Richard Wagner: Crucial Figure In The History Of Nineteenth-Century Music
WAGNER
“One of the crucial figures in the history of nineteenth-century music”
Richard Wagner is, without a doubt one of if not the most controversial figure of the nineteenth-century. Possessed of a large ego , a smooth way with women and music endorsed by Hitler himself in no way makes for a subtle character. There is no middle ground when it comes to Wagner, he is either loved and praised as a genius or scorned and called overrated. Regardless of ones opinion of the man his influence on music and in particular opera is still felt today. His arguably finest work, the tetralogy of The Ring has left an everlasting impact on todays culture. The large lady with blond braids and a viking helmet is still the most recognizable icon of opera to this day. Richard …show more content…
Wagner was not a musical child prodigy like Mozart in fact he was discouraged to pursue music, “His Latin tutor gave him some piano lessons, but predicted that musically he would come to nothing." (Music With Ease). He and Berlioz were not the norm for composers of that time period as both of them had no great talent on the piano and yet both had such a good grasp of harmony. The single most important event of Wagner 's life (and subsequently nineteenth-century music) was his hearing Beethovens ninth symphony. " 'I fell ill of a fever, ' he says, speaking of this turning point in his life, 'and when I recovered, I was -- a musician." ' (Music With Ease). Beethoven 's ninth symphony was the first symphony to use the voice. Upon reflection of Wagner 's works the symphonic qualities as opposed to the operatic ones are more prominent, giving the orchestra a much larger role then just the accompanist of the voice. A definite influence of Beethoven as opposed to Mozart or Rossini. Unlike how Wagner likes to portray himself as the all knowing genius he did have lessons although only for a relative short time. In 1837 when he was twenty four years of age he had
“One of the crucial figures in the history of nineteenth-century music”
Richard Wagner is, without a doubt one of if not the most controversial figure of the nineteenth-century. Possessed of a large ego , a smooth way with women and music endorsed by Hitler himself in no way makes for a subtle character. There is no middle ground when it comes to Wagner, he is either loved and praised as a genius or scorned and called overrated. Regardless of ones opinion of the man his influence on music and in particular opera is still felt today. His arguably finest work, the tetralogy of The Ring has left an everlasting impact on todays culture. The large lady with blond braids and a viking helmet is still the most recognizable icon of opera to this day. Richard …show more content…
Wagner was not a musical child prodigy like Mozart in fact he was discouraged to pursue music, “His Latin tutor gave him some piano lessons, but predicted that musically he would come to nothing." (Music With Ease). He and Berlioz were not the norm for composers of that time period as both of them had no great talent on the piano and yet both had such a good grasp of harmony. The single most important event of Wagner 's life (and subsequently nineteenth-century music) was his hearing Beethovens ninth symphony. " 'I fell ill of a fever, ' he says, speaking of this turning point in his life, 'and when I recovered, I was -- a musician." ' (Music With Ease). Beethoven 's ninth symphony was the first symphony to use the voice. Upon reflection of Wagner 's works the symphonic qualities as opposed to the operatic ones are more prominent, giving the orchestra a much larger role then just the accompanist of the voice. A definite influence of Beethoven as opposed to Mozart or Rossini. Unlike how Wagner likes to portray himself as the all knowing genius he did have lessons although only for a relative short time. In 1837 when he was twenty four years of age he had