Vorspiel zu "Parsifal"

Wagner began writing the opera Parsifal in 1857 but didn't complete it until 1882. It's first performance was given at Bayreuth just 4 months before his death. It is loosely based on a 13th-century epic poem of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail.

The "Vorspiel" or Prelude contains all the main themes from the opera and has a religious or mystical feeling to it. Randy Malmstrom has done a beautiful job with his 7-minute arrangement of the work for advanced performers. This arrangement is condensed based on the original.

The instrumentation is for: 4 Trumpets in B-flat, 4 Horns in F, 4 Trombones, Euphonium (bass clef), Tuba and Timpani.