Fanfare from Prelude to Parsifal

Richard Wagner composed Parsifal (WWV 111), his last major work, between 1877-82, premiering July 20, 1882 at the Bayreuth Theatre. For many years, Wagner himself placed an embargo on the work being performed on any other stage, as he was concerned none could mount the production properly. The ban was finally lifted by Bayreuth in January of 1914. Wagner penned the libretto himself, loosely basing the story on the 13th-century German epic poem Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach, in which he tells the tale of the Arthurian knight Parzival (Percival) and his quest for the Holy Grail. By tradition, the audiences at Bayreuth do not applaud after the first act, due to a misunderstanding caused by the composer at the premier. This excerpt incorporates both the iGood Fridayi music from the end of Act III, and what has become known as the Dresden Amen. Beginning with a powerful fanfare, the Amen follows quietly in the strings. From this, the iGood Fridayi music takes over in the woodwinds, building to a glorious fortissimo in full ensemble, before finishing peacefully again in the woodwinds. At just over two minutes in length, this transcription for wind ensemble makes a perfect encore for any concert.