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 | Act 1 Sc 2b: Was zu wissen dir frommt, solltest du | Siegfried 1 - Wagner; Solti; Vienna Philharmonic |
| 2 | Vierte Szene | Der Ring des Nibelungen: Das Rheingold |
| 3 | Das Rheingold, Scene 1, V, Lugt, Schwestern! | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 4 | Act 1 Sc 1d: Als zullendes Kind zog ich dich auf | Siegfried 1 - Wagner; Solti; Vienna Philharmonic |
| 5 | Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude Act 3 | Masters of Classical Music, Vol. 5 |
| 6 | Das Rheingold, Scene 4, VI, Weiche, Wotan, weiche! | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
| 7 | Siegfried, Act II, Scene 1, I, In Wald und Nacht | Siegfried, Disc 2, Act I, Scene 3b, Act II, Scenes |
| 8 | Das Rheingold, Scene 1, II, Weia! Waga! Woge, du | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 9 | ?????????/ ?1??2? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
| 10 | Das Rheingold, Scene 1, IV, Wallala! Lalaleia! | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 11 | ?????????/ ?1??1? | Wagner: Gotterdammerung (1/4) |
| 12 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
| 13 | Siegfried, Act I, Scene I, IV, Als zullendes Kind | Siegfried, Disc 1, Act I, Scenes 1-3a |
| 14 | Das Rheingold; Zweite Szene | Wagner: Das Rheingold |
| 15 | Das Rheingold, Scene 1, III, Garstig glatter glits | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 16 | Götterdämmerung; Dritter Aufzug | Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen, Dritter Tag - Götterdämmerung |
| 17 | Das Rheingold, Scene 2, VII, Hör', Wotan, der Harr | Das Rheingold, Disc 1, Scenes 1 & 2 |
| 18 | Das Rheingold, Scene 3, VI, Ohe! Hahaha! Ohe! H | Das Rheingold, Disc 2, Scenes 3 & 4 |
| 19 | Act 1 Sc 1a: Zwangvolle Plage! Mueh ohne Zweck! | Siegfried 1 - Wagner; Solti; Vienna Philharmonic |
| 20 | Die Walküre; Fünfte Szene | Der Ring Des Nibelungen; Die Walküre 3 |