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782

Richard Wagner

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Richard Wagner

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Auction Date:2011 Apr 13 @ 19:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Important German composer (1813–1883) who, by expanding harmonic, instrumental, and dramatic forces to a previously undreamed-of degree, single-handedly revolutionized opera and attained status as one of the most influential geniuses in the history of music. Autograph manuscript, in German, penned in purple ink, one page, both sides, 5.25 x 8. An explanation of his Prelude to Parsifal, entitled “Prelude to Parsifal, Love–Faith–Hope.” In full (loosely translated): “First theme: ‘Love’ – ‘Take my body, take my blood, this is my loving order!’ (angel voices back and forth repeatedly) ‘Take my blood, take my body, do this in thought of me!’ (again repeated loud and soft) Second theme: ‘Faith.’ Prophecy of redemption through faith. Faith is to be explained as strong and sweet, ever increasing and unshakeable in suffering. The renewed promise answers to [is the result of] faith, from tender heights as if swinging like the plumage of a white dove, taking in the human heart, wider and fuller, filling the whole of nature with most encompassing power. Then again, looking up softly and calmly to the heavenly ether. Then once again, from the horror [trembling] of loneliness rises the lamentation of loving compassion; the fear, holy drops of sweat on the Mt. of Olives, the divine pain of suffering of Golgotha – the body gone pale, the blood flowing out, flowing with heavenly passion in the cup, above everything that lives and suffers, the delights of redemption through love poured out. We are prepared for him who – with terrible regret [repentance, remorse] in his heart – in the divinely punishing look of the grail must sink down on Amfortas, the sinning guardian of the holy object: will salvation come to the terrible suffering of his soul? Once again we lay hold of the prophecy and hope.” Wagner closes the manuscript with a paraph under the last line of text. In very good condition, with partial separation along central horizontal fold, uniform toning, and some scattered light spotting.

The Prelude of Parsifal is a remarkable work, known for its expressive and mysterious beauty. Wagner called it a ‘preface,’ likening it to the preamble of a sermon, because the themes are simply and consecutively stated. First performed in 1878, Wagner wrote out the explanation for the Prelude of Parsifal when he gave a private performance of the piece for King Ludwig II on November 12, 1880, in Munich. He wrote three copies of the explanation (with slight differences between each of the three versions); one copy is in the Wagner Archives in Bayreuth, one was given to King Ludwig II and is in the State Archives in Munich, and the only publicly available example is being offered here.
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