Important German composer (1813–1883) who, by expanding harmonic, instrumental, and dramatic forces to a previously undreamed-of degree, single-handedly revolutionized opera and attained status as one of the most influential geniuses in the history of music. Important unsigned music manuscript excerpt in Wagner’s hand, a six-measure passage for full orchestra from the opera Siegfried on an off-white 9.75 x 13 (slightly irregular) manuscript sheet, circa 1862–63. The present excerpt represents one of a series of adjustments made to the scores that constituted Der Ring des Nibelungen for a series of concerts in Vienna in 1862–63, more than a decade before the first performance of the complete cycle, as part of which Wagner conducted excerpts from the work. Wagner composed the present passage, headed “Siegfried, No. 2, Einlage B,” as an immediate conclusion for the “Hämmerlied” from Siegfried in order to make it suitable for performance as an excerpt. It replaces measure 3 on page 150 of the full score as published in 1876, so that there is no modulation from the key of F major, Wagner adding five new measures to bring the excerpt to a plausible conclusion. The Vienna concerts included two excerpts from Siegfried, both of which required new endings. A note by Wagner sold at Stargardt in 1972 makes reference to the endings (designated “A,” and, the present example, “B”), while the complete Wagner catalogue notes that the original manuscripts of the two endings were evidently lost. (A copyist’s version of the present passage was formerly at the Wagner Archive in Bayreuth.) The present item may therefore be regarded as a significant discovery in the field of Wagner scholarship. Light overall toning and handling wear (small chip at lower right corner) and top edge tipped to a same-sized card, otherwise fine condition. The manuscript is dark and clear throughout. A Wagner item of highest interest! JSA/John Reznikoff Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
