Wagner and His Music-Dramas

This volume offers a compact yet thorough guide to the most frequently performed Wagner excerpts heard in the concert hall. Tailored for listeners of the Philharmonic‑Symphony Society of New York, it combines clear explanations of the music’s structure with concise historical context, helping you follow the dramatic arcs without needing a musicology degree. The text draws from established treatises, presenting the material in an accessible format that respects both the composer’s complexity and the audience’s time.

Beyond the scores, the book sketches Wagner’s relentless creative energy and his lofty ideals of renunciation, spiritual elevation, and heroic aspiration that shape works such as the Ring cycle, Tristan und Isolde, and The Flying Dutchman. It also follows the composer’s early years—from a Leipzig childhood and brief gold‑smith apprenticeship to his restless travels across Europe—illustrating how personal hardships and constant movement fueled his groundbreaking operas. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation of the man behind the music and the enduring power of his dramatic vision.