Darlington: Wagner/Dressler – Symphonic Ring (24/192, 2 CD, FLAC)

Composer: Richard Wagner, Friedmann Dressler
Orchestra: Duisburger Philharmoniker
Conductor: Jonathan Darlington
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks+cue)
Label: Acousene Classics
Size: 3.13 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

01. Prelude Rhinegold
02. The Song of the Rhine Maidens
03. Alberich s Curse of Love
04. The Gods castle Valhalla
05. The Forging.flac
06. Donner s Call.flac
07. Prelude to The Valkyrie.flac
08. Siegmund and Sieglinde
09. Winter Storms
10. Siegmund and Sieglinde s Escape
11. Prelude to 2nd Act Valkyrie
12. Wotan s Rage
13. Ride of the Valkyries Prelude 3rd Act
14. Wotan s Farewell
15. Magical Fire
16. Prelude 2nd Act Siegfried
17. Forest Murmurs
18. Siegfried s Fight with the Dragon
19. Fafner s Warning
20. Prelude 3rd Act Siegfried
21. Night on Bruennhilde s Rock
22. Sunrise
23. Siegfried-Bruennhilde Duet
24. Siegfried s Rhine Journey
25. Hagen s Battle Summons
26. Chorus of the Vassals
27. Prelude to 3rd Act Twilight of the Gods
28. The Murder of Siegfried
29. Siegfried s Memory of Bruennhilde
30. Siegfried s Death and Funeral Music
31. Bruennhilde s Immolation Scene

An Audio Spectacular

In Cinemascope and Technicolor.

I purchased this recently while in a semi-Wagnerian (I’ve been angry recently) state of mind due to a rave review from Mr. Moore – and thanks to Mr. Vernon for putting it on the map. The performance is excellent. The sound is superb. I am listening to an SACD version (2-channel only) and I feel I’ve been transported into a sound-world that is only too rarely attained.This recording has clarity, depth and balance. If you have state-of the-art equipment or are using those Sony seperates you splurged on years ago, you will hear great Sound. If you are an MP3 user, no warranties expressed or implied.

Is that enough? Well, no (unless you are an audiophile). The synthesis that Dressler has made seems to me to be inspired and the concept creative. More experienced Wagnerians can come to their own conclusions, but for the curious listener, the toe-dipper or the uninitiated, it’s a trip down the Rhine with the music pointing out highlights of the journey. To me an early evening embarkation.

This recording is superior to the venerable Wagner: The “Ring” Without Words and I say that with no denigration to that worthy, if ultimately, unsatisfying pioneer effort. This is the one.