What terrible harm Wagner did by interspersing his pages…
“What terrible harm Wagner did by interspersing his pages of genius with harmonic and modulatory outrages to which both young and old are gradually becoming accustomed and which have procreated d'Indy and Richard Strauss.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Rimsky-Korsakov argues that Wagner’s excessive harmonic experiments corrupt musical taste and foster imitators like d’Indy and Strauss.
In simple terms: Wagner’s daring harmonies are seen as harmful, leading to bad habits in listeners and composers.
Key Takeaway
Beware of novelty that sacrifices musical coherence.
Themes
music criticism
artistic integrity
historical influence
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- concert programming
- music education
- composer training
- listener development
Key Concepts
harmonic innovation
cultural impact
musical taste
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance innovation with tradition?
- When does experimentation become excess?
A Different Perspective
Wagner’s innovations also expanded expressive possibilities, influencing modern music.