Richard Wagner Lorin Maazel Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Wagner The Ring Without Words (20 tracks) +Album Reviews

It's the Reader's Digest Version of the Ring

Trevor Gillespie | San Jose, California United States | 06/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being such a mammoth work, Wagner's Ring isn't something a person can easily jump into, enjoy, and fully understand. To this day, I still feel like a beginner to the work. However, there are a few things that can help a person get somewhat of a grasp on the wonderful music contained therein. This compilation is one of those crucial elements to understanding Wagner's Ring, because the music is where all the action is in the opera. The words are only part of the story. The music on this CD acquaints the listener with the gorgeous melodies and orchestral details in the Ring. Lorin Maazel has created a great synthesis of the four operas that make up this work. The sound is incredible (regardless of what other reviewers might have said, I find the sound to be incredible--detailed & vivid). The performance is excellent as well, which has become the standard of the Berliner Philharmoniker. If you're looking for a great overview of the Ring or are just looking for some wonderful music, give this a try. It's a sure pleaser as long as you're not anti-Wagner."

Best Wagner CD ever

Joe Vanderbilt | Irving, TX United States | 03/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bought this CD 14 years ago when I was just out of high school. I've listened to it probably about 500 times. My favorite Wagner CD of all time, probably my favorite CD of all time. Why?There are so many CDs out there which are simply outtakes of parts of the Ring (like Twilight of the Gods and innumerable others). This is the only one I know of where the conductor sought to spin a long, continuous tapestry of music spanning various parts of the complete opera from beginning to end, placing all the parts in the right order, making sure the end of one selection leads easily into the beginning of another. It's quite a feat and I think Maazel pulled it off exactly right.The musical interludes they've chosen are weaved together so well you'll have a hard time recognizing that they've just switched from, say, one Act to the next or even one opera to the next.Anyone who, after buying it, is surprised there is no singing in this CD should have their head examined. The title is "The Ring Without Words" for a reason, meaning there are no words. It's pure music. Occasional voice parts within the music have been replaced by an instrument. Elitists and purists will scoff at the notion of changing Wagner's score, but I say so what? The result is beautiful.Words so often get in the way and start to crowd out the music, and Wagner's screeching sopranos are no exception. That said, what could be better to the ear for one who doesn't like opera but loves Wagner's rich, powerful music than this? A synthesis of the entire Ring Cycle compressed into a single CD."

Decent, though not ideal; fulfills the original intent

Wade H. Rice, Jr. | Alexandria,, Virginia USA | 04/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In having read the other reviews of this CD, I think many individuals failed to take note of the original intent behind this CD coming about in the first place. Lorin Maazel was commissioned by the recording company (Telarc) to come up with an arrangement of the prime orchestral excerpts of the "Ring," and his 4-step approach listed in the booklet, makes it abundantly clear that NOT ALL of the music commonly heard on other recordings of the orchestral music from the "Ring," would be heard in this arrangement. Also, it is to be inferred that Maazel knows, and obviously doesn't expect his arrangement to take the place of ANY complete recording of the "Ring."

I heard Maazel conduct his arrangement live with the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, DC last year. Before that concert, I had never listened to this recording, but I knew about it. So I had the advantage of going into the concert with a fresh mind.

I came out of the concert with the feeling that others before me expressed -- that some of the transitions between familiar excerpts were smooth, some so-so, and others rather clunky. I think Maazel would be the first to admit that he was more successful in some areas of his arrangement, and not as successful in others. So be it. Wagner is tough for anyone and everyone delving into the complete operas, whatever their command of German and musical/orchestral principles.

So, my rating and review of this recording is confined to Maazel's task at hand. I give his effort four stars. Most of this "grade" is confined to the arrangement itself. I give the orchestral playing five stars."

Berliner Philharmoniker strikes again!

Khurynn | 09/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a true gem. I was never a true Wagner fan. I usually prefer the light chamber music over Wagner's heavy music. However, after listening to this CD, I find that there is much beauty in large works. I strong recommend this CD for those who do not like opera, but still love the music. Without any sang texts, this CD offers the pure orchestral moods of the Ring. (Don't get me wrong. I love the vocal aspects of the Ring as well. It is an essential element to the Ring). It is simply great. This CD is also more inclusive in its selections of the opera than other "wordless" versions of the Ring out there. Besides, the Berlin Philharmonic is simply great. Even without the legendary Herbert von Karajan, it is still an impressive ensemble. Definitely check this CD out!"

Not perfect, but it serves a purpose

Khurynn | NY USA | 10/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I know that many Wagner purists will dismiss this album with a wave of the hand since there are no vocals in it whatsoever. Being a Wagner enthusiast myself (a Ring addict in particular), I respect what Maazel is trying to do here and I think that he pulled it off very well. The way I see it, this album is useful for two main purposes:

1. To introduce new listeners and opera skeptics to the Ring cycle (a daunting task).

2. Face it, not everyone has 16 hours to devote to music. This is a diverse sampling of Ring excerpts - most of the motives show up somewhere or another and most of the "flashy" orchestral passages are included. Many of the transitions either _are_ smooth or _seem_ smooth to someone not familiar with the Ring (although some of them are outright annoying once you get familiar with the complete work - e.g., Rheingold prelude->Valhalla, Nibelheim->Donner, Rhine Journey->Horn call).

The real reason I love this CD so much is that it was my own bridge to Wagner many years ago. If you are only familiar with the usual overtures and preludes, this gives you something more to listen to without the "screeching sopranos," if you're against that sort of thing (although you will soon get over this feeling once you watch and/or listen to a full-length recording!) I will admit that Maazel can be bland at times, and some of his tempi rather fast, hence the 4 star rating. But a few of the passages on this cd are simply amazing, including for instance Dawn in the Gotterdammerung Prologue, Wotan's farewell in Die Walkure, and even the prelude to Rheingold.

So definitely go for this CD if you are relatively new to Wagner and want to hear more of his music. I recommend it with reservations to listeners already familiar with the Ring, but unless you are completely anti-Maazel I think you will probably enjoy it as a complement to a full recording."

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