Das Rheingold – Original Source Vinyl Release

Karajan’s recording of Das Rheingold is now presented in Deutsche Grammophon’s Original Source Series, offering a new perspective on this landmark interpretation.

Recorded as part of his studio cycle of Der Ring des Nibelungen, Herbert von Karajan assembled a world-class cast of singers whose relatively neutral vocal timbre allows for a clear and precise declamation of the text. The Berliner Philharmoniker are more than capable of meeting this challenge. Karajan’s Ring stands apart through its distinctive approach, shaped by beauty, lyricism, and a strong sense of structure.

This recording now appears in the Original Source Series, newly remastered from the original stereo master tape (two-track). The Emil Berliner Studios have remastered and cut the recording fully analog (AAA), using technologies developed specifically for the series. Compared to the original releases, the result offers greater clarity, finer detail, an improved frequency range, and reduced surface noise, distortion, and compression.

Released on 180g vinyl, this limited and numbered 3-LP box set includes the original cover artwork and libretto, as well as additional material such as photographs and facsimiles of recording protocols and tape boxes.

The edition is available via Deutsche Grammophon:
https://store.deutschegrammophon.com/de-en/collections/original-source-vinyl/products/herbert-von-karajan-wagner-das-rheingold-111281

—  Pia Bernauer (Karajan Institute)