Why read The Tristan Chord?

Book cover of The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy

Book description

Richard Wagner's devotees have ranged from the subtlest minds (Proust) to the most brutal (Hitler). The enduring fascination with his works arises not only from his singular fusion of musical innovation and theatrical daring, but also from his largely overlooked engagement with the boldest investigations of modern philosophy. In this…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Tristan Chord as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Dan Moller

Author

Bach the church mouse and Wagner the megalomaniac had more in common than people imagine.

They both favored dense, contrapuntal textures with central themes and motifs, and both had an irrepressible personal energy, albeit manifested differently. This book digests the philosophical aspects of music in unpretentious language that saves you from having to read Schopenhauer (phew!).

It makes you more interested in both philosophy and music by showing how to two are connected in Wagner.

From Dan's list on Bach, music, and the piano.