The Perfect Wagnerite (Dover Books on Music) [Paperback]

George Bernard Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Books on Music | Publication Date: July 21, 2010

The famous playwright's enlightening and provocative criticism surveys the four Wagner operas known as The Ring. Shaw explores the works' philosophic and social ideology as well as Wagner's life, music drama versus grand opera, the role of the Leitmotif in unifying the cycle, Siegfried's character, and many other fascinating subjects.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 4 edition (July 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486217078
• ISBN-13: 978-0486217079
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Wagner
  • #53 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Reference > General
  • #77 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Classical

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Criticism, Howls of Laughter, October 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfect Wagnerite (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

I have read almost all of Shaw's published works which have come within my reach. I see the deterioration in the quality of his work as the aging process set in, and of his defense of such people as Djerjinski and Stalin. When he is profound, he is very profound and when he is off the mark he is way out in zoonieland. This book, fortunately, shows more of his great skill at criticism and assimilation of background data than his equally great skill at polemics. Remember, the compositionof the _Ring_ was an event of the past for him, and he was able to use historical source material. But what caught my attention was that the London newspapers of his own day ran letters trying to reconcile the "Brunhilde problem" in _Gotterdamerung_. All of this was a burning issue to the London intelligentsia. But, to the point: BUY this book because it is HILARIOUS, in the best sense of that word. This is Shaw, maybe not at his level best, but close to it. Learn while you laugh! The ideas propounded in this book have been burned into my memory because I have read them over and over. Read this book if you can appreciate subtle jokes.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Wagner Critic, July 25, 2000

By 

Matthew T. Haley "kryogenic" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perfect Wagnerite; A Commentary On The Niblung's Ring (Music Book Index) (Library Binding)

If we're going to have a voice worthy of critiquing the great master, it might as well be Shaw. For those who have not read any Shaw, he's a wickedly entertaining writer, though a bit high brow at times. This is a book for the Wagnerite and the layman alike, but expect to get a little insulted if you belong to the latter category. As to the philosophies in this little book, just about everyone who likes the Ring has their own unique opinion about its deep political/spiritual meanings, including Shaw. And although everything he writes seems obvious enough to him, I can't say I'm completely convinced by all his ideas. The book is certainly worth reading, however, just to hear the Shaw's elegant take on the musical masterpiece. (also, at least some of his ideas must be right) Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the book is its attack on Gotterdammerung, the beloved finale of the Ring. Shaw argues it is nearly devoid of underlying meaning and is a superficial conclusion to an otherwise philosophically sound work. As a final note, I appreciate the Mark Twain-like ascerbic criticism of society which seems incorrigibly imprinted in Shaw's style. This book is entertaining, and in certain places, profound. I give it four stars. (maybe 5 if he hadn't criticized Brahms!)

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A shining example of Shaw's art of musical criticism, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfect Wagnerite (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

About twenty years ago, the BBC World Service introduced me to readings from G. B. Shaw's musical criticisms. The readings showed me that critique is as much an art as the subject of the critique. This pamphlet is a shining example of Shaw's art of criticism. Shaw presents the story, he gives some musical analysis, but most of all he presents the "Ring" in a philosophical and politcal slant that only Shaw could do. I suspect that the philosophy and politics are more Shaw's than Wagner's. Great for thosw who like Wagner and G.B.Shaw. Good for someone new to Der Ring des Nibelungen.