The Essay: Wagner's Philosophers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sl7fj
Series exploring the philosophical influences on Wagner
Wagner and German Idealism
1/5 Roger Scruton explores the philosophical background that influenced the young Wagner.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01shyby
Professor Roger Scruton explores the philosophical background that influenced the young Richard Wagner. The German universities of his youth were in a state of intellectual ferment in the aftermath of the greatest philosopher of modern times, Immanuel kant. Out of this came a school of philosophy known as German Idealism. Wagner was particular influenced by the most famous of these philosophers, Hegel. And, even though Wagner was later to radically revise his philosophical views, the ideas of Hegel can still be traced in his great cycle of music dramas, The Ring: the notion that nothing human is permanent, and all must perish in the spirit's ongoing search for self-knowledge. And the essence of this spirit, Hegel argued, is freedom. Wagner took this idea one step further. Freedom, for Wagner, was not only a political phenomenon, it was also a profound spiritual reality, revealed in the moment of sacrifice.
Wagner and the Philosophy of Revolution
2/5 AC Grayling focuses on the crucial years before and after the Dresden uprising of 1849.
Wagner and Schopenhauer
3/5 Christopher Janaway explores Wagner's encounter with the philosophy of Schopenhauer.
Wagner and Nietzsche
4/5 Michael Tanner explores the relationship between Wagner and Friedrich Nietzsche.
Wagner and Adorno
5/5 Professor John Deathridge explores the posthumous reputation of Wagner in the 20th century
Is Wagner’s Nazi stigma fair?
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130509-is-wagners-nazi-stigma-fair
