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 III, Scene 1, II, Stark ruft das Li | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
| 2 | Prologue / Es ragt die Burg, von Riesen gebaut | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
| 3 | Act 1 Sc 1d: Als zullendes Kind zog ich dich auf | Siegfried 1 - Wagner; Solti; Vienna Philharmonic |
| 4 | Siegfried, Act III, Scene 3, II, Das ist kein Mann | Siegfried, Disc 4, Act III, Scenes 1b-3 |
| 5 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene I, I, Zwangvolle Plage! Mü | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
| 6 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 2, III, Aber wie sah mein | Siegfried, Disc 3, Act II, Scenes 2b-3, Act III, S |
| 7 | Das Rheingold, Scene 1, V, Lugt, Schwestern! | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 8 | Die Walküre; Vierte Szene | Der Ring Des Nibelungen; Die Walküre 3 |
| 9 | 20. Act I, Scene III / Welch bange Träume Mären (B | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |
| 10 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
| 11 | ?????????/ ?? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
| 12 | OUVERTURE and BACCHANALE | ORCHESTRAL WORKS |
| 13 | Das Rheingold, Scene 2, IV, Endlich Loge! | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 14 | Die Walküre; Zweite Szene | Wagner: Die Walküre |
| 15 | Tannhäuser: Overture | Masters of Classical Music, Vol. 5 |
| 16 | Dritte Szene | Der Ring des Nibelungen: Das Rheingold |
| 17 | Das Rheingold; Zweite Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
| 18 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene 3, V, Her mit den Stücken, | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
| 19 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 2, II, Daß der mein Vater | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
| 20 | Prologue / O heilige Götter! (Brünnhilde) | Götterdämmerung - Solti - Wiener Philharmoniker - |