The Wagner Effect

The complex textures and rich harmonies characteristic of Richard Wagner’s compositions had a magnetic force on the composers featured on this afternoon’s program. From Strauss’ lusciously scored and radiantly colorful Sextet from his opera Capriccio and a string version of Berg’s intense Piano Sonata to arrangements and works in honor of Wagner by his own father-in-law, Franz Liszt, this program is a testament to the dominant force of this Roman...