Question

Richard Wagner once said, "I write music with an exclamation point!" After hearing some Wagner compositions, do you agree with his assessment? Why or why not? Give specific examples from his works.

What other composers can you think of who write with an "exclamation point"? How does their music compare to the music of Wagner? Are there modern musicians or songs that you would place in this group, or does music with an exclamation point need to be performed by an orchestra? Please give specific examples of musicians and their work!

Answer 1

Wagner's statement about writing music with an 'exclamation point' is illustrated by his operas with their intense drama. Composers like Berlioz, Strauss, and Beethoven also embodied this audacity in their works. Today, composers in various music genres, including film scores, maintain this bold style.

Step-by-step explanation:

Richard Wagner and the Exclamation in Music

Richard Wagner's assertion that he writes music with an 'exclamation point' is affirmed through the dramatic intensity and emotional power of his compositions. One can agree with his self-assessment, particularly when considering Wagner's operas, such as 'The Ring of the Nibelung', which contain monumental and stirring music, characterizing the high drama and deep emotions typical of his work.

In comparison, other composers who imbued their music with boldness and intensity include Berlioz, Strauss, and Beethoven. Berlioz's 'Symphonie fantastique' and Strauss's 'Also sprach Zarathustra' exemplify this approach. Beethoven, especially in his later works such as the Ninth Symphony, pushed Romanticism to its expressive limits with grandiosity and vigor.

Music with an 'exclamation point' is not confined to orchestral performances. Modern musicians across various genres, including rock, pop, and film scoring, also create exuberant and forceful music, resonating with Wagner's impactful style. For instance, John Williams' iconic 'Star Wars' theme captures a similarly bold and dramatic quality.