Richard Wagner

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Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22nd May 1813–13th February 1883) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his s (or “music dramas” as he later came to call them). His compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their contrapuntal texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and elaborate use of leitmotifs: themes associated with specific characters, locales, or plot elements. Wagner’s chromatic musical language prefigured later developments in European classical music, including extreme chromaticism and atonality. He transformed musical thought through his idea of Gesamtkunstwerk (“total art-work”), epitomized by his monumental four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (1876). His concept of leitmotif and integrated musical expression was also a strong influence on many 20th century film scores.

Wagner was and remains a controversial figure, both for his musical and dramatic innovations, and for his anti-semitic and political opinions. Wagner was one of Adolf Hitler’s favorite composers; the composer’s influence on him has been a subject of heated debate ever since the end of World War II.
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  • Tobbessen wrote:
    yesterday evening
    wagner was a true pagan. something that is undermined in germany since the christians came. time will tell if antisemitism is really that ungrounded. anyway, you should at least read nietzsche or something like that until you judge wagner at his time as you did here. details sometimes show the vast possibilites of interpretation and the diverse amount of backgrounds that take part in such personal development

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  • angelashephard wrote:
    Monday evening
    Leave Wagner and Von Trier alone. The first was a genius and the second is simply socially awkward Dane. He paid the price.

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  • MusicHallofFame wrote:
    Monday morning
    The Music Hall of Fame are delighted to induct Richard Wagner into the Class of 1946. Congratulations. Please join our group too see the latest inductees into the Music Hall of Fame http://www.last.fm/group/Music+Hall+of+Fame

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  • fromsea wrote:
    Sunday afternoon
    Where can I find the complete four operas of Der Ring des Nibelungen?

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  • xsteiner wrote:
    Friday morning
    О, Вагнер, ты злодей, ты убийца, убийца!

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  • Agravenlife wrote:
    last week
    [v] What he said, with the addendum that if you can't enjoy Wagner specifically because of his antisemitic views, you're a complete idiot. Lots of brilliant men who have done more for humanity than what the average person is aware of (or can even comprehend) have been racist, fascist, [insert popular political hogwash or any era that does not correspond with the political hogwash of the modern era], pedophile and even christian. We owe great advances to such people, don't be ungrateful louts.

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  • the_eternal_sin wrote:
    last month
    People need to learn to separate the man from the music and also remember the period in which Wagner was alive. Anti-semitism and nationalism was RAMPANT in Europe at the time. Sure, it doesn't make it "right" but it's fine to enjoy music even if you disagree with the artist's ideologies. And also, just because his music was used by the Third Reich, does NOT mean in any way, shape or form, that he necessarily influenced the racial ideologies the Reich would have. He had been dead for awhile by then anyways. If you can't enjoy Wagner's music because of his anti-semitism, you're simply missing out on wonderful music.

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  • b-beatr wrote:
    last month
    EM TOUR

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  • NihilisticRust wrote:
    last month
    Who cares?

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  • Seavas wrote:
    last month
    Von Trier is also half-Jewish, yet another parallel with Wagner.

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  • VK1990 wrote:
    last month
    Prelude

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  • tim4tw wrote:
    last month
    yeah, cool, now I'm a Nazi or what?

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  • dark-falcon wrote:
    last month
    Von Trier used his music in Melancholia... then made a statement about his understanding for Hitler... Coincidence? haha I'm assuming this has been mention before. The Prologue of Melancholia should be added to his videos!

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  • TheTrooper667 wrote:
    last month
    Indeed there is nothing bad about being a nationalist. It´s funny to see 17year old girls swagger about their sciolism...how sad

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  • Forteski wrote:
    last month
    Erudite music group: http://www.last.fm/group/Erudite+Music

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  • ut0 wrote:
    last month
    pretty much the rest of this shoutbox can also fuck off

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  • Masafaka wrote:
    last month
    omg, on tour jokes fuck off

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  • priedits wrote:
    last month
    Yes, there is something good about being a nationalist. Think about it.

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  • somemusicdude wrote:
    December 2011
    You're saying "anti-semite and nationalist" like there is something good in it.

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  • uf_snakkez wrote:
    December 2011
    You're saying "anti-semite and nationalist" like if there is something bad in it.

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