>>>I should mention that some informed Wagnerologists believe Beckmesser is actually an antisemitic caricature, an interpretation that can never be dismissed out of hand with Wagner, who was one of the most outspoken racists of his age, and whose "Jewishness in Music" waxed with considerable zeal, if not much clarity about the ill effects wrought by Jews, including Mendelssohn.<<<
Yes, Howard, I am aware of this side of Wagner. We know what such an outlook led to. Utterly abhorant. But do any of the pre-20th century composers stand up to our present-day political stances? Very few, I imagine. This is a big can of worms for a list such as this. Do you really want to get into it? I don't. But I don't want people think I play Wagner because I agree with his stance on the Jews...far from it. In all honesty, despite my comical gripes about the whole affair, I feel very humbled against his genius. How often have I the opportunity to be part of something of this grandeur? Not very often. I find it overwhelming and uplifting, but I can't wait to get back to quiet introspective lute, guitar and vihuela music - no matter what Fuenllana/Dowland/Sor thought of Jews or any other race/nationality/religious faction... Rob To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
