Karol Berger Livres

Beyond ReasonÊrelates Wagner's works to the philosophical and cultural ideas of his time, centering on the four music dramas he created in the second half of his career:ÊDer Ring des Nibelungen,ÊTristan und Isolde,ÊDie Meistersinger von NŸrnberg, andÊParsifal. Karol Berger seeks to penetrate the "secret" of large-scale form in Wagner's music dramas and to answer those critics, most prominently Nietzsche, who condemned Wagner for his putative inability to weld small expressive gestures into larger wholes. Organized by individual opera, this is essential reading for both musicologists and Wagner experts.

The analysis explores Gustav Mahler's nine completed symphonies, revealing a cohesive vision that reflects his philosophical outlook on human existence amidst the uncertainties of the early twentieth century. Karol Berger argues that Mahler's works express deep concerns about suffering and transience while seeking consolation. Through detailed examination, he illustrates recurring themes and motifs across the symphonies, suggesting a singular ideal symphony that Mahler sought throughout his life, all within the context of the intellectual currents of his time.

Focusing on the conventions of implied accidentals in vocal polyphony from the early fourteenth to mid-sixteenth century, this book delves into a long-standing issue in musicology. It explains how musicians of the time relied on contextual cues rather than notating all accidentals, which presents challenges for modern interpreters. By exploring the broader context of compositional, notational, and performance practices of the period, the book enhances understanding of these conventions and their implications for historical music interpretation.

Focusing on Wagner's musical and compositional dramaturgy, this study challenges long-held interpretations by figures like Nietzsche and Dahlhaus. Karol Berger argues that Wagner's forms stem from Italian operatic traditions and repositions Wagner as a counterpart to Nietzsche rather than the other way around. The work is praised for its originality and depth, offering fresh insights into Wagner's music dramas and contributing significantly to the field of Wagner research. It presents a compelling revisionist perspective that redefines the understanding of these influential figures.

Die Analyse von Karol Berger beleuchtet die Verbindung zwischen Wagners Musikdramen und den philosophischen sowie kulturellen Strömungen seiner Zeit. Besonders fokussiert er sich auf die vier zentralen Werke aus Wagners später Schaffensphase: "Der Ring des Nibelungen", "Tristan und Isolde", "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" und "Parsifal". Berger dringt tief in die Struktur dieser Großformen ein und entdeckt überraschende Parallelen zur italienischen Oper. Seine Einordnung relativiert viele der Kritikpunkte, die insbesondere von Nietzsche geäußert wurden, und bietet somit einen neuen Blick auf Wagners Werk.