Alex Ross: Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music.

Posting the review in a diifferent form…chapter by chapter.

·       Prelude: Death in Venice

A very nicely evocative opening about Wagner’s death and burial. The international response gives a nice indication of the effect that he had both during his life and after it. An effective overview

1.     Wagner, Nietzsche and the Ring

A good introduction to the influence of German philosophical traditions on Wagner in general and the Ring in particular. I liked the way that certain philosophical aspects were explored through certain aspects of specific works; it made the intensity of the information somewhat easier to digest – although it still needs much consideration

2.     Baudelaire and Symbolism

Illuminating on the potent influence he had in France, particularly on writers who themselves were powerfully influential.

3.     Victorian Britain and Gilded Age America

Decently interesting social history – it’s an area it would be interesting to further explore, particularly the American aspects and how it tied in to America’s sense of itself and of the founding myths that are embedded in the country and its history.

4.     Esoteric, Decadent and Satanic Wagner

An amazing collection of people who were, to put it mildly, largely bat-shit crazy! The first group of acolytes (a peculiarly appropriate word for this chapter) for whom Wagner was being used for their own ends, rather than for his innate musical/dramatic qualities, I felt.

5.     The Kaissereich and fin de siècle Vienna

Excellent. A chapter covering areas, particularly Wagner’s ‘German-ness’ that would be fascinating to explore in more detail. Sensed, particularly with this chapter, that there was vastly more could be said.

6.     Jewish and Black Wagner

Measured and intelligent responses to Wagner’s anti-Semitism but more interesting for the links and connections made with African-American figures, particularly W E B Du Bois

7.     Feminist and Gay Wagner

Wanted much more – but that may be because this particular area is of particular interest to me. I had the sense with this chapter that it was a bit of a rapid gallop through the area – perhaos necessarily so, but nevertheless…

8.     Willa Cather and the Singer-Novel

A particularly fascinating chapter as it covered an area I know zero about -and it was made particularly fascinating for me. Unlike the previous chapter, because the subject is smaller, there was greater depth and even though the subject area was less intrinsically interesting to me than the previous, it was a better chapter and I actually enjoyed it more.

9.     Modernism 1900 – 1914

An excellent chapter. A great mix of interesting remarks about figures and movements with which I had some familiarity mixed with illuminating points about completely unknown figures and achievements. Connecting writers, and their style, with the radical stage designs was very intriguing.

10.  The First World War and Hitler’s Youth

Something of a continuation of the previous chapter but not quite as gripping – although, as ever, much fascinating information

11.  Revolution and Russia

Particularly interesting. The influence of the radical movements in early 20th C Russia is a fascinating one and the more I read about it, the more radical and interesting they seem to be – and their influence is long-term, wide-reaching and remarkable.

12.  Ulysses, The Waste Land and The Waves

One of the best chapters so far – but is that because it is quite detailed literary comment, particularly about works I know like The Waste Land. Again, a good example of a smaller area being examined and so being far more involving – for me at least. It even got me much more seriously interested in Virginia Woolf which is quite an achievement as I must admit that she is something of a blind spot for me.

13.  Nazi Germany and Thomas Mann

A thorough overview about Wagner’s role – not as simple as is sometimes thought – within Nazi Germany. Again, a massive topic about which much more could, and probably has been, written. I would be particularly interested to read in much more detail about the Wagner/Bayreuth/Wagner family connection.

14.  Film from The Birth of a Nation to Apocalypse Now

Superb chapter; as good as I hoped it would be. Obviously much more could/should/has been written about this but this is an excellent overview with some very interesting comments about how Wagner is used (or misused) in film - and how often people assume they are listening to Wagner when in fact they are not.

15.  Wagnerism after 1945

And again, an excellent overview chapter that is concisely thoughtful and provides a fine and very up-to-date summary overview. I like the last sentence in particular which, essentially, makes the vital point that, when all’s said and done and when all the multitude of different uses/abuses/,misunderstandings of Wagner are done, what finally remains is the music (in its broadest sense and not divorced from the words) and that is what is so amazingly powerful and what will essentially survive.

·       Postlude:

A thoughtfully and effectively personal conclusion as the author perceptively explores his gradually increasing love for and knowledge of and for ‘the Master’ – the musician rather than the man though