Posted October 10, 2012

October 10, 2012

Alex Ross at the New Yorker Festival 2012

During his talk, The Wagner Vortex, Alex Ross discussed the Harlem Renaissance and how Wagner’s music had a small influence on these fascinating musicians. Ross has posted to his blog examples of virtuosic performances of some of the pianists who used Wagnerian themes in their own inimitable style. The first example is Donald “The Lamb” Lambert, a jazz stride pianist prominent in the 1920’s Harlem club scene. Lambert’s mother taught him to play piano, it’s hard to believe that couldn’t read music. The Pilgrim’s Chorus won’t sound the same way after you hear this!

http://www.therestisnoise.com/2012/10/taking-wagner-in-stride.html

Other superb examples of Wagner scenes and preludes with artists ranging from Flagstad to Thielemann are also available on the Ross’ wonderful website.

Thank you Diane Parker for the link!