Solti Golden Ring Cycle 2022 Remaster on SACD and Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio

[McCrutchy]

Universal Music / Decca Classics have performed a new remaster on the famous recording of Der Ring des Nibelungen from Sir Georg Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic. The operas, which were recorded from 1958-1965, have been released several times before, and also on Blu-ray Audio and SACD. However, all of these reissues are based on a remaster that was performed in 1997. According to the information below, the operas have been remastered from the original analog tapes and will be released on Hybrid SACD and 180g LP, but they have also been remixed into Dolby Atmos and a "Limited Edition, Hand-Numbered Luxury Wooden Case" will have a Blu-ray Audio, hardcover book and "exclusive prints".

EDIT: As of July 2024, the Blu-ray Audio and wooden case packaging appear to have been dropped.

Highlights SACD (28 October 2022):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BB3FS23G
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BB3FS23G

There is no Japanese domestic release of the Highlights SACD.

Das Rhinegold SACD (11 November 2022):

Packaging:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BC9YKQ7Q

Universal Music Japan will also release Das Rhinegold as a Hybrid SACD on 11 November 2022.

https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...cts/ucgd-9088/

Here is an exploded packshot for the Japanese Hybrid SACD of Das Rhinegold. Note the alternate artwork (based on the original LP artwork) and jewel case packaging, as opposed to what looks like cardboard sleeves for the Western SACD:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BCGX39HW
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BCGWWJ5F (Amazon.co.jp Exclusive with "mega jacket")

Die Walküre SACD (9 December 2022):

Packaging:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BCS7NL6B
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BCS7NL6B

Universal Music Japan will also release Die Walküre as a Hybrid SACD on 9 December 2022.

https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...cts/ucgd-9090/

Here is an exploded packshot for the Japanese Hybrid SACD of Die Walküre. Note the alternate artwork (based on the original LP artwork) and jewel case packaging, as opposed to what looks like cardboard sleeves for the Western SACD:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BHYC8ZHQ
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BHY9VDJY (Amazon.co.jp Exclusive with "mega jacket")

Siegfried SACD (31 March 2023):

Note: Some links may not be active yet.

Packaging:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BCSCZNTS
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BCSCZNTS

Universal Music Japan should also release Siegfried as a Hybrid SACD on 31 March 2023.

https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...cts/ucgd-9094/

Here is an exploded packshot for the Japanese Hybrid SACD of Siegfried. Note the alternate artwork (based on the original LP artwork) and jewel case packaging, as opposed to what looks like cardboard sleeves for the Western SACD:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BRQB25Z6
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BRQ8TX79 (Amazon.co.jp Exclusive with "mega jacket")

Götterdämmerung SACD (30 June 2023):

Note: Some links may not be active yet.

Packaging:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BCSCZBDG
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BCSCZBDG

Universal Music Japan should also release Götterdämmerung as a Hybrid SACD on 30 June 2023.

https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...cts/ucgd-9098/

Here is an exploded packshot for the Japanese Hybrid SACD of Götterdämmerung. Note the alternate artwork (based on the original LP artwork) and jewel case packaging, as opposed to what looks like cardboard sleeves for the Western SACD:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BYDKXL6L
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BYDLK39D (Amazon.co.jp Exclusive with "mega jacket")

There are also listings on Decca's online shop for a bundles of Götterdämmerung and Der Ring des Nibelungen on SACD or LP with a Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio disc of the entire cycle:

EDIT: As of July 2024, the Blu-ray Audio and wooden case packaging appear to have been dropped.

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Decca Records Shop

Götterdämmerung SACD PLUS 100pp 12” hardcover book w/ slipcase + 5x 12” lithographic prints + hand-numbered limited edition certificate + the complete Der Ring des Nibelungen presented on 1x Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio.

Götterdämmerung SACD + Der Ring des Nibelungen Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio (currently $132.00)

Götterdämmerung Vinyl LP + Der Ring des Nibelungen Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio (currently $311.00)

Originally Posted by Decca Records Shop

All four operas PLUS 100pp 12” hardcover book w/ slipcase + 5x 12” lithographic prints + hand-numbered limited edition certificate + the complete Der Ring des Nibelungen presented on 1x Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio.

