Program No. 75 - Richard Wagner

2013 sees the 200 anniversary of the birth of Wilhelm Richard Wagner, legendary German composer best known for his operas, including the group of 4 operas known collectively as Der Ring des Nibelungen, or The Ring of the Nibelung, or more simply The Ring Cycle. With it being performed in Melbourne later this year, together with a whole swag of Wagner shows being around the world this year, it is only fair that we get in on the act as well.

1. Overture to The Flying Dutchman (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Vernon Handley) 
We start we the Overture to an opera composed by Wagner and premiered in 1843. I tried to find a summary of the storyline of this opera. I think this is the best of the ones I could find.

The recording is from Wagner: The Ride of the Valkyries, Overtures.

2. Prelude to "Tristan and Isolade" (The London Horn Sound)
We turn next to a work composed between 1857 and 1859 yet not premiered until 1865. Wagner didn't actually view this is an opera, instead as a drama. The work is based on a romance by Gottfried von Strassburg titled Tristan, in the early 13th century.

This arrangement is played entirely by French Horns and comes from a 1999 CD titled The London Horn Sound.

3. Tannhauser: Overture (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Vernon Handley)
This next overture is from the opera composed in 1845, and is based on the 13th century poet, Tannhauser. The story centres on the struggle between sacred and profane love, and redemption through love, a theme that is familiar in a lot of Wagner's work.

This is again from, the Wagner: The Ride of the Valkyries, Overtures.

4. Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold), Entry of the Gods into Valhalla (Berliner Philharmoniker)
We now move on to the first of the operas in The Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold. This opera was completed sometime in 1854, but was not premiered until September 1869. What is it about? Best to look here.

This excerpt comes from the 1996 CD Wagner: Orchestral Works.

5. Wagner: Die Walkure - Ride Of The Valkyries (Daniel Barenboim: Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
The Ride of the Valkyries has to be one of the most generally recognised operatic pieces of all time. From the second of the operas in The Ring Cycle, The Valkyrie, it was composed in 1856, and premiered in 1870.

This piece has been adopted as a standard "classical" piece for use in movies, including (and most famously in) Apocalypse Now, as well as The Blues Brothers and The Return of the Pink Panther.

The recording is from Simply the Best Classical Anthems [Disc 1]

6. Götterdämmerung: Siegfried's Funeral March (Sir Adrian Boult & London Philharmonic Orchestra)
We skip the third opera (titled Siegfried) and move on to the final opera Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods). This opera received its premiere in 1876. Siegfried's Funeral March is from the final act and is often used as a standalone concert work.

This piece is from the 2010 CD Essential Wagner.

7. Rienzi: Overture (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Vernon Handley)
Rienzi was one of Wagner's earlier operas, having been completed in 1840. It was premiered in 1842 and was considered to be Wagner's first success.

The Overture for this opera is again from the CD Wagner: The Ride of the Valkyries, Overtures.

8. Lohengrin, Act I: Entrance of the King (Solid Brass)
9. Lohengrin, Act III: Vorspiel (German Brass)
10. Lohengrin, Act III: Reitermärsche (German Brass)
11. Procession to the Minster (Organ Philip Wilby) (Black Dyke Band)
Lohengrin first premiered in 1850.  I have avoided the Bridal Chorus and instead have chosen these four excerpts. The Entrance of the King is from Solid Brass's  1988 album Wagner, Verdi, Mozart, Bizet & Purcell: Opera Highlights Arranged for Brass and Percussion.

The Act III excerpts are performed by German Brass on their 2013 CD Celebrating Wagner.

The Procession to the Minster comes from Black Dyke's 1996 CD Cathedral Brass is arranged by Howard Snell.

12. What's Opera Doc?
I finish tonight's show with a Looney Tunes cartoon based on a mash up of Wagner operas starring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. This was produced in 1957 and is considered to be the finest cartoon ever produced.

The Wagner excerpts include:

• The overture from The Flying Dutchman — opening storm scene
• Siegfried's horn call from Siegfried — "O mighty warrior of great fighting stock"
• The overture and "Pilgrims’ Chorus" from Tannhäuser — "O Bwünnhilde, you'w so wuvwy," "Return my love," and the closing scene
• The overture from Rienzi— as Elmer is chasing Bugs.
• The Bacchanal from Tannhäuser — ballet scene between Elmer and Bugs

The cartoon cost about 6 times as much to produce as any other contemporary cartoon, and was the first cartoon considered to be deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Congress Library in 1992.

A fine way to finish tonight's program.

Next week we listen to the recordings of one of the top Euphonium players in the world at the moment, Steven Mead.