Customer Reviews

Selected Letters of Richard Wagner

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I have been listening to Wagner's music and studing him since I was 5 years old... So it is what that perspective I write this review... What is most facinating about this book, is that the reader is not reading someones persepctive about Wagner and what he said, but Wagner himself. There is virtually no lense of bias here, just Wagner in his own words. In addition, unlike "My Life" (Mein Laben), Wagner's autobiography, where many accuse him of coloring the facts; here Wagner just wrote what was on his mind. He never considered the letters would be published, much less being able for purchased through a medium like the internet. From the beginning letters to the final pages, you can see Wagner grow, concepts change and broaden. There is an entire letter for example, dedicated to explaining the meaning of Kundry's Kiss and her relationship to Parsial in Parisfal Act II. On the other hand the challanging aspect about the book, is that regarding such comments lays to rest most points of view and theories about such aspects of Wagner's music dramas. In other words, regardless of what lecturers or writers have said about Kundry's kiss (again as an example), Wagner's own definition must now become the foundation to any other interpretation. His letters speak of his works, friendships, philosophy and more... I highly recommend this book for the serious Wagner lover, student and researcher.... I have fondly renamed this book as the Wagner Bible.