About this book
Richard Wagner's On Conducting (Üeber Das Dirigiren): a Treatise on Style in the Execution of Classical Music is a forceful, practical manifesto that challenges routine and reshapes how classical performance is led. Written and first published in 1869, Wagner draws on his experience as composer-conductor to offer candid observations on gesture, tempo, phrasing, ensemble cohesion, and the dramatic responsibilities of the conductor. Rather than a rigid system, the book records tested principles for achieving expressive unity in orchestral and vocal performance, addressing executants—instrumentalists and singers—as much as those on the podium.
Grounded in 19th-century aesthetics and the grand style Wagner championed, the treatise sparked controversy in its day and remains a unique voice in Music literature: part technical manual, part interpretive philosophy. Appendices and excerpts illuminate points of practice and historical context without sacrificing the author’s trenchant character.
Ideal for conductors, orchestral and choral musicians, conservatory students, and anyone fascinated by performance practice, this audiobook delivers authoritative, era-defining guidance on musical leadership and interpretation—essential listening for those who want to understand how great works are brought vividly to life.
