Wagner - Das Rheingold (Hotter/Knappertsbusch/Bayreuth 1957)

An excellent recording, very clear, with no distortion. The problem lies with the singing, I'm afraid, to my ears, only redeemed by Hotter and Neidlinger. Ludwig Suthaus as Loge seems to me completely miscast, with inaccurate singing and no hint of the cunning required. I'd say Fritz Uhl (on Kna '58) far outshines LS's efforts, and the Rheinmaidens, Fricka, Donner und Froh are nothing special at all. Still, on the strength on a glowing review of Kna's 1957 Walkure I've ordered that. If waffling a little is permitted here, I've lived with the Solti LPs for around 50 years (yes, they really have been around that long). In these last few months I've bought the Haitink, Krauss, Kna '58, Konwitschny and Karajan complete cycles and I'd say they are all magnificent in their own different ways. In fact I'm so impressed with Haitink's cycle because of the digital sound, James Morris' Wotan, and Haitink, I think that set, together with Solti and Karajan are the three top recommendations.