Der Ring des Nibelungen SACD + Der Ring des Nibelungen Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio (currently $427.00)

Der Ring des Nibelungen Vinyl LP + Der Ring des Nibelungen Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Audio (currently $725.00)

These bundles are also set to be released on 19 May 2023 and 30 June 2023. They may not be listed elsewhere for the time being as they do not seem to have proper Decca catalogue numbers.

Info from Decca's site for the release: https://www.soltiring.com/:

For this 2022 edition we have utilised a completely new set of high-definition 24bit/192kHz transfers of the original two-track stereo master tapes. Almost every tape box is marked “Edited & Passed: JC” where John Culshaw personally initialled each reel as passed for production. These transfers were made as part of Universal Music’s preservation project at the Arvato facility in Gütersloh, Germany. Overseen by Andrew Wedman, formerly of Emil Berliner Studios, the tapes were aligned and played on Studer A820 machines coupled with Weiss analogue to digital converters and a proprietary workstation to record the output.

Working with 38 reels of original mastertapes –some up to 65 years old and spanning seven years of recording–there were inevitably instances where some individual tapes needed edit repairs or suffered oxide shedding. Tapes in poor condition were baked for ten hours at 55°C to restore their integrity. The playback alignment was greatly helped by the fact that the first tape reel in each opera has an announcement from engineer James Brown or, in the case of Die Walküre Culshaw himself, with left/right identifiers and a series of tones to ensure the correct calibration of the tape head. Decca’s 1950s Ampex-designed AME noise reduction circuit –a precursor of the Dolby circuitry to reduce tape hiss –was not deployed such that we could use the very latest noise reduction software at the remastering stage.

The result is a set of HD transfers which are like photographic RAW files with little or no processing to create as pure a starting point as possible before remastering.

The Decca Ring has always been about the sound. Our endeavour with this new transfer of the original master tapes has been to do the best by Solti, by Culshaw and his chief engineer Gordon Parry, and ultimately by Wagner. “Here is the greatest achievement in gramophone history yet”, wrote Alec Robertson in Gramophone in 1965.

Now it is time to deliver Solti’s Ring to the new generation of Wagnerians and introduce this remastered recording in a sumptuous series of definitive editions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOp8-vpEK9I

Original Post:

[Show spoiler]This hasn't been officially announced yet, but some listings are up at Universal Music Japan which reveal that Decca have completed or are in the process of completing a new DSD remaster on the Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle by Sir Georg Solti (1958-1965). This famous Ring Cycle, nicknamed "The Golden Ring", has already been released dozens of times, including on SACD and Blu-ray Audio, but the most recent remastering of the original analog tapes was done in 1997.

Most interestingly, it appears that Decca are planning to release SACDs in the West, as well as SHM-SACDs in Japan. It looks like deluxe 180g LP editions of each opera will also be released. Right now, only Das Rhinegold is listed for 11 November 2022, but there is also a highlights SACD for the entire "Golden Ring" being released on 30 September 2022. Because most webshops have not listed these releases, and there has been no announcement about them, please note that release dates and specifications may change.

As you'll read in the translation below, it seems that the plan is to release Das Rhinegold in November 2022, Die Walküre in December 2022, Siegfried in March 2023 and Götterdämmerung in May 2023.

Highlights SACD (only listed as a Western import): https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...ucts/485-3364/

Packaging Shot:

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Universal Music Japan

[Show spoiler]最新リマスタリングで蘇る歴史的録音の名場面集

デッカとサー・ゲオルグ・ショルティによる歴史的録音の一つ、ワーグナーの大作《ニーベルングの指環》全曲 の中から、それぞれの楽劇の名場面を抜粋したアルバムです。オリジナル・マスターテープからの最新リマスタ リング。ハイブリッドSACD仕様、24bit/192khzリマスター音源を使用。
キルステン・フラグスタート、ジョージ・ロンドン、ハンス・ホッター、ヴォルフガング・ヴィントガッセン、 ブリギッテ・ファスベンダー他、その時代の最高のワーグナー歌手が参加しています。

Famous scenes of historical recordings revived with the latest remastering

One of the historic recordings by Decca and Sir Georg Solti, this album contains excerpts of the famous scenes from each of Wagner's masterpieces "Der Ring des Nibelungen". The latest remastering from the original master tape. Uses hybrid SACD specification, 24bit/192khz remastered sound source.
Kirsten Flagstadt, George London, Hans Hotter, Wolfgang Windgassen, Brigitte Fassbender and many other great Wagnerian singers of the era have taken part.

