Wagner, Richard - Tristan und Isolde - Einleitung - for String Sextet

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Richard Wagner

"Tristan und Isolde" Prelude to Act 1

String Sextet (Vl.1, Vl.2, Vla.1, Vla.2, Vc.1, Vc.2)

Arr.: Thomas-Mifune, Werner

Pages: 12

Level: 4

Foreword :
From when I was 12 to the age of 17 I was invited to study cello and composition at the Academy of Music in Detmold. During this time, the students of the sound engineering institute experimented with a totally new multitrack playback recording technology. I was asked if I would like to play all tracks of a multi track recording. At that time I was a great Jazz - and Dave Brubeck - fan. I rearranged "Weep no more" by D.Brubeck for 5 voices and I let the sound engineer experiment. I was so impressed by the outcome, that I think this was the initial impetus for initiating the subsequent formation of cello ensembles. The arrangements and editions resulting from this (over 1000) came from the former experience to produce such a sensual full string sound. Argentine tango, Brazilian bossa nova, Cuban or Korean songs, Russian Chamber Music - from "Der Rosenkavalier" suite on Gershwin up to cabaret music - everything was arranged.
Of course, after so many arrangements for cellists, the desire grew for a "standard" ensemble formation. The anniversary of Richard Wagner was approching. There are few such brilliant opera scores as "Tristan and Isolde" and "Parsifal". For many music fans Wagner performances in the Festival Opera Houses are out of reach - and if they are not, along the lines of Wilhelm Busch "Music often is bothersome if it is connected with singing," then it may lead to disappointment. Therefore I felt it was my job to introduce Wagner's music in its pure form to as many people as possible. How many musicians would be needed to ensure nothing was lost of the polyphonic works - It is not only possible to perform with a quintet (2Violins, viola, 2Violoncelli) but it also turned out to sound amazingly good (like Arnold Schoenberg's "Transfigured Night"). In order the concert not to last 6 hours I reduced the music to the essential "parts". My favourite operas are included.
In just one and a half hours I managed to include 8 (!) Wagner opera excerpts. That is quite a unique experience. I hope you will enjoy it

Munich 2013
Werner Thomas-Mifune