Wagnerism: How Music Drives Culture is a book written by Alex Ross, published in 2016. The book explores the impact of the music of Richard Wagner, a German composer, on various aspects of culture, including literature, theater, film, and visual arts. Ross argues that Wagner’s music has had a profound influence on the development of modern culture, and that his ideas continue to shape our world today.
Chapter 1: The Ring and the World
In the first chapter, Ross explores the origins of Wagner’s music and its connection to the world. He discusses the composer’s fascination with mythology, particularly Norse and Germanic myths, and how this fascination informed his most famous work, the Ring cycle. Ross also examines the impact of Wagner’s music on the world of theater, including the development of the Bayreuth Festival, which was dedicated to performing Wagner’s works.
Chapter 2: The Artist as Hero
In the second chapter, Ross delves into the relationship between Wagner’s music and the artistic community. He explores the ways in which Wagner’s ideas about art and the artist influenced other artists, including writers, painters, and composers. Ross also discusses the impact of Wagner’s music on the development of modern art, particularly the rise of Symbolism and Expressionism.
Chapter 3: The Revolutionary
In the third chapter, Ross examines the political impact of Wagner’s music. He discusses the composer’s involvement in the revolutionary movements of his time, including the Revolutions of 1848, and how his music became a symbol of political and social change. Ross also explores the ways in which Wagner’s ideas about politics and society influenced the development of modern political thought.
Chapter 4: The Jewish Question
In the fourth chapter, Ross addresses the complex and controversial issue of Wagner’s anti-Semitism. He discusses the composer’s views on race and religion, and how these views influenced his music and his interactions with other artists. Ross also explores the ways in which Wagner’s anti-Semitism has been interpreted and understood by subsequent generations.
Chapter 5: The Modernist
In the fifth chapter, Ross examines the impact of Wagner’s music on the development of modernism in the arts. He discusses the ways in which Wagner’s ideas about music and art influenced the work of modernist composers such as Debussy and Schoenberg, as well as modernist writers such as Joyce and Mann.
Chapter 6: The Global
In the sixth chapter, Ross explores the global impact of Wagner’s music. He discusses the ways in which Wagner’s ideas about music and culture have been interpreted and adapted in different parts of the world, including Japan, China, and the United States. Ross also examines the ways in which Wagner’s music has been used to promote national identity and cultural pride.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wagnerism: How Music Drives Culture is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the impact of Richard Wagner’s music on modern culture. Through his analysis of Wagner’s music and its influence on literature, theater, film, and visual arts, Alex Ross demonstrates the enduring power of Wagner’s ideas and their continued relevance in our world today.
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