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The Holy Grail

Episode 5 of 5

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".

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1 hour

Last on

Fri 8 Oct 201022:00

BBC Radio 3

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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)