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Epicurus.com - Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection
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List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $10.99
Your Save: $ 0.99 ( 8% )
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0028945914121
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: 1998-08-11
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
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Editorial Reviews:
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If you like your Wagner served up in bleeding chunks or if you're simply in a hurry to hear the tunes, then this compilation is for you. The performances, drawn from the Polygram (mainly Deutsche Grammophon) back catalog, are for the most part authoritative. They feature the likes of Herbert von Karajan, with the Berlin Philharmonic, and Karl Böhm, with the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (and chorus), in extracts from recordings of complete operas, and conductors Giuseppe Sinopoli, Otto Gerdes, and Antal Doráti in some of the more familiar overtures and preludes. Singing, without which it is impossible to get the full flavor of Wagner's work, is skirted whenever possible: this is an unapologetic tribute to Wagner the orchestral genius. At times the salesmanship is a little overblown--the glitzy packaging includes a cover shot of the helicopters from Apocalypse Now--and the sound, some of it from very good originals, seems to have been juiced with a little added digital reverb, resulting in an overall glassiness. The gaps between tracks are minimized, disco style, so there's no dead air, and the whole thing has an Entertainment Tonight feel to it. Were he around, Wagner would have screamed bloody murder, then happily taken his cut of the action. For today's on-the-go listener, this may well be the most practical way to enjoy Wagner's music, but we won't be happy until it motivates at least one newcomer to seek out a recording of a complete opera. Anyone who does that will find out what "apocalypse" really means. --Ted Libbey
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: It is what it is.
Comment: I am so tired of hearing people complain about how this isn't true opera and how it is so out of context. This is a greatest hits and hardly what I would consider in the same context as taking pages from great novels and putting them together. Music does not fall to the same boundries of context as do novels. I think of this like i think of a pink floyd greatest hits. in modern terms i would have to say that they do offer complete thoughts in their albums, and any song from the wall would lose something in context to the rest of the piece, but how often does one have time to listen to music for hours on end. i own many of the operas that this album takes from, and the best use that i can get of them is background and mood music, which i of course enjoy and in no way question it's genious, but that doesnt mean i dont like another brick in the wall by itself, humming to the famous chorus. famous because it is the most noteworthy. skipping to your favorite parts, and being introduced to a more broad selection of his music is the idea here. if you like a piece from an opera you were not aware of previously, then you have paid for your purchase. all the the self empowering, endulgent aspects of his work are on display here, and can be enjoyed as great individual pieces of work and i ask the purists if that is not a testament to the composer in and of itself.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderful collection and price!
Comment: I found this to be a nice collection of favorites, especially to keep in the car and listen to. It is a variety of well known compilations. Although not encompassing, it is perfect as a review for driving, relaxing, and enjoyment. Plus, the price is right!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome collection!
Comment: This is a great collection of some of Wagner's most memorable songs for those of you who do not want to buy the whole opera's for some of his works.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Helicopters? Marines?
Comment: Do those infotainment marketing mavens ever get it right? Talk about Hollywood disconnect! Not only are the helicopters irrelevant, but to quote from the gushy drivel on the jacket, "The gripping power of Richard Wagner's music was demonstrated with spectacular effect in...Apocalpse Now, when the "Ride of the Valkyries' became synonymous with the chilling journey of Marine 'Huey' helicopters into battle..."
Marine? Marine? Them Hueys in the movie was ARMY Air Cav, slick! "First of the ninth--air mobile." If you're going to dally down that primrose path, at least get it right.
Better yet, drop the choppers. Most people who listen to Wagner probably realize that quality of an artistic work has a mystically inverse relationship to the number of helicopters contained in it.
As for the music, it is good, but the operatic equivalent of sound bites, which may be just right for people who are new to Wagner or just can't take very much of him. Hmm...perfect for a helicopter ride, perhaps?
Customer Rating:
Summary: A great addition to my music collection
Comment: This CD takes the place of all my other Wagner music. VERY well done. Somehow I didn't realize that there were two cds in the package--what a pleasant surprise! Of the two cds, I like the first one best, but they are both good. I listen to this cd daily on my way to work. Stirring! I am so glad that I purchased this. Some purists might have a problem with the fact that some of the selections are not there in their entirety. I have no problem with that though. I recommend this to anyone who loves Wagner.
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