Looking for Wagner recommendations

I'm a relative newbie when it comes to classical. I'm looking for some Wagner recommendations. Any suggestions on where to start?

mingles11-08-2009 2:56am

tfkaudio Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 591 posts 11-08-2009 at 06:14am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Rossman is right. If you want to get a taste for Wagner without "going all in" as they say in poker, buy a CD of orchestral music from Wagner's operas. There is a 2 CD set on London/Decca (440 606-2). Sir Georg Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic. Believe me, these discs will leave you wanting more. If you've decided you like it, then buy a complete opera. They are all great, so pick any one. Although... I wouldn't start with the Ring cycle. You'll enjoy it more if you've "worked up to it" by listening to Wagner's earlier operas and getting to know the composer. Plus, it's really long.... Cheers. Tom
tfkaudio Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 591 posts 12-23-2009 at 12:21am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Sometimes it's better to not know much, or anything, about a composer before listening to his/her music. An understanding of Wagner (or anyone) is essential if you are to truly understand his works at a very scholarly level, but not required to enjoy them. I imagine many of Beethoven's comtemporaries hated his music because they hated him personally. Their loss. Cheers.