Composer

:

Leopold Stokowski

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1957-1959

Average_duration

:

25:31

Symphonic Synthesis (Tristan and Isolde - Love Music from Acts 2 & 3) is a composition by Leopold Stokowski, a renowned American conductor and composer. The piece is a symphonic arrangement of the love music from Acts 2 and 3 of Richard Wagner's opera, Tristan and Isolde. Stokowski composed the piece in 1940, and it premiered on January 3, 1941, at a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, which Stokowski conducted. The piece consists of three movements, each of which is a synthesis of various themes from the opera. The first movement, "Prelude and Love-Death," is a synthesis of the Prelude to Act 3 and the Love-Death from Act 2. It begins with a slow, mournful melody played by the strings, which gradually builds in intensity as the brass and percussion join in. The music reaches a climax with the Love-Death theme, which is played by the strings and features a soaring melody that is both passionate and tragic. The second movement, "Love Duet," is a synthesis of the Love Duet from Act 2. It begins with a gentle, flowing melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The music gradually builds in intensity as the duet progresses, with the orchestra reaching a climax as the lovers declare their love for each other. The third movement, "Transfiguration," is a synthesis of the Transfiguration from Act 3. It begins with a quiet, ethereal melody played by the strings, which gradually builds in intensity as the brass and percussion join in. The music reaches a climax with the Transfiguration theme, which is played by the full orchestra and features a majestic, triumphant melody that represents the lovers' transcendence of earthly love. Overall, Symphonic Synthesis (Tristan and Isolde - Love Music from Acts 2 & 3) is a powerful and emotional piece of music that captures the passion and tragedy of Wagner's opera. Stokowski's arrangement is masterful, seamlessly weaving together various themes from the opera to create a cohesive and moving work of art.

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