Richard Wagner (1813–1883) was largely self taught in music. His
harmonic extremes were still to come when he wrote
Tannhäuser in
1845. This is the introduction to Act III and is rarely played
today as an organ transcription. Brewer’s
transcription gives you many chances to use the soft and colorful sounds of
the organ along with some dramatic full organ.
Alfred Herbert Brewer was born in Gloucester, England, on
June 21, 1865. Unlike Wagner, he was highly educated and well-trained in music.
He studied organ with such teachers as Charles Villiers Stanford, he won scholarships,
he earned multiple degrees, he was awarded Hon.R.A.M. and F.R.C.O, and was
knighted by the king. He was a well-rounded musician who was able to bring
orchestral favorites to the organ in transcriptions that are approachable
and always easier to play than those by other well-known organists such as
Edwin Lemare. Tannhäuser’s
Pilgrimage is of easy to
moderate difficulty.