Description:

Lorin Maazel delivers a sweeping, unapologetically romantic interpretation of Der Ring des Nibelungen, embracing the epic scale of Wagner’s tetralogy while maintaining a meticulous attention to detail. His flexible approach to tempo and thoughtful editorial decisions—most of which are carried out with refined musical taste—add distinctive character to this cycle. It also helps that he has a top-tier cast at his disposal.

Berit Lindholm is in superb voice as the Walküre and Siegfried Brünnhildes, particularly excelling in her brief but punishing appearance in Siegfried. Gladys Kuchta takes on the Götterdämmerung Brünnhilde, handling the role’s most dramatic demands with security and vocal beauty. Jess Thomas is in excellent form as Siegfried, singing with notable sweetness and lyricism—especially during the “Forest Murmurs” in Act II of Siegfried—even if some strain appears in the heavier passages.

Thomas Stewart brings both majesty and polish to Wotan and Gunther, while Leonie Rysanek and James King contribute vocal and dramatic firepower as Sieglinde and Siegmund. Janis Martin offers a richly sung Fricka, and veteran bass Josef Greindl makes a forceful impression as Hagen. Gerhard Stolze is in superb form as Mime, Wolfgang Windgassen is a witty yet noble Loge, and Helga Dernesch rounds out the cast with a luxurious Gutrune.

The recording is in excellent stereo sound. Ring cycles just don’t get much better than this.

In Stereo

OD 11366-12