Richard Wagner’s overpowering music was matched by an equally powerful personality. A controversial figure in his day (and ours), Wagner’s charisma and radical musical ideas drew kings and artists into his orbit, including Franz Liszt. Liszt championed the younger Wagner, transcribed his music and, most importantly, sent him money. Wagner even married Liszt’s daughter, Cosima. The backstage drama only fuelled the drama onstage, and Wagner’s operas changed classical music forever and opened composers’ minds to colours and harmonies. Young Australian pianist Alex Raineri and speaker Peter Bassett explore the world of Wagner through his letters and music, tracing the profound influence this most provocative of composers still exerts.
Program
WAGNER In das Album der Fürstin M
MENDELSSOHN Variations Sérieuses, Op 54
LISZT Années de Pèlerinage, Deuxième Année – Italie. Sposalizio
WAGNER/LISZT Isolde’s Liebestod
BERG Piano Sonata, Op.1
SCRIABIN Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp, Op. 30