Re: Do You Have to be a Learned Musician to Like Tristan?

TareeDawg (raytoby3@xxxxxxxxxxx) writes:
Sam wrote:
Of Wagner's 10 canonical operas, I find Tristan and Isolde the least
appealing. Only one good tune in four hours of tedium. I don't hear
anything sublime in Isolde's monologue in Act I and shudder when King
Marke opens his mouth. I've tried to pay close attention while
watching the two DVDs I have (Barenboim and Jordan) but always nod off
after about 15 minutes of watching. I find neither version visually
interesting but as far as I can tell, both are excellent from the
musical performance point of view.

Is it only those who have a very well trained ear and can analyze the,
obviously involved, harmony and counterpoint in real time, capable of
enjoying this opera?

I simply don't know how are able to tell whether the music is excellent.
But I love all sorts of music, but find Wagner so tedious, and utterly
boring, that I use the time to listen to music I enjoy. Simple as that.

And there is plenty of other music to enjoy, and far better music,
enough to last 10 lifetimes. Why force Wagner on yourself when you don't
like it?

Ray (Dawg) Hall, Taree


Some of Wagner's music is like a puzzle which may take a while to solve.
Rather than a triumph of intellect, the answer is "oh!".

Brendan
.

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