Good Friday Music (Parsifal - Act III)

Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, theater director, essayist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas. Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. He revolutionized opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk ("total work of art"), whereby he sought to synthesize the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts, with music subsidiary to drama.

For many years, I've had this arrangement of the "Good Friday Music," but never really did much with it. I wanted to play the famous "Fanfares" from it, but used the more grandiose Fox arrangement.

About 2 weeks ago, I came across the music while looking for something else, so, I thought, maybe this had better be THE year, if I intend to do it at all. :-)

The section heard here are from Act III of "Parsifal," one of Wagner's most famous operas. Briefly, the story of Parsifal, a character from the opera of the same name by Richard Wagner, revolves around his quest to save the Knights of the Holy Grail and the kingdom from the clutches of the dark magician Klingsor. Parsifal's journey involves overcoming temptations, understanding suffering, and ultimately fulfilling a prophecy to restore the kingdom through compassion.

This excellent transcription was done by George J. Bennett (1863-1930). He served as organist of Lincoln Cathedral from 1895 until his death. You can find some other performances of his music, if you look through my upload list.

Like all transcriptions, this one is a "compromise" with some omissions, but in reality, not much is missing here, and you'll feel pretty much at ease if you know the original.

The usual transcription demands are here, such as "thumbing down" and rapid color changes. All in all, I'm happy with the outcome, and hope that my listeners will find this moving as a meditation for Good Friday.

Photos of Wagner, Bennett, and Lincoln Cathedral are attached below.