As the luxurious hardcover edition has not been available for some time, Deutsche Grammophon is now reissuing Karajan’s monumental Ring cycle, which he recorded together with the Berlin Philharmonic and an impressive cast of singers. Released 35 years after Karajan’s death, the edition now comes as a digipack on Blu-Ray audio with a 48-page booklet, essays by Karajan biographer Richard Osborne in English and German, and rare artist photos from the recording sessions and rehearsals for the Salzburg live performances. For his legendary recording, Karajan assembled a world-class cast of singers who were able to convey his vision – rather lyrically and with a clear and lively declamation of the text. This cycle is clearly different from others: a rather unworldly approach that is all about beauty, lyricism and structure. We hear a rich, colourful, transparent orchestral sound, almost chamber music-like in many moments, which is still unrivalled today. The mastering was done by the experts at Emil Berliner Studios.