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World Premiere Recording of Andrew Gourlay's Parsifal Suite by the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Nov. 21, 2022

This month, Orchid Classics released the world premiere recording of Andrew Gourlay's Parsifal Suite, performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of the composer. Gourlay describes his Parsifal Suite, which is published by Schott:

"Parsifal surely contains some of Wagner’s greatest orchestral writing, yet there is little orchestral-only material currently available for concert performance. I therefore set about constructing an orchestral suite that would give us more time to settle into the music of Parsifal. The result is forty-five minutes of continuous music from the opera. My priority was to stitch the music together wherever possible using original Wagner. 

From the opening prelude, we move to Act 3 Scene 1, where a brief passage for slow unison strings depicts Parsifal at the holy spring, thrusting his spear into the ground and praying before it. There follows a portion of the Good Friday Music for gentle woodwinds and strings, as Parsifal admires the beauty of the wood and meadow, which are glowing in the morning light. The sound of midday bells begins Wagner’s own transition to Scene 2, as the forest scene dramatically transforms into the mighty hall of the castle of the Grail. The knights process in from both sides, carrying the wounded Amfortas and the coffin of Titurel. We move to the Act 3 prelude, followed by the prelude to Act 2, “Klingsor’s Magic Castle”.  Next, the scene change from Act 1, in which Gurnemanz leads Parsifal through the rocky walls and (as in Act 3) the forest magically transforms into the great hall of the Grail. We return to Act 3 for a brief bridge passage (for timpani, hushed brass, and pizzicato strings), which accompanies the ominous figure of Parsifal as he emerges from the forest fully covered in black armour. This passage navigates us to the final scene, and the opera’s natural conclusion. Parsifal holds aloft his holy spear, with which he has healed Amfortas. He takes the Grail, which glows brighter and brighter, and swings it in blessing. “Miracle of supreme salvation!""

Offering high praise for the LPO's recording of Gourlay's Parsifal Suite, Andrew McGregor of BBC Radio 3 calls it, “A 47- minute suite that allows us to luxuriate in some of Wagner’s most luminous and lovingly crafted orchestral music, played with a breadth and radiance that matches it wonderfully well." BBC Music Magazine awarded the disc five stars for both the performance andrecording. Reviewer Michael Church says, "“This recording makes a glorious 45 minutes, with immaculately seductive playing from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and perfect segues from piece to piece — it all slips deliciously down.”

Learn more and purchase The London Philharmonic Orchestra's new recording from Orchid Classics here.


The London Philharmonic Orchestra | Parsifal - Richard Wagner/Andrew Gourlay.

To learn more about Andrew Gourlay, visit: schott-music.com.

Richard Wagner / Andrew Gourlay
Parsifal Suite (2017-2018)
constructed by Andrew Gourlay
for orchestra
3.3.ca.3.bcl.3.cbsn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(Rührtrommel, Bells)-2hp-str
45'

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