Wagner, Schumann, and the lessons of Beethoven's Ninth / Christopher Alan Reynolds.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reynolds, Christopher A., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827. Symphonies--no. 9, op. 125--D minor.

Beethoven, Ludwig van.

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827--Influence.

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827--Criticism and interpretation.

Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883--Criticism and interpretation.

Wagner, Richard.

Schumann, Robert, 1810-1856--Criticism and interpretation.

Schumann, Robert.

Symphonies--19th century--Analysis, appreciation.

Symphonies.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (227 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oakland, California : University of California Press, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In this original study, Christopher Alan Reynolds examines the influence of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on two major nineteenth-century composers, Richard Wagner and Robert Schumann. During 1845-46 the compositional styles of Schumann and Wagner changed in a common direction, toward a style that was more contrapuntal, more densely motivic, and engaged in processes of thematic transformation. Reynolds shows that the stylistic advances that both composers made in Dresden in 1845-46 stemmed from a deepened understanding of Beethoven's techniques and strategies in the Ninth Symphony. The evidence provided by their compositions from this pivotal year and the surrounding years suggests that they discussed Beethoven's Ninth with each other in the months leading up to the performance of this work, which Wagner conducted on Palm Sunday in 1846. Two primary aspects that appear to have interested them both are Beethoven's use of counterpoint involving contrary motion and his gradual development of the "Ode to Joy" melody through the preceding movements. Combining a novel examination of the historical record with careful readings of the music, Reynolds adds further layers to this argument, speculating that Wagner and Schumann may not have come to these discoveries entirely independently of each other. The trail of influences that Reynolds explores extends back to the music of Bach and ahead to Tristan and Isolde, as well as to Brahms's First Symphony.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1. Wagner's Faustian Understanding of Beethoven's Ninth

Chapter 2. The Impact of Beethoven's Ninth on The Flying Dutchman

Chapter 3. Wagner, Thematic Dispersion, and Contrary Motion

Chapter 4. Schumann, Thematic Dispersion, and Contrary Motion

Chapter 5. Late Schumann, Wagner, and Bach

Chapter 6. Brahms's Triple Response to the Ninth

Chapter 7. Wagner and Schumann

Appendix 1. Citations of Wagner's Possible Allusions and Influences in The Flying Dutchman

Appendix 2. Contrary Motion Counterpoint in the First Movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

Appendix 3. Contrary Motion Counterpoint in The Flying Dutchman

Appendix 4. Contrary Motion Counterpoint in the Fourth Movement of Schumann's Second Symphony

Appendix 5. Contrary Motion Counterpoint in the First Movement of Brahms's First Symphony

Abbreviations

Notes

Works Cited

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520960978

0520960971

OCLC:

905854782