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Tristan and Isolde, Desolation
Tristan and Isolde Motives
Tristan and Isolde Motives



Gustav Kobbé discusses this passage as a variation of the “Isolde” or Desire motive.  Only after repeating for the third time does he acknowledge Desolation as representing the vast waste of the empty ocean (Kobbé, p. 130).  Lavignac, on the other hand, refers to Desolation as a continuation of Pain of Death, which he labeled “Solitude” (Lavignac, p. 308).

Motive Labels
Oed und leer das Meer” or “Vast Solitude of the Ocean” – (Redlich, p. 28)
"Meeröde” or “Deserted Sea” – (Pfohl, p. 227)
Motiv der Öde (auch des Sehnens)” or “Motive of Desolation” “(also longing)” – (Windsperger, p. 45)
"Death Draught” – (Redlich, p. 23)
“Poison”
"Death”
"Drink of Death"

Desolation – Order of occurrence by Act and Scene
Act III: Prelude, Scenes 1-2
Tristan and Isolde
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Copyright ©2007 by Matthew Heisterman and John Weinstock, All Rights Reserved

Motive Clips by Deutsche Grammophon  |  Based on Work by Rachel Mitchell and Christine Emily Boone