If there are any Wagner fans out who know all about the recordings of the Ring Cycle, help me!
I’ve been debating for the last hour whether to buy the Solti or Karajan version of the Ring… Now before you pounce on me and tell me to go for the Solti (I know it’s the most popular, authentic version), please here me out:
I love the Solti recording for everything everyone says about it – singers are incredible and energy is fantastic! But what no one told me (and thankfully, I checked the Solti on iTunes before buying anything) is that the Solti orchestra is definitely having issues. The sound is so harsh and the intonation and tone in the strings makes me wince constantly. Maybe my taste is geared towards a warmer sound. But Karajan’s Berlin Phil is in top shape and I love the balance towards the strings (certainly shows them off well).
But I like Solti’s timing intrepetation better and so I’m stuck… Go with the quality of sound I want without the incredible singers or with the interpretation I prefer but lose the heavenly sound?
Perhaps I’m doomed. But I’d be curious to hear what others think out there… Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal and I’d buy both versions. However, that’s a bit more money than I’d like to spend. There are other great opera recordings to get!
