The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms

This edition of Nietzsche's classic critique of the composer Wagner uses an authoritative and comprehensive translation which render the philosopher's arguments vivid and cogent.

Prior to publishing this essay, Nietzsche's attitude to the composer Wagner was already ambiguous. As part of his essays entitled The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche had written an essay named Richard Wagner in Bayreuth which praised and discussed the composer's musical compositions and the sweeping artistic vision Wagner pioneered. It was only later that Nietzsche's misgivings were expressed about both the music and the man, with his 1878 publication Human, All Too Human expressing reservations which resulted in the conclusion of his friendship with the composer. 

First published in 1888, this selection of essay and aphorisms levy a variety of criticisms, with Nietzsche ironically making a comparison between Wagner and a French composer, Georges Bizet. Citing Wagner's increasingly marked antisemitism and favour for traditional folklore, Nietzsche proposes that Wagner - and many other fine artists of the late 19th century - are symptomatic of a disease sweeping Europe; the attitude of nihilism. 

In Nietzsche Contra Wagner we see the philosopher compare his present writings with those he had made in the past, as a way of demonstrating that his views upon music and its merits had gone unchanged. It was simply an error of judgment, says Nietzsche, to have applied these principles to Wagner. 

Finally, this edition contains a selection of poignant aphorisms from Nietzsche which apply - directly or tangentially - to art, music and society in general.