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 II, Scene 1, I, In Wald und Nacht | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
2 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 3, IV, O Siegfried! Sieg | Siegfried, Disc 4, Act III, Scenes 1b-3 |
3 | 19. Act I, Scene III / Höre mit Sinn, was ich dir | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
4 | Act I, Scene I / Nun hör, Hagen (Gunther) | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
5 | Overture Tannhauser | Wagner: Selections from Tristan und Isolde, Tannha |
6 | Siegfried, Act I, Vorspiel | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
7 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene 3, VII, Hoho! Hoho! Hahei! | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
8 | ?????????/ ?? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
9 | Vierte Szene | Der Ring des Nibelungen: Das Rheingold |
10 | Die Walküre; Zweite Szene | Wagner: Die Walküre |
11 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
12 | 1 | Die Walküre 2 (Der Ring des Nibelungen) |
13 | ?????????/ ?1??2? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
14 | Act I, Scene I / Wen rätst du nun zu frein (Gu | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
15 | Das Rheingold, Scene 4, IV, Fasolt und Fafner nahe | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
16 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene I, VI, Einst lag wimmernd | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
17 | Das Rheingold, Scene 1, VI, Der Welt Erbe gewänn' | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
18 | 28. Act II, Scene IV / Heil dir, Gunter! (Mannen) | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
19 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 3, VI, Ewig war ich, ewi | Siegfried, Disc 4, Act III, Scenes 1b-3 |
20 | 32. Act II, Scene IV / Helle Wehr! Heilige Waffe! | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |