Free Ebook: Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Vol 1&2 Epub, Kindle, etc

"Two principal motives of my myth therefore remain to be represented, both of which are hinted at in "Young Siegfried", the first in the long narrative of Brynhild after her awakening (Act III.), the second in the scene between Alberich and the Wanderer in the second act and between the Wanderer and Mime in the first. That to this I was led not only by artistic reflection, but by the splendid and, for the purpose of representation, extremely rich material of these motives, you will readily understand when you consider the subject more closely. 

"Think then of the wondrously fatal love of Siegmund and Siegelinde, of Wotan in his deep, mysterious relation to that love, in his dispute with Fricka, in his terrible self-contention when, for the sake of custom, he decrees the death of Siegmund, finally of the glorious Valkyrie Brynhild, as, divining the innermost thought of Wotan, she disobeys the god, and is punished by him; consider this wealth of motive indicated in the scene between the Wanderer and the Wala, and at greater length in the above-mentioned tale of Brynhild, as the material of a drama which precedes the two Siegfrieds; and you will understand that it was not reflection, but rather enthusiasm, which inspired my latest plan." Wagner: 1851

"In July I wanted to begin "Young Siegfried" at Seelisberg, on the lake of Lucerne, but now I think of delaying that beginning till next spring. This dislike of work is the worst feature of all. I feel as if with it eternal night were closing around me, for what have I still to do in this world if I cannot do my work?" Wagner 1855

My health, too, is once more so bad, that for ten days, after I had finished the sketch for the first act of "Siegfried," I was literally not able to write a single bar without being driven away from my work by a most alarming headache. Every morning I sit down, stare at the paper, and am glad enough when I get as far as reading Walter Scott. With "Rhinegold" I got on well enough, considering my circumstances, but the "Valkyrie" caused me much pain. Wagner 1857

Translated by  Francis Hueffer and long in the public domain - I note that there are people selling  these in Ebook format still. You can find both volumes below as made available by Project Gutenberg. To download in the format of your choice please click the relevant link below. Originally published in 1889 but still highly readable



Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Vol 1

To read the HTML:file online please click here:      Generated HTML
To Download the EPUB edition please click here:  EPUB (no images)
To Download the Kindle  edition please click here: Kindle (no images)

Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Vol 2

To read the HTML:file online please click here:      Generated HTML  

To Download the EPUB edition please click here:  EPUB (no images)
To Download the Kindle edition please click here:  Kindle (no images)