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List Price: $93.98 | | Label: EMI Classics
Salesrank: 110398
Released: May 19, 1998 |
| Our Price: $65.02 |
| Used Price: $52.02 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Vorspiel
2. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 1. Weia! Wage!
3. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 1. Hehe! ihr Nicker!
4. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 1. Garstig glatter glitsch'riger Glimmer!
5. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 1. Lugt, Schwestern!
6. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 1. Bangt euch noch nicht?
7. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. (Orchester)
8. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Wotan, Gemahl! erwache!
9. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Wollende das ewige Werk!
10. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. So schirme sie jetzt
11. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Sanft schlo� Schlaf dein Aug
12. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Schweig' dein faules Schwatzen
13. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Zu mir, Freia!
14. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Halt, du Wilder!
15. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Wie? weichen Handel h�tt' ich geschlossen?
16. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Immer ist Undank Loge's Lohn!
17. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Was ein Dieb stahl
18. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. H�r', Wotan, der Harrenden Wort!
19. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Was sinnt nun Wotan so wild?
20. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 2. Auf, Loge! hinab mit mir!
21. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Hehe! heh!
22. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Nibelheim hier
Disc 2:
1. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Wer h�lfe mir!
2. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Hierher! Dorthin!
3. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Was wollt ihr hier?
4. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Habt Acht! Habt Acht!
5. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Riesenwurm winde sich ringelnd!
6. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. Luge du her!
7. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 3. (Orchester)
8. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Da, Vetter, sitze du fest!
9. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Wohlan, die Niblungen rief ich mir nah'
10. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Gezahlt hab' ich
11. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Bin ich nun frei?
12. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Lauschtest du seinem Liebesgru�?
13. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Bring'st du gute Kunde?
14. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Auf Risenheims ragender Mark
15. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Freia, die sch�ne
16. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Weiche, Wotan!
17. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Zu mir, Freia!
18. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Halt, du Gieriger!
19. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Was gleicht, Wotan
20. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Schw�les Ged�nst schwebt in der Luft
21. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Zur Burg f�hrt die Br�cke
22. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge
23. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Ihrem Ende eilen sie zu
24. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), opera, WWV 86a: Scene 4. Rheingold! Rheingold!
Disc 3:
1. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Vorspiel
2. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 1. Was Herd dies auch sei
3. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 1. Einen Unseligen labtest du
4. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 2. M�de am Herd fand ich den Mann
5. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 2. Friedmund darf ich nicht hei�en
6. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 2. Die so leidig Los dir beschied
7. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 2. Ich weiss ein wildes Geschlecht
8. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. Ein Schwert verhie� mir der Vater
9. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. Schl�fst du, Gast?
10. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. Der M�nner Sippe
11. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. Winterst�rme wichen dem Wonnemond
12. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. Du bist der Lenz
13. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. O s��este Wonne! Seligstes Weib!
14. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 1. Scene 3. Siegmund hei�' ich und Siegmund bin ich!
Disc 4:
1. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Vorspiel / Scene 1. Nun z�ume dein Ro�, reisige Maid!
2. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 1. Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
3. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 1. Der alte Sturm, die alte M�h'!
4. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 1. So ist es denn aus mit den ewigen G�ttern
5. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 1. Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho!
6. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 2. Schlimm, f�rcht' ich, schlo� der Streit
7. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 2. Als junger Liebe Lust mir verblich
8. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 2. Ein andres ist's: achte es wohl
9. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 2. So nimmst du von Siegmund den Sieg?
10. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 2. So nimm meinen Segen, Niblungen-Sohn!
11. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 3. Raste nun hier, g�nne dir Ruh!
12. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 3. Hinweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entweihte!
Disc 5:
1. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 4. Siegmund! Sieh auf mich!
2. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 4. Erdenluft mu� sie noch atmen
3. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 4. Weh! Weh! S��estes Weib
4. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 4. Zwei Leben lachen dir hier
5. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 5. Zauberfest bez�hmt ein Schlaf
6. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 2. Scene 5. Wehwalt! Wahwalt!
Disc 6:
1. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 1. Walk�renritt (Ride of the Valkyries) / Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
2. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 1. Sch�tzt mich und helft in h�chster Not!
3. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 1. Nicht sehre dich Sorge um mich
4. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 1. Seh, Br�nnhild'!
5. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 2. Hier bin ich, Vater: gebiete die Strafe!
6. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. War es so schm�hlich, was ich verbrach
7. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. Deinen leichten Sinn la� dich denn leiten
8. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. Du zeugtest ein edles Geschlecht
9. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. Leb wohl, du k�hnes, herrliches Kind!
10. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. Der Augen, leuchtendes Paar
11. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. Loge, h�r! Lausche hieher!
12. Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b: Act 3. Scene 3. Feuerzauber (Magic Fire Music)
Disc 7:
1. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Du r�hrtest dich viel auf der Erde
2. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Viel, Wanderer, wei�t du mir
3. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Viel, Wanderer, wei�t du mir
4. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Nun, ehrlicher Zwerg
5. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Ein weiser Niblung
6. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Sag mir, du weiser Waffenschmied
7. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Verfluchtes Licht!
8. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Heda, du Fauler!
9. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Bist de es, Kind?
10. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. F�hltest du nie im finstren Wald
11. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Her mit den St�cken
12. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Notung! Notung!
13. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
14. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 3. Notung! Notung!
15. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Vorspiel
16. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 1. Zwangvolle Plage!
17. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 1. Hoiho! Hoiho!
18. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 1. Willst du denn nie gedenken
19. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 1. Vieles lehrtest du, Mime
20. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 1. Einst lag wimmernd ein Weib
21. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 1. Und diese St�cken sollst du mir schmieden
22. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 1. Scene 2. Heil dir, weiser Schmied!
Disc 8:
1. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Vorspiel
2. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 1. In Wald und Nacht
3. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 1. Zur Neidh�hle fuhr ich bei Nacht
4. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 1. Fafner! Fafner! Erwache, Wurm!
5. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Wir sind zur Stelle!
6. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Da� der mein Vater nicht ist
Disc 9:
1. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Waldweben (Forest Murmurs) / Aber - wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
2. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Du holdes V�glein
3. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Haha! Da h�tte mein Lied...
4. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Was ist da?
5. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Wer bist du, k�hner Knabe
6. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 2. Ist mir doch fast
7. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 3. Wohin schleichst du
8. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 3. Was ihr mir n�tzt
9. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 3. Willkommen, Siegfried
10. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 3. Hei� ward mir
11. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 2. Scene 3. Hei! Siegfried erschlug nun...
12. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Vorspiel
13. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 1. Wache, Wala!
14. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 1. Stark ruft das Lied
Disc 10:
1. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 1. Dir Urweisen ruf ich ins Ohr
2. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 2. Dort seh ich Siegfried nahn
3. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 2. Wie sieh'st du denn aus?
4. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 2. Zieh hin!
5. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. Selige �de auf sonniger H�h'!
6. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. Das ist kein Mann!
7. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. Heil dir, Sonne!
8. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. So starb nicht meine Mutter?
9. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. Dort seh' ich Grane
10. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. ...helig schied sie aus Walhall!
11. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. O Siegfried! Siegfried!
12. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. Wie des Blutes Str�me
13. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c: Act 3. Scene 3. Fahr hin
Disc 11:
1. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Vorspiel
2. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. Welch Licht leuchtet dort?
3. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. D�mmert der Tag?
4. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. Tagesgrauen (Dawn of day)
5. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. Zu neuen Taten, teurer Helde
6. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. Mehr gabst du, Wunderfrau
7. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. O heilige G�tter
8. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Prologue. Siegfried Rheinfahrt (Siegfried's Rhine Journey)
9. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 1. Nun h�r, Hagen
10. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 1. Ein Weib wei� ich
11. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 1. Vom Rhein her t�nt das Horn / Scene 2. Heil! Siegfried, t
12. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Wer ist Gibichs Sohn?
13. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Begr��e froh, o Held
14. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Verg��' ich alles
Disc 12:
1. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Gutrune
2. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Bl�henden Lebens
3. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Was nahmst du am Eide nicht teil?
4. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 2. Hier sitz' ich zur Wacht
5. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 3. Altgewohntes Ger�usch
6. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 3. H�re mit Sinn, was ich sage!
7. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 3. Welch banger Tr�ume M�ren
8. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 3. Blitzend Gew�lk
9. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 3. Br�nnhilde'! Ein Freier kam
10. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 1. Scene 3. Jetzt bist du mein
Disc 13:
1. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Vorspiel
2. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 1. Schl�fst du, Hagen, mein Sohn?
3. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 2. Hoiho! Hagen!
4. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 3. Hoiho! Hoihohoho!
5. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 3. R�stet euch wohl
6. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 3. Gro� Gl�ck und Heil
7. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Heil dir, Gunther!
8. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Br�nnhild', die hehrste Frau
9. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Gegr��t sei, teurer Held
10. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Einen Ring sah ich an deiner Hand
11. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Betrug! Betrug!
12. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Helle Wehr! Heilige Waffe!
13. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 4. Glaub, mehr z�rnst es mich als dich
14. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 5. Welches Unholds List
15. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 5. Vertraue mir, betrogne Frau!
16. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 5. Auf, Gunther, edler Gibichung!
17. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 2. Scene 5. Frau Sonne sendet lichte Strahlen
18. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 3. Vorspiel
19. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 3. Scene 1. Frau Sonne sendet lichte Strahlen
20. Die G�tterd�mmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d: Act 3. Scene 1. Ein Albe f�hrte mich irr
Editorial Review:
Those without access to video disc players can now enjoy this 1989 Ring production, although stage noises and singers husbanding their resources come off less forgivingly in an audio-only context. But the recording is surprisingly crisp and vibrant, save for distortion in loud tuttis. Wolfgang Sawallisch has a sixth sense for pacing, proportion, and keeping singers secure. A bargain worth considering, but no texts are included. --Jed Distler
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sawallisch, Bayerischer Staatsoper Reviews:
"Blut-Bruderschaft schwore ein Eid!" 
2007-05-15 - This live Ring recording might not be as good as the Karajan, Janowski, and Krauss ring, but it's not at all a hopeless wreck.
I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) so Bohm has more control in his live bAyreuth recording. Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.
Speaking of singers, they just don't match with other essential casts. I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his "Leb Wohl, du Kuhnes herrlisches Kind" wasn't enough to astound me.
Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin. While she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Siegfried. The only problem I had with her are her low notes: too stuffy and too rough.
Honorable mentions go to Robert Schunk as Siegmund and Julia Varady for Sieglinde. They do very well here, especially Varady. They never back down to tiredness, and they (almost) never lose track of the conductor.
Rene Kollo's Siegfried was a disappointment. In Janowski's version he had no flaws whatsoever when he performed in "Siegfried" and "Gotterdammerung". Here he is not good enough; his tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.
Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold. His performance in Siegfried could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.
Helmut Pampuch as Mime is just like Peter Schreier and Heinz Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.
Robert Tear as Loge is on par with Gerhard Stolze and Heinz Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.
As for everyone else, they do a splendid job. The biggest problems I have with this recording are unintentionally loud noises on the theater stage. Yes, loud stomps and thuds and crashes are heard in other live recordings, also, but this one really irritated me. They were louder than most recordings. Noises aside, Sawallisch's Ring is recommendable if you're looking for live performances. And you could also try Boulez and Krauss. Neuhold I've haven't heard yet, but I heard it's also a great live one.
A nice ring. Too nice for the price. 
2007-01-04 - This is the first ever ring I heard, being the second the Levine's DVD collection and the third is Böhm's. This set is very decent, sometimes Kollo's voice sounds too tired but hell, it's a LIVE recording! Not even singers like Windgassen are made of steel.
Das Rhinegold.
I liked it. The first scene is weak at some point but is decent. The storm aria on the fourth scene is the part I disliked the most. Wotan is marveolous and Fafner is outstanding. Take a second listening to Fricka.
Die Walkure.
God! What a marvelous performance! But not totally by Behrens. Siegmund and Sieglinde are romantic and distillate love on the "wintersturme" part. The Ride of the Walkyries is excelent, perfect. More beautiful even than in Solti's. And the "Lehb Wohl" aria of Wotan at the end made me get goosebumps: in one word: perfect. You can note that Behrens gets tired by the end of the Third act but with the amount of singing..... it's something normal.
