Episode 104 of Sound Expertise
How should we understand the legacy of Richard Wagner, the most controversial composer in history? Why did Wagner’s music and ideas once assume such a colossal influence on culture, and what does it mean that the multiplicity of that influence has been largely forgotten in light of his anti-Semitism? A conversation with Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker and author of the forthcoming book Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ross’s work, follow him on Twitter as @alexrossmusic and check out:
- This informational page about Wagnerism, out September 15 on Farrar, Straus & Giroux, with links to preorder
- An excerpt from the book, on Wagner and Villiers de l’Isle-Adam
- The Rest is Noise, Ross’s website, with links to his previous books The Rest is Noise and Listen to This
Sound Expertise is hosted by Will Robin (@seatedovation), and produced by D. Edward Davis (@warmsilence). Please subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and/or Spotify. Questions or comments? Email williamlrobin@ gmail
A written transcript of this episode is available here; many, many thanks to Andrew Dell’Antonio for volunteering to prepare transcripts for the show!
Stay tuned for Episode 105, coming next Tuesday, August 18: an interview with Micaela Baranello on Viennese operetta!
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