Wagner

Jessica Cottis explores why the so-called ‘Tristan chord’ from Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde – the inspiration for the CSO’s 2022 season – was such a game changer.

“I’m David Flynn, I play the double bass with the CSO, occasionally guitar or bass guitar if the right gig comes up. My first CSO gig was back in 1992, playing mandolin in a Prom concert. I made my bass debut in 1993. During the day, I’m found in the CSO office, either on the telephone selling tickets or doing the ‘behind the scenes’ work that enables a ticket to be sold.”

“Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet is one of the reasons I became a musician…lyrical, dramatic, melancholy, formally disciplined while at the same time full of Viennese elegance and Hungarian passion – it’s just one of my favourite pieces in the whole world.”

“Marked with the words ‘Slow. Calm. Deeply felt,’ the Adagio of Mahler’s third symphony seems to exist outside of any conscious acknowledgement of temporality. Starting with one of the most wondrous of prayers, it’s a tour de force of tectonically slow and sustained playing from start to finish. So intense it almost physically hurts, until the brass emerge with their glorious and noble chorale.”

“Make a cup of tea, grab a comfy chair and join me on a musical road trip!” Rowan Phemister, CSO Harp