Song to the Evening Star ("Tannhauser")

This lovely item is from Richard Wagner's (1813-1883) opera "Tannhauser" (completed in 1845) in a transcription for organ by the ultimate virtuoso, Edwin H. Lemare (1866-1934).

I plan (hope) to do more Wagner transcriptions over the summer... ;-)

This performance of the well-known "O Star of Eve" had to solve several problems, the greatest one being what to use to simulate the harp.

Lemare suggest Bourdons of 16' and 8' on the Great, but since Salisbury does not have a 16' flute on the Great, I had to couple the Lieblich Gedackt 16' from the Choir. The Great 8's, both Stopped Diapason and Claribel still seemed "too loud," so I opted for the 8' Flute Harmonique of the Choir, along with the already mention Lieblich 16'. The results are OK, but of course it really can't "imitate" the harp!

The famous melody, played in the tenor, uses the Violincello, Cello Celeste, and Flute Harmonique with Tremulant of the Solo organ joined with the Lieblach Gedackt, Viole da Gambe, and Vox Angelica with Tremulant of the Swell.

It makes a pretty sound, but of course it doesn't have the richness of a true string section.

All-in-all, this came out nicely, so I should have some more Wagner transcriptions soon! Smaller ones at first, with some bigger ones later... ;-)