Nietzsche Contra Wagner

"In Nietzsche contra Wagner, Nietzsche summarizes his criticisms of Wagner from his previous writings. The selections are assembled in this essay in order to focus on Nietzsche's thoughts about the composer Richard Wagner. Nietzsche describes in this short work why he parted ways with his one-time idol and friend, Richard Wagner. Nietzsche attacks Wagner's views, expressing disappointment and frustration in Wagner's life choices. Nietzsche evaluates Wagner's philosophy on tonality, music, and art; he admires Wagner's power to emote and express himself but largely disdains what the philosopher deems his religious biases. Regarded as one of the most profound German philosophers, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) is popularly considered a cultural critic and philologist whose work exerted a scholarly influence on modern intellectual history. His intellectual works focus on widespread themes such as religion, morality, philosophy, and science. Prominent elements of his philosophy include his radical critique of truth, a genealogical criticism of religion, and Christian morality. His body of work touched a wide range of topics, including art, philology, history, music, tragedy, and culture, most of which drew inspiration from Greek tragedy. "