Talk:Tárogató

Use by Wagner
The article says:

"The tárogató was used by Richard Wagner for the shepherd's solo in Tristan und Isolde, but the instrument was eventually abandoned being considered too loud for a concert hall.[2]"

This statement refers to the "Brief history of the tarogato", which claims:

"Wagner used the taragot for his "Tristan and Isolde", but it soon was found out that the instrument was too loud for a concert hall."

The question is, which tarogato is being referred to; the old (double-reed) instrument, or the new single-reed instrument?

The single-reed tarogato was invented around 1890. Wagner died in 1883. Therefore, if Wagner really did use the tarogato, it must have been the double-reed version. This would also be consistent with the idea that the instrument he used proved to be too loud.

But I suspect this is wrong, and Wagner did not use any tarogato at all. In Woodwind Instruments and their History, Anthony Baines writes: "It [the single-reed instrument] is said to have been Richter's original choice at Bayreuth for the second stage call in Tristan. Wagner marks this 'cor anglais', but observes in the preface that it would be better if 'a special instrument of wood be made for it after the model of the alp-horn...'"

In other words, the use of the tarogato in Tristan dates to several years after Wagner died, and it is the single-reed instrument that was used. Excessive volume was not an issue. I think "Brief history of the tarogato" is based on a mis-reading of Baines's book. —Preceding unsigned comment added by David Peacham (talk • contribs) 09:25, 5 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm not sure if the Baines book contradicts our article! Wagner could have used the original version of the tarogato (that was very loud) at the premiere of "Tristan and Isolde", while Hans Richter could have used the new version of the tarogato at Bayreuth. It is true however that this coincidence makes me also have questions on the matter, so if you find a "strong" source that can completely clarify this thing, please let us know. AKoan (talk) 13:12, 3 January 2009 (UTC)
 * Maybe both stories should be mentioned in the article! AKoan (talk) 13:15, 3 January 2009 (UTC)

The references
I have added the inline references. Basically, there are a couple of articles, but because there are more citations from the same article, at the end of the page the same article may appear more times. I don't know how to fix this, and, since I don't consider it important enough, I won't spend more time on the issue. AKoan (talk) 11:21, 4 June 2008 (UTC)
 * I've found the problem and fix it. AKoan (talk) 09:14, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

The tárogató and the taragot
I think that the taragot page should redirect here, taragot is the Romanian name for tárogató, is not a different instrument. AKoan (talk) 11:41, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Tarogato
Does anyone know where you can purchase a tarogato? Jhn Chance Johchance1@aol.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.17.87.9 (talk) 08:20, 20 September 2008 (UTC)


 * Have you tried eBay? I know, I know, there's lots of results for recordings of the tarogato, but if you keep checking back in every week you might get lucky and find one and bid on it before anyone else.
 * Or maybe you'll just have to buy a plane ticket to Hungary. Willi Gers07 (talk) 20:31, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Welsh Tristan
Many years ago I used to work for the Welsh National Opera (my first full-time job), and one of my more recherché tasks was to locate a tárogató for a new production of Tristan in 1979 with the late Arthur Davies as the relevant Shepherd, John Mitchinson as Tristan, Linda Esther Gray as Isolde, Anne Wilkens as Brangaene and Gwynne Howell as Marke, conducted by Reginald Goodall. The Royal Opera House had one (and probably still do), but they wouldn't lend it to us, not even with a player attached. I contacted the Hungarian trade consulate in London, who kindly sent me an authentic recording on a cassette tape (probably the single reed instrument), and even quoted a generous price for a new one (Hungary was still under Communist rule); but da MaNaGeMeNt wouldn't run to the expense (not that many opportunities for re-use), and in the end the cor anglais was substituted. MinorProphet (talk) 15:43, 22 September 2021 (UTC)