Siegfried.
The weakest part is the final part of the Forging Scene. At that point, Kollo is tired... VERY tired. Mime is decent. Fafner, once again, is perfect. The Wanderer is very well sung.
Gotterdammerung.
Marvelous performance by Salminen. It's the Gotterdammerung to listen, unless you want to pay 60 bucks or more for Karajan's.
Herr Sawallisch is great. Has a very particular read of the Wagnerian partiture but he's great, almost as perfect as Böhm. It's a light ring cycle... and costs the half as Karajan's or Solti's. Buy it.
fanat
2007-01-03 - From the German conductors I love Sawallisch most . It is the surprisingly sensitive, cultured and very original conductor. Among the executors there is no with a uninteresting vote and boring manner of performance. Robert Tear, probably, most remarkable Loge from everyone, whom I heard. Sieglinde, Siegmund and Hunding
Are worthy of admiration. Brunnhilde - Behrens has, probably, not best soprano in a history of a global opera, but her actor's work in a combination to a very good vote makes unforgettable impression. Siegfried Rene Kollo - unique Siegfried, which image I accept certainly. Hagen is magnificent.
Wotan amazes with humanity of an image. This record - one of my most favourite records " Der Ring des Nibelungen ".
Look somewhere else for a 'Ring' . . . . . . 
2004-12-09 - Now that a lot of decent recordings of the 'Ring' are available at discount price (Levine, Janowski) this set has become nothing more than a waste of money. Truly, this is overall the second worst 'Ring' I have ever heard. Sawallisch's conducting is good, but he seems to think he is conducting music from the classical era & not the romantic. Frankly this concept doesn't work & I find myself constantly annoyed by his concept combined with the weird tempo & the orchestral balance that favours the strings & percussion over everything else. The singers are thrown well ahead of the orchestra, and even this doesn't help this mediocre cast. Kollo should have retired well before this recording, often he resorts to shouting & by the end of Siegfried & Gotterdammerung sounds as if he is going to die from sheer exhaustion, that, and being lazy about rhythm & pitch makes for an unpleasant performance. A pity, I always liked Kollo, and this recording just makes one miss the voice he used to have. Beherns never had a true Wagnerian soprano voice, and by this time all the Brunhildes & Isoldes through the years have taken their toll. Constricted in the lower passages, a hollow middle & lurching at high notes she has to fight constantly to rise above the orchestra, dramatically she is as fine as ever. Hale's Wotan, while easy on the ears, is too light to cope with all the notes, and his German diction is terrible. Fortunately, a few years ago I saw him as the Wanderer in 'Siegfried' & both problems improved considerably. The Walsung twins are vocally mis-matched. Varady's fine Siegliede is teamed up with a rather wooden & effortful Siegmund from Schunk. Only the basses in cycle have any success. Moll makes for an outstanding Hunding & Fafner; easily conveying both power & menace in these two roles. Salminen's Hagen is a good as ever, with a larger than life portrayal of pure evil. Wlaschiha's Alberich is far from disappointing, not as good as the DVD from the Met, but not chopped liver either. All in all, a rather mediocre release that you should have no qualms passing over.
A good rendering
2003-01-19 - Sawallisch's rendering flows naturally, as Boehm's, without the artificial climaxes Solti made in his widely admired set. The nuances and subtleties in music and texts are taken care of. But the cast is barely competent. The main complaint is on Behrens and Hale. I have never heard her live in opera house, but from her performance in this set and Levine's, I really cannot praise her much. Her voice is often strenuous and hard to the ears. In the middle range, the voice is hollow, which makes her sound more like a lunatic woman than a stout Bruennhilde. Hale's sweel and beautiful voice is a real pleasure, but his Germna diction can turn me off from time to time. Moreover, I feel he screws up my enjoyment in the Wotan's farewell to Bruennhilde by singing ahead of the right beat the first "Leb wohl". That mistake puts the orchestra in a mess for quite a while. Kollo's siegfried is dramatically satisfactory. Varady and Zednik are simply wonderful.
In general, this set can rank with any other Ring set, but, in my opinion, should not be anyone's first Ring.
