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1876 Nietzsche wrote in his diary: "“Wagner is a born actor. Just as Goethe was an abortive painter, and Schiller an abortive orator, so Wagner was an abortive theatrical genius. His attitude to music is that of the actor; for he knows how to sing and speak, as it were out of different souls and from absolutely different worlds." That is a true but very kind description. I compare Wagner to an exhibitionist. Every bar he composed yells: "See how big and beautiful it is! Feel how I can arouse and excite you!"
Have a look to other composers: Most of the score Handel and Rachmaninov composed were aiming (and succeeding) to arousing and exciting us, nothing more.
ReplyDeleteMy estimation of Wagner’s music: Mostly boring. But there is a lot of melodies and harmony’s changes with more than a touch of genius.
Granted. I don't doubt Wagner was a genius. Neither does Nietzsche who certainly admired him. What he disliked was his showing off, his pheasant-like strutting.
ReplyDeleteGranted. I don't doubt Wagner was a genius. Neither does Nietzsche who certainly admired him. What he disliked was his showing off, his pheasant-like strutting.
ReplyDelete