Search - Richard Wagner (composer), James Levine, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra :: Wagner: The Compact Ring (Highlights from Der Ring des Nibelungen) / Levine; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

An Awesome Summary

Trevor Gillespie | San Jose, California United States | 08/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone that might be intimidated by the 4 operas that make up Wagner's Ring might find this on CD a great introduction to the Ring. It is 77 minutes of magic taken from all of the four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung. Headliner singers like Jessye Norman, Christa Ludwig, Kathleen Battle and James Morris turn in performances that we are lucky to have on record. Perhaps the most important aspect of Wagner's Ring is the orchestra itself. Because of that, something must be said of James Levine and his Metropolitan Orchestra. From his orchestra, James Levine creates an environment in each scene that truly depicts what is happening. Though the music itself if just played strictly as written works well, when it's brought out intelligently and with emotion as Levine does, the Ring becomes something magical and the thought of gods, dragons, magical rings, etc. becomes believeable for the time that you're listening to it. Perhaps the most involved, complex and definitely the longest of operas, the Ring is an achievement of a lifetime. It is something that should continue to live on through each generation. Here is a great summary to the monumental work. Try it out, and if you like it go for the real deal and get the whole thing. For the full Ring, either the full Ring by James Levine or George Solti's recording for Decca is recommendable."

The Ring ABC

danielinyaracuy | San Felipe, Yaracuy Venezuela | 01/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, so you sort of like Wagner or are curious about it or want to learn about the Ring. Buy it and explore. Or you have already the whole Ring on countless CD but went to The Metropolitan Opera to attend a fantastically conducted performance by James Levine of a Ring chapter. You can get this as the perfect memento. Or there is that friend of yours that just needs a little help to get into Wagner. Perfect birthday gift. Or you travel a lot and carry your walkman everywhere but can only carry so many CDs. I can assure you that listeneing to a Ring selection in a busy airport while waiting for your connection can be quite an experience. In other words, rarely has quantity of quality ever been put on a single CD. A must."

Incredible. Levine/Met is the Wagner to buy.

StriderSF | New Jersey | 02/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have the complete Ring cycle from which these highlights are taken. Chances are if you're browsing Wagner recordings you're already aware of how powerful and profound "Der Ring" is, so I'll just say what you want to know: BUY THIS CD. No other Wagner CD I've heard comes close. Usually I disagree with at least some tempo or phrasing choices of even the most famous conductors, but I must bow to Levine on this one. Not once did I ever think that I would've made a different choice, allowing me to become completely immersed in the music. For a classically trained musician like myself, this is no small feat since I've been conditioned to analyze what I hear almost automatically. The fact that these recordings are so good that they make me forget about mechanics makes this not only of the best Wagner recordings I have but one of the best classical CDs I own, period.



NOTE: If you like this CD, then trust me--just buy the whole "Ring" set conducted by Levine. It's expensive (over $100), but it's 14 CDs and one of the best musical investments you'll ever make."