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 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene I, VI, Einst lag wimmernd | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
2 | Siegfried; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
3 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 3, II, Was ihr mir nützt, | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
4 | Act I, Scene I / Jagt er auf Taten wonnig umhe | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
5 | Das Rheingold, Scene 2, VII, Hör', Wotan, der Harr | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
6 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 1, III, Dir Unweisen ruf | Siegfried, Disc 4, Act III, Scenes 1b-3 |
7 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene 3, IV, Fühltest du nie im | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
8 | Das Rheingold, Scene 3, VI, Ohe! Hahaha! Ohe! H | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
9 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 3, I, Wohin schleichst du | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
10 | Act 1 Sc 3b: Heda! Du Fauler! | Siegfried 1 - Wagner; Solti; Vienna Philharmonic |
11 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 2, V, Haha! Da hätte mein | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
12 | Siegfried | Wagner: Siegfried |
13 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 1, II, Stark ruft das Li | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
14 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
15 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 2, III, Kenntest du mich | Siegfried, Disc 4, Act III, Scenes 1b-3 |
16 | Das Rheingold, Scene 2, V, Immer ist Undank Loges | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
17 | Siegfried | Wagner: Siegfried |
18 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene I, IV, Als zullendes Kind | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
19 | Das Rheingold; Zweite Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
20 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |