Why Did Wagner’s Contemporaries Dislike His Work?

Richard Wagner, the 19th-century composer, was a highly polarizing figure in the world of music and culture. While his music eventually came to be recognized as one of the most influential in Western music, his contemporaries often had negative perceptions of his work. This article explores the various factors that contributed to this polarized response.

1. Innovative Style and Complex Harmonies

Wagner's music was groundbreaking, incorporating complex harmonies, extended forms, and the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk (total artwork). While some praised his innovative approach, others found it challenging or even inaccessible. His work was a significant departure from the traditional forms and structures of the time, leading to mixed reactions.

2. Controversial Ideological Views

Wagner’s writings and public persona often reflected controversial and anti-Semitic views, especially in his essay The Jews in Music. These views were deeply polarizing and contributed significantly to the negative response to his work among many of his contemporaries.

3. Elaborate Staging and Dramatic Themes

Wagner's operas often emphasized dramatic themes and elaborate staging, which some critics viewed as excessive compared to the more restrained traditions of opera at the time. This theatricality was seen as a departure from the subtler and more reserved styles favored by other composers of the era.

4. Personal Rivalries and Self-Promotion

Wagner had numerous conflicts with other composers and musicians, leading to significant personal animosities. His brash personality, self-promotion, and tendency to attack perceived rivals in print contributed to an environment in which he made few friends. His essay Judaism in Music was particularly toxic, attacking the influential composer Giacomo Meyerbeer and further exacerbating tensions.

5. Cultural and Political Shifts

The musical landscape was shifting, with composers like Johannes Brahms and later impressionists favoring different aesthetics. Wagner's style was sometimes seen as a rejection of classical forms, leading to further negative perceptions among those who cherished the familiar structures of the time. Additionally, Wagner's political involvements, particularly during the 1848 revolutions in Germany, sometimes overshadowed his musical contributions, leading to mixed receptions.

While Wagner has since been recognized as one of the most influential figures in Western music, his contemporaries' reactions were shaped by a complex interplay of artistic, ideological, and personal factors. His difficult personality and megalomania were part of the polarizing nature of his approach to music and his place in history.

Understanding the context in which Wagner’s work was received helps to appreciate the complexity of his legacy and the reasons why his contemporaries often disliked his music.