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Wagner, Richard
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1) Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22nd May 1813?13th February 1883) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or “music dramas” as he later came to call them). His compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their contrapuntal texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and elaborate use of leitmotifs: themes associated with specific characters, locales, or plot elements. Wagner’s chromatic musical language prefigured later developments in European classical music, including extreme chromaticism and atonality. He transformed musical thought through his idea of Gesamtkunstwerk (“total art-work”), epitomized by his monumental four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (1876). His concept of leitmotif and integrated musical expression was also a strong influence on many 20th-century film scores.
Wagner was and remains a controversial figure, both for his musical and dramatic innovations, and for his anti-semitic and political opinions - though these need to be considered in relation to the social attitudes of the time in which he lived. While they may be distasteful today, they were considered fairly normal during the latter part of the 19th century.
He was married to Cosima Liszt, daughter of Franz Liszt.
2.) Wagner is a Melodic Death Metal band from Osnabrück, Germany. Because of the tagging-system they are displayed as Richard Wagner. |
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Classical
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