We had a literary curiosity yesterday, and I have a musical one for you today. I heard the piece on Radio 3 this morning and couldn't quite believe my ears, but yes it is what it seems, a ragtime version of Wagner's Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde: click here (listen to the Chopinata first, if you want) and skip to the 3.23 mark and enjoy the "novelty piano solo" Isoldina by Clément Doucet - rather catchy in a toe-tapping way, though I expect Wagner is turning in his grave, and don't you think this must have been part of Mrs. Mills' repertoire?
To redress the balance, here is the real thing with Jessye Norman, and here is Liszt's version.
