author
Robert C. Bagar
1899–1957
A lively guide to classical music, opera, and Wagner came naturally to this New York pianist-critic, whose writing aimed to make serious music feel approachable. His books and recordings reflect a career spent explaining what listeners were hearing and why it mattered.
1 Audiobook
Wagner and His Music-Dramas
by Robert C. Bagar
About the author
Born in New York City in 1899, Robert C. Bagar built a varied career as a pianist, critic, translator, and writer on music. Reference sources on his career describe him as a musician who studied privately before later attending Fordham University and other New York schools, and they consistently place him in the world of concert music journalism and commentary.
Bagar is especially remembered for writing accessible books about classical music and opera, including Wagner and His Music-Dramas. He also appears in recording archives as a pianist, showing that he was not only writing about music but performing it as well.
His reputation seems to rest on his gift for interpretation: helping general readers and listeners find their way into demanding repertoire. That mix of practical musicianship and clear explanation makes his work a natural fit for readers who enjoy learning the story behind the music.