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This is the motif associated with memories of Parsifal's
mother, Herzeleide (Heart-in-
Sorrow). Like Tristan, Parsifal is stricken with grief at
the knowledge that he was (innocently) responsible for the
death of his mother. This feeling of guilt is exploited by
Kundry in the second act. But we first hear this motif
when, in response to Gurnemanz's questioning, Parsifal
admits that he once had many names, but now cannot remember
them. Herzeleide
(Wolfgang Windgassen; ogg format)
Right: Bayreuth postcard showing Parsifal and Kundry in act two. |
The Herzeleide motif clearly has developed from the simple motif of Suffering (#4), marked in the example above.