Wagner-Bax links

[Sean]

Both use open form with material evolving intuitively, causing their music to be misunderstood: Wagner is the greatest German composer and Bax the greatest English.

Both interested in music as expressing emotional states, using rich, and skilled harmony and orchestration.

Bax studied Wagner & played the operas on piano.

Tintagel in Cornwall has connections with the Tristan and Isolde legend.

Both were both good lovers and died of heart conditions at age 69.

[mahler10th]

Very interesting snippet Sean!

[Superhorn]

  Interesting comparisons. but I wouldn't call Bax the "Greatest" English composer, and Wagner is ONE of the greatest German compsers, and one of the greatest ,period.
I don't think Bax is greater than Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Britten or Tippett,for example. But his music is certainly well-worth getting to know.

[Sean]

...but I wouldn't call Bax the "Greatest" English composer...

I didn't suppose you would, but I believe I'm right and that time will prove it: Bax uses formless rhapsody moving under its own logic, rather than structures imposed from without as with all the regular big names, and which are ultimately contrived and inartistic. Wagnerian-type form is the future of music...

[Bulldog]

Both were both good lovers....

How do you know?

[Sean]

You can tell from the music...