The Perfect Wagnerite


Read by Bob Neufeld

(4.4 stars; 22 reviews)

The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring (originally published London, 1898) is a philosophical commentary on Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, by the Irish writer George Bernard Shaw. Shaw offered it to those enthusiastic admirers of Wagner who "were unable to follow his ideas, and do not in the least understand the dilemma of Wotan." He interprets the Ring in Marxian terms as an allegory of the collapse of capitalism from its internal contradictions. Musicologically, his interpretation is noteworthy for its perception of the change in aesthetic direction beginning with the final scene of Siegfried, in which he claimed that the cycle turns from Musikdrama back towards opera. (Introduction by Wikipedia) (4 hr 46 min)

Chapters

Prefaces/Preliminary Encouragements 24:24 Read by Bob Neufeld
The Ring of the Niblungs/The Rhine Gold 41:35 Read by Bob Neufeld
Wagner as Revolutionist 14:34 Read by Bob Neufeld
The Valkyries 21:42 Read by Bob Neufeld
Siegfried 27:06 Read by Bob Neufeld
Back To Opera Again - Siegfried Concluded 34:55 Read by Bob Neufeld
Night Falls On The Gods 27:28 Read by Bob Neufeld
Forgotten Ere Finished/Why He Changed His Mind 24:11 Read by Bob Neufeld
Wagner's Own Explanation/The Pessimist As Amorist 17:17 Read by Bob Neufeld
The Music of The Ring 39:36 Read by Bob Neufeld
Bayreuth/Wagnerian Singers 13:40 Read by Bob Neufeld

Reviews

Thanks


(5 stars)

Great quality recording. No need to buy or look elsewhere. This is the version you want. Thanks Bob.

A pleasent accident


(5 stars)

The reader is perfect for this book. I misread the title as "The Perfect Wagonright" I missed "Commentary" altogether. I had never read anything by the author and was curious. Imagine my surprise. But, very pleasantly so. I know nothing of Wagner or Opera for that matter. The reading and writing were so excellent I was soon hooked! Now I want to see it!

Scrumptious


(5 stars)

Bob Nuefeld...What a reader. Another installment by George Bernard Shaw. He remains one of the most talented thinkers, writers, physicians ever

Interesting Read


(4 stars)

I don't think I'll ever hear the Ring Cycle the same way again.