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The Music of Richard Wagner
- Narrated by: Robert Greenberg
- Length: 18 hrs and 50 mins
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The Music of Richard Wagner
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Summary
In these 24 lectures filled with musical excerpts, enjoy a rich and multifaceted exploration of the trailblazing works and outsized life of this historically pivotal composer.
Your immersion in Wagner's art includes the following:
- The Flying Dutchman (which illustrates several of Wagner's key compositional innovations)
- Tannhäuser (the saga of a medieval knight torn between two worlds)
- Tristan and Isolde (Wagner's crowning masterpiece)
- And, of course, The Ring of the Nibelung (arguably the single most ambitious theater work ever created)
The sheer outlandishness of Wagner's life makes for an endlessly intriguing story, from his desperate escapades outrunning creditors to his obsessive personal relationships to his utopian artistic schemes. In his writings, letters, and public actions, you investigate the often contradictory - and hypocritical - aspects of his personality. And, reflecting on the nationalist spirit of his time, you track his core desire to make "German Art in the service of a German national identity," even as he created a body of works whose communicative power transcends any national boundary.
With Professor Greenberg's passionate and razor-sharp commentary, you'll plumb the fabulous mystery of a man who gave the world something of deeply compelling and universal resonance: music of great genius and a poetry that reveals the depths of the human psyche.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Music of Richard Wagner
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas H.
- 11-07-22
Great overview
The integration of explanation and music samples was great. It's no scientific work though, with limited traceable references, and specifically the strong reference to Wagner's (documented) antisemitism might profit from some stronger support. Nevertheless, an extremely enjoyable audiobook
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- emrys
- 16-10-19
A Wonderful Course
An intricate and deeply enjoyable perusal of the music of Wagner. We study the works of Wagner, perhaps spending too much time on the story aspect, rather than the musical side, which, to me , rather spoiled the lectures.
Whilst I can only give high credit to the lectures as a whole, I did get rather fed up with the emphasis on Wagner's anti -semitism. There is no doubt that this element of Wagner's character, to a modern audience at least, is pretty reprehensible, but there were times I found it rather took over the lectures. I particularly found this in PARSIFAL - my favourite opera.
In spite of the above comments, I thought the whole series of lecture were excellent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr
- 31-01-14
Wagner, the man and the mythos
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, to anyone put off by the seeming intellectual / artistic /political heights of Wagner thsi course is brilliant in being both informative, engaging and does not place Wagner on a pedestal whilst still acknowledging his artistic greatness.
What other book might you compare The Music of Richard Wagner to, and why?
To any of the other insightful courses of Professor Greenberg
What does Professor Robert Greenberg bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
His always lively and engaging tone.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It made me have an incredibly conflicted view of Wagner - which I think is possibly the best way to view him.
Any additional comments?
I'd urge anyone daunted by Classical music or Opera to try one of Robert Greenberg's courses.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Olly Buxton
- 03-02-19
Really well pitched and entertaining intro
Professor Greenberg is an entertaining and witty speaker, and balances musical and textual analysis with historical and cultural context. Just the right mix.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kevin Viney
- 24-06-15
Astonishing, larger than life - Wagnerian?
A tremendous introduction to the music and mythology that makes up the life and works of Richard Wagner.
Happy to recommend this as a way into Wagner and all he represents that is easy to listen to and very informative.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer 007
- 28-02-22
Succinct.
Well presented and generally enthusiastic about the music. The man himself, Wagner was loathsome. Apart from Die Feen and Rienzi all his other opera stories were pure rubbish. If opera was your forte stick with Verdi, Mozart and Monterverdi. Wagner output is twaddle unfortunately.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- S. Dunthorne
- 20-07-15
Great course!
Would you listen to The Music of Richard Wagner again? Why?
Very informative and I'll revisit sections as I go to see the Operas.
Who was your favorite character and why?
My favourite character was Wagner! (daft question!!!)
Which character – as performed by Professor Robert Greenberg – was your favourite?
This is a course not a novel reading! He should lay off the jokes a bit though.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The Ring Cycle and Parsifal.
Any additional comments?
THese prompted reviews aren't a one-size fits all you know Amazon!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Muzak
- 04-01-23
Brilliant presentation on a controversial figure.
Can the aesthetic quality of a artists work blind us to their darker aspects? Robert Greenberg’s lectures appreciate the astonishing quality of Wagner’s music without shying away from his deeply unpleasant beliefs. Would recommend.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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- StevenCF
- 21-08-22
Lectures on Wagner by someone who hates Wagner
These lectures combine a superficial plot summary and even more superficial musical analysis with tired and exaggerated allegations of white supremacism in the operas.
I can't recommend this audiobook to anyone. if you are already woke, you won't be interested in Wagner anyway. if you have an open mind, you will be misled. if you already love the music dramas, you will be annoyed and disappointed.
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