Georg Solti and producer John Culshaw
THE SOLTI RING SOUNDING
BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE
DECCA RETURNS TO THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 25 YEARS
FIRST EVER RING CYCLE AVAILABLE IN DOLBY ATMOS
BACK ON VINYL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS
‘The Golden Ring’, a selection of the greatest scenes from
the cycle, is released on 30th September 2022
The four operas of the ‘Ring Cycle’ will be released in installments
between November 2022 and May 2023
Birgit Nilsson surprised by the entrance of the horse Grane, Götterdämmerung Recording Session
London, UK, Monday 5 September, 00:01. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sir Georg Solti’s death (5 September), Decca Classics is proud to announce a new high-definition transfer of the original master tapes of his most celebrated recording: the first stereo studio production of Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle, twice voted “The greatest recording of all time”1,
Recorded in Vienna between 1958 and 1965, and masterminded by Decca’s pioneering producer John Culshaw, this recording has always been regarded as the perfect marriage of art and technology and boasted a cast including Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter and Kirsten Flagstad. These new transfers of the 38 original stereo master tapes have been made at 24 bit/192kHz resolution, allowing greater detail and dynamic range than ever before.
The 6 harps used to create the shimmering rainbow bridge music in the final scene of Das Rheingold
The transfers have allowed the original recording to be remastered for Dolby Atmos; the spatial audio technology which recreates a multi-dimensional experience true to Culshaw’s vision of a “theatre of the mind”.
Dominic Fyfe, Decca Classics Label Director and Audio Producer of this reissue, says:
“Back in 1966 producer John Culshaw expressed the hope that this Ring would set a benchmark for years to come. Half a century later it is still the artistic and technical gold standard. Culshaw was above all an iconoclast and a visionary who rejoiced in new technology. I have no doubt he would approve of our efforts to utilise Dolby Atmos and the latest suite of remastering tools to make this new HD transfer the most immersive and vivid yet.”
Solti leads full orchestra, choir and cast during recording session in the Sofiensaal
The remastered Ring will be available in the most extensive suite ever of deluxe physical and digital products including:
- The first vinyl releases of the recording in 30 years. Half-speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios and pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl.
- The first international release of the recording on Hybrid SACDs, allowing listeners to hear the enhanced resolution of these new transfers and playable on all CD players
- The first and only complete Wagner Ring cycle available in Dolby Atmos
The physical products will be accompanied by lavish booklets including facsimiles of the original conductor and producer scores, rare session photographs, newly discovered curios and full libretti.
The four operas of the Ring cycle will be released in instalments between November 2022 and May 2023, with The Golden Ring, a selection of the greatest scenes from the cycle, released on 30 September 2022.
1 Voted ‘Greatest Recording’: Gramophone Magazine 1999 & BBC Music Magazine 2011
A small article in today’s TIMES newspaper refers to 25 years since the composer’s death (sic!) and refers to Solti’s Ring with no mention of Wagner. It also headlines that the recording is famous as it was used in APOCALYPSE NOW…..surely that would be one of his bleeding chunks Wagner LPs as I assume the film does not have the singing? I never buy the TIMES but read it in a cafe…..
The Ride of the Valkyries was famously used in “ Apicalypse Now”
yes but my point is it may not have been the opera version with voices but an orchestral version, thus not from this complete recording
The Ride of the Valkyries is the opera version with vocals, used to great effect during the helicopter attack. It’s diegetic too, since the music is portrayed as being blasted off the choppers’ speakers.