El Wagnero

[FredPuli43]

Which orchestral piece by Wagner has a full orchestration which includes castanets? (I only know of one, but am prepared for surprises!)

[Mamyalynne]

Am only finding the Tannhäuser "Bacchanale",at the moment, but I am certainly no Wagner expert.

[FredPuli43]

Correct. The overture to Tannhauser has a section called the Bacchanale played right at the end. It has castanets, intended to show something of joyous, uncontrolled merrymaking. The Bacchanale is the product of public clamour for a ballet section in the opera. Wagner refused that but he did put some music for dance as the Bacchanale

[sunny-dave]

There are some unexpectedly excellent tunes in Wagner - unfortunately they are always separated by many hours of ... Wagner.

[FredPuli43]

Yes, dave, I thought the same when I heard the Tannhauser overture. Poor mutts, after this they've got an interminable opera!

Never understood Wagnerians. They seem like trekkies in their obsession.

[shoota]

Wagner wrote noise.