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Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner: The Visionary of Music Drama

Introduction to Richard Wagner

Wilhelm Richard Wagner (1813–1883) was a German composer, conductor, and theatre director, best known for his revolutionary approach to opera, which he termed "music drama." Unlike most composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and music for his works, creating a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk) that seamlessly combined poetry, music, drama, and visual spectacle. His use of leitmotifs—musical themes associated with characters, emotions, or ideas—transformed the storytelling power of music and influenced generations of composers.

Wagner’s Most Celebrated Works

The Ring Cycle: A Monument of Operatic Art

Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) is a four-opera cycle inspired by Norse mythology, considered one of the greatest achievements in classical music:

  • Das Rheingold (1869) – The foundation of the saga, introducing the mythical world of gods and mortals.
  • Die Walküre (1870) – Features the legendary "Ride of the Valkyries," one of the most famous orchestral works ever written.
  • Siegfried (1876) – The heroic journey of a fearless warrior, marked by powerful themes.
  • Götterdämmerung (1876) – The dramatic conclusion of the cycle, depicting the downfall of the gods.

Other Operatic Masterpieces

Wagner’s operas pushed musical boundaries, both dramatically and harmonically:

  • Tristan und Isolde (1865) – A revolutionary work that introduced extreme chromaticism, influencing modern music.
  • Lohengrin (1850) – Known for the ethereal "Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride").
  • Tannhäuser (1845) – A tale of love, redemption, and divine struggle, featuring the famous Overture and "Pilgrim’s Chorus."
  • The Flying Dutchman (1843) – A dark and stormy opera exploring fate and salvation.
  • Parsifal (1882) – Wagner’s final opera, a deeply spiritual and mystical masterpiece.

Orchestral Innovations and Influence

Wagner’s rich harmonies, expanded orchestration, and use of chromaticism shaped the future of classical music, inspiring composers such as Mahler, Strauss, and even film score composers of the 20th century. His concept of the leitmotif remains a foundational technique in film music today.

Wagner’s Enduring Legacy

Wagner’s operas remain some of the most ambitious and transformative works in Western music. His compositions redefined the possibilities of opera, influencing both classical and contemporary music. The Bayreuth Festival, founded by Wagner himself, continues to stage his operas annually, attracting audiences from around the world.

Richard Wagner

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  • Richard Wagner: Das Rheingold (807280135398) Richard Wagner: Das Rheingold (807280135398)
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    Richard Wagner: Das Rheingold

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    Richard Wagner: Das Rheingold   Product Details UPC: 807280135398 Composer: Richard Wagner Opera: Das Rheingold Genre: Opera, Classical Music Language: German Label: Arthaus Musik Release date: Recorded live in 2008 Product...
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  • Richard Wagner: Siegfried (807280135794) Richard Wagner: Siegfried (807280135794)
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    Richard Wagner: Siegfried - Weimar Opera DVD

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    Richard Wagner: Siegfried - Weimar Opera DVD UPC: 9783941311350 Product Details UPC: 807280135794 Composer: Richard Wagner Opera: Siegfried Genre: Opera, Classical Music Language: German Label: Arthaus Musik Release date: Recorded live in...
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  • Schumann: Symphonie No. 1, Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica - Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Festspieldokumente / Orfeo Audio CD 2001 Mono / C 565 011 B Schumann: Symphonie No. 1, Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica - Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Festspieldokumente / Orfeo Audio CD 2001 Mono / C 565 011 B
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    Schumann: Symphonie No. 1, Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica - Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Festspieldokumente / Orfeo Audio CD 2001 Mono / C 565 011 B

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    Schumann: Symphonie No. 1, Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica - Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Festspieldokumente / Orfeo Audio CD 2001 Mono / C 565 011 B UPC 4011790565125   The Symphony No. 1 in B♭ major, Op. 38,...
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  • Ravel: Klavierkonzert für die linke Hand, Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Robert Casadesus, Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Orfeo D'Or Audio CD 2002 Mono / C 586 021 B Ravel: Klavierkonzert für die linke Hand, Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Robert Casadesus, Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Orfeo D'Or Audio CD 2002 Mono / C 586 021 B
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    Ravel: Klavierkonzert für die linke Hand, Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Robert Casadesus, Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Orfeo D'Or Audio CD 2002 Mono / C 586 021 B

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    Ravel: Klavierkonzert für die linke Hand, Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Robert Casadesus, Wiener Philharmoniker, Dimitri Mitropoulos / Orfeo D'Or Audio CD 2002 Mono / C 586 021 B UPC 4011790586120   The Piano Concerto for the Left...
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  • Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner (807280135190) Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner (807280135190)
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    Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner

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    Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner   Product Details UPC: 807280135190 Composer: Richard Wagner Opera: Tannhäuser Genre: Opera, Classical Music Language: German Label: Arthaus Musik Release date: Recorded live at the Festspielhaus...
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  • Rene Kollo Singt Richard Wagner - Staatskapelle Berlin, Otmar Suitner / Der Fliegende Holländer; Siegfried; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Tannhäuser; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre; Lohengrin; Parsifal / CBS 2x LP, Stereo 1972 / 77 283 Rene Kollo Singt Richard Wagner - Staatskapelle Berlin, Otmar Suitner / Der Fliegende Holländer; Siegfried; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Tannhäuser; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre; Lohengrin; Parsifal / CBS 2x LP, Stereo 1972 / 77 283
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    Rene Kollo Singt Richard Wagner - Staatskapelle Berlin, Otmar Suitner / Der Fliegende Holländer; Siegfried; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Tannhäuser; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre; Lohengrin; Parsifal / CBS 2x LP, Stereo 1972 / 77 283

