Herbert von Karajan and Wagner’s Die Walküre: The Original Source Edition
With Die Walküre, one of the most influential Wagner recordings of the 20th century returns: Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic, recorded in the autumn of 1966 in Berlin, now in the audiophile series The Original Source. The recording brings together a cast of world-class singers, including Gundula Janowitz (Sieglinde), Jon Vickers (Siegmund), Thomas Stewart (Wotan), and Régine Crespin (Brünnhilde).
In this way, the reissue unites the dramatic force of Wagner’s music drama with a sound quality drawn, for the first time, directly from the original stereo master tape: a reference recording newly opened up for collectors and Wagner connoisseurs.
Wagner’s Die Walküre: For the First Time from the Original Stereo Master Tape
For this edition, Deutsche Grammophon ventures into new sonic territory. For the first time in the series The Original Source, the original two-track stereo master tape serves as the source. Launched in 2023, the series initially worked with four-track tapes, expanded in 2024 to include eight-track tapes, and now reaches a new level of authenticity with Karajan’s Walküre.
The recording was remastered and cut at the renowned Emil Berliner Studios, in a fully analogue signal chain (AAA) and using processes developed specifically for the series. The result is compelling: greater transparency, finer detail, and a more balanced frequency response, combined with reduced background noise, less distortion, and lower compression.
What Makes Herbert von Karajan’s Die Walküre So Special?
Karajan’s reading thrives on a distinguished cast. Gundula Janowitz lends Sieglinde a lyrical radiance, Jon Vickers shapes Siegmund with vocal power, bass-baritone Thomas Stewart forms an authoritative Wotan, and Régine Crespin shines as Brünnhilde. The cast also includes Josephine Veasey as Fricka and Martti Talvela as Hunding.
Characteristic of Karajan’s approach is the way he allows the orchestra to recede, giving the voices centre stage without sacrificing the dramatic tension of the score. Gramophone magazine observed that the recording still has the power to surprise more than half a century after its release.
Herbert von Karajan and the Ring Cycle’s 150th Anniversary
The recording sessions took place in September and October 1966, just months before the staged production opened the Salzburg Easter Festival, founded by Karajan, on 19 March 1967. Die Walküre was first released on the yellow label later that year and became a milestone in Wagner discography.
Wagner’s tetralogy was performed in its entirety for the first time at the inaugural Bayreuth Festival in 1876. To mark the 150th anniversary, Deutsche Grammophon is reissuing Karajan’s complete Ring in the Original Source series. Die Walküre, the first day of the cycle, follows the already released preliminary evening, Das Rheingold; two further instalments of the tetralogy have been announced.
Formats, Edition and Availability
The edition was released on 7 August 2026 as a limited, numbered 5LP box set pressed on 180-gram vinyl. The set preserves the original cover and includes the complete libretto, additional photographs, and facsimiles of the recording logs and tape boxes, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the production.
Discover Wagner’s Die Walküre Now
Discover the limited Original Source edition in the DG Store. Those wishing to collect Karajan’s Ring from the beginning can also find further audiophile editions and the complete Karajan collection.
