Search - Alexander Borodin, Richard [Classical] Wagner, Kurt Schroder :: Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Box Set]

Spirit of Greatness!

Impostazione | New York City Area | 09/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am rather surprised that this Ring set is one of the least popular of the historical, live, recordings for it is simply sublime. And...I mean that in the true sense of the word. Moralt brings a haunting spirituality and intensity of motion. Never did "Heil dir Sonne, Heil dir licht" have more freshness, life and hope. A goddess on the journey to womanhood. I get goosebumps thinking about it.



I will not compare too much but while Treptow, who was reviving his career is not the best artist, he seems more than reliable and what a beautiful almost Italianate ringing, virile voice he has. This is not a hollow sound at all. The weakest link here, to me, is the Walkure, where I do not sense from the singing of Sieglinde that touching exhaustion that makes her character so special. For though Konetzni was THE Sieglinde of the time, with a georgeous tone, she lacks the "Wagnerian Thrust." Crespin made you feel that Sieglinde had come a long, perilous road, this in spite of the beauty of her tone. I believed she accomplished this by her more vigorous use of the chest quality and declamation. Yet, it is CLEAR that Konetzni was her model.



Finally, Grob-Prandl was the greatest dramatic soprano ever. Never have I heard on recordings or otherwise a more arrestingly powerful and beautiful hochdramatiche sopran! How youthfully naive and moving is her "lang war mein schlaf" after she awakens on the rock surrounded by flames. Moralt captured that aspect well, the surprise of awakening, the confusion of the new life, the grayness of the rock, and the unique burning glow of old flames. Hello Sun! Hello light!



A precious document!"

Excellent Ring cycle

B. Cathey | Wendell, NC United States | 01/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rudolf Moralt's 1948 Ring cycle from Vienna is a true find. First appearing on the Myto label (still available), and now on Gebhardt, Wagnerians will want this, if only because it offers a wonderful opportunity to hear the largely-unknown and underappreciated Gertrude Grob-Prandl (Brunnhilde in the Siegfried and Gotterdammerung). She is phenomenal--something of a cross between the tremendous power of a Nilsson and the melting beauty of a Flagstad. Others stand out as well, including Ferdinand Frantz' Wotan/Wanderer. In short, a Ring cycle worth acquiring, not as a first choice, perhaps, but, at such cheap prices, necessary nonetheless."