Art and Politics

A master of mystery and paradox, Wagner spent his life composing himself while composing music. Written between 1864 and 1878, the essays in Art and Politics converge upon Wagner’s desire to define and reform German culture. He was deeply annoyed that Germany seemed to satisfy itself with cheap theater, vulgar songs, and clumsy imitations of French art. In “What Is German?” he declared that German culture must rise above the common ruck. Citing “Music’s wonderman” Johann Sebastian Bach…