Wagnerism by Alex Ross Summary
Overview of Wagnerism
Wagnerism explores Richard Wagner's colossal shadow across art, politics, and culture. From Nietzsche to Apocalypse Now, his influence spans 1,000+ film soundtracks and inspired both Nazis and Bolsheviks. How did one controversial composer's vision reshape our entire cultural landscape?
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Key takeaways
When a Composer Becomes a Civilization
Five thousand telegrams flooded Venice within 24 hours of Richard Wagner's death in 1883. Memorial concerts erupted across continents. His funeral procession along the Grand Canal featured boats playing Siegfried's Funeral Music-as if the gods themselves were mourning. This wasn't just grief for a composer; it was something stranger, more unsettling. Wagner had become a cultural force field, bending art, politics, and identity around his gravitational pull. Thomas Mann called him "the most volcanically controversial artist who ever lived." Even if you've never stepped inside an opera house, you know Wagner-the "Ride of the Valkyries" thundering through Apocalypse Now, the "Bridal Chorus" at countless weddings. His music has been claimed by revolutionaries and fascists, feminists and mystics, gay rights activists and antisemites. How does one man's art become a mirror for an entire civilization's contradictions?
The Ring: Capitalism's Funeral March
Paris Surrenders: Baudelaire and the Symbolists
Victorian Ambivalence and American Democracy
The Poisoned Legacy: Wagner's Antisemitism and Its Consequences
Hitler's Wagner and Cinema's Valkyries
The Mirror We Cannot Escape
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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