The Richard Wagner Complete Edition presents the composer's entire output for the first time in a reliable form. The conductor Michael Balling, in the early years of the 20th century, attempted to make Wagner's work more accessible for research and performance, but the edition only reached 10 volumes - some with grave shortcomings - and was discontinued after Balling's death in 1925. A further attempt at a complete edition by Otto Strobel was abandoned at the preliminary stages.This third attempt at a complete edition will be the first scholarly, critical edition, based on an evaluation of all the accessible source materials and the latest findings of serious Wagner research. As the edition is also intended for practical performance, the musical text has been kept free of philological insertions - these are listed in the appendices of each volume in the Critical Commentary. Numerous, partly unpublished works - some relatively unknown - and variant versions are published here for the first time. The edition presents authentic texts for Wagner specialists and researchers and critically based performing materials. Contrary to widely held opinions, even the well-known works of Wagner are not necessarily available in reliable editions. The genesis, history and performances directed by Wagner himself are extensively documented so as to present as complete an image as possible of Wagner's compositional intentions. / Opéra

Edition no.: BVK 2270ISBN: 9783761822708Volume / Series: Documenta musicologica II/45 / Bärenreiter FacsimileEditor: Konrad, UlrichLanguage(s) of work: English, GermanProduct format: FacsimileBinding: Half-leather bindingPages / Format: 405 S. - 41,7 x 30,0 cm 'This Tristan will be something formidable! This last act!''I fear the opera will be banned ' if the whole work is not parodied through bad performance: only mediocre performances can save me! Thoroughly good ones will surely drive people crazy.'Richard WagnerWhile working on the score to 'Tristan und Isolde', Richard Wagner expressed his excitement and elation about his new musical drama. Indeed, the radical originality of the work proved to be both unique and forward-looking: Over 150 years ago it signified the 'dawn' of the modern era and to this day it has not lost any of its fascination. Throughout his life, Richard Wagner was proud of his even handwriting.He constantly strove to produce manuscripts of a high calligraphic standard. The Tristan manuscript is also clearly written. More so than in his other scores however, traces of his working process are evident. It is precisely this aspect of the autograph that makes it fascinating. Reading it, one is witness to Wagner's highlyconcentrated, powerful and relentless writing. This manuscript is in every possible way unparalleled reflecting individuality and uniqueness.In time for the 200th anniversary of Wagner's birth in 2013, this great work will be published as a BÄRENREITER FACSIMILE in cooperation with the National Archive of the Richard-Wagner-Stiftung Bayreuth. In addition to the complete score, the edition includes the autograph concert ending of the Vorspiel as well as three pages that Wagner rejected while composing and later used for sketches.Ulrich Konrad, the renowned musicologist describes the genesis and performance history of the work in his comprehensive commentary. He also details the physical appearance and condition of the autograph as well as giving an insight into the musical language of Wagner.