And here's the listing
Posted on 05/21/2013 11:56:02 AM PDT by Borges
Wednesday marks 200 years since the birth of Richard Wagner, the most violently controversial musician in history. His Italian contemporary Verdi – born in the same year – is acknowledged as a genius for all time. But Wagner, though he has the more passionate advocates, also has the most determined detractors. Why, they complain, are his operas so heavy-sounding, so terribly long, so full of weird mythical figures? In short: why are they so German?
When I started going to the opera not so long ago, I was asked which work had drawn me to the art form. Perhaps people expected me to say a lyrical Rossini or delightful Mozart, because I got funny looks when I said it was Wagner’s final opera, Parsifal – the six-hour epic based on medieval legend, featuring the Holy Grail and a castrated sorcerer. “Oh,” said one woman I met, “don’t tell me you’re becoming one of those Wagnerians?” She could barely hide her distaste.
What I loved about Parsifal was that transcendent music was allied to superb drama. Parsifal, an innocent knight, battles his way into a sorcerer’s lair in order to rescue a holy spear. To succeed, he must reject the sexual temptation of the flower maidens who, like the Sirens of Greek mythology, send many a knight to his doom. It might sound a touch silly, but in an age when we’re happy to read deep meanings into fantasies such as The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, surely we can be open-minded about Wagner’s plots?
A bigger problem is the Nazi associations.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Ve have vays of making you talk...
FWIW, it is a fact that Wagner insisted that the premier of “Parsifal” (to be performed at Bayreuth in 1882) be conducted by Hermann Levi (the son of a rabbi).
Not denying that he was a pitiful excuse for a human being, but he did recognize - and acknowledge - talent.
I’ll admit that Wagner put out some great stuff. I love the Tannhauser Overture.
And here's the listing
I saw it cheap....
On PBS...
(sheeply grins)
But I bet it is fantastic live or on IMAX.
ConservativeDude said it was at the cinema across the country..
It would really cool to see it on IMAX.
I saw it on PBS
(sheepishly grins)
Hmmmmmm.
Thanks.
I’ll keep that in mind when my current copy gets scratched/ worn out.
(I’m kinda of a skinflint, my “Scottishness” is a strong trait)
Made me load it up!
Oh Yeaaahhhh!
I’m with you.
And Mahler of course, and Carl Orff!
Not to mention Chopin, Liszt, and Smetana!
And the DEAD! LOL
And you KNOW it’s NOT over till the fat lady sings!
I like You TOO!
Sax and bass go well together... Remember “Some Like It Hot”?
I love Wagner! I listen often to the recording of the Ring without words, epic.
I love Mahler too and usually I get the “Oh, you are one of those too” treatment.
If interested here is the Wagner link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HujjNQPv2U&list=FLO0UGiOX6MRdboFu15HEtiw&index=9
I like you, too....smoochies.
(....gee, I hope you're a guy......)
LOL
Leni
I have the Solti/Vienna complete Ring, the London Blueback set, and every few months I plop it on the turntable to enjoy my personal Wagner fest. What a wonderful recording of a great performance!
We all have our favorites.
I also think with some encouragement (or maybe wine, or something else), every Wagner fan could name you those parts of his work that they HATE.
For example, I don’t like the first two acts of Siegfried, nor most of the first act of Tristan & Isolde, nor the first act of Lohengrin up to Elsa’s dream. I’ve often thought that with some careful editing, Uncle Sam could find a way to interrogate suspected terrorists without resorting to waterboarding - make them listen to the worst of Wagner. Or to listen to Wagner recordings with a second-rate cast.
Any takers?
A long time ago a friend told me this story, but I have not been able to confirm it:
One of Wagner’s french horn players came to him and said, “Herr Wagner, we can’t play the part you have written.”
Wagener replled, “I know you can’t. What I want is the effect of your trying to play it!”
I have heard that story also. Believe it was during a celebration of Giovanni Punto’s birthday........memory is hazy as to attribution!
That was a drinking club with a french horn problem.....
LOL! great story!
My mom LOVED opera! Every Saturday there she’d be in front of the radio listening to the Metropolitan Opera broadcast. There was no getting away from it since my parent had the whole house wired for sound!
People used to ask my dad if he like to go to the opera. He’d always say, “Yes, I already went!”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.