The Wagner Tuba

  • Wagner Tuba
    • Introduction
    • Wagner Tuba History
      • The Vision
      • The Apprentice
      • Trials and Transpositions
      • Fruition
      • The Disciple
      • Wagner’s Heirs
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      • Wagner Tuba Revival
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    • Position in The Score
    • Seating in the Orchestra
  • Composers
    • Wagner Tuba Composers
    • Stephen Caudel
    • Andrew Downes
    • Jan Koetsier
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  • Richard Wagner
    • Introduction
    • Birth in Leipzig
    • The ‘Acting’ Father
    • Wagner the Student
    • Early Compositions
    • Marriage to Minna Planer
    • Wagner in Paris
    • Mathilde Wesendonk
    • King Ludwig II of Bavaria
    • Wagner and Cosima
    • Bayreuth & Final Years
  • The Brass Section
    • Introduction
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      • French Horn History
      • French Horn Range
      • The Double Horn
      • French Horn Manufacturers
      • Famous Horn Players
      • French Horn Repertoire
      • Learning The French Horn
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      • Contemporary Jazz Horn
    • Trumpet Introduction
      • Types Of Trumpet
      • Trumpet History
      • Trumpet Range
      • Famous Trumpet Players
    • Trombone
    • Tuba
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Wagner and Cosima

Cosima WagnerThe relationship of Wagner with Cosima caused much enmity in court circles which was both provoked and aggravated by Wagner’s extravagant lifestyle and high-handed attitude. He was seen as an evil influence upon the young King and some went as far as to say that their friendship was of a homosexual nature although this has never been proven. (Right: Cosima Wagner)

After a published attack by Wagner upon the cabinet, his enemies were given the opportunity to convince King Ludwig that there was a danger of an uprising and Ludwig had no option but to banish Wagner from his kingdom. Once again, Richard Wagner gathered his belongings and left for Switzerland where sadly he soon received the news of Minna’s death.

TriebschenWith Cosima’s help, he managed to find a beautiful white villa overlooking the Lake Lucerne (Triebschen, photo left). Here he would have the peace and tranquillity which he so much needed to continue his music composition.

On the 25th of August 1870, Wagner and Cosima were married and there followed a few happy years during which Wagner completed much of Siegfried and Götterdämmerung and passed many peaceful evenings dictating his memoirs to his wife. His happiness at this time can most clearly be heard in the beautiful Siegfried Idyll which he composed for Cosima and organised a small orchestra to play on the staircase outside her bedroom.

Next: Bayreuth & the Final Years

RICHARD WAGNER MENU

  • Richard Wagner’s Life
    • Wagner’s Birth in Leipzig
    • The ‘Acting’ Father
    • Wagner the Student
    • Wagner – Early Compositions
    • Marriage to Minna Planer
    • Wagner in Paris
    • Mathilde Wesendonk
    • King Ludwig II of Bavaria
    • Wagner and Cosima
    • Bayreuth & the Final Years

THE LEITMOTIF

Wagner was arguably the greatest exponant of the Leitmotif. In simple terms this is a theme meant to represent a character in a dramatic work. In his essay "Opera and Drama" (1851) Wagner had raised the issue of how music could best unite disparate elements of the plot of a music drama. The leitmotif corresponds to this ideal.

Modern film composers use this technique extensively today.

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