Classical Music Library Free Download of the Week: Wagner's Siegfried Idyll
Wagner, grateful for the birth of his son Siegfried, wrote the lyrical Siegfried Idyll as a 33rd birthday present for his wife, Cosima. It was first performed outside her bedroom on Christmas morning 1870 by a group of fifteen musicians.
The Siegfried Idyll was a private gift that was never intended for publication. Its themes are derived from the opera Siegfried, a String Quartet that Wagner had been writing when he met Cosima in 1864, and a lullaby, "Schlaf, kindlein, schlaf". Wagner, however, was compelled to sell the manuscript in 1877 due to financial hardship.
This recording is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Vernon Handley, conductor.
Download this work through March 28, 2008.
Hey, is the conductor for this piece Vernon Handley or Christopher Seaman, because the e-mail says one thing and the blog says another.
Posted by: Austin | March 25, 2008 at 06:37 PM
The conductor of this piece is Vernon Handley. Thanks for spotting the error in the email.
Posted by: Patrick Cole | March 27, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I am trying to download this piece, but the link takes me to this week's free download (Ginastera). I would have downloaded the Wagner sooner, but I did not receive the weekly email even though I am on the mailing list. Is there another link I can use?
Posted by: Christopher | March 28, 2008 at 05:46 PM