gustavmahlerboard.com

General Category => Gustav Mahler and Related Discussions => Topic started by: John Kim on September 10, 2007, 12:59:47 AM

Title: Karajan's Ring cycle on DG
Post by: John Kim on September 10, 2007, 12:59:47 AM

I am considering to get Karajan's Ring on DG. I have Haitink/EMI set and have heard Solti and Bohm. Can anyone put the Karajan in perspective and tell me what's all the fuss is about?

Thanks.

John,

Title: Re: Karajan's Ring cycle on DG
Post by: akiralx on September 10, 2007, 11:32:15 AM

Quote from: John Kim on September 10, 2007, 12:59:47 AM

I am considering to get Karajan's Ring on DG. I have Haitink/EMI set and have heard Solti and Bohm. Can anyone put the Karajan in perspective and tell me what's all the fuss is about?

One of the better Rings IMHO - reviews often mention things like the 'chamber' scale of the performance but that's not really true, it's just that Karajan's BPO play with more transparency and beauty than their rivals, but the sound is certainly not prettified or small scale.  There are some great singers involved, Regine Crespin being a highlight.  I would recommend this and Bohm, maybe Haitink, above Solti and Barenboim (though the latter has great orchestral playing but is recorded rather closely for my taste).