Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22nd May 1813???13th February 1883) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (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.
1 | OUVERTURE and BACCHANALE | ORCHESTRAL WORKS |
2 | Dritte Szene | Der Ring des Nibelungen: Das Rheingold |
3 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 1, I, Wache, Wala! Wala! | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
4 | Das Rheingold, Scene 4, V, Gepflanzt sind die Pfäh | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
5 | Siegfried | Wagner: Siegfried |
6 | ?????????/ ?1??2? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
7 | Das Rheingold, Scene 4, IV, Fasolt und Fafner nahe | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
8 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene 3, VII, Hoho! Hoho! Hahei! | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
9 | Die Walküre; Fünfte Szene | Der Ring Des Nibelungen; Die Walküre 3 |
10 | Tannhäuser: Overture | Masters of Classical Music, Vol. 5 |
11 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 1, III, Mit mir nicht, ha | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
12 | Act 1 Sc 2b: Hier sitz' ich am Herd und setze mein | Siegfried 1 - Wagner; Solti; Vienna Philharmonic |
13 | ?????????/ ?? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
14 | Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude Act 3 | Masters of Classical Music, Vol. 5 |
15 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
16 | Die Walküre; Erste Szene | Wagner: Die Walküre |
17 | Wesendonck - Lieder - Traume | Wagner: Selections from Tristan und Isolde, Tannha |
18 | Prologue / Willst du mir Minne schenken (Brünn | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
19 | 3 | Die Walküre 2 (Der Ring des Nibelungen) |
20 | Siegfried | Wagner: Siegfried |