Richard Wagner
This volume contains the core of Wagner’s philosophy and will be of interest to more of our readers than the other volumes, except, perhaps, "Judaism in Music." Wagner was a mentor to younger intellectuals, like de Gobineau and Nietzsche, and some of his ideas foreshadowed Schopenhauer, including his discussion of voluntary or rational will versus involuntary will. This book includes an autobiographic sketch of this steadfast German patriot, whose part in an unsuccessful revolt forced him into temporary exile.
In "Art and the Revolution" Wagner calls for a new political order, attacks individualism, and expresses his belief in the folk and the wisdom of the German spirit. He discusses the contradictions between Christianity and the natural thirst of the Germanic nations for bold adventure and unbounded self-reliance. Art work reflecting the German spirit cannot be restored but must be born anew from revolution.
"Art Work of the Future" continues the discussion Wagner started in "Art and the Revolution." The folk and its collective need and Nature are praised, while luxury, fashion, money, and habit are attacked. Wagner insists that invention comes from folk wisdom and not from wise men.
"Wieland the Smith" is a highly interesting, chapter-length sketch of a Viking myth that Wagner was developing into an opera. It is complete with beautiful shield maidens (flying warrior daughters of a god, something like Valkyries), war between rival Viking kingdoms, and a wicked, beautiful Viking princess who wants Wieland for her own.
In other essays he discusses the effects of different climates on the development of man and provides a long narrative titled "A Communication to My Friends" on how his mind developed as he developed his works.
One can see from this volume that Wagner was much more than the greatest composer of dramatic music. He was one of the key links between the Germans’ folkish and mythic past and its rebirth in National Socialism.
412 pages ----- Soft Cover
