The Holy Grail
Donald Macleod discovers why Richard Wagner took a 12-year break from his work on the Ring cycle. Plus an assessment of the composer's legacy.
Donald Macleod discovers why Richard Wagner took a twelve year break from his work on the Ring Cycle. As the music fizzes back into life, Donald continues his journey through the epic music dramas, from the thunderous music of Siegfried to the monumental funeral music from Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods). Plus a look at Wagner's controversial legacy and his final work, Parsifal, described by one writer as "opera halfway between Mass and orgy".
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
-
Richard Wagner - Siegfried: Prelude and Excerpt from Scene 1 of Act III
Performer: Wanderer: Thomas Stewart (bass-baritone), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Hebert von Karajan (conductor)
-
Richard Wagner - Gotterdammerung: Excerpt from Act III
Performer: Hagen: Philip Kang (bass), Gunther: Bodo Brinkmann (baritone), Siegfried: Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor), Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim (conductor)
-
Richard Wagner - Parsifal: Excerpt from Act III
Performer: Gurnemanz: Hans Hotter (bass-baritone), Amfortas: George London (bass-baritone), Parsifal: Jess Thomas (tenor), Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Hans Knappertbusch (conductor)
Broadcasts
- Fri 8 Oct 2010 12:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
- Fri 8 Oct 2010 22:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.