Beyond question, this 1953 cycle is the strongest of all Joseph Keilberth"s preserved Bayreuth Rings. His cast is identical to the more widely circulated Clemens Krauss cycle from that season, save for Martha Mödl replacing Astrid Varnay as Brunnhilde. I prefer Mödl"s lighter sound and deeper immersion into Wagner"s text to Varnay"s imposing, large-scale portrayal. Keilberth"s vivid pacing and effortless transitions inspire his wonderful cast, although the instrumental preludes and set pieces show Krauss to be more of a stickler for detail. One caveat: the Krauss and Keilberth Siegfried Act One are identical, down to the stage noises and Windgassen"s rhythmic flub in the "Forging Song." No texts included. --Jed Distler