MUSIC 1010 Semester Presentation WILHELM RICHARD WAGNER Born

MUSIC 1010 Semester Presentation

WILHELM RICHARD WAGNER • Born May 22, 1813 in Leipzig, Germany • German composer, conductor, and theatre director

WAGNER • Unique in the fact that not only did he write the music for his stage works, he also wrote the text for them • Controversial figure during his lifetime

GROWING UP • The 9 th child born in his family • His father died 6 months after his birth • As a young boy, he did now show any natural ability in music

BEETHOVEN • Wagner saw Beethoven’s 7 th and 9 th symphony in 1828 • Ludwig von Beethoven, also a German composer, became a major inspiration for Wagner

THEODORE WEINLIG • Gave Wagner composition lessons in 1831 • Was so impressed by Wagner’s music ability that he refused payment for the lessons.

DIE FEEN (THE FAIRIES) • Wagner’s first complete opera • This piece went unproduced until half a century later in 1883, shortly after Wagner’s death

LISTENING GUIDE WAGNER’S DIE FEEN: A VISUAL PASTICCIO (ACT 1, PART 1 OF 8) 0: 00 This song starts out adagio with a mellow melody played by the woodwinds and strings which ascends and moves to a short flute solo. A trumpet picks up the solo with accompaniment by the strings. Woodwinds then take over the melody with brass accompaniment. 1: 10 The tempo then picks up and gradually increases in volume and is repeated. A combination of brass, strings, and woodwinds take over in an ascending and then descending melody. 1: 50 Soprano and alto vocals enter with accompaniment by woodwinds which continues through the short vocal breaks. Throughout this section, both the vocals and accompaniment ascend and descend simultaneously. 3: 17 There is a bridge with a trumpet taking over the melody with string accompaniment. This is repeated twice. 3: 55 The song enters with the vocals fading out followed shortly by instrument fade out.

CHRISTINE WILHELMINE “MINNA” PLANER • Married Wagner in 1834 • She was one of the leading ladies in his failed opera Das Liebesverbot • Divorced in 1862

ADOLF HITLER • Because of Wagner’s anti-Semitism, he became the favorite of Adolf Hitler’s composers in the 20 th century • Hitler often had Wagner’s music performed at party rallies and functions

THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG • Referred to as The Ring Cycle • A cycle of four epic operas • World premier August 13, 1876

LISTENING GUIDE RICHARD WAGNER-OVERTURES-9. DER RING DES NIBELUNGEN-3. SIEGFRIED 0: 00 This piece begins with a low and fast drum beat entrance for a few bars before the brass then enters with a low and dark melody. 0: 50 Low brass picks up the grave melody which is played forte. 1: 32 A low fast drum beat takes over, slows, and ends. Low woodwinds start with a continued trill along with low drum beats, the volume and drum beats then increase dramatically. 2: 37 Low brass comes in with the dark melody with a crescendo volume. 3: 30 There are two forte trill notes from the orchestra. 3: 39 A clarinet solo enters with a low accompaniment, both crescendo then dramatically lowers. 4: 15 There is a short trumpet solo then a build up of the tempo and melody by the strings.

MATHILDE WESENDONCK • Wagner met her in 1852 • Was one of the sources of Wagner’s inspiration to write Tristan and Isolde

KING LUDWIG II • Was a fan of Wagner’s work • In 1862, he discharged Wagner’s debts and financially supported him • Funded the construction of Wagner’s opera house

TRISTAN AND ISOLDE • Composed between 1857 and 1859 • Premiered on June 10, 1865 in Munich, Germany • Was a reflection of Wagner’s personal life http: //youtu. be/j 8 enyp. X 74 h. U

LISTENING GUIDE WAGNER: ISOLDES LIEBESTOD/RATTLE: BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER 0: 00 The piece begins with consonance, a gentle flowing melody by the winds, strings, and the distinct sound of a harp. The oboe and flute have a short solo accompanied by the strings. 0: 55 The brass then enters with a melody in which the volume rises and falls dramatically three times with a presto drum roll throughout. 1: 22 Woodwinds, strings, and brass pick up with a peaceful melody which then increases in volume and suspense, then ends with a drum roll. 2: 18 The full orchestra enters playing loudly with strings and woodwinds taking the melody accompanied by steady and fast drum beats. 2: 44 Short flute and oboe solo, the brass comes in with one forte note, and the song fades out with the harp.

COSIMA VAN BULOW WAGNER • Married Wagner on August 25, 1870 • Had 3 children with Wagner

SIEGFRIED IDYLL • Was a birthday present to second wife Cosima • First performed Christmas morning December 25, 1870

BAYREUTH FESTSPIELHAUS • Designed by Wagner • The foundation was laid for the construction on May 22, 1872 • Opened in 1876 • The venue for the annual Bayreuth Festival

PARSIFAL • The last completed opera by Wagner • Premiered on July 26, 1882 in the Festspielhaus

VILLA WAHNFRIED • Wagner died of a heart attack while vacationing in Venice, Italy on February 13, 1883 • The final resting place of Richard Wagner

RICHARD WAGNER 1813 -1883

WORKS CITED A+E Networks. (2013). People. Retrieved October 5, 2013, from Biography. com: http: //www. biography. com/people/richard-wagner 9521202 Shelokhonov, S. (n. d. ). Retrieved October 5, 2013, from IMDb. com: http: //www. imdb. com/name/nm 0003471/bio? ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm THE GROVE CONCISE DICTIONARY OF MUSIC. (n. d. ). Education. Retrieved October 5, 2013, from Pbs. org: http: //www. pbs. org/wnet/gperf/education/wagner. html