Wagner’s anti-Semitism, but the result of Wagner’s writings about Judaism (NOT in his music itself, per se) have had long-lasting and long-reaching consequences. In Israel, it was governmentally prohibited (banned) to perform Wagner’s music until the Israeli supreme court overturned the official ban some years ago. Still, there is an unofficial, culturally-enforced ban on Wagner’s music to this day, and occasionally those who choose to program his work often inspire harsh backlash and media frenzy. But Wagner was not, by a long shot, the only artist to have expressed anti-Semitic views during his lifetime. Seeing that many other notable anti-Semites have their work performed or displayed in Israel today, do you think it’s fair and/or reasonable to have Wagner’s work somewhat singled out for a cultural ban? Why do you think this is the case with his music in particular? Read the following short article from The Wall Street Journal and think about these issues when crafting your responses. Here is the link to the article:
https://classicalmusicguide.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=26409
Think about the following issues as you read the rest of the material. You MAY incorporate these into your written responses. They might be what interests you.
1) Should Wagner, who died five years before Hitler was even born, be held responsible for the Nazi regime’s championing of his music nearly 60 years after its creation?
2) Is art or music necessarily linked to the ideology of its creator? (Think about Walt Disney’s rampant Anti-Semitism in this case…we seem to be OK with Disney today, don’t we?)
3) What is your stance on this topic? Should Israel continue the ban? Should America (either as official, governmental policy or as a cultural movement) adopt similar policy, or should we actively dissuade people from censorship?
2) The article from the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise notes that: “…the music of Carl Orff is frequently performed in Israel’s concert halls, particularly his popular Carmina Burana, which he composed in 1937, expressly for the leaders of the Nazi regime. Orff seems to have been forgiven, while Wagner remains so controversial.” Know what you do from your assigned readings this week, why do you think this is? What are your thoughts on this particular situation? (at least 100 original words)
3) Richard Taruskin notes the following: “Art is not blameless. Art can inflict harm. The Taliban know that. It’s about time we learned.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Name one instance that you know of where art may be considered “dangerous.” Finally, how do you think we, as a society, should respond to such “dangerous” works?
