The Northern Classical Review

I'm a relative newcomer to Tristan und Isolde. By that I mean I have been listening to it for two years but still have not got to the bottom of it's genius, still (honestly) don't fully understand the plot, and am still finding subtle metaphorical meanings all over the place. Despite this, Tristan und Isolde has become one of the greatest loves of my life. The strings that rotate and impose on you, the brass that emerges from beneath the surface and pierces your soul, the motifs that haunt you for hours. Philosophical meaning aside, Tristan und Isolde is remarkable music and after listening to it, its' sounds will never escape you. You don't need to be interested in 19th century European antisemitism or philosophy to enjoy Tristan, just embrace the amazing sounds. The genius of Tristan und Isolde is its ability to be incredibly high-brow but incredibly universal. There's little art in the world simultaneously loved by peasants and aristocrats alike (in this ca