Das Rheingold SACD: (Western SACD listed as an import) https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...ucts/485-3159/

Packaging Shot:

[Show spoiler]

Japanese SACD version: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/si...cts/ucgd-9088/

[Show spoiler]ショルティ生誕110周年・没後25周年記念！

デッカ・レーベルの総力を結集した史上最高の録音、ショルティによる《ニーベルングの指環》の2022年版 リマスタリング！
レコード史上初の壮挙となった、ワーグナーの大作《ニーベルングの指環》のスタジオ全曲録音プロジェクトを 担った指揮者、サー・ゲオルグ・ショルティの生誕110周年・没後25周年を記念した大プロジェクト。ショ ルティが1958年から65年にかけて完成させた、史上初の《ニーベルングの指環》スタジオ全曲録音を《ラ インの黄金》（11月）、《ワルキューレ》（12月）、《ジークフリート》（2023年3月）、《神々の黄 昏》（5月）と、今年11月から来年5月にかけて計4作をリリース！歌手、オーケストラ、演奏、録音、等全 てにおいて、録音から半世紀以上たった現在でも最高の永遠の記録です。
この2022年盤では、1958年オリジナルのステレオマスターテープから2022年に制作したDSDマス ターを使用。元Emil Berliner Studiosのアンドリュー・ウェッドマンが監督し、テープはStuder A820マシンとWeissアナログ／デジタルコンバーター、そして出力を記録する独自のワークステーショ ンで調整が行われました。一番古いテープで65年経過した38本のオリジナル・マスターテープの中には、編 集修理や酸化膜剥離が必要なテープもありましたが、状態の悪いテープは、55℃で10時間焼成することで修 復に成功し、24bit/192kHzの高解像度で新たにマスタリングを行いました。
マスタリングは、1964年と1965年のオリジナル・レコーディング・セッションに関わり、1984年と 1997年の2回のトランスファーの監督も行ったエンジニア、ジミー・ロックの下で修行を積んだ、DECC Aエンジニアのフィリップ・サイニーが担当。テープヒスやノイズ除去には、iZotope RX-9 や CEDAR Retouch など、以前のプログラムよりもはるかに効果的で侵襲の少ない洗練されたツールが使用されており、ウィーン・ フィルの金管楽器や弦楽器の輝かしい倍音をかつてないほど聴かせてくれます。
ハイブリッドSACD仕様。12インチ（LPサイズ）のスリップケースに全52Pのブックレッ トを封入。

110th anniversary of Solti's birth and 25th anniversary of his death!

The 2022 remastering of "The Ring of the Nibelung" by Solti, the best recording ever made by bringing together all the power of the Decca label!
A major project commemorating the 110th anniversary of the birth and the 25th anniversary of the death of Sir Georg Solti, the conductor who was in charge of recording all the songs in the studio of Wagner's masterpiece "Der Ring des Nibelungen", the first grand project in record history. Solti completed the first-ever “Ring of the Nibelung” studio recordings completed between 1958 and 1965 on Rheingold (November), Valkyrie (December), and Siegfried (March 2023). May), and "Twilight of the Gods" (May), a total of four releases from November this year to May next year! In terms of singer, orchestra, performance, recording, etc., it is the best everlasting record even now, more than half a century after the recording.
This 2022 edition uses the DSD master produced in 2022 from the original 1958 stereo master tape. Directed by Andrew Wedman, formerly of Emil Berliner Studios, the tapes were conditioned on a Studer A820 machine and Weiss analog-to-digital converters, as well as a unique workstation to record the output. Among the 38 original master tapes, the oldest of which has passed 65 years, some tapes needed editing repairs and oxide film peeling, but tapes in poor condition should be baked at 55°C for 10 hours. We succeeded in repairing it, and performed a new mastering with a high resolution of 24bit/192kHz.
Mastering was done by DECCA engineer Philip, who trained under Jimmy Locke, the engineer who was involved in the original recording sessions in 1964 and 1965 and oversaw the two transfers in 1984 and 1997. Signee is in charge. Tape hiss and noise removal uses sophisticated tools that are far more effective and less invasive than previous programs, such as iZotope RX-9 and CEDAR Retouch, and bring out the glorious overtones of the Vienna Philharmonic brass and strings. will let you hear like never before.
Hybrid SACD specification. A 52-page booklet is enclosed in a 12-inch (LP size) slip case.