Wagner-Idyll

Dieter Schnebel writes the following on the subject of the Wagner-Idyll: ’The re-vision of the Charfreitagszauber [Good Friday Music] from Wagner’s Parsifal is a structurally new composition not for large-scale orchestral forces but instead scored for a chamber ensemble as utilised for example in Schoenbergs Herzgewächse or Boulez’ Marteau sans Maître. Wagner-Idyll can – and should – be performed twice; first of all only on harp (guitars), harmonium and percussion and then repeated with all instruments. The wind and strings play the original melodies of Wagner’s composition. It is of vital importance to pay particular attention to the meticulous dynamic structure which highlights the structural breathing essence of the melodic lines. The dynamics also provide support for the transition passages between the different shades of tonal colouring. The melodic development was also simultaneously intended to be conceived and formed as tonally hued melodies – i.e. with a differentiated tonal structure.’