STEPHEN FRY

I was wondering if any Wagnerite could tell me what the music that comes in at the end of the piece to camera on the Nuremberg steps around 50mins in is? Most of the snippets are identified as they come up, but not that bit which turned my head.

I enjoyed the programme for many reasons, although I've never been especially in to Wagner. Put some Puccini on and I'll melt onto the floor though. Anyway, I had a very enjoyable hour on iplayer and will have much to chew on for the rest of the day

KingLudwigII said:
Stephen thank you so much for making your recent programme on Wagner. Like you the first music I ever heard by Wagner was the prelude to Tannhauser when I was a child. I've visted Neuswanstein and revelled in the ecstacy of the operas. I can see how Wagner can become an obsession, a passion, an addiction almost!
Brilliant Programme, please make another!!

Ludwig

And Im another. I loved it that Steven met Tannhauser as a child. It reminded me of my introduction to the notion of ecstatic music, as a seven or eight year old at boarding school. While the school filed into assembly every morning, juniors like me going first, sitting cross legged on the floor till everyone was in, they used to play music on the gramophone. Among the pieces the recurred occasionally was the overture to Tannhauser.. and the pilgrim's chorus... o bliss !! o heaven. o iresistable. These very physical early pieces got right through to a dozey little girl in grey ankle socks, regardless of the gossip and fidgeting around me.
Do any schools offer young children stuff like this now ? Real music, the stillness of listening ?

I am not a particular fan of yours, Stephen; however, your programme on Wagner was simply superb. I found so much common ground with you, and I am delighted that your views reflect mine (and, no doubt many others) so well and describe them so much more articulately than I could ever manage. I too feel the deep, indescribable emotions generated by the music, and I am not ashamed to say that when the Tristan love duet was played, tears coursed down my cheeks with no encouragement at all. The views of the participants in the programme also helped me to reconcile my passion for Wagner with my horror of the Nazi period and also with my Catholic Faith. Truly the music overwhelms me and as Bernard Levin once said (I think) "Wagner's music is such that I can forgive him his failings" In summary, a superb programme, Stephen, which deserved a fair greater airing. No doubt it will be aired as rarely as Wagner's work is on the BBC, to the detriment of many.
Thank You Mate.

Do please "delve in to the Ring Cycle" - you will be rewarded beyond your dreams if you simply sit and immerse yourself into the passion that pours from it

CreamyOldEngland said:
Fantastic programme. Stephen's obvious enthusiasm throughout was great fun, he seemed quite unaware of the camera sometimes, especially when he was working through 'Tristan...' on the piano. It reminded of when he was on 'Room 101' and wanted to make a programme called 'Room Lovely' about all the good things in life.

Tackling the perennially thorny subject of 'the art not the artist' was the most obvious requirement of any programme on the subject and it was done with the usual sensitivity and lucidity one would expect.

If one of the main intentions was to get people listening then it worked for that too. I am emboldened now to tackle the Ring cycle. I am afraid I am one of those people who have snacked on the arias but has never managed to eat a whole opera so its manifold riches have become something I must, must delve into.

Thanks.

May I please ask for your help everyone? I am generally very intimidated by classical music and in particular Wagner.
My question is “where do I begin listening to Wagner?” Which conductor? Which orchestra? What recording?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Nollaig

Just a humble old train driver here making an observation. As with others i find the Tanhauser overture very emotive and thoroughly enjoyed Stephen's programme on Wagner. Given his anti semite character and and as uncomfortable as that is, his music is as popular as ever. To put that into a modern context, I note with interest that the music of a certain Gary Glitter is no longer aired in the media due to his abhorent crimes. However, is the music 'detachable' from the composer? Just a thought.
Matt