Wagner Siegfried Idyll (1869)

Richard Wagner and chamber music: the two almost never go hand in hand. But the word almost is the key, here. Known primarily as a composer of sprawling music dramas, Wagner did turn his attention to smaller forms from time to time.

He composed Siegfried Idyll as a birthday present for his wife, Cosima, and presented the world premiere in his home on Christmas morning, 1870. The work includes themes from his epic four-opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and in particular makes use of forest sounds associated with the hero, Siegfried.

Happily, we get a full story arc in about 20 minutes as opposed to the 5 hours it takes to enjoy a complete performance of Siegfried, the third music drama in the Ring Cycle. We’ll even supply an idyllic setting, the vineyards of TERO Estates in Milton-Freewater.

Artists: Sarah Brady, flute; Rodger Burnett, horn; Timothy Christie, viola; Billy Ray Hunter, trumpet; Martin King, horn; Norbert Lewandowski, cello; Christina McGann, violin; Angelique Poteat, clarinet; Paul Rafanelli, bassoon; Maria Sampen, violin; Kevin Schempf, clarinet; Stephen Schermer, double bass; and Dan Williams, oboe.