What illuminates the Waste Land?
- A light for all pilgrims.
Why does the Spear drip with blood? - In token of Sacrifice.
Whom does the Grail serve? - The servants of Creation
What is the Harvest of the Waste Land? - Nourishment for all pilgrims.
(Part of the celebration ritual of the Mass of the Holy Grail.)
In 1982, I started research into the Grail
Tradition. My quest started with a fresh, new look at the work
of my great, great grandfather, Richard Wagner's opera 'Parsifal'.
I had heard that he started writing the Opera at Nanteos House,
Aberystwyth - the place where the 'Nanteos Cup' was kept. Many
people believe that this 'Welsh Grail' is the very Cup of the
Last Supper. My research has always been concerned with the characters
involved in the 'Quest for the Holy Grail', who are the archetypes
which are contained in mankind's innermost spirit. The treasures
that are to be found are in the 'Spirit' of us all. We uncover
them every day but most of them go unnoticed through the haze
we live in. Meditation provides one of the paths to allow them
through. Other ways can be found in the study of literature,
art and music - a thread which provides that subtle, feminine
aspect we all need if we are looking for our 'souls' to be in
balance'. When you are on the 'Quest' and enter the Waste Land,
elements are revealed at certain moments, sometimes when you
least expect them. Other pilgrims appear on the route at the
appropriate time!
There are many symbolic 'leitmotifs' portrayed in this Music,
some clues are immediate, whilst others require further listening.
Whichever way you choose to approach your own inner quest, whatever
your beliefs and religion, choosing carefully your individual
paths. I hope that this Music will reflect and be of some comfort
along the way.
Adrian Wagner - March 2003.
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