Great Composers: Richard Wagner

A look at a famous—or infamous—opera composer.

This was a viewer request from Mikel P. of the HMB Music Class and YouTuber ShorkGamer. If you've got a question or request for a future video, leave a comment, shoot me a message through YouTube, or use the email/Tumblr links below.

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Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.

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Music:

- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette

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Questions and comments can be directed to:

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All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.

[ClassicalNerd]

Note: I made this video before I knew much German, so my pronunciation is ... a bit off.

[gearaddictclimber]

I love the direction this video takes with respect to Wagner. I feel that it’s important to understand his anti-Semitic tendencies because history is very important in understanding a composer, but I also think people often get so wrapped up in his bigotry that they forget to separate the music from the person a bit. I love how he touches on Wagner’s controversial ideology while also acknowledging that his works *are* great despite the convroversy surrounding his very name!

[timothygoliger]

I'm a music student over at the University of Massachusetts, and I always SUPER appreciate your videos. Incredibly informative and fun!

[hnywening]

I laughed so many times! Strangely, learning about a ‘horrible person, ’ that being Wagner, proved highly enjoyable.

[Grargsnir]

Thank you for informing me about Wagner's Beethoven fanfic. It was an amusing read!

[eduardoleitemartins]

Wagner is my favorite composer and this video is great, thanks for that!

[viewernum]

Really appreciate your work. Lot of content in a short time.

[srothbardt]

Very good. Also see "Wagner and Me" with Stephen Fry.

[bruceweaver]

“Wagner was the last of the Romantics, bringing Romanticism to its final flowering. To remain a Romantic after Wagner was to imitate him, and many composers did that helplessly of hopefully. Those who wanted to retain their individuality, had to rebel against him.”

—-Milton Cross and David Ewen
Encyclopedia of the Great Composers and Their Music. Vol. Ii

[retiredmusiceducator]

I also want to add that as you state in your above 'notes' that this stuff is for educational purposes... you do such a nice job that I would also use the word 'entertainment'. Thanks for your stuff, your time, your effort, your light approach - and for slowing down! :-)

[abuzzybee]

Your videos are amazing. I believe Wagner has a very rich history, and would love if you could ever make a sequel more about his actual pieces, and an analysis of them.

[noraseymore]

So fascinating!! Thank you for sharing!

[ChipsAplentyBand]

Thomas, I love your whimsy and your ability to turn a pithy and apt phrase. And if teaching a subject to others is the best way to learn it yourself then you're going to be a Titan of music history and musicology. Wonderful videos! —Don C., D.M.A.

[edvardskalva]

ok this channel is amazing
and if I hadnt had a test in school about Wagner, I wouldve never found it. Really some top level music content that just for some reason isnt more popular on youtube

[jasonbaker]

Great video. I appreciate the note near the end that not every influential person from history was necessarily a good person. It seems to be a common theme that men that made progress in the arts, politics, and business weren't particularly kind or thoughtful to their families and could hold views that are appalling by modern standards. Some were philanderers. If they weren't completely absent from the lives of their kids, they could be plain old assholes to them. They could be raging anti-semites but ignore your jewishness if they thought they could use your connections, money, and influence to get ahead. Being artistically sensitive doesn't always translate into being sensitive to other people's feelings or feeling any sort of empathy. Wagner is a good example of that.

[nickpollockpiano]

Great video! interesting, informative and hilarious

[yohannesephrem]

The greatest composer who ever lived. Lohengrin and Parsifal are inspired by Ethereal forces.

[paulgorfinkel]

Dear Nerd - - I really like your stuff! I just recently found them and I've seen only about 6 so far, but they are well done and interesting. For example, I've known about the Tristan Chord for decades, but I never knew what differentiated it from any other dissonant chord, until you explained it well! OK, gotta go and watch some more Classical Nerd videos.

[harry-gmm]

Outstanding! Prof. Dr. Dr. H. James Birx, New York

[clguy_]

Lol I’ve heard a couple things about him but never knew how ridiculous and outlandish his story is.. wow