Wagner and Nazism

wtid 45
Just thought it was time you had an increase - I guess !
Cheers

 

wtid 45
Just thought it was time you had an increase - I guess !
Cheers
In that case cheers Tom

 

...to be told that we couln't see the main hall as there was a rehearsal on at the time...
Cheers

probably a rehearsal of Wagner. Those nazis like to do things in a big way and the rehearsal hall is way too small for those flags.

 

Entirely correct.

 

ZA & Wtd -
hadn't thought of that - you could both be right ! not forgetting Geoff !
Cheers

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qbmf

Richard Wagner
Faith in Music
Episode 2 of 4

Catholic composer Sir James MacMillan considers the faith lives of four very different composers.

James talks with Professor Richard Bell, Barbara Eichner and Stephen Johnson. They discuss ways in which Richard Wagner’s religious upbringing, political experiences and wide reading of philosophy and theology informed and imbued his colossal music dramas.

And James reveals his own obsession with Wagner, which began in teenage years, and describes ways in which Wagner has influenced his own compositions.

Over the centuries, composers have created musical masterpieces which many listeners have come to regard as spiritual touchstones. For example, Tallis's motet Spem in alium, Wagner’s opera Parsifal, Elgar's oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, Bernstein's Mass. But what did these composers actually believe about God, faith, compassion, an afterlife and redemption? And do we need to share these beliefs in any way, to have a spiritual experience as listeners to their music?

Answers to these questions are complex, fascinating and challenging.

Produced by Rosie Boulton
A Must Try Softer production for BBC Radio 4

 

Sort of Wagner related, a couple of years ago there was a TV programme called 'The Real Bohemians' about the somewhat rackety lives of various artists in the 20th century. One of the artists was Eric Gill, whose lifestyle was certainly unconventional, as he sexually abused his sister, his daughters and, possibly, the family dog. The programme was presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell who discussed Gill with a lady art expert. Ms Coren Mitchell asked the expert if she didn't find it difficult to appreciate Gill's work bearing in mind his personal life. The expert said no, and continued "You wouldn't switch off Wagner because of his association with Nazism, would you?" To which Ms Coren Mitchell replied, "Well, yes I would!". "Would you really?" the expert said, "Oh dear. Oh dear me!"

I though that was rather amusing.

 

Yep, I am a fan - I also love the art nouveau illustrations of Brunnhilde etc