Wagner: Das Rheingold: Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla

This selection of some of Wagner’s finest orchestral excerpts opens with the ‘storm-swept ballad’ of Der fliegende Holländer, the opera which launched his epoch-defining later masterpieces. The entire span of Der Ring des Nibelungen is represented in this programme, from the luminous rainbow bridge which leads the gods to Valhalla in Das Rheingold, the urgent drama of Die Walküre, and the atmospheric repose of the Forest Murmurs in Siegfried, to the tragic depths of Siegfried’s Funeral March. This recording has been praised for its ‘radiant sensuousness’. (Gramophone) Volumes 2 and 3 in this series are available on 8572768 and 8572769.

George London was born in Montreal, Canada; when he was fifteen the family moved to the United States. His original surname was Burnstein (he also used Burnson for a time) and his forebears were from Širvintos in Lithuania. He began his singing studies in Los Angeles, and by the 1940s was touring with a trio that included Frances Yeend and Mario Lanza. His début in a leading role was in Rigoletto for San Francisco Opera in 1946. Three years later, in Vienna, he sang Amonasro in Aida, a role that also launched his Metropolitan Opera career in 1951.

It was while London was singing the four villains in The Tales of Hoffmann in Vienna that Hans Knappertsbusch decided to recommend London to Wieland Wagner for the 1951 Bayreuth Festival. Seven years later, Knappertsbusch recorded four great Wagner scenes for Decca with George London. The recording appears here in its entirety, supplemented with one of the great scenes from their 1962 performance of Parsifal (recorded ‘live’ at the Bayreuth Festival it went on to become one of most venerated recordings of this opera) and the closing scene of Rheingold in which London appears on the celebrated Solti recording as Wotan.

London’s vocal health began to deteriorate rapidly during the 1963–64 season; eventually the problem was diagnosed as paralysis of the vocal cords. Efforts to restore the voice proved fruitless, and in due course London had to accept that, at 46, his singing career was over. The operatic world had suffered a great loss. He died after a series of heart attacks in March 1985. George London is remembered as an exceptional and intelligent artist who combined a great voice and superb musicianship with a commanding stage presence.

The best-loved and most popular works by Richard Wagner, performed by the world’s leading artists, in an accessible format at budget price.

The Royal Academy's brass department has established itself as one of the foremost in the world. The department's professors are active performers at the highest professional level, and include principal players with London's leading orchestras and world-renowned solo performers. In addition to the resident teachers, visiting specialists regularly teach at the Academy-further increasing the range of expertise which students can draw on. Brass students are prepared for every aspect of the profession, from period performance on original instruments through big band to the avant-garde and session work. Professor James Watson divides his time between playing, teaching and conducting. He studied trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, where he now holds the position of Artistic Director and Head of Brass. James's orchestral work has included principal trumpet posts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, London Sinfonietta, the Nash Ensemble and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Conducting positions have included Artistic Director of the renowned Black Dyke Mills Band, Artistic Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Vice President of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.

"Excellent playing in an entertaining recital…brilliantly played and detailed… Throughout, the playing and ensemble of these brass professionals of the future are excellent" Gramophone