Amazon.com: When Wagner set the Ring to music, he intended the orchestra to act in the fashion of a chorus from a classic Greek tragedy--setting the mood and commenting on the action. In order to allow a nonverbal musical line to reflect on the plot, Wagner developed a psychologically and musically complex symbology to communicate his thoughts to the listener. From the beginning the Ring has spawned numerous written commentaries on the relationships of the motif structure, but by using examples from the Decca Ring recording, Deryck Cooke's thoughtful spoken commentary is by far the most accessible guide for either the fledgling Ring enthusiast or the seasoned veteran. --Christian C. Rix
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Essential and Unsurpassed
There's no other way to put it. Beside Cooke's landmark musical analysis, all other examinations of Wagner's Ring Cycle shrink to insignificance. This work is absolutely vital to anyone who'd genuinely ... Read More
Rating: - An introduction to music themes
In order to understand Wagner's ring you may simply listen to his work, about 15 hours, but some explanation can be of great help. And that is the purpose of these CD's, where a narrator uses short music ... Read More
Rating: - Ring introduction critique
This is very worthwhile, at the same time it requires time, patience and attention, but it does provide some keys to better enjoyment of a sensational piece of music.
Rating: - FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE
This may look an intimidating, daunting and dull prospect - a 2+ hour lecture on the motifs in the Ring. Don't be put off. Whether you're a relative novice to the Ring and want to find out what it's all ... Read More
Rating: - Welcome back to a classic analysis
Deryck Cooke's lecture series upon THE RING is almost as much a classic by now as the Solti RING cycle, with which it was originally issued on LP, and from which it derives its musical examples. The difference ... Read More
- Essential and Unsurpassed
- An introduction to music themes