Customer Reviews

Death-Devoted Heart: Sex and Sacred in Wagner's Tristan and Isolde

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have spent 3 months with this book. It has been worth it, but it has been sometimes very hard work. The subtitle "Sex and The Sacred in Wagner's Tristan and Isolde" is alluring. Let me add that so deep is Rodger Scruton's analysis, that there are parts of this book you will not understand without a graduate degree in music. After a while I found myself simply skimming about 1/3 of the middle.

One thing is clear - Wagner is a genius without comparison in the world of opera, classical composition, and European philosophy. His penetrating musical motiffs providing the background for this ancient pre-Chivalric tale of constrained un-requited erotic passion.

Professor Scruton analyses the historical and philosophical undercurrents of the ancient world within the story itself - and the high German Romantic world of the 19th century. As well Scruton delves into the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer and his impact upon Wagner.

I cannot imagine that Tristan and Isolde has ever been analysed so thoroughly as here in Professor Scruton's penetrating study. Be prepared for some serious academic study - that rewards with an appreciation of Wagner and Tristan & Isolde in a way never possible before this wonderful book.

This is an outstanding essay written by one of Britain's foremost conservative philosophers. Although his conservative bias sometimes blurs the lines between criticism and moral (political?) activism, the book offers a unique perspective on Wagner and is saturated with historical information. A must for any Wagnerian.