# Wagner, Tristan und Isolde, Prelude

The most famous opening in Romantic music. Cellos rise to F, then the legendary "Tristan chord" hangs.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Richard Wagner

- **Work:** Tristan und Isolde, Prelude

- **Movement:** Langsam und schmachtend

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1859

- **Key:** C

- **Metre:** 6/8

- **Tempo:** Langsam und schmachtend approximately 50 BPM

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Intermediate

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

Long, sighing line, barely move the bow. Tone, not speed.

## Style

Sehnsucht, yearning. Every note expressive.

## Techniques

opera, audition, lyrical, famous

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/wagner-valkyries), The galloping low-string ostinato under the famous valkyrie theme. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef.
- [Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, I, second theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-6-i), The famous lyrical second theme, soaring, heart-on-sleeve. Cello section in unison. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet, love theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-romeo-love), The most famous love theme in classical music. Cellos take the soaring line. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, I, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mahler-1-i), The "Wayfarer" theme stated in the cellos, naïve, folk-like, pure. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, apotheosis](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-death-transfig), The transcendent C major apotheosis, cellos sing the transfiguration theme over shimmering strings. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Fauré: Élégie](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/faure-elegie), A standard cello showpiece, grieving, songful, then thunderous in its central episode. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/wagner-tristan-prelude