Wilhelm Richard Wagner Was a Real Genius - Essay Example

Starting his career with a fiasco, Wagner managed to obtain enormous respect among his colleagues and huge admiration from his numerous listeners.

I have chosen Wagner for analysis because of his multifaceted performance since he was not only an outstanding composer but also a talented conductor, poet-playwright, publicist, and theorist of musical theatre. Almost alone, Wagner created an entire trend such as musical drama. The most distinguished thing that a lot of his works are characterized with is the prominent role of mystical symbolism, which always inspired the composer and fascinated the intellectual audience.

Wagner’s contribution to the world culture is defined, first of all, with operatic reform, which led to the dominant implementation of the recitative style, and the popularization of symphonic operas with the help of leitmotifs and refusal from traditional operatic forms like aria or ensemble. The center of Wagner’s performance is a synthesis of arts representing a combination of music, poetry, and theatrical play that can create an overall picture of events.

The composer’s style is characterized by excessive tragedy and the actualization of myths. While listening to Wagner’s music, it is possible to feel the grandeur, power, potency, audacity, and determination of the creator. Wagner is miscellaneous in his representations. Hence, “Spring Waltz” is an airy, light, melodic, playful, and exciting set of notes, while “Die Walkure” attracts with its loudness, anxiety, and expressiveness that merely cause heartache. This is typical for Wagner to be ostentatious and even scandalous right in the focus of public attention. Such the nature of the composer can be easily tracked and reflected in his music which presents a great surge of emotions for the listeners. Read More