to do without the contemporary advertising material, photos, and Solti's annotated score of The Ride of the Valkyries, you can get the really important "extras" for very little money. Save money by buying Version 3b (blu-ray) or 3c (CD), and add the extras you want: 1) John Culshaw's book 'Ring Resounding' is available in hardcover and paperback for under $10. I especially recommend the Time-Life version (available singly and in a slipcase with other books about Wagner). It comes with a lot of extra photographs. 2) Two-CD set of Deryck Cooke's An Introduction To Der Ring Des Nibelungen (2 CD) (already included with Version 3c - reviewed on this page) 3) DVD of The Golden Ring - Solti's nickname in the 1960s was "the Screaming Skull" - watch this DVD to find out why. 4) Solti's 1962-65 Vienna Philharmonic recordings of Wagner: Overtures / Siegfried Idyll 5) Wagner's "Kinderkatechismus" which may or may not be conducted by Solti: Wagner: Overtures & Preludes see my review of this dated May 27, 2015 for more information about "Kinderkatechismus", and who I think the conductor really is. COST: As of May 2015, these are the lowest prices on Amazon: Version 3a = $206 (CD + Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition) Version 3b = $55 (Blu-Ray Basic Edition) Version 3c = $36 (CD Basic Edition) ---------------------------------------------------------- Decca's English translation of Kinderkhatechismus: SOLO: Tell me, children, what is it blossoms in May? CHILDREN'S CHORUS: The rose, the rose, the rose in May. SOLO: Do you know, too, what blossoms at Christmas? CHILDREN'S CHORUS: The cosy, the cosy, the cosy Mama Cosima! SOLO: If the rose of May has faded, it blossoms anew in the bosom of Christmas. CHILDREN'S CHORUS: Rose in May, cosy in May, dearest loveliest Cosima! Yecch.