Case of Wagner and Nietzsche Contra Wagner

Case of Wagner and Nietzsche Contra Wagner Synopsis

"e;The Case of Wagner"e; is a critique of German composer Richard Wagner in which Friedrich Nietzsche makes a very public split with the musician. Nietzsche found himself at odds with Wagner's increasing involvement in the Volkisch movement and anti-Semitism. The critique of Wagner is something that is seen throughout Nietzsche's work, beginning with "e;The Birth of Tragedy"e;, wherein he praised Wagner as fulfilling a need in music to go beyond the analytic and dispassionate understanding of music. Further praise for the musician can be found in Nietzsche's essay 'Wagner at Bayreuth', contained in "e;Untimely Meditations"e;. However in "e;Human, All Too Human"e;, Nietzsche begins to express his disillusion with Wagner the composer and the man. "e;The Case of Wagner"e; was one of the last works authored by Nietzsche. It was followed by "e;Nietzsche contra Wagner"e;, also included in this edition, in which Nietzsche summarizes his criticisms of Wagner from his previous writings.