Wagner And Counterpoint

[hiflier]

Many years ago I heard that Richard Wagner had been accused of knowing nothing about counterpoint. So he incorporated it into the shoemakers' song in the opera 'Die Meistersingers von Nurnberg'. Is this story true?

[Buenchico]

See here:
http://www.immaculatasymphony.org/past/Apr08.php

[jno]

here's a similar, but different, story

In his fine book, The Orchestra and Orchestral Music, W. J. Henderson relates this anecdote:

A professional musician was engaged in a discussion of Wagner in the corridor of the Metropolitan Opera House, while inside the orchestra was playing the ‘Meistersinger’ overture.

It is a pity, Said this wise man, in a condescending manner, ‘but Wagner knows absolutely nothing about counterpoint.’

At that instant the orchestra was singing five different melodies at once; and, as Anton Seidl was the conductor, they were all audible.

From here
http://www.musicwithease.com/die-meistersinger.html

I wonder if it mightn't be a myth.

[jno]

not a myth, obviously!

[mikey4444]

What a load of tosh....I don't expect he knew much about fishing or gardening
either, but it doesn't detract for one second from his wonderful music.

Meistersingers is a work of pure genius !

[joggerjayne]

(agrees with Mikey)