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 3, IV, Fühltest du nie im | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
2 | Das Rheingold, Scene 4, IX, Abendlich strahlt der | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
3 | Das Rheingold; Erste Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
4 | Das Rheingold; Erste Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
5 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
6 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene I, V, Vieles lehrtest du, | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
7 | Prologue / Willst du mir Minne schenken (Brünn | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
8 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 1, IV, Fafner! Fafner! Er | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
9 | ?????????/ ?? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
10 | Das Rheingold; Erste Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
11 | 22. Act I, Scene III / Brünnhild'! Ein Freier kam | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
12 | 3 | Die Walküre 2 (Der Ring des Nibelungen) |
13 | Die Walküre; Dritte Szene | Wagner: Die Walküre |
14 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene 3, II, Heda! Du Fauler! | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
15 | Das Rheingold; Zweite Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
16 | 2 | Die Walküre 2 (Der Ring des Nibelungen) |
17 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene 2, IV, Die Stücken! Das Sc | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
18 | ?????????/ ?? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
19 | 1 | Die Walküre 2 (Der Ring des Nibelungen) |
20 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 2, I, Wir sind zur Stelle | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |