Naxos

The Devil has long had a leading part to play in drama and in music, either menacing mortals in a medieval miracle play or leading romantic heroes and heroines into difficulties in the world of romantic opera. The nineteenth century found a particular fascination in the character of the Devil, a supposed source of diabolical inspiration for a Paganini or a Liszt or a principal figure in Faustian legend.
Dr Faustus himself, perhaps based on the early scientist and experimenter Paracelsus, found his place in German legend and in a moral publication of 1587 that warned of the dangers of intellectual speculation. This was the source of Christopher Marlowe's play, in which the good doctor, true to story, sells his soul to the Devil in return for a period of youth and consequent pleasure. In the following century the Devil acquires heroic stature in Milton's Paradise Lost to return with less ambiguity in Goethe's great poetic drama, the source of so much else in music and opera.
Disc No: 8.555868
Price: Sek. 74
Name: Walton - The Quest

Order

ComposerOpusMusicKey Performer
Walton, Sir William   The Quest   English Northern Philharmonia - David Lloyd-Jones
Walton, Sir William   Siesta  
Walton, Sir William   The Wise Virgins  

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Toccata Sept 2002
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