Richard Wagner: The Most Important Romantic Era Writer

“Drama is the most comprehensive work of art; it can only be fully realized when all the other arts in their full realization are present in it.” A quote by Wagner, one of the most important Romantic era composers. Wagner was a very influential composer and play writer. He had very different views on the opera world and set the stage for theater today. He is well known for his music dramas along with his very controversial personal life. Wagner first became interested in theater from his father. He wrote his first opera at 21, Die Fein:The Fairies (1834). He was famous for his complex operas and anti-sematic writing. His operas were known for the insanity, murder, and tragedy. He first coined the term music drama which lead the way for theater today. He used the term total artwork-gesamtunktwerk. Meaning that everything played from one another
He used complex textures, rich harmony, and orchestration. He advanced music language by contrast/chromatics and quick shifting tonal centers. He led up music with anticipation. Wagner liked to keep his audience on the edge of their seats. He rarely used resolution of the keys. Meaning, he didn’t go to keys that you thought he should, they wouldn’t resolve. He wouldn’t resolve what the viewer expected of the cords. Wagner gave new ideas of harmony and used the 7th and extended cords which were rarely used in that time. They were more difficult keys and had a very different sound. Most of Wagner’s music sounds stressed out. He also had a huge impact on the melodic process and the opera structure. He often used the music and text of the opera to complete the work. He used infuses of both the make the total work of art. He used both to give the total effect of the music drama. He gave the music tension and depth to complete the whole story. He also led the way for abstract art due to how he used all in his music