Il Lamento di Tristano: for Flute and Guitar

(Ensemble). Il Lamento di Tristano is a set of variations on two themes that are in highly contrasting styles. Rodriguez juxtaposes fragments from Wagner’s opera, Tristan and Isolde , with a 14th-century monophonic dance, Lamento di Tristano . The work opens with the two themes combined in a florid cantillation led by the flute over passionate Spanish guitar strumming. The original Medieval theme follows in a seductive dance-like setting in keeping with the melody’s arabesque character. The ensuing variations explore the work’s central dramatic Wagner’s lush chromatic harmonies vs. the modal simplicity of the original Medieval Lamento. The two themes gradually merge as a synthesis is reached.