Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest . Christoph Meier

Symphonic transcriptions have often been created from Wagner's operas, the adaptations by the conductor Leopold Stokowski being the most renowned. The composer and percussionist Henk de Vlieger wants to do more than merely paste segments together: he combines the orchestral highlights into one symphonic work, which makes for around an hour's worth of music. He replaces voices with instruments where necessary, and composed the linking passages himself, all in the spirit of Wagner. Real Wagner fans will not be deprived of singing during this concert. Included in the programme is one of Wagner's most beautiful works, the 'Wesendonck Lieder', from poems by his muse, Mathilde Wesendonck. They serve as the point of departure for the harmonic innovation and stylistic revolution that would lead Wagner to create his greatest opera, 'Tristan und Isolde'.