Week 9: Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
This piece was written in 1970 for the birthday of his first and only child Siegfried. His wife Cosima (who married Wagner two months later) had written in her diary, "At 4:30 I am awakened by sweet sounds, R. [Richard Wagner] at the piano proclaiming to me the hour of birth” He had set up a small orchestra by their staircase and played this piece in celebration of their son’s birthday.
Actually I heard this piece just the day before on KUSC and they had described that Wagner has a whole set of music that has been referenced as the staircase pieces because they would be performed at the staircase/stairwell of their private home.
This piece is 18:00 minutes long, and starts off with gentle sounds of the violin, which then builds up to the full ensemble.
The waves of intensity in this piece sway back and forth and almost feels like a baby's cradle -- the images that really paint feels like being with a new born child. The excitement in the horn and trumpet solos reflect what feels like the experiences the new born learns, like the ability to walk, and growth. It's followed again by the sweet melodies of the violins that really grasps at the feeling of human warmth and love. The sudden but brief stillness through out the movement is also intense as it really makes me want to hold my breath as if you're waiting for something surprising to happen. The final minor chords into the long resolution really jerk at my heart, wanting to feel at peace with the troubled experiences that does occur in life. The final ends so quietly and I feel like it resembles when finally being put to rest, to sleep or at least until the day has finally ended.
I read some pretty interesting liner notes in the CD jacket (and yes I'm one of those who actually still does read CD jackets). But some highlights taken from the CD Jacket.
This particular piece is partially original with borrowed parts from Wagner's epic Ring Cycle, more specifically from 'Siegfried'. From when Brunnhilde proclaims to Siegfried that she lives only for him -- it is also reflective of how Cosima is to her husband Wagner shared with the message, "Ewig war ich... zu deinem Heil" (I was always anxious... for your welfare), to be followed by "Siegfried! Herrlicher! Hort der Welt!" (O Siegfried! Glorous being! Wealth of the World!).
The trumpet that sounds later in the piece is a reflection of a bird's call that guides Siegfried to Brunnhilde. The long horn solo later in the piece is the lovers' pact: "Sie/er ist mir ewig" (She/he is mine for ever).
I find it interesting that this particular piece is original, yet parts are also borrowed from his opera. It’s a very beautiful piece. D had actually given me this piece to listen just the day after I heard it over the radio and obviously it was a sign to me that I needed to write about this and listen to this particular piece over and over again. It’s a very loving piece, just like a lullaby.
Actually I heard this piece just the day before on KUSC and they had described that Wagner has a whole set of music that has been referenced as the staircase pieces because they would be performed at the staircase/stairwell of their private home.
This piece is 18:00 minutes long, and starts off with gentle sounds of the violin, which then builds up to the full ensemble.
The waves of intensity in this piece sway back and forth and almost feels like a baby's cradle -- the images that really paint feels like being with a new born child. The excitement in the horn and trumpet solos reflect what feels like the experiences the new born learns, like the ability to walk, and growth. It's followed again by the sweet melodies of the violins that really grasps at the feeling of human warmth and love. The sudden but brief stillness through out the movement is also intense as it really makes me want to hold my breath as if you're waiting for something surprising to happen. The final minor chords into the long resolution really jerk at my heart, wanting to feel at peace with the troubled experiences that does occur in life. The final ends so quietly and I feel like it resembles when finally being put to rest, to sleep or at least until the day has finally ended.
I read some pretty interesting liner notes in the CD jacket (and yes I'm one of those who actually still does read CD jackets). But some highlights taken from the CD Jacket.
This particular piece is partially original with borrowed parts from Wagner's epic Ring Cycle, more specifically from 'Siegfried'. From when Brunnhilde proclaims to Siegfried that she lives only for him -- it is also reflective of how Cosima is to her husband Wagner shared with the message, "Ewig war ich... zu deinem Heil" (I was always anxious... for your welfare), to be followed by "Siegfried! Herrlicher! Hort der Welt!" (O Siegfried! Glorous being! Wealth of the World!).
The trumpet that sounds later in the piece is a reflection of a bird's call that guides Siegfried to Brunnhilde. The long horn solo later in the piece is the lovers' pact: "Sie/er ist mir ewig" (She/he is mine for ever).
I find it interesting that this particular piece is original, yet parts are also borrowed from his opera. It’s a very beautiful piece. D had actually given me this piece to listen just the day after I heard it over the radio and obviously it was a sign to me that I needed to write about this and listen to this particular piece over and over again. It’s a very loving piece, just like a lullaby.