WAGNER EXCERPTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 10 (Supplement)

WAGNER EXCERPTS

TWO FAMOUS COMPOSITIONS BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA CONCERT Two notablo examples of Wagner'B compositions will bo included in tho concert to bo givon by tho Bohemian Orchestra, under tho baton of Mr. Colin Muston, in tho Town Hall on October 25. They will be the overture to " The Mastersingers of Nurenberg " and the finale to " llhinegold." " Die Meistersinger," Wagner's only comedy opera, has for its setting 16th century Nurenberg during the lifetime of tho famous cobbler-poet Hans Sachs, and the principal theme is the great musical competition on which depends the hand of a wealthy goldsmith's daughter. Incidentally, it would appear from tho text and music, that Wagner indulged in satirical references to tho critics of his day who had no welcome for music cast in any other than the strictly classical mould. The overture itself was later referred to as " vicious polyphony and poisoned counterpoint," but a later generation has judged differently. Ino overture, like tho whole opera, aims to present a vivid picture of medieval pageantry. It is symphonic in form, and tho main themes of tho opera are introduced, including even the apprentices' motive, which is a saucy parody of tho dignified and pompous Mastersingers' Guild theme. Wagner's great resources of orchestration aro used in the remarkable tone-picture, " Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla," which forms the finale to " Das llheingold." Donner, tho Thunder God, invokes tho elements as ho ascends a rpgged cliff. A blow from his hammer on tho rock is followed by a flash of lightning, and as the storm clouds roll away tho gods are to be discerned proceeding through the sky in stately procession to Valhalla, while from tho river is heard tho plaintive song of tho llhino maidens. True to tho Wagnerian principles, the scenic and musical parts of the picture are bo independent that in a concert performance a mental visualisation of the scene is necessary for the complete appreciation of the famous excerpt.