Barenboim's seminal Ring cycle, filmed at the Bayreuth Festival in June & July 1991 and 1992.
"I am more than ever impressed by Barenboim's exciting, excitable conducting. His ability to integrate massive dramatic peaks within the 'symphonic' span of Wagner's long, action-packed acts, his evident love of Wagner's orchestration and his deeply felt response to Wagner's most profoundly moving utterances make this the most compelling of modern recorded Rings." (Hugh Canning, BBC Music Magazine, October 1994)
“From his singing actors director Harry Kupfer has secured performances of unremitting physical and emotional energy… It’s an extraordinary tour de force, thrillingly sung off the text and the action.” (Gramophone 2005)
“This monumental version under Barenboim, is perhaps the best on disc” (The Observer)
“If a cycle is going as well as the Harry Kupfer/Daniel Barenboim Ring was, the super-test of Götterdämmerung brings out the best in everyone… Barenboim manipulates his orchestra with Furtwänglerian virtuosity, huge rits, pauses and all, tailor-made to the stage drama.” (Gramophone)
“All the cast work fiendishly hard… Tomlinson (and Kupfer) illustrate the glorious Prelude that Wagner called “Wotan’s last ride”, the lasers make a furious fire, and Evans is in streaming form as the awoken Brünnhilde. Aptly weighty, Furtwangler-ish conducting…” (Gramophone 2006)
Der Ring des Nibelungen comprises the four operas:
Das Rheingold * Die Walküre * Siegfried * Götterdämmerung
Since its recording in 1991/1992 at the famous Bayreuth opera house built by Richard Wagner himself, this version, staged and directed by Harry Kupfer and conducted by Daniel Barenboim, continues to be well remembered and much requested.
