No matter how abhorrent the opinions held by the man, most would find it extremely difficult to shield their ears and heart from the magnificence of the composer’s music.
Wagner’s music can often be stirring and sublime.
And, as most everyone one knows, for quite unfortunate reasons, it can inspire and buttress some of the most extreme and repulsive ideologies.
Although this music’s force has likewise the ability to propel more eminently noble spirits to such fervor—W.E.B Dubois, to name one.
Somewhat astonishingly, Dubois culled from the music much the same ideological message as would certain mid-twentieth century fascistic leaders—namely, that “art could inflame national and racial spirit.”
Anyway, I merely decided to post this ouverture to Wagner’s Tannhäuser after recently re-listening to it and being no less affected by its beauty than I was the day I first heard it.
So, as interesting and controversial as the the music’s intellectual history may be—a history that should by all means continue to be discussed and debated—when I’m actually listening I try, to the best of my ability, to forget about it all, and to just listen.