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    Rene Kollo Singt Richard Wagner - Staatskapelle Berlin, Otmar Suitner / Der Fliegende Holländer; Siegfried; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Tannhäuser; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre; Lohengrin; Parsifal / CBS 2x LP, Stereo...
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  • Richard Strauss: Die Liebe Der Danae – Grundheber, Uhl, Chafin, Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulrich Windfuhr / cpo 3x Audio CD 2004 / 999 967-2 Richard Strauss: Die Liebe Der Danae – Grundheber, Uhl, Chafin, Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulrich Windfuhr / cpo 3x Audio CD 2004 / 999 967-2
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    Richard Strauss: Die Liebe Der Danae – Grundheber, Uhl, Chafin, Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulrich Windfuhr / cpo 3x Audio CD 2004 / 999 967-2

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    Richard Strauss: Die Liebe Der Danae – Grundheber, Uhl, Chafin, Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulrich Windfuhr / cpo 3x Audio CD 2004 / 999 967-2 UPC 761203996728     Die Liebe der Danae ist eine Oper von Richard...
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  • Tennstedt - Janaček: Glagolitic Mass, R. Strauss: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Ameril Gunson, Sheila Armstrong, Robert Tear, William Shimell, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt / BBC Music Audio CD 2007 / BBCL 4208-2 Tennstedt - Janaček: Glagolitic Mass, R. Strauss: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Ameril Gunson, Sheila Armstrong, Robert Tear, William Shimell, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt / BBC Music Audio CD 2007 / BBCL 4208-2
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    Tennstedt - Janaček: Glagolitic Mass, R. Strauss: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Ameril Gunson, Sheila Armstrong, Robert Tear, William Shimell, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt / BBC Music Audio CD 2007 / BBCL 420

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    Tennstedt - Janaček: Glagolitic Mass, R. Strauss: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Ameril Gunson, Sheila Armstrong, Robert Tear, William Shimell, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt / BBC Music Audio CD 2007 / BBCL...
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  • Strauss Nono Wagner - Marcus Creed, SWR Vokalensemble, Les Percussions De Strasbourg / Hänssler Classic Audio CD 2006 / CD 93.179 Strauss Nono Wagner - Marcus Creed, SWR Vokalensemble, Les Percussions De Strasbourg / Hänssler Classic Audio CD 2006 / CD 93.179
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    Strauss Nono Wagner - Marcus Creed, SWR Vokalensemble, Les Percussions De Strasbourg / Hänssler Classic Audio CD 2006 / CD 93.179

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    Strauss Nono Wagner - Marcus Creed, SWR Vokalensemble, Les Percussions De Strasbourg / Hänssler Classic Audio CD 2006 / CD 93.179 UPC 4010276018612   Marcus Creed (born 19 April 1951) is an English conductor...
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  • Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 - Wagner, Siegfried's Funeral March, Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2018 / 479 8494 Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 - Wagner, Siegfried's Funeral March, Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2018 / 479 8494
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    Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 - Wagner, Siegfried's Funeral March, Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2018 / 479 8494

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    Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 - Wagner, Siegfried's Funeral March, Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2018 / 479 8494 UPC 028947984948   Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 in E major, WAB 107, is...
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  • Arturo Toscanini - Wagner: Orchestral Excerpts. Der fliegende Hollander, Tannhauser, Parsifal - NBC Symphony Orchestra / Testament Audio CD 2006 Mono / SBT 1382 Arturo Toscanini - Wagner: Orchestral Excerpts. Der fliegende Hollander, Tannhauser, Parsifal - NBC Symphony Orchestra / Testament Audio CD 2006 / SBT 1382
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    Arturo Toscanini - Wagner: Orchestral Excerpts. Der fliegende Hollander, Tannhauser, Parsifal - NBC Symphony Orchestra / Testament Audio CD 2006 Mono / SBT 1382

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    Arturo Toscanini - Wagner: Orchestral Excerpts. Der fliegende Hollander, Tannhauser, Parsifal - NBC Symphony Orchestra / Testament Audio CD 2006 Mono / SBT 1382 UPC 749677138226   Arturo...
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  • Richard Strauss, Max Reger: Sonates Pour Violoncelle Et Piano - Emmanuelle Bertrand, Pascal Amoyel / Harmonia Mundi Audio CD 2005 / HMC 901836 Richard Strauss, Max Reger: Sonates Pour Violoncelle Et Piano - Emmanuelle Bertrand, Pascal Amoyel / Harmonia Mundi Audio CD 2005 / HMC 901836
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    Richard Strauss, Max Reger: Sonates Pour Violoncelle Et Piano - Emmanuelle Bertrand, Pascal Amoyel / Harmonia Mundi Audio CD 2005 / HMC 901836

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    Richard Strauss, Max Reger: Sonates Pour Violoncelle Et Piano - Emmanuelle Bertrand, Pascal Amoyel / Harmonia Mundi Audio CD 2005 / HMC 901836 UPC 794881765720   Richard Georg Strauss (German: [ˈʁɪçaʁt ˈʃtʁaʊs]; 11 June 1864...
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