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Nietzsche and Wagner: A Lesson in Subjugation
This book presents an absorbing account of the bizarre relationship between the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the composer Richard Wagner, and Wagner's mistresslater wifeCosima. It sheds intriguing light on Nietzsche's early writings, showing how they were subverted by the Wagners' pre-fascist ideology.
- GenresPhilosophy
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 5, 2024
A FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NIETZSCHE AND WAGNER
Joachim Köhler is also the author of 'Zarathustra's Secret.' This book was published in 1998. He wrote, "For it was not Wagner's crude anti-Semitism that repelled Nietzsche... but his adulterous affair with his mistress, the consequences of which were as obvious to Nietzsche as to anyone else... After their marriage had finally been solemnized in August 1870 Wagner snidely remarked that nobody was happier to see the legitimization of their relationship than Nietzsche, who had 'suffered intensely' under the irregular situation." (Pg. 40)
He observes, "On the one hand, the Master could share the social kudos of Nietzsche's distinguished position, a position that Nietzsche openly used to promote Wagner's interests. On the other hand, it predestined him, as Wagner and Cosima saw it, to become the controller of the Bayreuth propaganda machine... From Wagner's point of view, Nietzsche was a useful asset." (Pg. 64)
After Cosima strongly advised Nietzsche to remove some anti-Jewish statements in one of his proposed lectures, "The disciple, whose attacks on the Jews, his sister claimed, reflected only Wagner's views, not his own, immediately understood. He removed the incriminating pages of his lecture..." (Pg. 89-90)
He notes that Nietzsche's "ambitious musical compositions... were seen [by the Wagners] as a mere waste of time, as though the history of music had come to an end with Richard Wagner. When Nietzsche was made to suffer the greatest humiliation of his life as a composer---the moment when Bulow delivered a withering criticism... as 'the rape of the muse by an incompetent dilettante'---Cosima warmly applauded... It was also Cosima's clear intention to impress on Nietzsche, who loved to improvise at the keyboard, that she and Wagner ... would be glad if he would keep his hands off the Master's piano in the future." (Pg. 103-103)
This book will be of considerable interest to anyone wanting to know more about Nietzsche, and his troubled relationship with the Wagners.
Joachim Köhler is also the author of 'Zarathustra's Secret.' This book was published in 1998. He wrote, "For it was not Wagner's crude anti-Semitism that repelled Nietzsche... but his adulterous affair with his mistress, the consequences of which were as obvious to Nietzsche as to anyone else... After their marriage had finally been solemnized in August 1870 Wagner snidely remarked that nobody was happier to see the legitimization of their relationship than Nietzsche, who had 'suffered intensely' under the irregular situation." (Pg. 40)
He observes, "On the one hand, the Master could share the social kudos of Nietzsche's distinguished position, a position that Nietzsche openly used to promote Wagner's interests. On the other hand, it predestined him, as Wagner and Cosima saw it, to become the controller of the Bayreuth propaganda machine... From Wagner's point of view, Nietzsche was a useful asset." (Pg. 64)
After Cosima strongly advised Nietzsche to remove some anti-Jewish statements in one of his proposed lectures, "The disciple, whose attacks on the Jews, his sister claimed, reflected only Wagner's views, not his own, immediately understood. He removed the incriminating pages of his lecture..." (Pg. 89-90)
He notes that Nietzsche's "ambitious musical compositions... were seen [by the Wagners] as a mere waste of time, as though the history of music had come to an end with Richard Wagner. When Nietzsche was made to suffer the greatest humiliation of his life as a composer---the moment when Bulow delivered a withering criticism... as 'the rape of the muse by an incompetent dilettante'---Cosima warmly applauded... It was also Cosima's clear intention to impress on Nietzsche, who loved to improvise at the keyboard, that she and Wagner ... would be glad if he would keep his hands off the Master's piano in the future." (Pg. 103-103)
This book will be of considerable interest to anyone wanting to know more about Nietzsche, and his troubled relationship with the Wagners.
January 28, 2025
Friedrich Nietzsche ja Cosima Wagner – kaks värvikat vastandlikku tegelast XIX sajandi kultuurimaailmas. Mõlemad pidasid silmas nende ühise ebajumala Richard Wagneri huve. Nietzsche poolehoiust heliloojale võrsus sügav ja vastuoluline tunne tema naise Cosima vastu. See väliselt pigem aimatav vastastikune sümpaatia on kirjanduses seni enamasti maha vaikitud.
Minu kommentaar: Eelnevalt lugemata Nietzche teoseid, oli selle elulooga raske, ehk ka igav, tutvuda. Raamat on täis ohtralt tsitaate tema kirjatükkidele ja muidugi tulvil filosoofilistest "uuskreeklase" heietustest. Teravust lisasid juudivastased seisukohad ja homoseksualism. "Rahva mandumine on seletatav liberaal- optimistliku maailmavaatega, mille vastutavaks jõuks on- juudid". Polnud üldse "minu teetass".
Minu kommentaar: Eelnevalt lugemata Nietzche teoseid, oli selle elulooga raske, ehk ka igav, tutvuda. Raamat on täis ohtralt tsitaate tema kirjatükkidele ja muidugi tulvil filosoofilistest "uuskreeklase" heietustest. Teravust lisasid juudivastased seisukohad ja homoseksualism. "Rahva mandumine on seletatav liberaal- optimistliku maailmavaatega, mille vastutavaks jõuks on- juudid". Polnud üldse "minu teetass".
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews